Almost every trip to Santiago includes a quick visit to the cities of Valparaíso and Viña Del Mar, which are about 120 km from Chile’s capital and conveniently close to each other. For many Brazilians, this is the second most important moment of the days spent in the country. The first, of course, is the encounter with snow. In Valparaíso and Viña Del Mar, Brazilians say hello to the Pacific Ocean. In this post we will talk a little about what to do in Valparaíso. Also read our post about neighboring Viña del Mar.
What to do in Valparaiso
Do you want to like Valparaíso? So it’s important that you leave Santiago knowing what you’re going to find. The city is messy, dirty and, in the opinion of many people, a bit ugly and poorly maintained. But if so, is it worth going there? It’s up to you. There are people who swear they didn’t like Valparaíso and even felt relief when they left. Ricardo Freire, from Viaje na Viagem, found the city surprising. I’m halfway between the two: I confess that I expected more, but I still thought it was cool. If you have time to spare, I think it’s worth visiting, even if just to say hello and set foot in the waters of the Pacific.
But after all, what does Valparaíso have?
With around 300 thousand inhabitants, Valparaíso is still one of the most important cities in Chile. It is the legislative capital of the country, in addition to being home to some universities. During the 19th century, Valparaíso was a mandatory stop for ships traveling between the Pacific and Atlantic oceans. An earthquake that practically destroyed the city, in 1906, and the opening of the Panama Canal, in 1914, ended the period of glory.
If the port’s importance fell, the city’s tourist and cultural role increased. Since 2003, the center of Valparaíso has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Why? Through the charming colorful houses that take over the dozens of hills there. And mainly due to the elevators, which function as a means of transport between the lower and upper parts of Valparaíso.
The first lift opened was that of Cerro Concepción, which began operating in 1883. After it came 29 more public lifts, of which 15 are still active. The elevators are tourist attractions in the city, but to this day they function as a means of transport for residents, carrying an incredible four million passengers annually.
In 2012 we contributed to this number. We climbed the Ascensor Artilleria and the Concepción, both over 100 years old. The climb is quick – it takes about a minute – and costs little, around R$1. But that doesn’t mean it’s emotionless. Imagine climbing 200 meters up an old structure that makes strange noises. Apart from the rocking, the trip went smoothly and safely. From the top of the Artilleria there is one of the best views of the city: it is the Paseo 21 de Mayo.
Valparaíso beyond the lifts
With many bars and restaurants, Valparaíso has a lively nightlife, especially on weekends. In addition, there are museums, squares, churches and historical monuments. One example is Plaza Sotomayor, where there is a memorial in honor of the Chileans who fought and died in the wars against Peru and Bolivia in the 19th century. Another place that looks interesting, but which unfortunately we didn’t go to, is the Museo Naval y Maritimo .
And you can’t go to Valparaíso and not stop by la Sebastiana, one of Pablo Neruda’s houses. With five floors, all open to visitors, the writer’s former home in Valparaíso is completely preserved and has been converted into a museum, as is la Chascona, which is located in Santiago. The poet’s houses are so interesting that they became another post.
How to get from Santiago to Valparaíso?
We went by bus. To do this, we took the red metro line and went to the Universidad de Santiago station. From there we walked to the Alameda bus station. We bought our return tickets on the spot and had no problems, but there are reports that the buses fill up during high season. You can buy the ticket on the Turbus or Pullman company websites. You can also drive, with a rented car, or buy a tourist package from a local agency.
How long should I stay in Valparaíso?
Those who go and return on the same day don’t know Valparaíso’s nightlife, in addition to having to rush to include Viña del Mar on the same trip. My advice is: leave Santiago early, explore Valparaíso during the day and stay at night. The next day, head to Viña del Mar. From there you can return to Santiago. If it’s summer, it might be worth extending your stay in Viña.
