Santiago Travel and Things to Do Guide

The capital city of Chile, Santiago, is nestled in the Maipo Valley, surrounded by the Coast, Chacabuco and Angostura mountain ranges. Groups visiting Santiago are always amazed with the ease they can enjoy Chile's various landscapes, which range from desert to even snow-capped mountains. Santiago meeting venues range from modern hotels to world-class wineries. Located just nine miles northwest of downtown Santiago is the Santiago International Airport, also known as the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, a major Latin American air hub that offers several ground transportation options to take travelers directly to downtown Santiago. Among Santiago's meeting venues is the spacious, modern Sheraton Santiago and Convention Center, located just 12 miles from the airport. The Sheraton Santiago is within walking distance to the subway, shops, restaurants and attractions, with stunning views of the Andes Mountains. The 379-room hotel features 15 meeting space ranging from 323 square feet to 7,578 square feet to accommodate groups of 1,500 people. Meeting amenities include a business center, club lounge, catering and audio-visual services, while hotel amenities include on-site award-winning dining, pools, spa and tennis court. Dining venues in Santiago include the famous Aqui Esta Coco, which has served fresh seafood for more than 35 years. Europeo is an elegant, minimalist eatery that serves award-winning European-influenced cuisine, while the trendy El Huerto serves vegetarian and organic fare. Located in the upscale Hotel Plaza San Francisco, Bristol Restaurant is a leader in Chilean gastronomy, while the local Liguria chain location is a popular Chilean bistro. Santiago enjoys cultural wealth, thanks to its dozens of art galleries and museums, as well as a number of historical sites throughout its assortment of barrios, or neighborhoods. Just outside of Santiago lie such famous Chilean wineries as Concha y Toro, Latin America's leading producer. Groups can tour the winery's park and vineyards, as well as gather in the wine bar and tasting room. Other Santiago meeting venues and attractions include the Pre-Columbian Art Museum, which showcases more than 3,000 historical objects, most of which come from funerary offertories. A Chilean national monument, Mapocho Station – a former railway station and current cultural center – is another Santiago event venue that sponsors activities, musicals, theater, dance productions and art installations. Visitors can also tour La Chascona, the former home of famed Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. For the best view of the city, visitors can hike or ride a cable car to the Cerro San Cristobal, which rises 300 meters above the city within the beautiful Parque Metropolitano.