Off topic: Any colleagues out there in Chile? Need advice Autor de la hebra: Michael Kapitonoff
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I am thinking of visiting Chile some time in January when my business is slow to nonexistent. I am thinking of a two-week stay, to spend the first week in Santiago and Valparaiso, and then maybe travel a bit sideways. I'd love to see Patagonia, but with just a week to spare I realize this isn't going to happen. Well, maybe next time. Before going ahead and making my travel arrangements, I would appreciate hearing from colleagues living in Chile or having firsthand experience traveling there. I m... See more I am thinking of visiting Chile some time in January when my business is slow to nonexistent. I am thinking of a two-week stay, to spend the first week in Santiago and Valparaiso, and then maybe travel a bit sideways. I'd love to see Patagonia, but with just a week to spare I realize this isn't going to happen. Well, maybe next time. Before going ahead and making my travel arrangements, I would appreciate hearing from colleagues living in Chile or having firsthand experience traveling there. I mean, I have researched the basics, such as visa requirements, prohibition on fruits and vegetables, some expat websites, etc. I am more interested in down-to-earth stuff tourist guidebooks usually don't tell you about, such as
- Is January a good time to visit (it's summer down there, right?)
- Are the streets safe to walk in Santiago and Valparaiso?
- Are credit cards commonly accepted, or is it all cash?
- Is it better to exchange my USDs into pesos at home or do it in country?
- Do people speak any English at all? I don't know any Spanish except for a few words one learns by virtue of living in NYC, and though I plan to spend some time with a phrase book, I know this is not going to amount to much. I do (still) speak my native Russian, Ukrainian, French and very rudimentary Italian.
- And, first and foremost, are people friendly and where do you meet them?
Also, I would appreciate any suggestions on possible side trips, considering my time frame and the fact that I am primarily interested in learning about the country and the way people live, rather than seeing official tourist attractions.
Please post here or, if you prefer, send me a personal message. Many thanks for your time and effort - and I hope to see you all there.
Cheers,
Michael Kapitonoff
aka The Misha ▲ Collapse
| | | | | Welcome to Chile!! | Nov 12, 2010 |
Michael,
In my opinion 3 days in Santiago, 2-3 days in Valparaíso and 5-6 days to visit the Patagonia are ok, according to your interest.
For your staying at Santiago I would recommend hotels located at the area of Providencia. It is a very safe zone with banks (open from 9:00 to 14:00 hrs only), restaurants, pubs, shops and subway stations. From this point you can reach the Civic Center and historic places just in 15 minutes by subway. ATM´s are placed all along t... See more Michael,
In my opinion 3 days in Santiago, 2-3 days in Valparaíso and 5-6 days to visit the Patagonia are ok, according to your interest.
For your staying at Santiago I would recommend hotels located at the area of Providencia. It is a very safe zone with banks (open from 9:00 to 14:00 hrs only), restaurants, pubs, shops and subway stations. From this point you can reach the Civic Center and historic places just in 15 minutes by subway. ATM´s are placed all along the city.
Some interesting places to visit there are the "Santa Lucía" and "San Cristobal" hills. Also you can visit the "Mercado Central" (Central Market) where you can taste and buy Chilean meals. In all these places you will really meet to the "typical Chilean people". If you like nature, there are several natural places to visit surrounding Santiago.
The public transport is very easy: you buy a card at any subway station (USD 2.00) and charge with money to move either by bus or subway. Every route costs USD 1.20 app but you can transfer up to three times free of charge in 90 minutes.
Santiago is a safe city, but obviously there are some places where "the friends of that belonging to others" are waiting for their reward. Specially when they look like tourists...ooooopsss!! (It is a bit of exaggeration).
Valparaiso is an old city just located 120 kms. far from Santiago and the buses leave every 10 minutes to there. Also you can visit Viña del Mar which is very beautiful and modern city joined to Valparaiso.
The weather in January is really nice (mediterranean type) : 30º Cdegrees at midday / 13-15ºC at night, dry. Rains are very uncommon in summer. UV radiation is high, so the sunscreen is a must.
