short trips out of Santiago
 

I'm going to visit a friend in Santiago in March. I'd like to get out of her hair and take a couple of short trips (3 - 6 days) while I'm there. Any suggestions? I'm more a nature person than a shopper, although I do love cities and good restaurants. I would rather not drive, although it's starting to sound like that might be tough. I hear Valparaiso is great.

Any suggestions?

There is no need to drive. There are very good buses to just about anywhere you want to go. Short trips would include Valparaíso or anywhere on the nearby coast, Cajón del Maipo, Santa Cruz in the Colchagua valley, a day trip up to the ski resorts (even when there is no skiing, there are condors), You could also do a trip to La Serena, about 6 hrs by bus north of Santiago, and the nearby Elqui Valley.

I'm planning a trip to Chile in December, so have been doing my own research. I suggest a 3-4 a trip to the Atacama desert region. You can stay in San Pedro de Atacama, and do day trips from there. To see the Salt Lakes, Altiplano, and geysers.

The Atacama was my first thought, too, as you said you like nature. It's amazing, with the flamingos, the sunsets, the "remote landscape of Tatooine" (Star Wars!), and the pleasant little town of San Pedro.

I wouldn't have wanted to miss Easter Island (Rapa Nui), either; three days there worked okay for me, even longer would be nice. Of course, it's a five hour flight, but it's closer from Santiago than anywhere else.

Thanks for the advice. The Atacama sounds pretty spectacular. But then it all does.