Top Local Activities
Touring the harbor of Viña del Mar / Valparaiso.
Valparaiso by Boat – Schedule your boat tour, Paseo en Lancha, for a unique way to see the Pacific coast and the port of Valparaiso. This port was once the most vital to the country for importing and exporting. The coastline tour will give you a view of the city that is absolutely breathtaking.
Pablo Neruda’s La Sebastiana– Chilean Nobel Prize winning poet, Pablo Neruda owned three houses in Chile. La Sebastiana is one of them and is open to the public for tours. Hike your way up to the house to experience phenomenal views of the harbor is this non-traditional home that a prominent national figure once occupied.
Learn to Cook Local Favorites – Traditional favorites like empanadas and sopapillas are staples in Chilean homes. Sign up to take a cooking class so that you too can create these sweet pastries (sopapillas), and tasty turnovers (empanadas) stuffed with various fresh ingredients. Be the envy of your friends at home when you bring these traditional dishes back with you.
Valparaiso, Chile
Asensores de Valparaiso – Cable cars- or lifts, or elevators as many locals refer to them- were created as a means of transportation throughout the city. Take a cable car tour of Valparaiso and explore the five neighborhoods that make up the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the “Historic Quarter of the Seaport City of Valparaiso”.
Salsa Dancing Classes – No visit to Chile would be complete without a Salsa lesson. Salsa is a traditional dance and is a vital part of the Chilean culture. This is a great way to learn Spanish in Viña del Mar, outside of the classroom. Salsa lessons will come in handy when you and your friends enjoy a night out on the town.
Excursions Outside the City
Isla Negra Day Trip – Don’t let the name fool you, this is not an island; however, Isla Negra is a coastal town and the location of yet another home of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. The home was shared with his 3rd wife, who had it constructed to look like a ship. This home is where the couple spent most of their time- so much so that they are both buried there. After your tour, spend the rest of the day relaxing along the coast and basking in the sun.
natural reserve of La Campana
Hike Cerro la Campana – A beautiful region, the Bell Mountain is located in the Parque Nacional. It is one of the country’s most famous natural reserves. If you make it to the summit on a clear day you can see both the Pacific Ocean and the mountain Aconcagua. The lakes, the streams, the waterfalls, the rock formations… those are just a few of the natural beauties you will find on your outdoor adventure.
“Casablanca Valley” Wine Tours – The Casablanca Valley is known around the world for its wine making. A tour of the vineyards in this area is a great way to sample the locally made wines and learn about winemaking through the Ecela Spanish language school in Chile.
The Ecela school is formatted in a way so as to ensure student build on their learning and understanding of the Spanish language both inside the classroom and out. You are encouraged to mingle with locals and explore the city to learn Spanish in Viña del Mar. The schools allow and encourage engagement in the community that you visit.
Calendars of Events in Viña del Mar
Recommended Viña del Mar, Chile Tourist Video
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