Valparaiso is Chile’s main passenger port city and a popular cruise destination. The port services around 50 cruises annually. There are other options to hop on board and cruise the waters around Valparaiso and Vina de Mar. Some of these include cruises combining coastal sightseeing with local wine tasting, sunset cruises, day cruises, and more. 

Renting a car when staying in Valparaiso is not necessary due to the amount of public transportation on offer in the city. It is quite a distance to get from Santiago’s airport (65 miles) and can be expensive to take a taxi ride, so renting a car to reach the city is a good idea. Car rentals are available at the airport and also in the city. If you plan to visit other cities or destinations in the area, then renting your own car is a good idea as you can do this at your own leisure. 

There are plenty of options to choose from when it comes to taking a taxi in Valparaiso. Visitors can find taxi cabs by the busy port, outside of the main bus station, outside major attractions, by the beaches, and on the streets. Taxis are an easy and convenient way to get around the city. It is best to agree on a price before you set off. 

Colectivos are cheaper than taxis. They are a shared taxi service that accommodates multiple passengers and travels on a fixed route for a flat rate. 

Uber and Cabify are also available in the city. Simply download the app and then pay for and order your ride. 

Walking around is one of the best ways to explore the city of Valparaiso. The city features 42 hills, so it does take quite a bit of stamina to climb them however, there are funiculars to help get you to the top. Many of the city’s shopping, restaurants, and accommodations are in the city center and historic portion and easily accessible on foot. There are many charming winding narrow streets and alleyways to explore in the downtown area near the port and up in the hillsides. There are guided walking tours of Valparaiso; visitors can tour the city with a group and a guide for 2-3 hours, you can pay whatever amount you think to be fair to the guide at the end if you are satisfied with the tour.

Cycling is a popular and enjoyable activity in Valparaiso. Hopping on a bike and getting around on two wheels is a fun way to explore different parts of the city. There are many dedicated cycling paths and routes, as well as bike tours available throughout the city and surrounding areas. The coast is one of the most beautiful places to ride a bike and through the hills with excellent views.  

The port city of Valparaiso or Valpo as the locals call it offers shoppers some exciting shopping experiences. The city is a treasure trove of shops, Valparaiso actually has more shops than any other city in Chile after Santiago. The colorful hillside city is brimming with colorful markets, authentic stores, craft stores, charming shopping districts, luxury boutiques, and modern shopping malls. Shopping opportunities are dotted around Valparaiso’s many colorful neighborhoods, and many charming stores can be found nestled down the winding streets and alleyways in the historic center. The city buzzes with local artisans selling their handmade handicrafts and there are dozens of workshops where visitors can watch local artisans making different things. There are many great handicraft stores found in the bohemian neighborhoods of Cerro Concepcion and Cerro Alegre. Explore Valparaiso’s charming streets to discover a unique blend of shops reflecting the rich cultural heritage of the city. 

Mercado El Cardonal is a lively and popular market known for its fresh produce and local delicacies. A variety of local vendors sell clothes, jewelry, handcrafted items, and souvenirs here, it is also well known for its delicious street food serving traditional Chilean dishes. The market opens daily. 

Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion are some of the popular shopping districts in the city, home to some artsy, eclectic shops with unique finds. Sotomayor Square is located in Cerro Alegre, one of the most popular shopping districts in Valparaiso. A charming area decorated with colorful houses and charming windy streets brimming with a great variety of shops and boutiques. Paseo Atkinson is a popular street market in the Cerro Alegre neighborhood with a wide variety of vendors selling clothing, jewelry, and street food. The historic quarter in the city is another great shopping destination known especially for its colorful art galleries where art lovers can pick up paintings, sculptures, and other works of art. Marina Arauco Mall is a modern mall with a great collection of stores and dining opportunities. Mall Plaza Oeste is another popular shopping center with a wide variety of stores and restaurants to choose from and a movie theater. 

