La Picantería

Locals line up at this old-school fixture for heaping sandwiches, hot dogs & empanadas.

Providencia is a vibrant Santiago district where you can hike up San Cristóbal Hill for stunning views, explore a Japanese garden, or admire sculptures by local artists.

Polished rooms & suites, some with mountain views, plus a club lounge, a spa, dining & a pool. Set in the upscale Las Condes district, this elegant hotel is a 4-minute walk from high-end shopping at Falabella Parque Arauco and 12.9 km from downtown Santiago. The classic rooms have flat-screen TVs, WiFi (fee), iPod docks, minibars and coffeemakers, plus marble bathrooms. The expansive suites add separate lounges, as well as skyline or mountain views, while some also add dining areas and studies. Upgraded rooms and suites include free breakfast, snacks and drinks in the club lounge. There are 3 restaurants, including a Latin grill, while other amenities include an outdoor pool, a gym, a spa and conference/event facilities.

Simple rooms & dorms in an informal hostel with a rooftop terrace, a kitchen & breakfast. Set in an elegant building dating from the early 20th-century, this relaxed hostel is 2 km from the 19th-century La Moneda Palace and an 8-minute walk from the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts. Simple rooms and dorms offer Wi-Fi and shared bathrooms. Upgraded rooms add en suite facilities. Amenities include a rooftop terrace and a lounge, plus a guest kitchen, and a dining area with a TV. Breakfast is available.

Relaxed, down-to-earth rooms with microwaves & flat-screens in a straightforward hotel. Set along historic city streets, this informal hotel is a 3-minute walk from the nearest bus stop. It is 2 km from both the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts and cultural events at Barrio Lastarria. The simple, warmly decorated rooms feature Wi-Fi and flat-screen TVs with cable channels, in addition to microwaves, and en suite bathrooms. A continental breakfast buffet is available.

Funky hostel with breakfast, modest dorms & private rooms, plus a patio & a shared kitchen. Surrounded by eateries and bars, this bustling hostel in a funky, brightly painted building is 1 km from the nearest subway station, 2 km from Mercado Central de Santiago and 10 km from Valle Nevado Ski Resort. Straightforward mixed-gender and female-only dorms with bunk beds offer Wi-Fi, shared bathrooms and lockers (bring your own lock); some dorms have bunk beds with wooden walls and reading lamps. Simple private rooms are also available. Continental breakfast is available. There’s a vibrant outdoor patio, a shared kitchen and BBQ area, plus a pool table and a cozy TV lounge. Bike rentals and airport transfers can be arranged.

Cultural center housed in a modern building & offering theater performances, concerts & artworks.

San Cristobal Hill in Santiago offers stunning 360° views, a serene Virgin Mary statue, charming gardens, and a fun ride up, making it a must-see.

Modern & contemporary works by Chilean & international artists showcased in a grand 1910 building.

Casual hostel in a Colonial-style building with free breakfast, a rustic bar & an outdoor pool. This laid-back hostel an elegant, Spanish Colonial-style building is a 5-minute walk from a metro station and 11 minutes on foot from Palacio de La Moneda, the office of Chile's president. Offering private or shared bathrooms, the relaxed, warmly decorated rooms come with safes; some have vintage-style furnishings. The 3 dorms sleep from 6 to 8 guests, and feature bunk beds and lockers. A breakfast buffet is served in a casual dining area. There's a rustic cellar bar, an outdoor pool, a BBQ area and terraces. Other amenities include a communal kitchen, a TV lounge, table games and guest laundry facilities.