What to do in Vina del Mar on the "way" to Santiago

[cookiersmom]

Hi

We are looking to book a tour/transfer from Valparaiso, stopping for most of the day in Vina del Mar, then heading to Santiago for two of our party to catch an 11:30 pm flight and the other two to a hotel.

 

1. What do these types of tours "do" in Vina del Mar" I think I had the idea that the day could be spent at a hotel/resort, lying by the beach or something. Is this correct?

 

2. I am looking for suggestions of tour companies that you or friends have used for this. (Van, 4 passengers, Valparaiso to Santiago, via the day in Vina del Mar.

 

thanks

[greatam]

Hi

We are looking to book a tour/transfer from Valparaiso, stopping for most of the day in Vina del Mar, then heading to Santiago for two of our party to catch an 11:30 pm flight and the other two to a hotel.

 

1. What do these types of tours "do" in Vina del Mar" I think I had the idea that the day could be spent at a hotel/resort, lying by the beach or something. Is this correct?

 

2. I am looking for suggestions of tour companies that you or friends have used for this. (Van, 4 passengers, Valparaiso to Santiago, via the day in Vina del Mar.

 

thanks

 

The "tours" usually drop you off at the airport between 4-5PM. Not that much to do in Vina-there is a casino, there is the "flower clock", the views from the hills are gorgeous, you can ride the funicular (Valparaiso). You can take a horse drawn carriage ride to the beach. Most of the tours leave the port area/Vina del Mar fairly rapidly. Time is spent on the winery tour enroute to Santiago and then sightseeing in Santiago. It is about a 2 hour drive from Valparaiso/Vina to the airport.

 

If you really want to spend the day in Renaca (the best beach, IMHO, in Vina), you can rent a one way car in Vina and drive yourself. Easy drive and if you can read a map, not confusing. Advantage Rent a Car partners with a rental car agency in Vina del Mar-$10.00 cab ride from the pier. They have mini vans for rent, which should be large enough.

 

Then you can take your time at the beach, exploring Vina, maybe stop at one of the many wineries on your way to Santiago, drop your friends off at the airport, return the car at the airport, and take a taxi to the hotel. We did the exact thing in Dec. 2006. Just remember to have Chilean pesos for the toll road (it is almost all toll road to Santiago). We paid about $100.00 for one way rental car (Chevy Impala size).

 

A tour, with late drop off at the airport (after 7:00PM) will most likely cost at least $100.00 PER PERSON. Port Compass wanted to charge us $225.00 (two people) to do exactly what you want to do-hang out someplace for the day, with drop off at 7:00PM before a 10:00PM flight. If you want to get dropped off at the airport between 4-5PM, the "normal" tours are about $65.00pp.

[cookiersmom]

Greatam:

Thanks, that is very good (great) info!

Laurie

[BOHEMIO]

Hi

We are looking to book a tour/transfer from Valparaiso, stopping for most of the day in Vina del Mar, then heading to Santiago for two of our party to catch an 11:30 pm flight and the other two to a hotel.

 

1. What do these types of tours "do" in Vina del Mar" I think I had the idea that the day could be spent at a hotel/resort, lying by the beach or something. Is this correct?

 

2. I am looking for suggestions of tour companies that you or friends have used for this. (Van, 4 passengers, Valparaiso to Santiago, via the day in Vina del Mar.

 

thanks

 

 

Hi Laurie

You can enjoy 1.30 hours in Valparaiso for, see they interesting places only: “La Plaza Sotomayor” it is the important one, by the constructions that surround it and monuments of navy, very nice is the funicular”Paseo 21 de mayo” is another attractive place, you can see the city from the heights and to walk by craftsman commerce “La Caleta Membrillo” here you can see the work of the fishermen is very animated.

Soon you can have 2 hrs Vina del Mar visiting the more attractive places, I recommend to have lunch in Reñaca or Concon is cheaper that Vina del Mar. later to travel to Santiago and in the route to visit a vineyard, we used www.enaturchile.com they prepare private trips. your flight is late, you can reach to know Santiago The old part of the city is an interesting place with constructions of century XVII, where is the Government House, Mercado Central is a place where the fruits and seafood of country are commercialized, there are good restaurants of seafood and they are not expensive and of very good quality. Near this place this La "Plaza de Armas" it has a really beautiful Cathedral ,the new part of city is: the state of "Las Condes" and "Apoquindo", a good sector of these states is AV. El bosque and the "pueblito Los Dominicos" that are a place of craftsmen. Santiago is a safe cleaning and very organized city. worthy to be visited. Excuse my English is not very good.

I hope to have been able to help

Peter

[eh2zed]

We used Enaturchile as well but in reverse to you. I would do the tour of Vina and Renaca. Renaca is more interesting. Nice Botanical Garden there. But do the wine tour thing on the way to Santiago. Lots to see there but particularly take the funicular up San Cristobal. www.enaturchile.com

[Geckospot]

I would suggest trying to take a winery tour in the countryside between Santiago and Vina del Mar. Then head to the beach for some sun and a lovely view of the ocean. Just walking along the seashore is a lovely experience.

[greatam]

I am curious-for those who took tours/spent time at the beach, etc., what time did your tour drop you off at the airport? And if it was outside "normal" tour drop off time of 4-5:00PM, what was the cost?

 

I notice now that Port Compass states on their website that you give your approval for any tour you book to be part of "grow a group". This was what they tried to stick us with last year, with drop off at the airport between 4-5PM.

 

It takes 3-4 hours to get checked in at SCL on "cruise days". So on a tour with totally unrelated passengers, the tour companies drop most everybody off between 4-5. That allows everyone to make their flights. But for those with LATE, LATE flights, sitting at the airport is no fun. Just curious how you accounted for all those hours-on a tour or sitting at the airport???

[cookiersmom]

Hi

Thank you to all for your input.

 

Greatam, we may do exactly as you recommend, and just rent a car ourselves! Is Renaca a different town than Vina del Mar? I guess I should grab a Chile tourist book and check that out!

 

We are clearly in the minority, but in reality, we don't have interest in visiting any wineries, just not our thing.

Also, we are thinking that after 2 weeks of touring, a day just relaxing on the beach sounds pretty good.

 

Geckospot - did you find a specific beach?

 

All- in Vina Del Mar - other than beach, are there other things to do?

Where is the funicular? In Vina or ??

 

 

Again, thanks for all input!

Laurie

[BOHEMIO]

Reñaca is near Viña del Mar to 15 minutes, is a Good beach, very long and white sand but congested of people in summer, they funiculars is in Valparaiso

They Tourist elevators are Reina Victoria, Concepción and Peral

Elevators of the port watching the bay are: Cordillera, Artillería, Villaseca and Tomas ramos