Valparaiso & Vina Del Mar Day Trip: An Honest Review

Okay, so you’re thinking about doing a day trip to Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar, is that right? It’s almost a classic Chilean experience, right next to seeing Patagonia or hitting the Atacama Desert. Basically, many tourists in Santiago hear about these two coastal cities and wonder if they’re worth the hype and, more importantly, worth a chunk of their vacation time. This is that guide. Really, I’ll be taking a proper look at what one of these tours typically offers, throwing in a few opinions, and just giving you the lowdown so you can decide if it’s something you would actually enjoy. Because, really, nobody wants to waste precious travel days on something underwhelming.

First Impressions: Santiago to the Coast

So, alright, most tours begin early. That drive from Santiago to the coast, it’s almost two hours, or possibly a bit longer depending on traffic. Just so you know, the landscapes on the way, they’re like an opening act. I mean, you start in a busy urban setting, and you quickly transition to these rolling hills and valleys. If you happen to catch it at the right time of year, the vineyards are quite something. Really, tour companies sometimes will give you a bit of information on the area, things to watch out for, little snippets of Chilean history and maybe just some general facts, but that depends. Bring some earphones and a nice album if you prefer.

Valparaiso: A Colorful Chaos

When the tour stops in Valparaiso, just be prepared. It is, actually, a sensory overload in the best possible way. Its steep hills are almost coated in street art and houses that appear like they’ve been splashed with every color imaginable. Now, Valparaiso is a port city, right? Yet it has a gritty kind of vibe mixed with bohemian charm, which makes it really photogenic, yet possibly a bit rough around the edges in some spots. Arguably, one of the highlights tends to be riding the old funiculars. Basically, these charming little lifts will carry you up the hills, so you can get fantastic city views without having to do the major climbing. Is that a win?

Anyway, a decent tour guides you around the key spots. And by spots I mean Plaza Sotomayor and places like Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepcion. You get stories and bits of history mixed together as well. Oh and there is the street art; if you are lucky a guide might actually know some of the artists or knows why some of the artworks are actually present. Obviously, this can just be the opinion of the tour guide, though, who knows.

Just a heads-up, Valparaiso is quite touristy. Just expect crowds, particularly in peak season, yet don’t let that stop you from exploring. Really, its character is what sets it apart.

Vina Del Mar: The Garden City

Just so you know, it’s almost a stark contrast from Valparaiso’s edgy vibe, that Vina Del Mar is generally much more manicured. Think broad, you know, avenues, palm trees lining the streets and quite a lot of flower gardens. A good guide makes an effort, arguably, to explain why its dubbed “the Garden City”. The answer is flowers. The city, actually, almost seems proud of its well-kept image.

While there, of course, are several beaches there, they do almost seem less busy than you would maybe anticipate, it’s almost as if visitors and locals treat Vina Del Mar like a garden to wander, not an ocean to wallow. Even then, that is maybe because I went there at a strange time of the year. Any tour will have a visit to the beach though.

Typically, the tour includes a wander past the famous Flower Clock. Honestly, it is one of those “seen it” moments. And yet, that might just be the view of this author. Still, if you get that done early you can get onto other stuff. You can potentially stroll along the coastline, maybe check out the casino if you’re curious. Is that right for you?

Lunch and Chilean Cuisine

Usually, with just about any tour, there is lunch. The food tends to be seafood-heavy. Why? Is that because you’re by the coast! Sometimes, anyway, the tour company will choose a restaurant, and that’s just part of the package. Still, sometimes you get to choose. Just a tip, ask around for recommendations. Or do some research now! A really proper ceviche or some fresh empanadas, honestly, that will really hit the spot. Don’t worry too much if you’re not that big on seafood, right, because almost any restaurant you visit, and there are many of them, right, will offer chicken and beef alternatives, so there is no reason to starve!

Is a Guided Tour Worth It?

Now, the big thing to consider. Is a guided tour a proper good deal? Right, here’s my point of view. If you’re tight on time, basically a tour gets you to both cities without you bothering with the bus timetables and maybe attempting to learn a load of Spanish. Actually, the guides can give context. So, basically, you might just get more from your visit than just wandering around on your own. It almost gets you a feel for the local culture.

Anyway, it is totally possible to do Valparaiso and Vina Del Mar independently. Now, the buses from Santiago are quite frequent and really are quite comfy. And, yet, when you factor in the transport costs, that, probably, a guided tour isn’t actually much more costly. What’s the answer for you? Is it a guided tour?

Just to let you know, think about what you want to get out of the experience. And do some good reading. And compare tours before booking. By comparing you almost certainly can pick one that best fits your interests.