Three Days in the Santiago Area

[OldCodger73]

We’ll be disembarking from a cruise at Valparaiso the morning of November 2, 2010 and will fly out of SCL the evening of November 4. I’d really appreciate any suggestions or comments about how to spend the time.

 

My wife has post polio syndrome, tires quickly with any extended walking and doesn’t do stairs. For that reason we’ve decided not to do any sightseeing in Santiago.

 

It seems to make the most sense to stay in Vina del Mar unless someone has a better suggestion. We can afford up to about US$300 per night and are looking for a relaxing place to unwind from the cruise.

 

We’re tentatively planning on spending November 3 touring and wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. I could use some suggestions as to what to do the rest of November 2 and November 4 before going to the airport. The map I have of Chile doesn’t provide much fine detail so it’s hard to figure out where things are that are mentioned in the Lonely Planet guidebook.

 

Reading the older posts it seems most people suggest renting a car rather than hiring a guide. From what I’ve read an International Drivers License is required. Is that the case?

 

BTW, neither of us speak Spanish.

 

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

[smeyer418]

We’ll be disembarking from a cruise at Valparaiso the morning of November 2, 2010 and will fly out of SCL the evening of November 4. I’d really appreciate any suggestions or comments about how to spend the time.

 

My wife has post polio syndrome, tires quickly with any extended walking and doesn’t do stairs. For that reason we’ve decided not to do any sightseeing in Santiago.

 

It seems to make the most sense to stay in Vina del Mar unless someone has a better suggestion. We can afford up to about US$300 per night and are looking for a relaxing place to unwind from the cruise.

 

We’re tentatively planning on spending November 3 touring and wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley. I could use some suggestions as to what to do the rest of November 2 and November 4 before going to the airport. The map I have of Chile doesn’t provide much fine detail so it’s hard to figure out where things are that are mentioned in the Lonely Planet guidebook.

 

Reading the older posts it seems most people suggest renting a car rather than hiring a guide. From what I’ve read an International Drivers License is required. Is that the case?

 

BTW, neither of us speak Spanish.

 

Thanks in advance for any comments or suggestions.

 

We found it was not much more expensive to get a good guide than rent a car ourselves. Greatam who posts on these threads and I disagree with that.

 

We stayed in Valparaiso at a place without an elevator but here is the tour guide company we used.....

 

info@southexcursions.com

 

www.southexcursions.com

 

I speak a little Spanish but found it unnecessary for the most part.

 

We really liked Valparaiso but with your wife's physical limitations ask the tour company what the suggest for the amount of time and places to stay too. We stayed the Hotel Somerscales but it has no elevator.

In Santiago we stayed at the Hotel Orly which has one elevator which was out because of the earthquake

[Fattony]

-Before giving up on touring the historically interesting cities of Valparaiso and Santiago, I'd look further into tours in each, both for reasons of mobility and language. There should be bus/van tours that don't require a lot of walking. We saw Vina del Mar briefly on our way to Santiago. Looked nice, but, to us, less unique than the other two places. You may find a tour to Santiago that stops at the wineries, but I also saw some that started and ended in Santiago. Some were full day tours. Although Princess Lines gave info only on their transfer service to Santiago, and taxis, we and some other people ended up renting a van, with driver, in the departures area at the port, and were given a short tour of Valpariaso (we walked some but it wasn't required) and then went on to Santiago (we were going to stop at a winery but the driver missed an offramp). We enjoyed what little bit we saw of hilly Valpariaso, and also enjoyed Santiago (we toured it on our own, using their subway system, but could have found tours).

 

-When we were planning on how to spend a couple of days in Santiago and environs, I bought and downloaded the chapter on Santiago from the Lonely Planet guide book to Chile. Go to http://www.lonelyplanet.com, the "Shop" section. Also has reviews on hotels.

 

-There is no such thing as an international drivers license. There is an international drivers certificate, which is basically a translation of your home driver's license. Your local Auto Club should have details. If you are going to drive, I'd check with local rental car companies (companies like Hertz, Avis, etc. may have locations in Chile) and see what they require. The certificate may not be required.

[greatam]

I am a big advocate of driving yourself. Then you can see and do as you please, particularly with any mobility limitations.

 

Things to see and do in Vina/Valpo-carriage ride around town, the beach at Con Con/Renaca, the fort, the casino. You can drive yourself up into all the hills and and enjoy the beautiful views. You can ride the funiculars in Valpo up and down the hill (RT, so your wife doesn't have to walk).

 

I particularly enjoy the Cap duCal hotel but the elevator is sometimes on the fritz, so that may be a problem. At least have dinner there-the view and food is simply wonderful. If you do stay there, breakfast on your balcony is better than breakfast on your balcony on the ship. Don't expect fancy and glitzy. It is an OLD building showing its age. But do expect absolutely fantastic service. The other hotels you will be satisfied with-Del Mar and Oceanic. Del Mar is part of the casino, Oceanic is up the coast slightly and a car is recommended.

