Trip #3 part 3
After our stay in Santiago with our friends, they decided to change their own plans to come with us to Valparaiso ! They know the city like the back of their hand because they used to live there. Here to a great week end ahead !
Valparaiso, 12°C-20°C
Located 1:30 hours away from Santiago by bus (5$US), Valparaiso is a city you can visit in 2-3 days. I do recommend a stay of at least 2 days to really discover it and have time to not only see what this beautiful city has to offer but also to actually feel the vibe. Admire the graffitis, murals, gardens full of flowers and all the colours that surround you and yet the poverty of the place. Colours are almost like a mask...
Valparaiso is the cradle of poet and artists such as Pablo Neruda; you will be mesmerized by the enthousiasm of today's artists that you will meet at every corner of every second street or so. One of the coolest memories I keep from colourful Valpo is the mural that was being done by 5 artists. They had the drawing and they were replicating it on a huuuge wall. It was so bright and flashy, very powerful, very Valpo ! To do and not miss (don't make an actual plan, you will find these beautiful places on your way) :
#1 Casa de los cuatros vientos, a Hotel which also serves as a gallery,
#2 Fauna restaurant, one of the best in Valparaiso, with a view (20-40$US),
#3 The Clinic, great bar, great view. You must visit the bathroom ! (7-15$US),
#4 Boat tour from Muelle Prat, a great way to have an overview of the city and meet the sea lions ! (8$US). When you come back from your sea escape, discover the City Baja (the only part of the city on the sea level),
#5 Palacio Baburezza, beautiful edificio and great visit,
#6 La Sebastiana, casa de Pablo Neruda, if you have heard about his history you will be plunged into the heart of his universe (10$US),
#7 "We are not hippies, we are happies" graffiti at Templeman and Lautaro Rosas corner, is the symbol of Valparaiso, the entire street is beautiful,
#8 Piano stairs at Beethoven and Abtao corner, are you a real tourist ? Yes, then take your picture there. No, then take your picture there. You'll love it,
#9 Taking the funicular to Cerro Alegre,
#10 Making your way to Cerro Concepcion while admiring the street art.
We stayed the first night in a Hostel but our friends knew people there. You can find hostels for 8-11$US per night and some are really good! Our location wasn't the best so I definitly recommend you to stay in the heart of Valparaiso (Cerro Alegre or Concepcion). Actually everything is closed by, just be careful if you can't walk up and down to much because this city is all about stairs ! It is organized by floor. Usually you have 3 levels and sometimes even elevators ! No no, I am not kidding, we took the elevator to the 3rd floor to go back to our place. It was pretty fun. Usually you take the metro or the bus, well in Valparaiso no need for this !
The city is super safe during the day, but be careful at night. The student part of the city is the Cerro Alegre and Concepcion where pizza and beers are cheap ! Probably a good idea before going out. Then, if you do wanna go out and dance all nights, no worries, if you still have energy after your day you won't have that much after partying here ! Go to Bellavista metro station. Around this area you will find the club that will fit you.
“Valparaíso, what an absurdity you are, how crazy: a crazy port. What a head of dishevelled hills, that you never finished combing. Never did you have time to dress yourself, and always you were surprised by life.” – Pablo Neruda
