3 Best Places to Shop in Santiago Centro, Santiago

In the countryside, men often wear texanos (cowboy hats), paños (formal hats), and chupallas (flat-brimmed hats). If you've ever wondered where to buy these proper toppers, head to Donde Golpea El Monito. At this downtown shop, in business for a century, the store's friendly staff shows customers the differences between each hat and how to wear them. Also for sale are spurs, ponchos, and other huaso (Chilean cowboy) essentials.

West of Estación Mapocho and at the end of Avenida Brasil, this complex is filled with antiques dealers. They are used to foreigners coming and poking around, some of whom have been known to fill entire containers with jewelry, chandeliers, ceramics, and crystalware to bring back home.

Take a quick peek across the street to the skate park at Parque de Los Reyes, where some of the best skateboarders in Chile practice on weekends.

Santiago's downtown mall includes sporting goods stores, a food court with fast food restaurants, and public bathrooms. It's close to the Mercado Central and has free Wi-Fi in the rest areas and food court.