The Arrival
Arriving in Chile for the first time was both exciting and a bit surreal. There’s this quiet buzz you feel when you step into a new country, not knowing exactly what to expect but ready to explore. Chile is a super long, skinny country stretching down the west coast of South America. It’s famous for some really cool places like the Atacama Desert (one of the driest spots on Earth), the glaciers in Patagonia, and the mysterious Moai statues on Easter Island. I noticed right away that even the airport gift shops are packed with souvenirs from these spots. The energy here is different, and I can’t wait to see what adventures and discoveries are waiting for me.
The City: A Blend of Old and New
Most people see Santiago as just a stop before heading to places like Easter Island or Patagonia, but the city has its own cool vibe. We stayed in Providencia, a lively suburb near the biggest mall in Latin America. While there, I got to dive into Santiago’s food scene—starting my days with amazing coffee at local cafés and trying sandwiches packed with fresh, local flavors. I loved the salads, especially with all the avocado, and even found some awesome Chinese noodles and ramen.
Another unexpected cultural thread? A surprising number of ramen shops! One local explained Chile’s deep love for Japanese culture—anime, ramen, sushi—it’s all very much embraced here. We even visited a lamian noodle shop, a chain from mainland China that made its way to Santiago. The freshly pulled noodles and rich broth were unforgettable. Every meal felt like a mini adventure, showing just how diverse and exciting Santiago really is.
We checked out the Costanera Center in Santiago, which is actually the biggest mall in South America. It’s in Providencia and has everything—tons of shops, places to eat, and even the tallest building in Latin America with an epic view from the top. My favorite part was exploring the huge grocery store on the bottom level. I love seeing what everyday life is like in other countries, and little things stood out—like how eggs are just kept on the shelf, not in the fridge, and cost about $3.50 a dozen. It’s stuff like this that makes exploring new places so interesting.
Exploring Valparaíso
Just a couple of hours from Santiago, Valparaíso is an easy day trip and totally worth it for the ocean views and incredible street art. The city is basically an open-air gallery—colorful houses, winding streets, and murals everywhere you look. Even staircases and benches are painted in bright, creative ways. Walking around felt like exploring a vast outdoor museum, where art is an integral part of everyday life. It makes sense since Valparaíso’s historic quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
A Taste of the Local Cuisine
We had lunch at La Concepción while at Valparaíso, a cozy hillside spot with amazing Pacific views. The food was just as impressive—sopa de mar, baked salmon, and king crab ravioli, all super fresh and well-made. With the view and the quality, the prices felt like a great deal.
Casablanca Valley
On the way back, we stopped in the Casablanca Valley, one of Chile’s top wine regions. The peaceful vineyards were a nice break, and while my parents tried some local wines, they still prefer California Pinot Noir. Still, it was cool to see the Chilean wine scene up close.
Additional Highlights
We checked out some cool spots around Santiago, like Mercado Central with its fresh seafood, colorful fruit, and the local drink mote con huesillo. At the Modern Art Museum, even the building itself was a work of art. One highlight was riding the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal for amazing city views and a look at the statue of the Virgin Mary. We finished with a passion fruit ice pop—simple, tasty, and perfect for the moment.
Reflections
Looking back, Santiago and Valparaíso were full of surprises—great food, art everywhere, and some pretty unforgettable views. I’m glad I got to see so many sides of Chile before heading off to Easter Island for the next adventure
