Great day in Santiago de Chile.

Start your walk at Plaza Baquedano where the Parque Forestal begins at the foot of Mapocho. Continue to the Palacio de las Bellas Artes on the street Ismael Valdés Vergara. You will reach the bustling Mercado Central.

This is the true epicenter of the city, filled with artists selling their paintings, street musicians, and food stalls. The Plaza is lined by the cathedral, the city hall, the main post office, and the history museum.

From this hill in the middle of the city, you have a great view over the city on clear days. The park entrance lies on the Alameda, on the summit, there is a small castle structure. Close by is the National Library with a great café and the interesting church of San Francisco with its peaceful courtyard.

To get to Santiago's highest mountain, walk from the Plaza Baquedano across the bridge and along the Pio Nono street through the colorful neighborhood of Bellavista. Here you will find the station for the cable railway , which will take you to the top of the 880 meter tall mountain. Enjoy the panoramic vista across the city beneath the giant statue of Mary. To descend you have the option of taking a gondola down the Southside of the mountain right into the posh neighborhood of Pedro de Valdivia Norte.

Fun Salsa hangout in the Bellavista neighborhood. On the weekends there are live bands performing. Pío Nono 380, Bellavista, Tel. 2/ 735 74 16

Live jazz in an upscale atmosphere. A. López de Bello 0126, Bellavista, Tel. 2/777 67 63