Valparaíso.
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Overview

Valparaíso is a city of almost 300,000 people (2017) on the Pacific coast of Central Chile. Frequently referred to as simply Valpo, it is about 120 km west of the capital, Santiago. The city is widely known for its bohemian culture, brightly colored houses, and beautiful seaside views.

Understand

Valparaiso is an important port town, and has been for hundreds of years, resulting in its being made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003.

Its location on the shipping routes before the completion of the Panama Canal, has left a legacy that still can be seen in various features of the old port town. Its location in the earthquake zone, and the disastrous earthquake of 1906, is another legacy. There have been more recent earthquakes as well.

The old town is surrounded with features that reflect the rich maritime heritage, and an important location of Chilean national pride - where its naval mastery was challenged and maintained.

When roaming the chaotic, hilly streets, and taking in the views and ambience, you are not just experiencing the port and the colorful houses, or the funicular railways, but a complex history of Chilean national identity and politics.

The old town can be compared to the more modern Viña del Mar just to the north, and the hinterland that leads over to Santiago.

There is also an active nightlife and a constantly changing variety of artistic events.

Get in

By plane Valparaiso does not have its own airport. The closest airport with commercial service is Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport in Santiago, some 1½ hr away, which offers extensive domestic and international service.

To get to Valparaíso from Santiago's airport, requires catching a bus heading to Pajaritos from outside of the airport terminal.

This will drop you off at the north side of "Pajaritos" a bus/subway station on the outskirts of Santiago, cross to the south side of the subway station to get to the bus platform.

From here, buses leave frequently for Valparaiso and other destinations; you may also take the subway into downtown Santiago. It is generally not necessary to have a bus ticket before arriving at Pajaritos. A ticket between Pajaritos and the airport with Centropuerto bus company is 1700 pesos.

By train The Metro Valparaíso or Merval runs between Valparaiso and Limache, as well as surrounding communities including Viña del Mar. It runs from 06:00 to 23:30, and is new, clean and fast.

By car While Valparaiso can be a bit of a difficult city in which to drive, the area's highway system is generally of good quality. There are often tolls on highways.

By bus Buses from a wide variety of destinations within Chile have scheduled service to Valparaiso, in addition to service to the Argentine city of Mendoza. The bus terminal is near the National Congress building.

Approximate bus travel times to Valparaiso: 1.5 hr: Santiago (many times every hour, the trip may take much longer if there's congestion) 7 hr: La Serena (every other hour) 12 hr: Mendoza, Argentina (the road may be closed in winter due to bad weather)

Local buses also ply between Viña del Mar and Valparaiso, taking about 15 minutes each way.

By boat Some cruise ships dock in Valparaiso, mostly as part of a long South American itinerary. Also possible is a Freighter Cruise from Mexico, taking two weeks and making several stops along the way.

Get around

By bus The city micros are run by Transporte Metropolitano Valparaíso .

By taxi Colectivos are taxis painted in black with yellow roofs that run fixed routes, and are a very common mode of transport between (and within) Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, and other surrounding areas. There are also regular taxis that do custom rides, but they are less common and more expensive. This type of taxis often congregate in the area around the Plaza Anibal Pinto.

By train The light-rail system, Metro Valparaíso or Merval, runs along the coast. It starts at Valparaiso's port and heads into Viña del Mar, reaching Limache through Quilpué and Villa Alemana. The metro provides quick access to major places of interest, and is only slightly more expensive than taking public buses.

By funicular Ascensores, funiculars, ply between El Plan, or the coastal strip, with the cerros, or hillside communities. They are for the most part old and creaky, but generally reliable. There were historically a bigger number operating in the past. Check - as some close for repairs or simply don't operate any more. The ascensors are a unique mode of transportation in Valparaiso, and offer gorgeous views of the cityscape, port, and the Pacific Ocean. A particularly interesting one is the Polanco. This is located just off Avenida Argentina at Simpson. Rather than a funicular, it is the only vertical elevator whose entrance is at street level. You walk through a 150-m-long tunnel where it can take you to two distinct levels, the highest of which is a tower, an excellent place to get a great view of the city, being 60 m above the entrance.

