Highlights of the Day
Day two in Santiago, Chile was filled with city exploration and unexpected discoveries. After checking into the Ritz-Carlton arranged by our cruise company, we navigated Santiago’s metro system, pleasantly surprised by its cleanliness and efficiency. A spontaneous lunch at a highly rated local restaurant introduced us to fresh ceviche and seafood rice, along with a thoughtful complimentary appetizer. Riding the historic funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal offered sweeping views of the city and surrounding mountains. We later wandered through the colorful Bellavista neighborhood and visited Plaza de Armas, the historic heart of Santiago. Street scenes, local markets, and traditional treats like Mote con Huesillo and empanadas added vibrant flavors to the day. Though Antarctica awaited, Santiago had already provided a rich and memorable experience.
Accommodation: The Ritz-Carlton, Santiago
Transportation: Public transportation or rideshare
This morning, we checked into a hotel arranged by the cruise company. As expected, they didn’t hold back—the hotel was the Ritz-Carlton right in the city center. Our room wasn’t ready yet, so we left our luggage at the front desk and officially began our day’s exploration.
First stop — taking the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal.
The hotel is about a 3-minute walk from Line 1 of the metro. We bought four single-ride tickets at the platform, but when we reached the turnstiles, we noticed a credit card symbol. We gave it a try—and it worked. So if you’re only taking the metro, tapping your credit card is actually more convenient than buying tickets. For buses, though, you probably still need a transit card.
Once inside, the two of us stood there figuring out which direction to go and where to get off. Just as we were hesitating, a staff member came over to help. He didn’t speak English, and we don’t speak Spanish, so Google Translate stepped in. Different languages, but the same kindness.
The hotel had advised us to take Uber whenever possible, mentioning that there could be pickpockets on the metro. But we really wanted to experience local transportation. In reality, the metro felt clean and orderly—honestly much tidier than New York, with a good sense of order.
After getting off the metro, we planned to grab lunch nearby. ChatGPT recommended a restaurant, but when we arrived, it was closed. It seems many restaurants are closed on Mondays. Just as we were about to leave, we spotted a small place next door called TAIPA, which happened to be open. It had a perfect 5.0 rating on Google—good enough for us.
We went in and learned that the kitchen officially opens at 12:30, but we were welcome to sit and wait. So we ordered some drinks, listened to local music, and eased into “local mode.”
Not long after, the server brought us a small dish and showed us on her phone: “Compliments of the kitchen.” It was a small gesture, but it felt incredibly warm and thoughtful.
The food here was genuinely excellent. The ceviche was freshly made—the menu even noted a 15–20 minute wait, which speaks to its freshness. The seafood rice was packed with springy, flavorful seafood. We ate until we were completely full—too full even to consider dessert.
After lunch, we walked about ten minutes to the funicular station, where quite a few people were already in line.
There are two ways to go up the hill:
- Cable Car (aerial)
- Funicular (on rails)
We chose the funicular. We had taken a similar one in Portugal before—this was our second time, and it felt strangely familiar.
As the car slowly climbed upward, lush greenery lined both sides. Along the way, we passed a descending car. I was curious how two cars could run on a single track—then realized there’s a passing section halfway up, where the cars cross paths. One goes up, the other down, in perfect rhythm. Quite fascinating.
At the top, the entire city of Santiago spread out before us. Colorful rooftops and modern high-rises blended into a vibrant urban landscape. In the distance, the faint outline of mountains framed the city, giving it a lively, expansive feel.
We continued climbing another 200 steps to reach the highest point. There stood the statue of the Virgin Mary, quietly overlooking the city with a gentle, compassionate presence.
Originally, we planned to take the cable car down, but it wasn’t operating that day. So we took the funicular back down again.
Next stop — Barrio Bellavista.
This area is known as the “colorful district.” Bars and restaurants line the streets, and vibrant murals cover the walls. The whole neighborhood feels energetic and youthful—clearly a favorite spot for locals, especially the younger crowd.
From there, we took the metro to Plaza de Armas, the heart of Santiago. Built in 1541, it served as the central square during the Spanish colonial era.
Surrounding the plaza are churches, government buildings, and other important landmarks. Elderly people sit on benches enjoying the sun, street vendors sell handmade crafts, and restaurants set up outdoor seating to attract customers. History and everyday life intersect beautifully here.
Walking outward from the plaza, we entered a bustling commercial street. Shopping centers and street stalls packed the area, selling everything from clothing to shoes. It felt a bit like an “overseas version of Xiangyang Road Market.”
A popular street drink here is Mote con Huesillo. We couldn’t resist trying one. It’s made with sweet brown sugar syrup, husked wheat grains, and rehydrated dried peaches. Slightly sweet, slightly tangy, and very refreshing—perfect on a warm day.
Another must-try is the Chilean empanada. We picked a shop based on how good the photos looked outside. Having tried empanadas in New York before, we thought we knew what to expect—but this was completely different. The crust was thinner and crispier, and the filling was packed with melted cheese. Rich, aromatic, and surprisingly delicious.
And just like that, our day of wandering through Santiago came to an end.
We haven’t even reached Antarctica yet, but this city has already given us a rich and memorable experience.
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