Back from a week in Santiago and Valparaiso, happy to answer questions
Mar 31st, 2002, 05:03 AM
#2
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I am going to Vina, Valparaiso and Santiago in May. What is the best way to get around? Is driving easy? Where did you stay, we are thinking Hotel Alcazar or Hotel Cantamar in Vina. Did you do the horseback riding to the Andes? Any info would be appreciated. I have never been to SA. Thanks.
Apr 3rd, 2002, 03:57 PM
#3
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Hi!<BR>If you are staying in Santiago, the best way to get to Viña del Mar or Valparaíso is by car. During May you won{t find turist but the weather is still nice. Make sure to bring warm clothes because nights are cold. Both hotels are very good. But the best is Valparaíso with its cafes and local nightlife. There is a nice pub/restaurant there called Hamburgo. In Viña you have to go to the Casino and to great restaurants all around.<BR>About driving, its very easy if you have a good map.<BR>If you want horseriding in the Andes you have to start from Santiago (its closer than the beach). Any questions, just email me......I live here!
Apr 16th, 2002, 06:18 PM
#5
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Sorry folks for the delay in response.<BR><BR>1. getting around in Chile is easy. The roads and transportation system are excellent. Depending on how much time and money you have makes a difference on the best way to get around. We looked into renting a car but really couldnt get much better than 35-40$ a day. we did the math and realized that taxi-ing around santiago, taking the bus to valparaiso and vina was best route for us. the dollar is strong in chile so a cab ride really only costs about 3-4 dollars any where in the downtown city. We took a bus to Valparaiso total cost roundtrip from Santiago for 2 was a whopping $13. the buses were clean modern and puntual. we just taxied to and from the stations. <BR><BR>Valparaiso is actually a bit confusing by car. we walked around in the town and couldnt imagine trying to park there. they have a great shared-taxi system (like .30 cents a ride!) and buses that will take you to the center of Vina for about .50. totally safe and reasonably clean. <BR><BR>We stayed at the Brighton B&B which was perfectly located and had a great cafe and fanstastic views. we paid about $45 a night and had a wonderful view of the harbor. The bed stank but the food at their cafe and the views were fantastic. We stayed in Valparaiso and took the bus to Vina. In the middle of winter a day will do to see the sights. We really liked the natural history museum there. They have a Moai from easter island in case you cant get there.<BR><BR>We loved santiago. it was a modern clean and happening city. great shopping and restaurants. we checked Aqui esta Coco for seafood as the book suggested and enjoyed it, but found that the central market was a better and cheaper choice. there is a place there called Donde Augustos which was better and cheaper.<BR><BR>never went horseback riding. we're city folks so spent time shopping for music, shoes and stuff. <BR><BR>As for the skiing question i would imagine that april might work. we were there till April 1 and we saw the first snow of the year in the mountains overlooking the city. i figure higher up they had a pretty good dusting. <BR><BR>Overall the fodors book was pretty good. right on actually. The we liked there suggestions of museums the pre columbian art and visionary art museums were great. <BR><BR>make sure you take the funicular up the san cristobal hill the views are amazing. <BR><BR>hope this helps ya'll give me a yell if i can help. <BR><BR>B
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