m8888888's Reviews

3 weeks in Chile

Chile is a beautiful country! There is so much diversity in the landscapes, since it’s so long. I spent time in Santiago, Pucon, Valparaiso, and Vina del Mar, and all of the places were absolutely amazing!

The people in Chile were very friendly and helpful. Meeting people and making friends was the best part of the trip. A lot of students spoke English, and a little Spanish will get you a long way.

The country was inexpensive, with a lot to do. There are churches, museums, and many different nature activities. I went rafting, relaxed in natural hot springs, climbed a volcano, and lounged on the black sand beach next to a large lake in Pucon. In Santiago, there’s everything you expect in a big city! Lots of bars and restaurants, shopping markets, and historical places to visit. Cerro St. Lucia, a hill in the middle of the city, has excellent views. There are parts of Santiago that are still quite poor and run-down. The gap between poor and rich in Chile is quite large, but it’s getting smaller. Chile was the first country in South America to elect a female president in 2006, and now has a socialist government like a few other Latin American countries, so hopefully things will improve even more soon! In Vina del Mar, you can relax on the beach. In Valparaiso, there are elevators built into the mountain walls around the town, and you can go up and walk around the colorful houses, admiring the views.

Travel around the country was really cheap. The buses have different classes, and the “deluxe” tickets were still really cheap for reclining seats and included breakfast (albeit with rather gross food!).

I wasn’t expecting to like Chile as much as I did, but I had a fabulous time for the three weeks I was there. I can’t wait to go back & see more of the country! I’d love to see the extremes of Patagonia the Atacama desert next time.

Reviewed on: February 05, 2007