Santiago
Most government offices are located in
the downtown area along Paseo Huérfanos,
Calle Nueva York and Paseo Ahumada.
Providencia, in the eastern section
of the city, is another important commercial
district. A new financial district is
emerging in upscale Las Condes.
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To Get There
The clean and modern Arturo Merino
Benítez airport is 15 miles from the center
of Santiago. The taxi fare downtown is
$20-$25. Chile levies a $26 departure tax.
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To Stay
We recommend the
Hyatt Regency Hotel
(Kennedy 4601, Las Condes, tel:
562-218-1234), located in exclusive Las
Condes, 20 minutes from the business
district. Room rates range from $295-$3,000. Visit www.hyatt.com or e-mail:
info@hyatt.cl.
The Ritz Carlton
(El Alcalde 15, Las Condes,
tel: 562-473-0500) opened last year
and has spectacular views of Santiago and
the Andes. Rooms range from $170-$1,600. See www.ritzcarlton.com or
e-mail: reservations.chile@ritzcarlton.com.
To Eat
We like
Agua
(Nueva Costanera 3467, tel:
374-9540), which has a large, open dining
room with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking
a beautiful garden. Agua serves
inventive seafood dishes, and organic
vegetables.
Etniko
(Constitución 172, Barrio Bellavista,
Providencia, tel: 732-0119) serves a
wide variety of Asian and vegetarian
dishes with a good choice of cocktails
and an extensive wine list. Its courtyard is
open for dining in the summer.
Astrid y Gastón
(Antonio Bellet 201,
Providencia, tel: 650-9125) is an offshoot
of the famous Lima restaurant, featuring
Peruvian seafood dishes.
To Drink
Bar Fuego
(on the second floor of Agua)
is a good choice for a cocktail with its
sleek dark wood décor and mountain
views.
Mucca
(Avenida Italia 830), a bar and
restaurant in the city’s Providencia district,
is a fashionable hotspot. Another good
choice is
Cigar Bar
(El Alcalde 15, Las
Condes, tel: 362-9619) which serves excellent
Martinis.
To Unwind
Santiago is in the middle of Chile’s wine region. Viñas Undarraga, Santa Carolina, Concha y Toro and Cousiño Macul all have properties close to the city. Wine tastings are generally held on weekends and start early in the morning. Alternatively, the beach and the mountains are just 90 minutes from downtown Santiago.
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To Buy
Lapis lazuli, a semi-precious stone, alpaca
and vicuña wool garments also make nice
gifts. Premium Chilean wines are always a
good bet.
Valdivieso Caballo Loco
or
Clos de Apalta
are particularly noteworthy.
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2004 National Holidays
May 1- May Day |