Both cities are located at 112 km northwest of Santiago on a wide bay of the Pacific Ocean.

Valparaiso is a major seaport and industrial center as well as one of the largest cities. Its economic activities include food processing, clothing and textiles manufacturing, petrochemicals, metal and leather.

The port is home to the Chilean Congress, offers a variety of beautiful and picturesque places such as squares, hills, neighborhoods, lifts, fishing coves, beaches, alleys, streets full of nooks and crannies that offer the visitor landscapes full of grandeur, beauty and authenticity.

For its part, Vina del Mar forms a conurbation with Valparaiso on the Pacific Ocean at the mouth of the Marga Marga. It is also known under the name "Garden City"

He is an outstanding tourist and industrial center and one of the most renowned beaches in Latin America and home to the International Song Festival.

The city was founded in 1874 for weekends and garden residence for the wealthy elite in Santiago and Valparaiso, and has remained a major beach destination for Santiago citizens since then. Most simply call the city "Vina".

It is located next to a road junction on Highway of the Sea, connected to the farming communities of the region. Among its industrial activities include the refining of sugar, vegetable oils, fruit processing and the development of petrochemical products, wine, textiles and soap.

The city has beautiful mansions, luxury hotels, parks and gardens, social clubs, a casino, a municipal theater, sports facilities (such as the racecourse or the famous Valparaiso Sporting Club) and wide beaches. The Cerro Castillo palace is the summer residence of the presidents of Chile.

The city is divided into two parts: the downtown and the beach. Near the center is the lush Quinta Vergara, shops and only 15 minutes on foot from the beach. The beach area is very suitable for tourists, with a variety of restaurants, sightseeing, casino and others.

How to get there

To go to Valparaiso, Vina del Mar, Concon and Renaca:

From Santiago by car, take Route 68.

From Mendoza International Route 60, past Los Andes, San Felipe and Llay Llay, which provides access to Highway 5 North and then return to Route 60, in Hijuelas, continuing until Concón to finally take the coastal road.

In Santiago there are departures of buses on University of Santiago and Pajaritos Underground stations. There are also bus terminals Alameda and San Borja. The output frequency is less than 10 minutes.

There are a variety of urban buses (micros), "colectivos" (circuit passenger cars) and taxis located on the Main Square of Vina del Mar and tours to Renaca.

Activities and attractions

In Vina del Mar, there are walks through the neighborhoods and streets where the houses are adorned with flower gardens. Family rides are very popular on Peru Avenue and the coastal area of ​​Salinas. You can also stroll through Quinta Vergara, Cerro Castillo, Sporting Club, Renaca, Sausalito lagoon and National Botanic Garden.

Visitors can take the metro train to Valparaiso. Walking is appreciated for its unique architecture and topography of the financial, and trade port. In addition, its hills: Cerro Alegre, Cerro Concepcion or Baron, from which we see a very good view. Also recommended is the Open Air Museum, or walk around the downtown area of ​​the city of Valparaiso on the coast, Altamirano Avenue, or at Playa Ancha.

The dream of flying like a bird has become a reality with paragliding, allowing you to watch and admire from another point of view of the central coastal region and its beautiful scenery. Half an hour of flight along the coast will be enough to discover the passion of flying. In Chile this sport is classified as an adventure sport and is supported by the Chilean Association of Free Flight Aviation and the Federation of Chile.

You can go skiing and snowboarding at Portillo ski center, located close to Los Andes city by the International Highway Viña del Mar-Mendoza (Argentina), between June and September.

Valparaiso awakens the senses. This is essentially a bohemian city that is reflected in the different scenarios presented each night where tourists can choose between poetry, dance, theater, film and art, of course, special music played in the traditional bars .