The city of Santiago, Chile represents a distinct blend of diversity. Everywhere you turn you’ll be faced with beautiful buildings, fun restaurants and cafes, and astounding collections of artwork.

The architecture dates back as far as the 16^th century and the atmosphere, flanked by the incredible Andes Mountains, is both peaceful and welcoming.

When to Visit Santiago

The time of year you travel to Santiago will depend on your reason for visiting. The city is in the Southern Hemisphere, which means the seasons are opposite to those in the Northern Hemisphere. While the four seasons are each defined the weather is usually rather tepid year round – think southern California.

The temperatures during the spring months, September through November, average between 43 degrees Fahrenheit (6 Celsius) and 73 degrees Fahrenheit (23 Celsius). The flowers and trees begin to bloom and the colors are absolutely beautiful. The summer months, December through February, are much warmer and temperatures range from 53 degrees Fahrenheit (12 Celsius) to a steamy 93 degrees Fahrenheit (34 Celsius). The temperatures are usually very warm during the day but cool down considerably during the evening hours.

The fall months last from March through May and temperatures will begin to fall to anywhere between 45 Fahrenheit (7 Celsius) to 72 Fahrenheit (22 Celsius). You may not want to visit during the month of April, however, as this is the rainiest season. Temperatures during the winter months, June through September, average around 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15 Celsius).

Transportation throughout Santiago

Santiago does have its own airport, Arturo Merino Benitez. The airport is approximately 17 kilometers away from the center of the city and is easily accessed by public transportation. If you should choose to take a taxi from the city make sure you get an “official” taxi – the blue ones with official taxi identification. Airport buses are the least expensive option and are offered by Centro Puerto and Tour Express ever 15 or 30 minutes.

Once you’re settled in the city you’ll want to use public transportation systems to get around. The most common are the metro (subway), buses, or taxi cabs. The metro is easy to follow and is relatively inexpensive. The bus system is a bit more extensive than the metro but is usually more confusing for foreign visitors. Taxi cabs, of course, are plentiful and come in three varieties – normal, radio, and colectivos. Normal taxi cabs are the ones you an hail on the street; radio cabs are the ones you must call for; and colectivos carry small groups on fixed routes only.

Safety Considerations while Traveling in Santiago

Santiago is considered a safe city for travelers but, as usual, you should not draw negative attention towards yourself by carrying large sums of money or wearing expensive jewelry. Keep your eyes on your personal belongings at all times or lock them in the safe in your room.

It’s important to note that Chile is located in a relatively unstable geographic location. This means that the odds of you feeling tremors, of not a full earthquake, are pretty high. Most of the buildings in Santiago have been built with the proper construction design, allowing them to sway during tremors. If you should happen to experience a tremor, just remember to stay calm, find a strong location in the building (under a door frame), and stay away from windows or items that could topple over. If you are outside, find the most open space possible to avoid being hit by falling objects.

Things to do in Santiago

There are tons of sights and attractions to keep visitors to Santiago occupied. If you’re visiting for the first time you’ll probably have a difficult time determining where to start. If this is the case, check out some of these attractions first.

Start by climbing the nearby Santa Lucia Hill. From the top of this hill you can see the entire city of Santiago as well as the beautiful Andes. The hill is littered with walking paths, beautiful gardens, statues, and even a small art museum.

San Cristobal Hill, accessible via the aerial tram, is also a great place to stop if you’d like to enjoy some of the area’s astounding scenery. This hill is home to the Metropolitan Zoo, a myriad of gardens, and two gorgeous natural swimming pools.

If you’d prefer to stay in the city itself take a trip over to the Plaza de Armas, the city’s main square. Here you’ll find plenty of important buildings including the Bishop’s Palace and the National Historical Museum.

The city of Santiago, Chile welcomes visitors from around the globe. Make Santiago the focal point of your stay in Chile or choose one of the other fabulous hotels in Chile to visit. Either way, you won’t regret visiting this incredible city.