Vamos a Chile

January 2, 2025
TravelChileFood

Photo Stream - Updated Daily

Jill and I are flying to Chile today for 10 days in Santiago, San Pedro Atacama, and Valparaiso. I’ll be posting updates here as I can. Until then here’s some media we’ve been consuming:

Movies

TV

Music

Food Goals

  • Completo: A hot dog topped with tomatoes, sauerkraut (chopped cabbage), guacamole, mayonnaise, and often tomato sauce or mustard. It’s a classic street food found throughout Chile
  • Empanadas: Handheld pastries filled with various combinations of meats, cheese, onions, olives, and eggs. They can be baked or fried and are typically served as snacks or appetizers.
  • Cazuela: A hearty soup made with chicken, beef, or seafood; potatoes; vegetables like corn on the cob, green beans, and peas; and sometimes rice or pasta. It’s a comforting dish often served during winter months.
  • Porotos Granados: A thick bean stew made from large grains of fresh corn (granados), beans, garlic, onions, cumin, and other spices. It’s a popular dish in Chile’s northern regions.
  • Sopa Marinera: A seafood stew featuring various types of shellfish (e.g., shrimp, clams, mussels) cooked in a broth made from onions, garlic, tomatoes, and white wine. It’s commonly found along Chile’s coasts.
  • Pebre: A fresh salsa made with diced tomatoes, onions, aji peppers (or regular chili peppers), cilantro, lime juice, and salt. It can be served as an accompaniment to meats or used as a dip for vegetables or bread.
  • Sopaipillas: Deep-fried pastries made from a dough of wheat flour, pumpkin puree, and water. They are often served as appetizers or snacks, usually accompanied by pebre sauce.
  • Mote con Huesillos: A traditional drink made from husked wheat (mote) cooked with cinnamon, sugar, and dried peaches (huesillos). It’s often served chilled as a refreshing treat during hot summer days.
  • Empanada de Mariscos: Get these in Valparaiso
  • Machas a la Parmesana
  • Eat reineta, corvina, other Chilean fish

Basic Itinerary

01/03/25 - Friday (Arrival and Evening in Santiago) 🌆

  • Arrival: Jill & Erik arrive at 9 AM.
  • Evening: Dinner at Peumayén (reservation at 7 PM).
    • Address: Constitución 136, Providencia, Santiago.
  • Nightlife: Dance the night away at Blondie Nightclub.
    • Cover: 10,000 pesos; drinks: 4,000-8,000 pesos.

01/04/25 - Saturday (Explore Santiago) 🏞️

  • Morning: Visit Cerro San Cristóbal for panoramic views.
    • Don’t miss Mote con huesillo (~2,500 pesos).
  • Afternoon: Explore the Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos.
  • Evening: Enjoy artisan crafts, live music, and local food at La Chimba Market or Persa Víctor Manuel.
    • End the night with borgoña at Café Escondido.
  • Departure: David departs at 1:30 PM.

01/05/25 - Sunday (Travel to Atacama) 🌄

  • Morning: Flight from Santiago (7:01 AM) to Calama (9:09 AM). Drive to Solor, Chile.
  • Afternoon: Explore Valle de la Muerte.
    • Tickets: 6,000 CLP.
  • Evening: Stroll through San Pedro de Atacama, with stops at Iglesia San Pedro and local shops.
    • Dinner at UNAI (8:30 PM).

01/06/25 - Monday (Explore Atacama) 🌋

  • Early Morning: Sunrise at El Tatio Geysers (depart at 5 AM).
  • Afternoon: Visit Lagunas Miscanti y Miñiques and soak at Termas de Puritama.
  • Evening: Sunset at Mirador El Coyote, followed by dinner at Balinache.

01/07/25 - Tuesday (Explore Atacama) 🌌

  • Morning: Breakfast at Franchuteria, then explore Valle de la Luna and Pukará de Quitor.
  • Afternoon: Lunch and free time in San Pedro.
  • Evening: Sunset at Valle de la Luna and stargazing tour.
    • Dinner at La Casona with live music.

01/08/25 - Wednesday (Travel to Valparaíso) 🏖️

  • Morning: Flight from Calama to Santiago (9:50 AM).
  • Drive: Drive to Viña del Mar/Valparaíso, arriving by 2 PM.
  • Afternoon: Visit Flower Clock and enjoy the beaches.

01/09/25 - Thursday (Explore Valparaíso) 🎨

  • Full Day:
    • Visit the Fine Arts Museum.
    • Explore Cerro Alegre’s vibrant street art.
    • Optional Penguin Tour (price varies).
  • Dinner: Enjoy local cuisine at El Rincón de Pancho.

01/10/25 - Friday (Travel to Santiago) 🛤️

  • Morning: Stroll through Cerro Polanco and have a relaxed lunch.
  • Afternoon: Return to Santiago.
  • Evening: Final evening stroll from Plaza de Armas to Lastarria.
    • End the night at El Bajo bar.

01/11/25 - Saturday (Last Day in Santiago) 🎁

  • Morning & Afternoon: Souvenir shopping at Persa Víctor Manuel.
    • Enjoy coffee at Peluquería Francesa.
  • Evening: Departure for Chicago (10:45 PM).