Where is this place?
This might be the hardest blog I'll ever write. A big part of me wants to tell you not to go to Valparaíso because, honestly, you’re not ready. No one ever is. To write this, I’m holed up in my hotel room overlooking a castle in Ireland (not a vacation, just work, so don’t think I’m being boujee). I had to be far from Valparaíso to even start describing it. I grew up in New York, but life brought me to Valparaíso when I was just 14. It was the greatest time of my life—the colors, the vibrant people, the seafood! Six years later, a dream led me back, and I ended up living there for almost 20 years. Back then, Valparaíso wasn’t on the tourist map. It was a hidden gem, known only to those in the know. Tourism wasn’t what it is today, and many restaurants have since tried (and failed) to adapt to a “world standard.” Let’s start here: When you go to Valparaíso, you’re on your own. It’s a place akin to Medellín, Barcelona, Marseille, or East LA. The people are fiercely proud of being from Valparaíso; However, you don’t walk around with a gold chain showing off to other tourists. If you don’t have at least 2/5 in street smarts, Valparaíso will chew you up and spit you out. You might be thinking, “What a great intro, makes me really want to go there now (sarcasm).” But that just means you don’t understand. Think of Rio de Janeiro—a top destination in South America, yet rated 1/5 in safety. What do people do? They leave their wallets in the hotel safe and avoid tempting the easily tempted. Afterward, they’ll tell you, “You have to experience this place—it’s amazing.” And that’s Valparaíso:
Best way to get there? Fly into Santiago, then take a bus or transfer to Valparaíso. Prepay your fare at the airport to avoid getting ripped off, or contact locals who can guide you. Will I get mugged? It depends. Are you a careless tourist flaunting a $5,000 camera and wearing a name-brand jacket in the middle of summer? Then yes, you’ll probably get mugged. If you follow basic safety precautions like you would in Europe, North America, or Asia, you’ll be fine. Safety Rating: 2.5/5 Is it cheap to eat here? It depends on where you go. A fancy restaurant might cost $50 USD, while a local spot could be $15-$20 USD. If you eat where the locals do, you might spend just $7-$8 USD. The street food scene is also fantastic; try La Españita or La Riviera for amazing food under $5 USD. Meal Price Rating: 4/5 How about accommodations? In areas like Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepción, Cerro Bellavista, and Av. Gran Bretaña, you’ll find everything from dorms to high-end boutique hotels. Accommodation Price Rating: 4/5 Transportation? Public transportation is very affordable. Private transportation, on the other hand, can cost more than in Europe or North America. Transportation Cost Rating: 2.5/5 What if I get sick? Head to Viña del Mar, the neighboring town, for better clinics like Ciudad del Mar and BUPA Reñaca. Just remember, if you’re bleeding out, they’ll still ask, “Do you have insurance?”—and you better have the right answer: “Si”. Healthcare Facilities Rating: 4/5 Are the people friendly? “Valparaíso es su gente”—the people are one of the top three reasons to visit. The other two? The art and the city’s history and heritage. People Rating: 4/5 Special Tips? Yes. Don’t be too cool for a tour guide. Make sure they’re local. The City: Valparaíso is a port city with over 300,000 inhabitants, spread across about 45 hills. The locals, known as “Porteños,” have a unique name—unlike any other port city in Chile.
Seasons: Chilefornia—that’s what we call it. It’s a semi-arid desert climate, with dense morning fog four days a week, burning off by 1 p.m. on most days. The rest of the week is likely sunny with temperatures above 20°C / 68°F. Layers are key. Pack a sweater, windbreaker, and those pants that convert into shorts. Sneakers are a must for all the hill-walking. Accessories and Equipment: Use your phone or GoPro for photos. Try not to draw too much attention to yourself while wandering. Bring extra batteries for your GoPro—you won’t walk a block without snapping 10 pictures. Where Should I Stay? Cerro Alegre, near Lautaro Rosas Street if possible. Transportation:
What’s for Lunch?
Café Waddington is a cool spot on Av. Gran Bretaña, with great tea, coffee, and vegan sandwiches. From there, take a stroll along the coast and admire the Victorian architecture. Marginal Gallery is perfect for art lovers, especially after exploring the street art in Chile’s street art capital. For tattoos, check out @Relibs. Culture: Valparaíso is the cultural capital of Chile. That says it all. History: Modern Chilean history begins in this city. If you take a history tour in Santiago instead of Valparaíso, you’re doing it wrong. Art Scene: Valparaíso is Chile’s graffiti and street art capital and one of the top five in Latin America. Visit galleries like Marginal, Espacio Rojo, and Bahía Utópica. Music Scene: While it’s not as vibrant as we’d like, you can catch live jazz at Sala Rivoli from Thursday to Saturday. Another good spot for live music on weekends is Del Barrio—but get there early and use Uber. Language: Chilean Spanish is gibberish to regular Spanish speakers. We talk fast and use animal slang. For example, “That rooster is a duck and always acts like a mussel, but should lower his ponytail” really means “That guy is broke and has a bad attitude instead of being humble.” In Conclusion… If you’re traveling to Chile and skip Valparaíso, you didn’t really visit Chile. You went where all the tourists go. And that’s fine, as long as you come back and see Valparaíso next time. If you don’t like experiencing local culture or stepping out of your comfort zone, Valparaíso isn’t for you. But if you do, you’ll be walking through history, surrounded by art that’s alive and literally oozing out of the walls. Tour Guide Services: We offer a variety of tours—street art, cooking classes, city tours, food tastings—you name it, we can make it happen. Sample 2-Day Itinerary: Day 1: Arrive in the morning, leave valuables at your accommodation, and head out for a walking city history and street art tour. Have a light lunch at a café in the Cerro Concepción district. Visit Neruda’s house for an amazing view, then enjoy a cocktail at the Verso Hotel. Uber back to your accommodation. Day 2: Meet the Chile & Cuisine team at the market to shop for local produce. Cook homemade meals in their kitchen, overlooking the city from their balcony. Afterward, toast with a Pisco and head to Viña del Mar for another two nights…
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AuthorAl Ramirez has just completed an exciting journey across Europe and South America, blending his skills as a Chilean sommelier, graffiti artist, and tour guide to uncover some of the coolest places. From discovering hidden wine cellars to finding vibrant street art, Al's adventure is all about bringing together the best of both worlds. If you're into wine, street art, or travel, you'll want to stay tuned for his top recommendations! ArchivesCategories |