Santiago, Chile 🇨🇱 | 1-Day City Walk Guide

Weather: Hot! ☀️ A T-shirt is enough, but locals warned of frequent phone thefts (even violent ones), so I wore a light jacket to hide my phone. Mornings/evenings are cooler. 🚌 Transport From SCL Airport: Took the airport shuttle bus → Metro Line 1. Bip! Card: Bought for CLP $1,550 (optional – we barely used it). Route: Got off at Universidad de Chile station → walked to historic center. 📍 Walking Route 1️⃣ Plaza de Armas Highlights: Santiago Cathedral: Free entry, stunning neoclassical architecture. Pre-Columbian Art Museum: CLP $12,000 entry – worth it for Inca artifacts! La Moneda Palace: Snap pics of the presidential palace. 2️⃣ Mercado Central (13-min walk) Fresh cherries and chaotic market vibes. Skip the overpriced seafood restaurants. 3️⃣ National Museum of Fine Arts (10-min walk) Free entry + free lockers/toilets (rare in South America!). Photogenic interiors – don’t miss the grand staircase! 4️⃣ Cerro Santa Lucía (5-min walk) Skipped it: Dry winter fountain + better views ahead. 5️⃣ Cerro San Cristóbal (20-min bus ride) Funicular round-trip: CLP $5,800 – panoramic city views + giant Virgin Mary statue. Taxi to airport: Waited too long for buses – Uber cost CLP $15,000. 💰 Costs & Tips Cash: Exchanged ¥400 for 3 days – still had leftovers! Most restaurants accept cards (no 5% fee!). Safety: We felt safe (no theft witnessed), but keep phones hidden. Heed warnings about refugee-related crime spikes. ⚠️ Reality Check Contrasts: Santiago feels more European (vs. indigenous-heavy Bolivia/Peru), but poverty exists. Refugee Impact: Increased petty crime – stay alert but don’t panic! #ChileTravel #SantiagoDIY #CityWalks #SouthAmerica #TravelSmart