See

Museo Naval y Maritimo. This museum is dedicated to military naval exploits and battles, and puts a large focus on the Chilean victory against Peru and Bolivia in the War of the Pacific.

Plaza Sotomayor. The central square near the port and the heart of the old seaport city.

La Sebastiana. Similar to La Chascona in Santiago, this house offers included audioguide tour of Pablo Nerudas house in Valparaíso.

Baburizza Palace. Fine arts museum with mostly Chilean artists but it also has a section of artists of European origin. The palace is a mansion, formerly owned by a Croatian businessman, Pascual Baburizza, and is a sight of itself. It was turned into museum in 1971.

National Congress of Chile. The National Congress of Chile (parliament) is surprisingly not in Santiago but in Valparaiso, and heavily guarded. It is not possible to visit, but it's next to the bus station and in the middle of the commercial district.

National History Museum. Two floors of exhibits, focusing on the natural history and geography of Chile, particularly the cross-section Juan Fernandes, Valparaiso and the Andes following the latitude of the former two. Biogeography and geology dominate and the museum does a good job showcasing Chile's incredibly diversity both on dry land and the Pacific Ocean.

Mercado El Cardonal. Bustling and colorful vegetable market. A lot of cheap and fresh vegetable, for much less than you would pay in a supermarket. Locals come here to buy their fresh produce. There are also a few food stalls selling empanadas, fried fish or meat skewers. One block diagonally from the main bus station.

Cerros Alegre and Concepción Plaza Echaurren – Serrano Street Cerro Cordillera Banking area - Prat Street Paseo 21 de Mayo (Cerro Artilleria) La Matriz Church and surroundings Ex Cárcel, a former jail turned cultural center and concert venue

Do

Funiculars. They are also of practical use as they help many local people get to the higher parts of town, saving them from having to walk otherwise long and steep pedestrian routes. Many however are undergoing repair or do not run at all, however even then they allow for some interesting pictures.

Ascensor Cordillera. With a beautiful staircase and lately been reconstructed.

Ascensor Florida. This one does not run anymore, but the hike up and beyond reveals a beautiful neighbourhood with La Sebastiana and the Winebox Hostel.

Ascensor San Agustín. Another useful staircase.

Ascensor Espíritu Santo. A particularily steep staircase lift, hidden away in an alley behind the Natural History Museum.

Ascensor El Peral. This funicular takes you up to a viewing platform right in front of Palacio Baburizza.

Avenida Alemana. For a scenic walk, head for Avenida Alemana, a long curvy road along the cerros. It passes a number of viewpoints offering spectacular vistas of the city, the port area and coastline as far as to the dunes of Concon. A star attraction nearby is one of Pablo Neruda's three residences, La Sebastiana, only some 50 m downhill from the road. The stretch from there heading west is the most beautiful part, and once you have had enough, there are microbuses all along that can take you down to town.

Carnival. During the last week in the year, Valparaiso holds an annual carnival that everyone should experience at least once in their lives. Each year the festival centers around a different country, from which performers and artists are invited to come and represent their culture and their work in theater, music, and the performance arts. Most activities are free and are held outdoors. The celebration culminates with a New Year firework display that within five of the most beautiful in the planet. But get ready in time because the city's population triples on those dates.

The German Pirate. Amazing tour by a German man who has lived in Valparaiso for years. He seems to know everything and everyone about the place. He speaks Spanish, English and German. Discounts for groups. You're unlikely to find a more immersive tour of Valparaiso.

Learn

Technical University Federico Santa María University of Valparaíso University of Playa Ancha Pontifical Catholic University of Valparaíso

Many international students study at the Catholic University and the University of Valparaiso.

Buy

Valparaiso has larger chain department stores like Ripley, located in front of Victoria Square, and Falabella on Independencia street, and large supermarket chains like Líder on Pedro Montt and Brasil streets; Santa Isabel on Pedro Montt, Brasil and Uruguay streets, as other small and non-chain supermarkets. There are other small or non-chain and specialized stores on Esmeralda, Condell, Pedro Montt, Independencia and Chacabuco streets, most other shopping is done in small stores on the hills, or with street vendors. There is a large shopping centre on the eastern end of Avenida Brasil.

