From Wikitravel

Viña del Mar [1] is in Central Chile and is a beach resort town close to Santiago de Chile. It's the most important beach in country. It plays host to a famous music festival every year in mid-February.

[edit] Get in

[edit] By bus

Beyond frequent coach bus service between Santiago and Viña. Numerous operators, abundant seating, about a 90 minute ride for approx 3000 pesos one way. The buses depart from Santiago at Pajaritos Station (Line 1 of Metro Station) or Universidad de Santiago Station, is recommendable to do it from Pajarito Station if you want to avoid the stop over from Universidad de Santiago and the ride within the City. The 2 main lines that travel to Viña del Mar are Turbus and Pullman Bus. The bus will drop you at Viña del Mar Station, which is 3 blocks east of DownTown. Taxis are available at this point, but if you want to save some money, walk east to Plaza de Viña, and ask for transportation to your destination.

[edit] By train

Merval has frequent service to/from Valparaiso and from/to other destinations in the country side of Viña del Mar such as: Quilpue, Villa Alemana and Limache. Is not recommendable to take a train between Viña and Valparaiso since the many other options to travel from/to. For using Metro/Train Services you have to purchased a Metro/Train Card, available at the Kiosk in the Stations. Once you get the card you have to slide it when you get in and when you get out to station (destination), there is not flat rate, each route has a different price. In Vina del Mar you will find 5 Stations. From Valparaiso to the Country Side are: Recreo (main residential area), Ecuador (Southern DownTown), DOWNTOWN close to Quinta Vergara, Hospital Station and El Salto (Industrial area)

[edit] Get around

[edit] Colectivo

Small cars that run routes throughout the city charge around 500 pesos (arround 1 US Dollar) for a ride. They are quicker and more comfortable.

[edit] Bus

(Called La Micro) Buses go to all parts of town for 350 pesos. There's not really a guide with all the routes and their destination so the best way to find the one you need is to ask around.

[edit][add listing] See

• La Quinta Vergara - a beautiful garden with trees from China and Canada for example. In the same place the "Festival de Viña" takes places every year in the last week of february.

• Plaza del Reloj - near the beaches there is a clock where the numbers are made of flowers.

• Near the beaches the hotel Miramar is located and if you continue to walk you can see Castillo Wulf, an old castle built by German immigrants and for the locals the famously Paseo Arabe. But if you ask any of the locals why it's famous, surprisingly few can answer the question.

• Near the north end of the beach there is an open air museum of naval artillery. Avoid taking pictures without asking permission from staff.

[edit][add listing] Do

Spend time on the numerous beaches found along the coast. They are quite pretty but not very friendly for swimming.

There are some casinos in some of the hotels and other buildings around Viña del Mar.

The Festival de la Cancion is held on the third week of February. Good international artists are invited and a great atmosphere during the shows. The festival is held on the grounds of La Quinta Vergara a couple of blocks away from the the city centre.

The local football team Everton de Viña play their home matches in Estadio Sausalito. The fans are really passionate about their team and less problems are reported from Evertons matches than from the bigger clubs of Colo-Colo and Universidad de Chile. A ticket can cost 3.500 pesos or more if bigger teams will play.

[edit][add listing] Buy

[edit][add listing] Eat

A very popular treat in Viña del Mar is the alfajor, a typical argentinean/uruguayan type of cookie that has also popularized in the village. They can be purchased in several small pastry shops around the downtown area. Usually, alfajores are filled with caramel, fruit, or other sweets and then covered in chocolate. They are a delight for the visitor. Boxes with large quantities make memorable souvenirs, if they make it home.

An excellent seafood restaurant, located in Camino Costero, is "La Gatita" ("The Kitten"). It specialises in such typical dishes as Machas a la parmesana y Reineta (Clams with fried Reineta - a local fish).

[edit][add listing] Sleep

Good and cheap accommodation is available throughout the city in residenciales (the local B & B). Early reservations are highly recommended during the summer months when the city gets flooded with holiday makers from Argentina and Santiago.

[edit] Stay safe

• Avoid walking in the parks alone when it's dark, use your common sense to avoid danger.
• Viña del Mar has a big problem with street dogs and many are born in the streets which means that they carry diseases. Avoid touching or giving them food. It can cause you more trouble.

• Stay alert, fraud is a most common criminal offense against the tourist. Avoid unofficial currency.
• If you are any trouble, ask anyone for help to the police,"Carabineros de Chile". They wear green uniforms and are very proud and efficient. Don't even think to bribe them or you go to the jail. Even if they think you try to bribe them it is a personal insult to them.

[edit] Beaches

• There are some guards at the beaches but from March to November the beach season is officially over.
• Stay near the beach when swimming, most of the people who drown are those who can actually swim. Many of them go out too far and the power of the waves have surprised many of them unfortunately.
• Bathing during off-season from March to November is not forbidden, but you're doing it at your own risk. Authorities won't take responsibility if something happens to you or any related.

[edit] Cope

If you want to use a toilet there are some public ones on the streets and near the beaches but also in restaurants. They charge a fee but most of them are dirty. If you can, ask the staff in the casino if you can use the toilet. Being a foreign tourist will make it easier.

[edit] Get out

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