Most of the banking credit cards are accepted in Chile. Most of the shops, restaurants, etc. function with electronic commerce. Exchange offices are safe in Chile, so I would recommend to change USD here.
Unfortunately, most of the Chilean people don´t speak English but most are very friendly and try to. They will help you, anyway.
I have never visited the Patagonia but I can tell you that the weather there is always cold and wet. The temperature in summer averages 12ºC. You can reach this link to know what to visit http://www.visitchile.cl/programs_torres_del_paine_eng.htm
Hope this information use to your plans. If any further question, please do not hesitate to ask again.
Regards, ▲ Collapse
| | | | Andrea Riffo 
Chile
Local time: 20:50
inglés al español
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Hi, Michael!
Well, I think Dunny has already covered the main parts.
Also of note is than in January, it being Summer and all, you will probably see more tourists than Chileans in the touristy places
I agree that Providencia is a nice sector to stay in. Both Santiago and Valparaíso are pretty safe during daytime, but you do have to take certain simple precautions, specially in downtown Santia... See more Hi, Michael!
Well, I think Dunny has already covered the main parts.
Also of note is than in January, it being Summer and all, you will probably see more tourists than Chileans in the touristy places
I agree that Providencia is a nice sector to stay in. Both Santiago and Valparaíso are pretty safe during daytime, but you do have to take certain simple precautions, specially in downtown Santiago. For example, if you have a fancy camera, don't walk around carrying it in your hand for all to see (especially in crowded places), use your rucksack on the front, DO NOT carry your wallet in the back pocket, keep your stuff where you can see it when you use the metro (subway)... it pretty much boils down to common sense, really. You DO have to be a little more cautious during nighttime, though, depending on where in the city you are.
I'd say that many people do speak some English, and even if they don't they usually try to help.
Regarding possible side trips; the problem with Chile is that you usually have to choose between the South (Patagonia) or the North (San Pedro de Atacama), unless you have plenty of time to spare. This has been a great source of frustration for several (foreign) friends of mine in the past. Heh.
One possibility if you don't want to move too far away from Santiago could be Cajón del Maipo, which is a small town about 1 hour South of Santiago, up in the mountains. Beautiful landscapes and lots of activities going on during Summer.
I'll keep your questions in mind and try to come up with more ideas
Andrea
PS: feel free to send me a private message if there's somthing I can help you with! ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Kapitonoff
Estados Unidos
Local time: 18:50
ruso al inglés
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PERSONA QUE INICIÓ LA HEBRA | Thank you, Dunny and Andrea, | Nov 13, 2010 |
This sure helps.
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Andrea Riffo
Chile
Local time: 20:50
inglés al español
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| Regarding credit cards et al. | Nov 15, 2010 |
Hi again!
I just remembered: you'll be ok with credit cards in most parts, like Dunny said, if they're either Mastercard or Visa. American Express cards are less common here and you might have a few problems if that's the one you have.
As for currency exchange offices, if you go downtown you might bump into some sketchy characters trying to get you to follow them to a hidden exchange office where the exchange rate is allegedly more convenient. DON'T! They usually... See more Hi again!
I just remembered: you'll be ok with credit cards in most parts, like Dunny said, if they're either Mastercard or Visa. American Express cards are less common here and you might have a few problems if that's the one you have.
As for currency exchange offices, if you go downtown you might bump into some sketchy characters trying to get you to follow them to a hidden exchange office where the exchange rate is allegedly more convenient. DON'T! They usually aren't legit and you might be risking an unpleasant experience, so keep to the exhange offices you can see from the street (there's 2-3 blocks packed with legit agencies in downtown Santiago).
Also, I'd advice bringing a couple of Chilean pesos from home anyway (50-100 USD will do) in order to avoid having to use the exchange offices at the airport. It's white-collar robbery, I tell you
Regarding possible side trips, what are you most interested in? Sightseeing? Landscapes? Small, picturesque towns? Let me know and I'll ask around to see if my friends can come up with suggestions.
