Overview
Take a trip to Santiago on your Chile Vacation
When on a Chile vacation, the cultural, political and financial centre of the country as well as its capital, Santiago is located in the country’s central valley, dominated by the Andes to the east and a smaller coastal mountain range in the west.
Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in February 1541. By the end of the century, the town was still quite small with infrastructure only beginning to expand in the 18th century. As a result of the California gold rush in the middle of the 19th century which triggered a great deal of exports, Santiago’s population began to grow.
After a coup d’état in 1973 which saw liberal president Salvador Allende removed by the military regime of General Pinochet, Santiago witnessed a great deal of violence and atrocities aimed at those who were believed to be anti-Pinochet. In 1990, a democratically elected leader was put in power and the city, and the country gradually began to recover.
Today, Santiago is a modern city that appears more Western than many of its neighbours. A cultural hub, Santiago hosts many universities as well as a thriving arts and culinary scene. While there is much to do within the city itself, its stunning setting among the Andes ensures that there are opportunities for exciting activities like trekking, hiking, kayaking and more just beyond the city limits on Chile vacations.
Today, Santiago is a modern city that appears more Western than many of its neighbours. A cultural hub, Santiago hosts many universities as well as a thriving arts and culinary scene. While there is much to do within the city itself, its stunning setting among the Andes ensures that there are opportunities for exciting activities like trekking, hiking, kayaking and more just beyond the city limits on Chile vacations.
At a Glance
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Chilean SpanishCurrency
Chilean Peso (CLP)What do the experts say?
Pastel de choclo, sweet corn baked over savoury meat, olives, and eggs, is a must-try. Pair it with a pisco sour or a glass of Carménère or Sauvignon Blanc.
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, offers a profound spiritual connection to nature and culture. The night skies, volcanic landscapes, and iconic Moai statues make it one of the most isolated and romantic places on earth.
Chile’s diversity is unmatched. You can enjoy wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, watch the sunset on the Pacific coast, stargaze in the Atacama Desert, trek the glaciers of Patagonia, and even escape to mystical Rapa Nui, all in one trip.
November through March is summer in Chile, ideal for exploring its diverse regions
Chile is stunningly beautiful. You can experience such dramatically different landscapes in one country.
Aerial view of the financial district
One of Santiage icon locations, Palacio de la M...
santiago chile tours
Plaza de Armas
The famous Statue of Virgin Mary in Santiago is...
Most Popular Time to Travel
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Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
SantiagoMostly Sunny
26°C / 78°F
15mm / 0.6"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
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Ingrid Aird did a great job with a pair of tours one private and one group. Organizing pickup from airport and flights.
Hotel, Enterprise Hotel, after a bit of a rough start getting us into a proper room, was more than excellent.Thomas HelpsWe were looking forward to a magical vacation in Greece, and Goway Travel delivered on all fronts. This is the second time that we have booked with them (the first being an incredible excursion in Thailand), and everything went along swimmingly. Only on one occasion did a tour go sideways, but our Goway specialist (Patrick) took care of it for us.
When your tour involves many flights, numerous hotels, various tours, ferries, and transfers, it is nice to know that your travel specialist can handle it all. Goway (from Patrick to all the other staff involved) handled everything in such a professional manner. Thanks Goway for such an incredible experience in Greece. I look forward to another adventure in the near future!Jenny FriessWe recently returned from France - three cities in two weeks - and our trip was fantastic! Jacqueline helped us with a return to France with no worries and concerns. Drivers met us at every destination- hotels were superb and the individual tours memorable. This is a return vacation with Goway and we could not be more pleased. The customer service is top notch and all questions answered promptly. For us seniors, we appreciate all the thoughtfulness and consideration.ElizaGrayMy clients had an amazing trip and they told me that the trip was better than expected. I want to thank Brent Morris who was very helpful in the planning stages.
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