Just returned from Chile
 

Went to Santiago, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, Bariloche, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Torres Del Paine, Easter Island. If you have questions, I may be able to help.

Dave, thanks for the offer. I'm definitely interested in the Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine portion of your trip. Any info on cruises to Laguna San Rafael and/or Torres del Paine? Also, car rental tips and approximate rates would be helpful. Thanks! <BR>Clara

Traveling to Argentina & Chile in April. <BR>Are there local tour pkgs. or airfares that can be purchased in Buenos Aires to Bariloche? Any suggestions for transportation between Bariloche and Puerto Montt picking up fight to Santigo? Any can't miss areas in Santiago. Thanks for any suggestions.

Dave: I am going to be heding to Santiago in August for a ski trip upo at Portillo. We will have two full days in Santiago, however. Any recommendations for places to stay and see? Thanks!

J Harkins - I believe that BA is 1000 miles from Bariloche - A lot of Brazilians go to Bariloche because of the scenery and outdoor activities. It is picturesque and relaxing. <BR> <BR>We went on a group package tour from Puerto Varas to Bariloche by the Lake Crossing - took 13 hours. Stayed at Llao Llao (pronounced yow yow) Hotel. On return we took a bus - took 6 hours. There used to be a plane from Bariloche to PM, but no more. (?bankrupt). <BR> <BR>Hans - We stayed at Hotel Carrera- good location. We walked all over the center of town for about 4 hours. Had the Insight Guide - very good, did most of the walking tour. Started at Moneda - saw the changing of the guard - 10AM. Then up the Ahumeda to Plaza de Armas - to Mercado - to Ballavista - to a tour of Pablo Naruda's house. What was amazing was that every inch of central Santiago was covered with stores and small shops. And thousands of magazine kiosks on every street. How do they all make a living? And the endless lines of buses. It has to be seen to be believed. Also went up the Cerro San Cristobal for a overview of the city, and winery about 1 hr outside the city. I can recommend everything except Naruda's house.

Hey Dave <BR>Going to Punta Arenas, Torres Del Paine and surrounding areas in December. Any insight at all would be great. How long did the circiut take you? Did you camp? <BR>Crowded? What time of year? Recommend hotel in Punta Arenas?etc. Cheers. <BR>Mike <BR>

We stayed at the Hotel Finis Terrae in PA, Hotel Costa Australis in PN, and Hotel Lago Grey in TDP. They were good comfortable hotels. As we had a package, I don't know how much they cost. There was just a little to see in PA and PN. <BR> <BR>The driving time by bus from PA to PN, and from PN to TDP was about 2 hours each. Once in TDP, the roads were narrow and tortuous. It wasn't crowded in Feb.

I'm going to Santiago for a meeting in April, and am interested in what your impressions of Santiago were. Any must-see or must-dos that you'd recommend? --Helen

Helen - Please see my note of 3-1. I recommend doing the walking tour which I mentioned. Santiago was full of people going here and there during the day - don't they work? Appeared modern and prosperous. It was hot and sunny.

i went on a trip to chile in january 2000 (santiago, puerto varas area and torres del paine). if anyone would like to read my travelogue, please go to: <BR>http://www.mindspring.com/~quimbymoy/chile.html <BR> <BR>feel free to e-mail with any questions. <BR>tina

Hans, I was in Chile skiing a couple years ago. Stayed in Santiago for three days at the Hotel Plaza San Francisco. It was very good. Sort of a business hotel, but right on the Plaza de San Francisco, the oldest standing building (a church) in the city. The staff was polite and helpful, rooms nicely appointed and clean and decent restaurant. The hotel is well-located for walking around the central city area. <BR> <BR>I also traveled to Chillan and Termas de Chillan approx. 500 miles south of the capitol if anyone is interested in that area. <BR> <BR>Beautiful country and I found the Chilenos to be a decent people.

I can help on specific information about all the places named before. Good tips on tours, lodging, transportation.

Hey Dave, <BR>I am interested in your thoughts on Bariloche. We will be in the area in Dec/Jan and would like to hike and fish, but not crazy about the big-resort-town atmosphere that Bariloche sounds like it has. Any suggestions for a town nearby (w/in 50 mi.) that is quieter with good access to fishing and hiking? Or a lodge? Thanks.

We stayed at the Lao-Lao Hotel outside of Bariloche. It was a very large hotel with very small rooms. To me the town itself was like any small US town, with a few streets of businesses. I would call it low-key. People said it reminded them of Switzerland. The hiking was good, don't know about fishing.

Hi Dave. I'm going to Puerto Varas/Lake Llanquihue for 3 days. Please let me know what can one do there? <BR> <BR>Then I'll be in Torres del Paine for another 3 days. Please let me know how far the park is from Punto arenas? can i take public bus from PA to the park? <BR> <BR>thanks. <BR>caroline

Caroline- <BR> <BR>We flew from Santiago to Puerto Montt, had a tour of the fish market and handicraft market and the center (not much), then went to Peurto Varas (15 minutes), checked into Hotel Cabanas del Lagos. Next day we drove along the shore of Lake Llanquihue to Frutillar and Puerto Octay. Saw the volcanos. Next day we took the lake crossing to Bariloche. I'm not sure what else there is to do, but boating is possible. It was not too exciting. <BR> <BR>The drive from PA to TDP was about 4 hours on good roads. As we were with a group, I don't know about buses.