Vina del Mar

Chile (Central Region)

Vina del Mar

Sister city to the largest Chilean seaport, Valparaiso which it actually borders "Vina" as the Chileans call it is Chile's "Riviera".. with casinos, restaurants, night clubs, discos ( yes discos) swimming beach and other resort facilities. Only 120 KM. by car from Sanitago it is Santiago's playground and can be very crowded in the summer, Chile's summer, months (October to May). In Vina you must dress smart, otherwise you will feel like the ugly duckling so leave your Wrangler bluejeans cutoffs at home. Only 6 km (north) from Vina del Mar and halfway between Vina and Concon lies Renaca. Really only starting in 1947 its recent growth and development with fashionable hotels , restaurants, boulevards, cafes, and discos have made it the must see of the Chilean seaside resort cities .

Concon lies less than 30 minutes from Vina Del Mar via a picturesque oceanside highway. Here you will find mini-castles, cafes, street vendor stalls and some of the most outstanding restaurants in Chile. Try Congrio (an eel like fish) either fried or in a casserole, abalone, or crab pie accompanied by some of the great local wines. Citytour
The tour proceeds to the heart of the city, the Plaza Sotomayor, a pleasant sanctuary, opposite the Maritime Authority. Inside the plaza is the Monument to the heroes of Iquique, a memorial for those killed during the War of the Pacific. Just beyond this is Muelle Prat, the pier complete with small crafts market. Lunch (not included) can be at one of the many restaurants that border the beach; the perfect opportunity to sample the port’s famously fresh fish and seafood. At the afternoon, visit La Sebastiana, another of poet Pablo Neruda’s homes-turned-museums, ride one of the city’s many elevators, an effective mode of moving about this largely vertical port back at the turn of the century. Ascendor Artillería, built in 1898, is one of the oldest still in operation and offers a beautiful view of the ocean.