Chilean Escapade: Santiago’s Buzz & Valparaiso’s Coast

Chile, the first place I understood the language as a Latina travel blogger but if a local started speaking to me I would only understand half of what they were saying. This says a lot for Chilean “Spanish” as Spanish. I do have to hand it to Chileans who have mastered the way of shortening 2 words, combining them and creating a new word for something. For example, pisco and coke is called “piscola” and “peso”, their currency is “lucas”. My Chilean Escapade: Santiago’s Buzz and Valparaiso’s Coastal Whimsy was a success and highly advise Latina travelers or aspiring Latina solo travelers to visit.

Chilean Escapade Table Of Contents

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Plan Your Chilean Escapade

Flight	Stay	Do	Drive
Skyscanner	Agoda	Viator	QEEQ

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Why Visit Chile

Chile was a country that has been in my “To Travel” list for quite some time.

Latina Travel Blooger Tip: If you don’t already have one make sure to start a travel list. It’s the perfect way to guide you on your next holiday/vacation but it can double up as a vision board of where you want to go.

I came to Chile for the Andes, its rich culture, and a deeper understanding of a country with a dark past under Pinochet. And, of course, for the wine. Wine is cheaper than beer here and something I wouldn’t have learned without traveling. As the wine seller put it, there’s no bad Chilean wine and I certainly learned this during my time here.

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Where To Visit In Chile

During my 7-day trip to Chile, I focused on what I consider the mainland, leaving out Easter Island, which is technically part of the country. I explored Santiago and Valparaíso, two must-see destinations. Although I considered adding Viña del Mar to my itinerary—it’s just a short 20-minute bus ride from Valparaíso—I decided against it, as I prefer to visit places when the weather isn’t ideal. However, if you’re visiting, I recommend Viña del Mar for its beautiful beaches, which make it a worthwhile stop.

• Santiago
• Valparaíso
• Viña del Mar
• Easter Island

This article dives deeper into each city in Chile, giving you all the details you need.

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Santiago’s Urban Energy

In Santiago, the most exciting part was knowing I would get to reunite with fellow travelers I had met during my Girl Takes Mundo Latina solo travel sabbatical. This included grabbing dinner with Fran and Mau whom I met in Sofia in Bulgaria. (This was the first country in part 1 of this trip)

Then I met up with Mauri, one of my yoga instructor from the Ubud Yoga Center in Bali and his wife Marce. After 9 years of living abroad, they decided to return to live in Santiago.

When I wasn’t catching up with friends I was getting to enjoy the city and visiting the top sights like:

• Walking up the Cerro of San Cristobal not once but twice
• Feasting in the cities seafood market, Mercado Central
• Checking out the Human Rights museum
• Taking a free walking tour from “Mateo”, a street dog who was not only entertaining but owned the city.
• Enjoying ice cream from “Emporio La Rosa” 1 of the top 25 ice cream parlors in the world.
• Exploring the Italian neighborhood and street art in Yungay
• Tasting the infamous “teremoto” aka “tornado” drink from “La Piojera“. Trust me, you will only need 1 to feel a buzz.

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Valparaiso’s Coastal Whimsy

In Valparaiso, the highlight that no one in Valparaiso would let us miss was the rubber ducky in the port. Street vendors sold everything from rubber duckies, duck balloons and any other duck related items. Locals and expats would offer it as a Valparaiso tour stop and it even showed up in the national Chilean television. Yes, this was quirky but it’s nice to see how a city can make something a thing.

Additionally, we checked out one of the Ascensor El Peral, which is one of 16 finiculor elevators that brings you to the top of the various neighborhoods in the cit. At the top, we headed to an art exhibit to discover that the artist was visiting the exhibit and discussing his pieces. It certainly added to Federico Assler’s, “Taller Roca Negra” exhibit.

But if I could give any advice about Valparaiso is to just walk or join a street art tour. The street art is amazing and you will find it everywhere. If you are on a budget, grab a map and start seeing the places highlighted on the map. But don’t try to venture off those spots, especially at night. The cities nooks and crannies can turn grim at night. My mates and I personally learned this in the day when I was questioned and scolded by a mom who told me we were walking in a bad neighborhood and to return to the main touristy area.

But let this not steer you from visiting. Valparaiso, is worth the visit. It’s only an hour 1/2 away via bus from Santiago so you are doing yourself a disservice to your Chilean Escapade if you don’t go.

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Easter Island

I knew that I couldn’t visit Chile and maxamize my Chilean Escapade, without making my way to Easter Island, which is the easiest way to get to the remote island.

My adventures where too many to include here and deserved its own dedicated post.

Read my full guide on Easter Island which will give you the full lowdown of how to visit without breaking the bank.

Girl Take Mundo Easter Island Guide

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Final Latina Traveler Thoughts

It was simply wonderful to start this segment of my Female solo travel journey for Girl Takes Mundo with some familiar faces. More importantly, I was able to see them in their own back yard. As this is where they call home and where they are locals.

Chile was truly a great place to start my 2nd segment of my Girl Takes Mundo Latina solo travel sabbatical. Visiting a Latin country as a Latina solo traveler helped ease me back and speaking Spanish helped make it easier to speak Chilean “Spanish”.

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Want to discover where else you can visit in Latin America by a Latina travel blogger?

See my TRAVEL GUIDE SECTION for tips and recommendations for other bordering countries like Brazil and Paraguay. Learn how to get there, where to stay, eat and what to do!