Eat

The most traditional food for tourists in Valparaiso is the Chorrillana, a heaping mound of french fries topped with steak, onion, and eggs. You can eat this in the traditional restaurant J Cruz. Fresh seafood is readily available in many restaurants around the city, especially around the muelle (wharf) areas, and is considered a must for any seafood lover.

Bakeries are located on nearly every block, and produce quite delicious breads that can be had warm and right out of the oven at almost any time throughout the day. They are best enjoyed smothered with Palta, which are grown en masse in Chile (palta is the Chilean and Argentinian word for what is known in the English-speaking world as "avocado", known in most other Spanish-speaking countries as aguacate). In addition to the many types of bread, another widely available snack to keep you settled as you walk the streets are empanadas, a flaky pastry filled with meat or cheese.

Budget On the second floor of the Mercado Cardonal (cnr Ave Brasil and Uruguay) there are a few excellent, cheap and midrange restaurants serving lunch.

El Valenciano. Delicious chicken, good sandwiches and good value meals

La Conquistada Restaurante. Great restaurant in Cerro Concepciòn.

Cafe Turri. Great views and good food.

Drink

On weekends, the time to go out for a drink (Chilean people call it "salir de carrete") starts no earlier than midnight, though somewhat earlier during the week. The pubs and clubs close at 05:00 on weekends, and 04:00 on weekdays.

Drinking alcohol in the streets is not allowed and 18 years is the minimum age for drinking alcohol, though enforcement of these rules is somewhat lax. If you are under 18, you may not be allowed entry into some pubs.

La Torre - offers inexpensive drinks, and is frequented by university students Balmaceda Barcelona La Piedra Feliz - a more expensive and touristy club that often features salsa dancing, mostly for the older crowds Club El Cielo Club Stockolmo Club El Huevo - one of the largest dance clubs in Valparaiso (five floors), diverse music, and a rooftop bar Bar La Playa Mascara - caters to an artsy and gay/lesbian crowd

Many clubs and bars are also found in Viña del Mar. Public transportation and taxis continue to run throughout the night, making it entirely feasible to have accommodations in one city while going out for the night in the other.

Puro Cafe. One of the few places in Chile to have real espresso, not instant coffee. The cafe has beautiful and comfortable furniture, making probably one of the best places in Valparaiso for coffee.

Sleep

Hostel Casa Verde Limón. Nice living room where you can meet people, very helpful staff.

Angel Hostal. Dorm room 7000 pesos per person. Double room 8000 pesos per person, matrimonial and single beds. Good breakfast, decent rooms, friendly helpful staff, good place to meet people, free internet and some tickets to nightlife bohemian experience.

Apartments Valparaiso Experience. All apartments are fully furnished with free and stable Wi-Fi and cable TV. Quality duplex apartments, central heating, double glazing windows, wooden ceiling beams and wooden floors, each unit with 2 bedrooms and 2 bathrooms, bright living room and equipped kitchen and ample deck terraces with panoramic views over the ocean, city and coastline. Remodelled building with 2-, 3- and 4-bedroom apartments on a safe and central location on Bellavista hill.

The Mirador Bed and Breakfast. A very comfortable hospedaje in the Playa Ancha sector of the city, with several rooms, small apartments, and a balcony with a great view of the city and port. Internet and Wi-Fi. A nice kitchen to use. Parking. Marisol, the owner, is wonderful and very helpful.

The Yellow House. The Yellow House has 7 comfortable guest rooms. Most rooms as well as the homes two galleries, living and dining areas offer wonderful views of the port and harbour and on a clear day extend as far as the Andes. The Yellow House also has a book exchange, WiFi, cable TV and a selection of board games. The house was built in the late 1800s and has been fully restored. The "Ocean View" room, as the name indicates, has the best view and is really worth it.

Residencia en El Cerro. For absolute quietness, except for the creaking floors, try Residencia en El Cerro. Next door at 43 there is also accommodation. This Hostal is on an alley where no traffic get and the gardens add a little attractive colour. Breakfast is just OK with coffee/tea, bread, butter and jam. The place is in its original 1880s decor - maybe. Wi-fi, TV.