Previously we published a short guide to Chile which is truly a land of contrasts.

Here we continue our series of articles about South America by focusing on Santiago.

Santiago

Santiago is the capital of Chile and it is one of Latin America’s most modern, developed and stable cities. It is located in Santiago Basin, a bowl-shaped valley surrounded by mountains. Summers in Santiago can be intensely hot and winters are generally mild with rainfall being quite common. November and March are nice months to visit the city as the temperatures are lower and this makes sightseeing pleasant. The city is the main gateway to the country so book cheap flights to Santiago de Chile with Lan Chile or Iberia.

Any tourist in Santiago must start by visiting the Moneda, which is the seat of the President of the Republic. This must be followed by a walk to Plaza de Armas where you should go and see Santiago Cathedral. Take time out for lunch and sample some great home cooked food at Santiago Market. Ask for “Tio Lucho” which is one of the most popular seafood restaurants at the market. After lunch make your way up San Cristobal Hill in the centre and enjoy a well-deserved Chilean Empanada at the top. Santiago is a huge city but it will give you a taste of Chilean lifestyle and culture before you head off to other parts of the country.

Discover More of Chile

The best way to discover Chile is by flying to Santiago and then booking low cost flights to other regions with airlines such as Lan Chile and Sky Airlines.