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
Cruise ships dock in port, then free shuttle buses carry passengers to the Valparaíso Cruise Terminal Muelle Prat, within walking distance of town. Vina del Mar, Valparaiso's more elegant sister city, is a short cab ride away.
The Visitor center is beside the pier on Muelle Prat. A new cruise pier is being built in 2024, significantly increasing capacity.
Because this can be a disembarkation or embarkation port, a taxi to Santiago airport costs at least $100. Try to arrange transfers in advance.
A printable map for taking with you.
On the Pacific coast 140 kilometers west of Santiago, neighbouring Vina del Mar (Vina) and Valparaiso (Valpo) resemble opposite sides of the same coin. Chile's 'Garden City', Vina del Mar is one of its premier beach resorts, offering excellent hotels and shopping. Valparaiso, a world heritage site immortalised in Pablo Neruda's words, is one of Chile's—and perhaps South America's—most charismatic and historic ports, known for colourful hillside houses and charming "ascensores" (funiculars). In recent years, both cities and some neighbours have joined efforts to create a new year fireworks spectacle ranging several…
La Sebastiana, the hilltop home of Chile's late Nobel-prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda, is the principal attraction. Its quirky rooms form a maze, each offering a prize city view. Sotomayor, the grandest square, leads to the town pier and is framed by statues and handsome official buildings, including Chilean navy headquarters. The tourist information office there provides free maps with walking tours.
Getting around
Exploring Valparaíso on foot is really the only way to see it.
Nearby places
Chile's capital and economic center, Santiago de Chile is also its political and cultural center, offering museums, events, theaters, restaurants, bars and other entertainment and cultural opportunities. Its central position makes it an excellent base for visiting other regions; it is possible to ski in the nearby Andes and be at the beach later on the same day.
Food and shopping
By the dock is a line of curio shops, packed with tourists whenever a cruise ship docks in Valparaíso.
The main shopping area extends east from Plaza Anibal Pinto to Plaza Victoria. Usual weekday hours are 0900-1300 and 1500-2000; larger supermarkets and shopping malls also open on Sundays.
Money
In small towns and communities, credit cards are accepted considerably less often, so take cash in the local Chilean peso when visiting them. 1 USD = 712 CLP. This avoids unpleasant surprises.
Staying connected
Chile's official language is Spanish.
Chile has so-called cyber-cafes—stores providing Internet access. Prices for the world info network vary between towns; an hour online in Santiago costs 4 dollars.
Emergency contacts are: 131 (Ambulance service); 132 (Fire Brigade); 133 (Carabineros, Chilean police); 135 (Drug Enforcement); 136 (Andean Mountain Rescue Squad); 137 (Sea Rescue).
Opening Hours and
Chile's businesses and trade establishments generally open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m., with a 60 minute lunch break at 1 p.m. Saturday hours are 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. In malls, opening hours are Monday to Sunday from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.