Anna French
Words can’t quite do justice to the Chilean coastal city of Valparaíso. To articulate its beauty, would almost be too cliche.
So I’ll simply say this…the winding alleys are alive with culture, and the souls of each artist who contributed to their life are visible in the countless murals and graffiti-painted streets. The many famous poets who were drawn to its labyrinth, only further prove its unique charm.
Each neighborhood is different, and every corner makes you more intrigued than the next. Its style is similar to the vibe you can experience in Melbourne or San Francisco but it holds an added Latin flare that simply can’t be mimicked.
Getting There
Valparaiso is an hour and a half bus ride from Santiago (Pajaritos station). There are three well-known bus companies: Tur Bus, Pullman, and Condor. Each company has frequent departures throughout the day.
What to Do on a Short Visit
A few days of wandering the streets and nibbling your way through the cafes will be enough to
The highlight of your visit will surely be roaming the corridors of Pablo Neruda’s home, La Sebastiana. Exploring the famous Chilean Poet’s house, which is now a museum, is the perfect way to absorb a different perspective of the city through his beautifully written poems and antiques that are scattered throughout the rooms. Plus, it has amazing views of the ocean.
Accommodation
For a quaint and budget accommodation, check out the vivacious and helpful hosts at Hostal Jacaranda. They will send you off with a foolproof map and a plan to tackle the surrounding area tailored to your interests.
| Logistical Tips for Booking Your Trip |
| Booking Flights I typically use Skyscanner to book my flights because it allows you to search through websites and airlines worldwide all in one convenient search engine. You can also get price alerts for flights you’re interested in. |
| Booking Accommodation I always book my hostels through Hostelworld. If I’m not staying in a hostel, then I often book an |
| Using a VPN for Online Bookings I also use a VPN (a powerful virtual tool that provides you with a private, anonymous, and secure internet connection) when searching for flights, accommodation, and rental cars. Since websites track your online activity and location, then use these factors to make the rates you are given dramatically higher than their true value, a VPN ensures that you get the best rates, by eliminating artificially high prices based on your country and internet search history. I recommend an affordable VPN like Surfshark to make sure you are getting the best travel deals online! |
| Travel Insurance I always travel with insurance, because I know all too well how many things can go wrong while traveling (and sometimes even beforehand). Travel insurance can protect you against certain cancellations, theft, lost luggage, trip interruptions, medical emergencies, and more. I use and highly recommend InsureMyTrip to find, compare and buy the plan that makes the most sense for each trip. |
| Other Travel Resources Check out my Travel Resources Page to see the best companies, apps, jobs and other resources I use when traveling on a tight budget. |
