Top 5 Santiago Tickets: Tours, Passes & How to Pick
Planning a trip can often feel a bit much, yet deciding what to see and how to see it really is at the heart of having an amazing experience. Now, for the travelers heading to Chile, Santiago definitely has some fantastic experiences up for grabs. Thinking about booking passes, tickets, and tours ahead of time can save a lot of hassle, and often, it could be, a bit of money, too! So, here, let’s take a look at some super-well liked choices to help make that decision simpler.
1. Santiago Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour
The Santiago Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour tends to be a pretty great intro for seeing Santiago. This one’s super straightforward; really, it lets you get off at various spots, kind of explore each at your own pace, then continue on. It’s almost like having a private driver, yet at a group rate! Stops may include the Plaza de Armas, Cerro San Cristobal (more on that a little later), as well as various museums and neighborhoods. It’s perfect to get oriented with Chile’s capital city. Also, it is an opportunity that allows you to soak everything with zero stress about directions or transportation. You’re getting the freedom to discover the things that you enjoy most!
2. Santiago Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano) Tickets
Parque Metropolitano, often referred to by people who frequent it as “Parque Met,” really is this urban escape offering pretty amazing panoramic city views. Now, it has the Cerro San Cristobal hill, plus a cable car and several walking paths. Actually, consider getting tickets for the cable car ahead of time. That’s because it often means less waiting and extra time spent enjoying the scenery, even above just standing in queues! The park also hosts gardens, sculptures, and the Japanese Garden, so really, there’s sort of a bit for everyone there.
3. Full-Day Maipo Valley Wine Tour
Wine lovers will absolutely want this, a full-day trip into the Maipo Valley, actually one of Chile’s leading wine regions. You will find various tour choices that often incorporate transportation to and from Santiago, vineyard visits, and wine tasting sessions. Most definitely, that’s right; sampling delicious Chilean wines amidst pretty awesome scenery could be a highlight. Some tours add lunch, too, and maybe even a wine-making workshop. I mean, how often do you get to say you made your own wine?
4. Santiago Highlights Small-Group Tour
Rather explore the essential landmarks alongside fellow travelers? Santiago has smaller group tours that usually cover things such as La Moneda Palace (the presidential palace), the Central Market, and also key plazas. I feel like being with just a small group makes everything that bit easier. It allows, usually, for a more personalized experience. Plus, you kind of learn a bit more about local culture and happenings as you ask all sorts of questions that are often missed on the huge group outings. It tends to make for a more intimate and rewarding trip.
5. Day Trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar
Slightly out from Santiago, Valparaíso along with Viña del Mar makes a great day escape. That means you are able to view colorful, bohemic Valparaíso. So too, the beautifully manicured gardens, in a way, make the contrasting coastal city, Viña del Mar, super-enticing. Several tours bundle round-trip transport alongside led tours for both destinations. They feature artistic street art, notable architecture, plus great ocean views. So, honestly, for a different taste of Chile, this may well be it!
Things to remember when picking your Santiago Tickets and Passes
- Plan in advance: Tickets purchased earlier often have better prices plus make sure you have an entry, primarily for sought-after attractions.
- Assess your priorities: Take into consideration what truly excites you – is that seeing locations, sampling wine, or a touch of everything?
- Tour length vs your schedule: Certain tours might take almost all day, it’s something to think about should your itinerary is tight.
- Group preference: Little group tours usually mean even more immersive experiences, and it’s more individual, than bigger coach trips.