I already bought my tickets. I'll be there for 12 full days (Not including flight dates) in March/April. I plan to fly into Santiago, stay 2 nights, then drive all the way down to Chiloe island.Any must-see places during the journey? We're planning to make a stop in Pucon/Villarica which is what I've seen recommended the most.I'm used to driving in Latin America (driven in Brazil & Mexico) and speak Spanish, but is there anything I need to watch out for in that regard?
>>2860965I've only been to Antofagasta so I have no advice for your route but even though you speak Spanish you may still find Chileans hard to understand, especially the provincial types. I can hold casual conversation in Spanish but I had to rely on my wife a lot and even though she's Puerto Rican she struggled at times to comprehend what they're saying. You might want to try and find some videos of Chileans speaking so you can acclimate yourself before you go.
Forget Santiago, go to the south. Santiago is a big city just like Sao Paulo where you can find cool places and museums and shits like that, but at the end of the day it's mostly a dangerous place and kinda ugly too. The south is gorgeous.
>>2860965Remember the seasons are inverted in the Southern hemisphere. So you will be traveling through autumn, so get cozy clothing
>>2860965>going to Chile>posts Texan flagFucking newfags
>>2860965I would love yo do a motorcycle trip up the coast road of chile with my friends. Should have done it in our 20s before kids
>>2860965Traveled to Chile 2 years ago although I didn't drive - I only took planes. But since you're heading downward, definitely don't miss Puerto Varas. Undeniably one of the most peaceful and beautiful places I've been to. Osorno Volcano has the same grandeur (if not better) as Mount Fuji but without the annoying crowd Japan gets nowadays. Spend 2 nights there for a cruise in Petrohue & the surrounding natural beauty.>>2861013>but at the end of the day it's mostly a dangerous place and kinda ugly too.I want to deny this but it's true. Definitely avoid Plaza de Armas - it's shady and my phone almost got snatched there. Don't agree with the ugliness - it's one of those cities that look very beautiful if viewed from afar.
>>2861094bait used to be good>>2860965Chilean here, depends on what do you want to do. >>2861013 is mostly correct, 2 days is more than enough for the pretty parts of Santiago. Check museums that look good to you, go to the Sky Costanera (decent tourist trap) if you like a panoramic view of the city, go to the San Cristóbal Hill and use both cable cars. The Lastarria neighborhood is nice for a walk during the day. Big cities are divided in comunas, more or less districts. Of the places you might find yourself, avoid Estación Central and the Santiago Center district (yes it's confusing), they aren't like favelas or anything but it isn't the safest specially at night. Where is your hotel?I imagine you already know this stuff but safety tips (Santiago only):>muggins are a thing, but if you aren't in the places I mentioned during the night you'll be fine. >phone snatching is common à la London, mostly avoid waving your phone around. unlike muggins this also applies to nicer areas.>don't park in the street overnight (duh)Country wide (other cities + countryside):>don't leave shit unattended unless you truly are in the boonies, you are never gonna ever get mugged in Valdivia or in a small town but the local drunk will take your camera if you leave it on a bench. >DO NOT BRIBE COPS. they'll arrest your ass and be added to the 'tourists bribing cops' YouTube compilations.>DUI laws are stricter here, a BAC over 0.03% will get you a license suspension of 3 months, over 0.08% and you hit someone and fuck them up a minimum 3 years in jail.In respect to must see places: Valdivia and the Alerce Costero national park, the Huilo Huilo Reserve (Nothofagus Hotel is cool asf), the Alerce Andino national park (Puerto Montt is ugly as fuck). I would need more info of what you like to give more recommendations. i.e You prefer more nature trekking or cute little town with cultural stuff?
>>2863697Forgot, people will be friendly (specially outside Santiago) and you'll have the "cool foreigner" effect unless you are Israeli or are have a Colombian / Venezuelan accent. If you are black people might be prejudiced (they'll think you are Haitian) but the moment you open your mouth everything will be ok.
>>2860965It is the opposite way of where you are going, but if you were going North or had a little more time, Elqui Valley is one of my favorite places in Chile, and maybe it is being gatekept, but somehow people never mention it.About an hour West from La Serena, and is Chile's most fertile wine region, also the home of some of the best star gazing in the word. Also major Pisco growing region, and just a chill, off the grid vibe that I fucking loved.Rest of the country, outside of the far South which I haven't seen, and is supposed to be stunning, is just okay.Santiago is fine, but nothing stunning. They have the tallest building in South America and even with that you will likely just say meh.Valparaiso is far more interesting, but also far more dirty than Santiago. Chilean cities are really nothing special.
>>2865110I love Santiago. I think it's one of the most beautiful cities in S. America. If you're in the right place it also has beautiful walkable neighborhoods and parks along the river. The big park is also nice for longer weekend excursions or picnics.
>>2860965>Any must-see places during the journey?in santiago, the mercado central, cerro santa lucia, lastarria, the parque metropolitano, cementerio general, la chascona, la moneda and plaza de armas. valpo is also jsut a short drive from santiago and a must-see. make sure you eat some raw hamburger, try the mote con huesillo and you can try a sandwich at the fuente alemana just to say you've been there. also don't forget the completo. have some chilean pisco and vino but skip the terremoto
