5 day trips from Santiago & Valparaiso that will take your Chilean travels off of the beaten path
Sometimes you just want to be the main character in the novel of your life, and is that really a bad thing? I mean you’re already pretty cool by backpacking through Chile in the first place, but every trip needs something a little different. I lived in Valparaiso, Chile for 6 months, and I’m here to share 5 of my favorite day trips from the central region that are easily accessible from Santiago or Valparaiso. And, if you’re looking for a Valparaiso itinerary for a longer stay, check out this post where I go through all of the must-sees in the region.
1. Quintay
Scuba diving, beaches, sea food
An old whaling town just 45 minutes south of Valparaiso that has beautiful beaches, great seafood, and scuba diving. Quintay makes you feel transported into the past — it’s the perfect tranquil escape from the city. Playa Grande is a beautiful beach with tide pools and stunning rock formations. There are several dive shops, and I ended up getting my PADI certification at Austral Divers. They speak both English and Spanish and are just amazing — I saw a beautiful assortment of jelly fish, starfish, crabs, and regular fish. It was an amazing introduction into the activity (though the ocean is cold, be warned). While there, don’t miss the old whaling museum (Ex Ballenera) with an incredible view of the town and fascinating history. Wrap up your day with some wonderful fresh seafood, some of the best I had during my 6 months in Chile. I particularly enjoyed my experience at Restaurant La Caracola by Peru which featured live music. There was another incredible restauarant next to Austral Divers but unfortunately (or fortunately, depending on your perspective) a lot of these aren’t on Google Maps, so just go explore!
There are a couple ways to get to Quintay if you aren’t renting a car. The first is to take a shared cab (called a collectivo) from Valparaiso which you can do in the city center, near the bus stop. This costs about $3 CLP per person or $12 if you rent out the full cab. There is also a local bus that also leaves near the main bus depot in Valparaiso. However, these are both a little challenging to find so I would call ahead to Austral Divers or another business to get the latest information on the public transit. (The price you pay for a peaceful day.)
2. Casablanca
Wine & relaxation
Situated about halfway between Valparaiso and Santiago, this is the best wine tasting you’re going to get without going eight hours South or crossing into Argentina. This quaint spot really just has wineries, and it’s the perfect place to spend an afternoon.
While there are several wineries to explore, Casa del Bosque is the most famous with several options for visitors including bike tours and wine making. For me, I really just wanted a quieter experience and opted for Bodegas RE, and I was so glad I did! At Bodegas RE, the winemaker was actually the first to establish the Casablanca region and works with traditional clay pots for a lot of their wine. He also has several experiments with vinegar and infusions, all of which were fascinating to learn about on my English tour! The tour concluded with a wine and cheese tasting that was spectactular, and my guide was just fantastic. I finished the afternoon off by an extra glass of wine at the bar while reading my book, incredibly at peace. I still miss this place!
Similarly to Quintay, Casa de Blanca is accessible through both bus and shared taxi. Call the winery you scheduled a tour with to ensure easy transportation. The front desk is also happy to call you a cab from the winery to the main square with the buses if you’re a little too wobbly to walk back. There are also fully scheduled wine tours from Santiago, but you’ll pay way too much, and I don’t find tours all that relaxing, personally.
3. Valle de Colina
Relaxing & unique with a stop at a chocolate museum!
Forget what I said about tours before, this one is worth it! I found out about this tour by just asking travelers in Santiago what their favorite thing they had done was, and this had instantly stuck out. I went with MTO Tour Chile for about $60 per person, but there are several different groups (and you could also rent a car).
The tour takes you into the heart of the Andes where you gain a sense of wonder as well as elevation. Just when you think you must’ve gotten lost, the van pulls over to these beautiful hot springs, all of varying temperatures, truly in the middle of nowhere. After about an hour and a half in the springs, you’re taken to a couple more stops on the way back including a Cajon del Maipo lookout and a chocolate museum (but really just a shop). And, of course, they give out a glass of wine to enjoy in the mountains. And, yes, I’m just now realizing how much of this list is going to include wine.
4. Cajon del Maipo
A break from Santiago in the mountains (and more wine)
There isn’t just one way to explore Cajon del Maipo. There are hiking trails and quaint small town squares and little wineries, but, no matter how you do it, it’s a much needed break from the business of Santiago. It’s the best way to get some nature in, at the border of the Andes, without traveling too far. I honestly think the best way to do it is to just rent a cabin through AirBnB and a car with a couple of friends for a weekend and spend the days taking in the scenery. But, there are day tours as well for those who just want to hit the highlights.
5. Zapallar
Some hikes, quiet beaches, and the occasional penguin
You’re a trooper for making it to the end of this post, and I promise the last one is a gem. Zapallar, once again accessible by local bus/collectivo, is just North of Concon (which is North of Valparaiso). Altogether, about an hour away from the city if you’re driving. It features quieter beaches than anywhere in the metro area with softer sand.
I really enjoyed a couple of the hiking trails here with the landscape being quite different than other parts of Chile. Check out AllTrails for the routes, they’re super reliable (and I think it’s worth the $30/yr to get the offline maps). By the beach, there are plenty of seafood restaurants, and, if you come in the right season, penguins!
Final Thoughts + The Solo Female Factor
Overall, Chile is an incredibly safe place to visit. I was lucky enough to experience several of these places with locals, but others, I was not, and I still had a fantastic time. Most everyone I talked to in these places is super happy to see foreigners and really just want to help you out. If you’re ever nervous, you can always book a day tour to get a taste of these places, but I’d encourage you to step out of your comfort zone to explore on your own! And, if you have your own peaceful spots, let me know — I’m always looking for new getaways with just the right amount of nature (and wine).
