I?ve written a great deal on Chile but I?ve for the most part concentrated on Santiago and the major outlying areas. In this article I?ll concentrate more on the beach and coastal areas.
I frequent these areas just about every single weekend and had, for a time, planned on building my cottage near the coastal areas. I can say there?s still a great deal of readily available land for purchase in the coastal areas also.
Prices for a lot range about $3500 to $7500, depending on the size and locations desired. In my ebook on Chile, I have specified some websites you can go to look at that have photos of available land lots and surrounding areas. These areas are very attractive and rustic. The kind of places, where a small cabin would make one feel so cozy and at home in the environment.
The coastal areas of Chile have a lot to offer anyone who is thinking of living there. The most popular area or city is Vi??a Del Mar. It?s the most popular beach or coastal town due to the fact that, it has a casino, which makes it the central focal point. People travel for miles around to go to the casino and this is where the Chilean elite and well to do play. It?s very common to run into local tv personalities at the casino and Saturday?s are the best for casino action. The casino hotel itself almost rivals the MGM in Las Vegas, in terms of luxury.
If you?re not a gambler that?s ok also, because Vi??a Del Mar has a wealth of shops, restaurants and waterfront activity for any and all to enjoy. Right next door to the casino is a large city park where you can rent scooters, bicycles and more for the kids, if you?re looking for a bit of romance, then try a ?Victoria?, which is a horse drawn carriage ride around the city center.
Right behind the casino is the carriage stand, where you and your loved one can take a slow ride down one of the side streets that is parallel with the ocean. You can ride and see the waves and the sunset.
Going into the main part of downtown Vi??a, you will find tons of street vendors selling anything from oil on canvas paintings of seascapes, to handcrafted leather items and more. There?s much to see and do and there are more small curio shops then I?ve ever seen in my life in Vi??a. If you?re looking to collect unique and rare items, this would be the place to start.
Now as far as accommodations, the cheapest places are called "residenciales". These are old family houses where you can rent a room for a very low price, you won't find luxury but it?s cheap and clean. One of the best places can be found at:
Residencial Blanchait
Avenida Valparaiso 82-A
Vi??a Del Mar
Singles USD 20.00 - 25.00
There?s fine dining in Vi??a but if you want something fast and simple there are tons of cafes and fast food type of restaurants. Fine dining is great but this city is one with people on the move who don?t always want to take the time to enjoy a fine cuisine. Everybody?s coming and going at all times of day and night. The city is not as lit up as Las Vegas but believe me when I say it has the same feel, the same energy and the same excitement.
During the month of February, the Vi??a Del Mar International Song Festival has been held each year since 1970, lasting all of six days. The venue for this major event is the Quinta Vergara amphitheatre, and it?s organized in three parts: the first is the international competition, which traditionally has around ten countries taking part; then there is the folk section, with performers coming from all over Chile; and finally the international show, sprinkled with international stars, and the ever-hopefuls who wish to win over the demanding audience, and let me tell you, Chilean crowds are very tough to please when it comes to entertainment.
Many american cruise ships are starting to make regular stops now in Vi??a Del Mar which is quickly making it a very international city. One of my other favorite cities is Valparaiso. Valparaiso is only ten minutes by car from Vi??a Del Mar and it?s considered a historic city. This city has the same protection as that of Prague; nothing in this town can be changed. It all must be preserved exactly as is.
Valparaiso is more or less a historical monument, the whole city! It?s very old but this is its charm and character. A real treat in Valparaiso, is a ride on an ascensore. The city of Valparaiso has been called ?The Vertical City? because it was built on large hills, and so the city is truly divided. The shops and stores are in the lower part of the city but the residential living is in the hilltop areas, and to get from the hills to the lower part of the city you can take an ascensore.
That is, basically a large elevator car that takes you from the upper to the lower part of the city and vice versa. It?s only a couple hundred pesos for the ride but it?s a thrill you?ll always remember and cherish. The ascensores where first built and put into use sometime in 1883 and then there were over 83 working units throughout the city giving the townspeople access to the lower parts of the city.
Now there are only 15 working units left. It?s amazing to see these little boxes going up and down tracks built into the sides of hills. They work just like old time elevators in that they use a counterweight system to provide the lift. It?s highly suggested if you plan on coming to Chile you make this one of the things you want to experience.
If you want more info on them you may want to get your hands on my eMag, that?s free at my website. Valparaiso has always reminded me of a European city, due to its architecture and styling. Narrow, cramped cobble stoned streets, give a definite air of old world European charm.
It has always reminded me of Paris, and once you?ve walked down the streets you?ll feel the European influence too, even some of the street names are French. There are several good cafes that are French in name also. One place I can recommend for cozy eating with Euro flair is the Le Filou De Montpellier Caf