After much discussion and agonizing whether to return to beautiful BsAs this year or exploring new countries...my wife and I have decided on Santiago.

Can I assume that much of the culture is the same? Do Chileans eat dinner late as well? (late for Americans). What are some of the favorite foods? Parrilla? Fish? etc.

What are some of the clear differences between both cities. I understand that Santiago is somewhat more expensive than BA. How significant? Taxi's inexpensive? What can we expect for prices?

Any suggestions on the "must see" things to do? We are early 50'so not too much heavy / excessive activities.

Where is the closest and nicest beaches?

Since our Spanish is very limited are there many people that talk English like in BsAs? Are people as friendly there as in BsAs?

We will likely stay at the Holiday Inn Express (free nights)down town. Any reviews from past guests?

As always any help or insight is appreciated.

Ron

Chileans eat dinner late, but there are places that cater to tourists where it is possible to eat at 7pm. There is Parrillada as in Argentina, but also a lot of seafood. There is a greater variety in restaurants than in in Buenos Aires - just about any kind of food one could want. Eat a Chilean meat pie, an empanada
Try the cocktails- pisco sour and vaina. The wine, of course, is excellent.
Santiago is more epensve than BA, but cheaper than North America. Taxis are reasonable and drivers do not expect a tip. The major difference is the view - spectacular.

The closest beaches are at Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, but the water is cold.

Dinner for two in a good restaurant will be $50 to $60.

Santiago is much smaller than Buenos Aires. Greater Buenos Aires has about the same population as all of Chile. I have noticed that the inflation in Argentina has made hotels more expensive there on average than Santiago. Also foreign visitors are exempt from the 19% tax on their hotel bills in Chile. Eating out is more expensive but there is also more variety.
You can visit vineyards very close to Santiago and the coast is only 1.5 hrs away. You can easily get tours to either.
The two cities are very different, reflecting their very different colonizations and histories.

We did not have any major language trouble in Santiago even though most people don't speak English. Restaurant "greeters" do tend to speak English and can help out. For less tourist oriented places we practiced our very limited Spanish. I have never been to BA so I cannot compare.

Personally I liked BA more, wasn't all that impressed with Chilean food - heavily german influenced which isn't my thing. I stayed 2 months near Valparaiso and would have to say that a visit to Valparaiso is a must, the town is literally built on a hill and is fun to walk around and get lost in. Beaches at Vina del Mar are nice, but unless you're visiting in the mid-late summer it's a little too cold to sunbathe on, the water is pretty cold year round - similar to central California. They definitely eat late, and pisco sours are a must.
To get to Valparaiso or Vina don't get suckered in by the tour companies, they'll charge you an arm and a leg. If you just take the Santiago subway to one of their big bus stations they have nice buses leaving every 5-10 minutes for Vina or Valpo.

I just wanted thank you all for your insight and comments. If anyone else has anything to add.......please do so.

Thanks again.

Ron

We really enjoyed Santiago - here's a link to our blog with several restaurant suggestions.

http://lizandrichardsa.typepad.com/l...ile/index.html

Can't compare to BA - haven't been there (yet)