Neighborhood Guide to Santiago

After spending about two weeks in Santiago, Chile, I quickly got a feel for the different neighborhoods that make this South American city so fascinating. Although I didn’t know too much about Santiago before arriving in Chile, I was very pleased to learn that the city is actually quite ideal for a bohemian. The first thing you will notice about Santiago is how different each neighborhood is, which is made clear by the varying examples of architecture of the buildings.

Here are my favorite neighborhoods in Santiago, Chile:

Lastarria

This hipster and bohemian-worthy neighborhood was my home in Santiago. Two steps from my apartment door led me to a street filled with coffee shops, restaurants and local street venders trying to sell their products. My first night in Lastarria I met a very intoxicated poet named Homer who somehow convinced me to buy a copy of his book (I don’t even know Spanish). Located in Lastarria is the Santa Lucia, which easily became my favorite view of Santiago and ideal writing spot. Both the Museo Arqueológico de Santiago and the Museo de Artes Visuales are located in Lastarria and if you head to the nearby neighborhood of Bellas Artes you can visit the Museo de Bellas Artes and Parque Forestal.

travel guide to santiago chile

Brasil

While Lastarria often gets the reputation for being hipster-central, Brasil is where the real bohemians live. Years ago, this neighborhood attracted the rich men and women of Sanitago who moved here to gain a bit of distance from the “common folk”. In more recent years, however, Brasil has become a hot-spot for the young and trendy. Many universities also set up campuses here, so Brasil residents tend to be either young and broke students or elderly couples who have lived here for years. When we walked through Brasil, the streets were quiet but the graffiti and quirky restaurants brought a lot of color to the neighborhood.

Neighborhood Guide to Santiago

Bellavista

Instead of showing you an array of street art photos I took while wandering the streets of Bellavista, I’ll leave you with this video of some very excited youngins’ partying for apparently no reason at all. During the day, Bellavista is a quiet neighborhood full of color and cleanliness. It’s even home to the second of famous poet Pable Neruda’s three houses in Chile. Once the sun sets, however, Bellavista becomes party central with countless bars, dance clubs and restaurants.

El Golf

The modern El Golf neighborhood is as close to Miami as you can get. With skyscrapers, chic restaurants and recognizable chains like Starbucks and Applebees, it’s easy to forget that you are in Chile. Any given street in El Golf could fit in perfectly in many U.S. cities. Why are there so many “American” chain restaurants around? Well, as the business capital of Santiago, this is the place where internationals come during their work trips to Chile.

modern architecture in Santiago

Providencia

For natives of Los Angeles, Providencia may remind you of Rodeo Drive. The Alameda is the city’s main boulevard that runs through Central Santiago. It eventually turns into Avenida Providencia which is where Providencia officially begins. Here you will find upscale shops, elegant styled buildings, and several luxury hotels.

famous buildings in Santiago

Like me on Facebook and Tweet me: @BohemianTrails

Sign up for my free monthly BOHO BLAST!

Hi! I’m Megan,

a Scorpio sun and Libra moon who left her job in the music industry to travel and write full-time. Since then, i´ve explored more than 60 countries in the hopes that you will, too.

The world is made of magic and so are you!

RECENT POSTS

Exploring Sicily’s Food and Wine Scene with WalkingWomen

As someone who used to travel full-time, a lot has changed for me in the past few years. Pandemic aside, I’ve been more intentional about where, and how often, I travel. A big part of that has to do with finding beauty in what I used to view as mundane; things like a morning routine

Read More »

Here’s Why Vacation Ownership With Hilton Grand Vacations is the Travel Solution You Need

We’ve all stayed at a Hilton hotel at one point or another and, if you have not, you are at least familiar with the brand. The Hilton name has been around for more than 100 years and to date, there are more than 6,300 properties and resorts within the Hilton portfolio of brands.   One of these brands is Hilton Grand Vacations. Unlike a traditional fixed–week timeshare program, HGV

Read More »
top reasons to visit Kerala in 2020

Here’s Why I Want to Visit Kerala (and you should, too)!

Every so often, I write about a destination I haven’t been to. As much as I love recounting trips and sharing my experiences here on Bohemian Trails, I also love to dream; dream about people and places I’ve never crossed paths with. That’s the traveler in me, the explorer that believes in the magic of

Read More »

My Favorite Caribbean Islands to Escape to This Winter

Winter is in full swing, which means that there’s still time to plan that weekend getaway. An east-coaster from birth and having lived in New York for seven years, the Caribbean remains my go-to winter destination. In many cases, you’ll find direct flights (or nearly direct) and within a few hours, you are on a

Read More »

Reflections on the Lake: Join us in Guatemala this New Years!

Pack your bags, notepads and Yoga mats. We’re going to Guatemala! I am thrilled to announce that I’ll be co-leading another writing + wellness + wanderlust retreat over New Years! Mark your calendars for December 29-January 3. My co-leader, Heather Suzanne, is not only one of my favorite Yoga teachers I’ve had the pleasure of

Read More »

By continuing to use the site, you agree to the use of cookies. More information

Use of cookies

This website is using cookies for improving your experience as a user. If you keep on navigating you are giving your consent to the use of these cookies and our cookies policy. Click on the COOKIES POLICY, the link for more information. You can also check our PRIVACY POLICY.

Close