Of course, if you're looking to have a regular, non-touristy night out in the city at some point, let me know and I'm sure we can cook something up here!
Cheers!
Andrea
[Edited at 2010-11-15 17:41 GMT] ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Kapitonoff
Estados Unidos
Local time: 18:50
ruso al inglés
+ ...
PERSONA QUE INICIÓ LA HEBRA | Thanks for the follow up, Andrea | Nov 15, 2010 |
Being what I am (I was born and raised in the Soviet Union), I know exactly what you mean talking about shadowy characters in dark alleys. Of all of us out there, I guess I am most efficiently inoculated against this. And yes, I am fully prepared to leave home without my American Express card. As to your question about my interests, it goes to the heart of my curiosity about Chile: both Chile and the country I was born in suffered through severe periods of dictatorship (let's disregard the issue... See more Being what I am (I was born and raised in the Soviet Union), I know exactly what you mean talking about shadowy characters in dark alleys. Of all of us out there, I guess I am most efficiently inoculated against this. And yes, I am fully prepared to leave home without my American Express card. As to your question about my interests, it goes to the heart of my curiosity about Chile: both Chile and the country I was born in suffered through severe periods of dictatorship (let's disregard the issue of significant disparity in their magnitude, all right?) yet seem to have emerged from them in a very different manner, both politically and economically. What I am trying to do here is figure out why. Landscapes and scenic views may be nice, but there's only that many of them a man can be expected to enjoy.With this in mind, I'd rather go see a market (Mercado Central is an absolute must on my list) or visit a home than stare at yet another equestrian statue or government building. I guess, what I am trying to say is that my primary interest is now rather than back then and people rather than things. Of course, I do realize that with no Spanish my prospects here are severely limited, but I'll try to do what I can.
Oh, and did I mention the writing yet? When not working (which is quite often, I am afraid) I write (unpublished) fiction and oil paint. In this regard, I have a keen interest in the connection the late DDR chief honcho Erich Honecker had to Chile. This is something I just might use for my next novel.
My most recent nonfiction project describing a cross country drive my kids and I took this past summer can be seen here:
http://andwhythehecknot.blogspot.com/
Feel free to have a look, just keep it in mind that what you see first is the latest post in the series, and it makes more sense to start from the beginning. Once again, many thanks for your help.
Michael ▲ Collapse
| | | | | New recommendations | Nov 16, 2010 |
Your approach to visit Chile is very interesting. Having that in mind, I would also suggest you to visit in Santiago the old neighborhoods named Brasil and Concha y Toro (beginning century XX) and Yungay (middle century XIX). These were inhabited by the aristocracy at that time and today there live young and old families, Chilean and immigrants. You can find there universities, cultural centers, restaurantes, churches, old shops, etc. This area is located near the Central Market and the Civic... See more Your approach to visit Chile is very interesting. Having that in mind, I would also suggest you to visit in Santiago the old neighborhoods named Brasil and Concha y Toro (beginning century XX) and Yungay (middle century XIX). These were inhabited by the aristocracy at that time and today there live young and old families, Chilean and immigrants. You can find there universities, cultural centers, restaurantes, churches, old shops, etc. This area is located near the Central Market and the Civic Center. Also there is another typical market named La Vega Central and it is located in the same area as the Central Market is.
I would recommend travelling by subway and visiting different areas around the stations to know "on-site" different neighborhoods and the way of living of the Chilean people. The subway of Santiago is very modern, safe and clean.
Also there are a lot of rural villages surrounding Santiago where you can see the old Chilean traditions and how live the country people.
Valparaiso is simply a magic city. You can learn more about it here: http://www.rutavalparaiso.cl/sitio_ruta_highlights.htm
You are welcome to ask for further information or if any help is required when coming to Chile. ▲ Collapse
| | | | Michael Kapitonoff
Estados Unidos
Local time: 18:50
ruso al inglés
+ ...
PERSONA QUE INICIÓ LA HEBRA | Thanks Dunny, duly noted | Nov 16, 2010 |
Beautiful website too, I just spent almost an hour there.
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