Tourism at Home: A Day as Tourists in Santiago

​At Bello Chile, we believe that tourism is not just about showing destinations, it’s about experiencing them fully. As tour guides, we spend our days showcasing the best of our country to visitors from around the world. At the same time, we make it a priority to rediscover these places with the same curiosity that our travelers have.
With this in mind, and as part of our commitment to continuous improvement, we decided to explore Santiago as tourists for a day. The goal of the day was to experience the city firsthand and see it from a visitor’s perspective.
Although our original plan included visiting 11 tourist spots in a single day, we quickly realized that Santiago has much more to offer than we imagined, and that every place deserves its own time.

Itinerary of the Day

​MUT (Mercado Urbano Tobalaba)
We began our day at MUT, a space that combines traditional markets with a modern approach to sustainability and urban planning. We were pleasantly surprised by its design, innovative concept, and clear influence of European and North American trends.
Recommendation:
Ideal for those looking for unique gastronomic experiences and a contemporary view of the city.

Pueblito Los Dominicos
From MUT, we took Metro Line 1 to Los Dominicos. Upon arrival, we discovered one of the city’s most charming corners: a space where over 150 local artisans and artists bring their creations to life in front of the public. Walking among the stalls, smelling the aromas, and seeing the artisans at work is an experience that transports you to a more authentic and rural Chile.
​Recommendation:
A must-visit for those seeking souvenirs with real cultural value.

Parque Araucano and Luxury District
After taking Line 1 of the metro again from Los Dominicos to Manquehue and walking about 15 minutes, we arrived at Parque Araucano, a true green lung in the middle of the city’s chaos. We were surprised by how lively it was, even on a weekday: children playing, adults exercising, and executives strolling during lunch.
Near Parque Araucano, we also discovered the modern Parque Arauco shopping center and its exclusive Luxury District, reminiscent of destinations like Dubai or Shanghai. Although it wasn’t our main focus, we couldn’t resist exploring it.
Recommendation:
For those who enjoy shopping and contemporary design, it’s a great urban complement to traditional attractions.

Cerro San Cristóbal and Cable Car
Our next stop was the classic Cerro San Cristóbal. To get there, we used electric scooters, which allowed us to move quickly and experience the city differently. From the entrance at ParqueMet, we accessed the cable car, purchased tickets, and began the ascent.
Riding the cable car was one of the most enjoyable parts of the day. The view from above reminded us that Santiago always has something new to show. At the summit, we walked to the base of the Inmaculada Concepción, popularly known as the Virgin of the Hill. Standing 14 meters tall, it dominates San Cristóbal and impresses all visitors who reach it. We took photos and enjoyed the atmosphere; the only thing missing was the traditional mote con huesillo.
Recommendation:
Bring water and sun protection, especially in summer, and take the time to walk some of the trails or simply relax at the summit with a refreshing mote con huesillo. Visiting in the late afternoon? The sunset from above is unmissable.

Sky Costanera
We descended the hill and retraced our steps to reach the Costanera Center, dominated by the imposing Sky Tower, which we also wanted to visit. To access the observation deck, you enter from the mall’s ground floor, purchase tickets, and pass a strict security check. Then, one of South America’s fastest elevators takes you to the 61st floor, 300 meters above ground.
The view from up there is simply incomparable. We walked around a few times, reluctant to leave that little Olympus suspended over Santiago, until we finally returned to the “underworld,” where the city’s noise and chaos felt familiar once again.

Tired but happy, we concluded our day as tourists. What began as a training experience turned into a transformative journey. We rediscovered the city we see every day, but with a fresh perspective, and confirmed that Santiago has much more to offer than we usually show in our tours.
Although we didn’t manage to visit all 11 planned destinations, we learned something important: every place deserves its own time and space to be fully explored and enjoyed.
Tips for Future Visitors
Plan your route but stay flexible and allow yourself to be surprised, because Santiago always has something unexpected to show. Use the metro, scooters, bikes, or just walk—moving this way lets you truly experience the city. And finally, enjoy both worlds: the traditional and the modern complement each other and showcase Santiago’s diversity.

Just as we explored Santiago as tourists for a day, we invite you—whether you’re a local or a visitor—to be surprised and enjoy everything this great capital has to offer, because Santiago has much more to show than we can imagine.
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Sometimes, the best tourist destination… is right where we are.