After spending two and a half weeks in Patagonia, we (my husband, 11 year old daughter and myself) will be flying from Punta Arenas to Santiago on Jan 31. I am trying to decide if we should stay in SCL until Jan 3 or if we should fly on to LIM for those few nights.

We are going to go back to the US via LIM (It's a miles thing) but could do that simply by transferring at the airport with a short layover.

I know there is a great difference between the two cities and have seen other posts on it but they were older and I think Santiago has had a bit of a remake as far as the food scene, museums, etc.

If you are interested in museums and food, I don't think it's even close. Lima.

Santiago is a great city, a very fun place.

I wasn't a great fan of Lima until I returned a couple of months ago, now I love it. We have just booked another week there before we return to the UK. The restaurants there are amongst the best we have found anywhere in South America. Although to be fair we have only visited Santaigo briefly so I can't really comment on that city.

I was no wowed by Santiago. Was in Lima maybe 6 years ago and didn't love it either, but have been reading good things about it. Food was definitely better in Lima. Have you considered a trip to Valparaiso for a couple days?
odie - were you planning a trip like this a couple years back? I though I recall your comments on our TR then.

I think I'd give the slight nod to Santiago on this one, especially with a walking tour or two from La Bicicleta Verde (this is the one I took: http://www.labicicletaverde.com/en/human-rights/ ) and going to Tio Willie's in Mercado Centrale for empanadas and eel. I do like Lima (and love Peru) but this just seems like a good fit with your Patagonia trip.

crellston- I have been reading your recent travel report and had seen your comments on Lima. please see comments below regarding Bolivia, but addressed to you.

yestravel- That is exactly right. We are leaving in Dec for three weeks. We had a trip planned a few years back bit the volcano eruption messed it all up so we cancelled. We are just now getting to take it and very excited! I think we will take a day for Valpo or Vina or both. Only problem is it will be Jan 1 or 2 so many things may be closed, but then again, that might be a good thing.

Amy-thanks for the tip. We LOVE empanadas! Still dream about the ones we had in Santa Cruz, Bolivia-sorry Crellston you didn't seem to enjoy your time there. We were there almost 15 years ago and really enjoyed it., especially the sloths in the city square!

I appreciate everyone's feedback. We are going to stay on in Santiago and merely transfer through Lima to save the 120,000 AA miles. Machu Picchu is high on my list so I know we will be back for a trip there and we will incorporate Lima then.

IMO, Santiago is just a city. Valpariso is more interesting than Santiago.

Lima too is just a city. Some areas of the city are rough around the edges and there is lots of crime in Lima. If you choose Lima, plan wisely.

Have you thought of Easter Island? You could fly Santiago - Easter Island - Lima and see some unique sights instead of a city.

odie1's last reply wasn't posted when I started typing my reply - which is now irrelavant

Odie1 whilst we loved Bolivia, you are right Santa Cruz was not our favourite place. Just a big sprawling city but with some decent reataurants but no Sloths in the square anymore!! As for empanadas, yes, they were good but not as good as they are here in Salta, Argentina!

I would definitely spend a day in Valparaiso. A very interesting city. Try the "graffitti" tour. Vina did not really appeal but we did have a great day horse riding outside of the city.

RJames-thanks for the ideas. I actually had planned on Easter Island but then thought we really would have been doing enough traveling for one trip so I decided against it-even though I have always wanted to go there. Go figure...

crellston-I am so sorry to hear there are no more sloths there. It really was so cool sitting in the park watching them up in the trees and even come down and walk on the ground to go up to another tree. They would literally walk right under the table that older gentlemen had set up to play dominoes at. I dream of empanadas in Argentina.