My wife has a business meeting in Santiago, Chile, in May. Over the course of the 5 days we will be in Santiago, I suspect we will see the city and probably will be wisked out to the wine country for at least a few hours. When it's over, we plan to spend the next 6 days seeing what we can. I know the weather to the south is likely to be iffy, but there's a lot to the east and north of Santiago. How should we spend our 6 days?
Chile in May
Recent Activity
View all South America activity »
- 1 Vaya Adventures
- 2 Help needed - how to get from Iguazu border to Foz do Iguazu hotel?
- 3 Machu Pichu accomodation
- 4 Estancia near Mendoza?
- 5 11-day trip to Easter Island and Santiago.
- 6 Galapagos -- Anahi or Millenium
- 7 Taxi fares for my options at the Falls (Argentina).
- 8 Taxi fares for my options at the Falls.
- 9 Recommendations for Amazon tours
- 10 19 day Peru Itinerary, your thoughts?
- 11
Buenos Aires and Beyond for a Beginner
- 12
Back to South America
- 13 Should we go to Iguazu Falls?
- 14 First South American 2 month trip: Help review please !
- 15 We will be in Rio during carnival. Advice needed please.
- 16 Had to cancel our trip to Peru
- 17 Van rental in Punta Arena, Chile
- 18 Route planning- 28 weeks and counting. 1 year South America
- 19 Crees organisation and foundation and Manu Learning Centre
- 20 Recommendations for Galapagos islands tours
- 21 Backpacking South America 2014, Gringo + Backpack = Mochilero
- 22 A spare day at Machu Pichu
- 23 2 weeks in Peru or 1 week in Peru and 1 in Chile
- 24 Need Driver for Iguazu Falls & Foz da Iguacu
- 25 Travel agency review: Untamed Path for Ecuador/Galapagos



Go north. You can go as far as the Elqui valley or further to San Pedro de Atacama. The first can be done by bus in 6-7 hours but the second requires a flight.
May is often a cold (and gray) month in central Chile. Despite this, some coastal resorts not far from Santiago can be very attractive -and invigorating- in autumn. Zapallar and Cachagua, for example, are two prime examples of pretty and relaxing places. Isla Negra (with its main attraction: Pablo Neruda's house) and the string of wineries (Matetic, Casa Marin, etc.) with their cozy boutique hotels, located near to the coastal strip, are also definitely worth a visit.
If you rent a car, head south On PanAm 5 through lush wine country and end up at Hacienda Los Lingues. We had a most enjoyable two days there..it's a renowned horse ranch and Inn with outstanding acres and meals. We crashed a horse show and barbecue for visiting horse buyers from Argentina, one of whom was Fergie's (Duchess of York)mom, Susan Barrantes, who a few years later died in a car crash.
I would also recommend visiting colorful Valparaiso and Vina del Mar, before heading south. With six days, you can do all of this comfortably
stu
Turner:
here are some selected Chilean pics...for Hacienda Lingues, scroll down. Not great photography but you'll get the gist.
https://picasaweb.google.com/stuarttower/ChileAndBarilocheArgentina#