 

Another thing you may enjoy-a trip and an overnight to Casa de Silva. One of the oldest wineries in Chile. Original ranch house is now a hotel. Very unusual. Still closed due to the earthquake but should re-open in a couple of weeks (I have reservations for mid October). Carriage rides, polo pitch (how many Americans have ever seen polo?), gaucho rodeo. If you book through this booking agency, you get a few goodies that you don't get booking directly with the hotel-free winery tour, free breakfast, free wine.

 

http://www.kiwicollection.com/hotel-detail/casa-silva-hotel-chile

 

Here is the hotel website:

http://www.casasilva.cl/

 

 

In the Colchagua Valley (where Casa Silva is located and NOT as touristy as the Casablanca Valley), there is also the wine train. Probably no other area of Chile is more famous for their wines. http://www.rutadelvino.cl/English/index_eng.html#

The wine train is currently shut down due to earthquake damage. But SHOULD be running by October. You board the wine train in San Fernando. Lunch and lots of wine. The real plus for me is the old time steam train. Casa Silva can make all arrangements.

 

The ONLY one way car rental is Rosselot in Vina. $10-20 cab ride from the ship. You DO NOT need anything other than a US driver's license, passport and a credit card. Cars are FULLY insured but do read the fine print. Drop off at the airport. Avis used to have one way rentals but not anymore. Mid sized car (Nissan Sentra size) is about $100 per day.

 

http://www.rosselot.cl/

 

After you get to Santiago, you can drive North into the mountains of Portillo. Very, very scenice, world class ski area.

 

Enjoy-Chile is a wonderful country. A lot of it looks very similar to California. There are just so many things you can do. Just depends on what you want.

[OldCodger73]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions. You've given me a lot to think about.

[Taxguy77]

Lucky you, 3 days in that area.:)

 

Airport used to be a madhouse. Get your wife a wheelchair, even if you don't have a valet with it, it should have big benefits for the two of you.

[SunDapple]

The ONLY one way car rental is Rosselot in Vina. $10-20 cab ride from the ship. You DO NOT need anything other than a US driver's license, passport and a credit card. Cars are FULLY insured but do read the fine print. Drop off at the airport. Avis used to have one way rentals but not anymore. Mid sized car (Nissan Sentra size) is about $100 per day.

 

http://www.rosselot.cl/

 

 

Do you know, by any chance where the ship docks on Valpo? I've looked at Rosselot for one way car rentals, and there is a drop off in Valpo at Av. Uruguay and Victoria, which I think is in the El Plan area, but I am wondering how far away from the pier that location might be. Perhaps it would be better to stay in Vina, drop the car there and hire a driver to give us a tour of Valpo and then take us to the pier.

Also wondering how is parking at the hotels you mention. :-)

 

Thank you so much for your wonderful information.

[greatam]

Do you know, by any chance where the ship docks on Valpo? I've looked at Rosselot for one way car rentals, and there is a drop off in Valpo at Av. Uruguay and Victoria, which I think is in the El Plan area, but I am wondering how far away from the pier that location might be. Perhaps it would be better to stay in Vina, drop the car there and hire a driver to give us a tour of Valpo and then take us to the pier.

Also wondering how is parking at the hotels you mention. :-)

 

Thank you so much for your wonderful information.

 

I use the Rosselot agency on Libertad in Vina. Never used any of the other ones. This one is a $10-20 cab ride to the port. The one in Valpo would definitely be closer to the port (but not much-Vina/Valpo are like one big area). Don't know anything about the service there.

 

Parking at Cap duCal can be crowded around dinner time but fine otherwise. But for Americans, you will be fine. S Americans eat much later than we do as a general rule. So 7:00PM dinner is not problem with parking. The Oceanic has plenty of parking and you really do need the car for this hotel. The Del Mar has an underground parking garage (with valet parking, if you want). It CAN be crowded on Friday and Saturday nights when so many visit the casino. I have just paid the few dollars extra and used valet parking.

[Fattony]

The Santiago airport a madhouse? We found it easy to navigate, though that was before the earthquake. I would not have wanted to drive through Valparaiso (narrow, winding streets), but didn't pay attention to signs since we had a van and driver.

[smeyer418]

The Santiago airport a madhouse? We found it easy to navigate, though that was before the earthquake. I would not have wanted to drive through Valparaiso (narrow, winding streets), but didn't pay attention to signs since we had a van and driver.

I was there after the earthquake(2 weeks) and while some of the check ins were in tents outside, it was far from a madhouse. pretty easy in fact. compare it to JFK/LGA/PHL and it was a piece of cake.

 

I gave my opinion of driving myself.....