Making the most of Valparaiso
Use these notes to shape a realistic day ashore, then confirm any time-sensitive information for the date of your call.
Arriving at the port
Cruises dock in the port and passengers are transported in free shuttle buses to the Valparaíso Cruise Terminal Muelle Prat, which is within walking distance to town. Or a short cab ride to Vina del Mar, the more elegant sister city of Valparaiso.
There is a Visitor center on Muelle Prat by the pier. A new cruise pier is being constructed in 2024, increasing its capacity significantly.
As this is also a port of disembarkation or embarkation, a taxi ride to the airport of Santiago will cost at the very least $100. Therefore try to prearrange your transfers.
Printable map to take along.
Just 140 kilometers west of Santiago on the Pacific coast, neighboring Vina del Mar (Vina) and Valparaiso (Valpo) are like opposite sides of the same coin. Vina del Mar, the 'Garden City,' is one of Chile's premier beach resorts, with excellent hotels and shopping. Valparaiso, a world heritage site and immortalized in the words of Pablo Neruda, is one of Chile's if not South America's most charismatic and historic ports, with its charming "ascensores" (funiculars) and colorful hillside houses. In recent years both cities, together with some of its neighbors have combined their efforts to provide a new year fireworks spectacle ranging several…
The main tourist attraction is La Sebastiana, the hilltop home of Chile's late Nobel-prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda. The house is a maze of quirky rooms, each with a prize city view. The grandest square is Sotomayor, the gateway to the town pier, and is lined with statues and fine official buildings including the Chilean navy headquarters. The tourist information office here offers free maps with walking tours.
Getting around
Walking is really the only way to see Valparaíso.
Nearby places
Santiago de Chile is the capital and economic center of Chile. With its many museums, events, theaters, restaurants, bars and other entertainment and cultural opportunities, it is also the political and cultural center of the country. Its central location in the country makes it a great base for visiting other areas, and it is possible to ski in the nearby Andes and later be on the beach, all in the same day.
Food and shopping
There is a row of curio shops by the dock, which are packed with tourists when a cruise ship docks in Valparaíso.
The main shopping district runs from Plaza Anibal Pinto east to Plaza Victoria. Typically 0900-1300 and 1500-2000 on weekdays; large supermarkets and shopping malls are also open on Sundays.
Money
Credit Card acceptance is considerably reduced in small towns and communities, for which reason when visiting these it is recommended you take with you cash in local currency: the Chilean peso. 1 USD = 712 CLP. This will prevent any unpleasant surprises.
Staying connected
Spanish is Chile's official language
Chile has so-called cyber-cafes, stores offering Internet access. The cost of accessing the world info network varies from town to town. In Santiago, an hour online costs 4 dollars.
Ambulance service: 131 Fire Brigade: 132 Carabineros (Chilean police): 133 Drug Enforcement: 135 Andean Mountain Rescue Squad: 136 Sea Rescue: 137
Opening Hours and
Business and trade establishments in Chile are generally open to the public from Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a 60 minute lunch break at 1 p.m. Saturday timetable is 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In malls, the timetable is Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.