Spanish is the official language of Chile. You will most likely find English speakers in Santiago, the Lake District, Patagonia, and other tourist-centered enclaves across the country. There is not a high percentage of English speakers in Chile, but if you are to find someone who does speak English, they are most likely younger and/or work in the service industry. Take some time to learn key phrases in Spanish, like hello/goodbye, please/thank you, how much is it? Where is the bathroom? And numbers from 1-10. To ask someone if they speak English, say `Habla inglés`

The coastal port city of Valparaiso boasts a very mile Mediterranean climate with warm dry summers and wet windy winters. The city is affected by fog from the Humboldt Current most of the year. Monthly average temperatures range from 52F (July) to 63F (January) Degrees. The summer months (October – April) are the busiest when the weather is nice and warm and the beaches are buzzing with activity. Peak season is December to February, with the festive holiday season being an extremely busy time of year. Vina Del Mar hosts a massive New Year’s Eve celebration with an impressive fireworks display. The star-studded Vina del Mar International Song Festival is held in February drawing in large crowds from all over the world. The months of November and March are good quiet months to visit the city with pleasant weather and fewer crowds. 

The currency of Valparaiso is the Chilean Peso. US dollars are not accepted. Please be sure to have the correct currency on hand or be prepared to exchange your dollars for Argentine pesos upon arrival. Currency exchange desks can be found at the airport and many locations throughout the city.

The vibrant port city of Valparaiso is filled with great cafes, restaurants, and bars as well as some chic alternatives like artisanal breweries, outdoor terraces boasting spectacular views, lively clubs with live music and DJs, and exhibitions providing visitors with plenty to do. The city is home to some of the best restaurants and wine bars in the country, and the city’s cuisine has long held international recognition. There are plenty of seafood restaurants in the coastal port city with fresh catches of the day that are brought in daily. The city’s bohemian vibe brings the option of many vegetarian-based and health-conscious restaurants for visitors to choose from. The wine lists in Valpo’s restaurants include some of the best rich reds (and whites) from the nearby Casablanca Valley Vineyards. There are gourmet bistros, international food joints, and excellent street food. Popular dishes included ceviche, seafood empanadas,  Chorrillana (sausage, steak, and kebab, with onions and cheese served on top of fries), a chacarero (green bean sandwich), and ajiaco (barbecue stew). There is plenty of fresh fish on menus throughout the city especially in Vina de Mar , especially these two soft, white fish; Reinata (pomfret), and Merluza (hake) two of the most popular. 

Some authentic Chilean dishes include caldillo de congrio (fish stew with tomatoes and potatoes), and ceviche using fresh bass and scallops. Locally sourced fresh ingredients are used to make Chilean specialties such as machas a la parmesana (razor clams layered with cheese, white wine, and lemon juice), along with seafood stews using freshly caught fish from the Pacific. Other classic popular dishes include Empanadas which are typically filled with meat, cheese, or seafood and then baked or fried. Completo is a Chilean-style hot dog loaded with toppings like sauerkraut, diced tomatoes, and pebre (spicy salsa), and generously adorned with mayonnaise. Pastel de Choclo is a traditional hearty casserole dish made with ground corn, seasoned meat, onions, and olives, and topped with a golden crust made from cornmeal. Alfajores is a sweet dessert of soft, delicate cookies filled with dulce de leche. 

Valparaiso offers a vibrant nightlife scene and lively atmosphere after dark. There are many eclectic neighborhoods that are home to a great variety of restaurants, bars, pubs, lounges, and clubs. In this city, there is always something exciting happening. The coastal port city offers many restaurants, bars, and clubs where you can dance tango and salsa all night. These establishments are set right on the amazing beaches and along the waterfront, making it a great place to capture a sunset and then party the night away in a tropical setting. Many clubs and other establishments stay open late and into the early hours. Thursday through Saturday nights are the busiest and start to get crowded around 11:00 pm and midnight and last until dawn. A large concentration of Valpo’s nightlife scene can be found on Subida Eduador, Cumming Street, Avenida Errazuirz. Cerro Concepcion Alegre and Bella Visa offer some beautiful terraces for stunning nighttime views of the city. Be sure to try the delicious local wines from the nearby Casablanca Valley, varieties includ Sauvignon Blanc, Riesling, Chardonnay, Viognier, Pinot Noir, Merlot, Carmenere, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carignan, and Syrah. Pisco Sours are the most iconic cocktail in Chile, made with pisco, tangy lemon, and frothy egg whites, you can try one in a number of places in Valparaiso, it is best accompanied by a great view from one of the many rooftop terraces. 

In case of an emergency dial 911 or 107

Hospital:

Hospital Carlos Van Buren tel. 56-32-236-4000

Hospital Dr Pereira Eduardo Ramirez tel. 56-32-257-7540