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Guide
Santiago, Chile π¨π±
#302
,
Nomad Score:
67%
Essentials
ποΈ City | Santiago is the capital and largest city of Chile, known for its modern skyline, rich culture, and beautiful surrounding mountains. |
π₯ Population | Approximately 7 million |
π» Internet Speed | Average internet speed is 75 Mbps. |
πΈ Currency & Banking | 1 USD β 890 CLP (Chilean Peso), major banks include BancoEstado, Santander, and BCI. |
π° Tap Water | Drinkable |
π Power | 220V, 50Hz, π Type C/L sockets |
πΆ SIM Card | Providers include Entel, Movistar, and Claro. |
π³ Banking for Expats | Popular options include Banco Santander and Banco de Chile, with services in English. |
π Accommodation | Options include apartments on Airbnb and local rentals, with prices ranging from $300 to $1,000 monthly. |
π³ Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit and debit cards are widely accepted. |
π Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo offer many short-term rental options. |
ποΈ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like La Casa Roja provide budget-friendly lodging starting at $15 per night. |
ποΈ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Lastarria neighborhood is popular among tourists for its lively ambiance and cultural attractions. |
ποΈ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Neighborhoods such as Providencia and Bellavista offer good co-working spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
π’ Best Coworking Space | WeWork (various locations) and The Hub Santiago are excellent choices for co-working. |
β Best Cafe for Work | CafΓ© literario in Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center offers a quiet atmosphere with Wi-Fi. |
πΌ Networking Events | Meetup.com and Facebook groups often list events for expats and digital nomads. |
π₯ Social Events for Expats | The Santiago Expats group on Facebook organizes meetups and community events regularly. |
Transportation
π Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Cabify operate widely in Santiago. |
π² Bike/Scooter Rental | Bikes can be rented from companies like Mobike and Lime scooters are available in many areas. |
ποΈ Best Beach Nearby | ViΓ±a del Mar is approximately 1.5 hours away by bus. |
βοΈ Top Regional Airline | LATAM Airlines provides extensive domestic routes. |
βοΈ Top International Airline | Avianca and American Airlines operate multiple international flights from Santiago. |
π£οΈ Highway Access | Major highways include Ruta 5 Norte and Ruta 68. |
π Main Train/Transit Hub | EstaciΓ³n Central serves as the primary transit hub for trains and buses. |
π Public Transport Passes | The Bip! card is used for buses and the metro, with fares around 800 CLP. |
βοΈ Regional Travel | Buses to nearby cities like ValparaΓso and La Serena are frequent and affordable. |
Health and Wellness
π₯ Best Hospital | Hospital ClΓnico Universidad de Chile is one of the best healthcare facilities. |
π§ Yoga & Wellness Centers | Centro de Yoga Santiago offers various classes for practitioners of all levels. |
ποΈ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gyms like Smart Fit and Goldβs Gym are popular, offering memberships from $30/month. |
π§Ί Laundry Services | Various laundromats are available, including LavanderΓa a Domicilio Express. |
Food and Drink
π± Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Rappi are commonly used for food delivery. |
π½οΈ Best Local Dish to Try | Empanadas and Pastel de Choclo are must-try local dishes. |
π± Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like El Huerto and Vegana are well-rated for plant-based cuisine. |
π« Best Dessert Spots | The Chocolate in Lastarria offers delightful dessert options. |
π Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Central is a great place to buy fresh produce and local specialties at reasonable prices. |
π E-commerce/Online Store | MercadoLibre is the equivalent of Amazon in Chile. |
π Grocery Delivery | Apps like Cornershop and Rappi deliver groceries from major supermarkets. |
πΈ Bar/Nightlife Area | Bellavista is the main nightlife district with plenty of bars and clubs. |
π» Local Brewery | BrewDog and Kross are popular local breweries with various craft beers. |
π· Wine Bars | Bodegas y Vinedos de Chile in Bellavista offers tastings and local wines. |
π² Street Food Stalls | Street vendors selling completo (hot dogs) and terremoto cocktails are common in plazas. |
π Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Aji Seco serve international dishes including Peruvian and Asian-Pacific. |
Culture and Attractions
ποΈ Must-See Landmarks | Plaza de Armas and Cerro San CristΓ³bal are must-visit spots for tourists. |
ποΈ Museums & Art Venues | Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos showcase Chileβs culture and history. |
π° Historical Sites | The Palacio de La Moneda and Mercado Central hold significant historical value. |
π Religious Sites | The Metropolitan Cathedral is a key religious and architectural site. |
π Annual Events | Fiesta de La Tirana and Santiago a Mil festival celebrate cultural heritage. |
π¨ Cultural Districts | Barrio Bellavista and Lastarria host many artistic events and exhibitions. |
π Theater Venues | Teatro Municipal de Santiago is renowned for performances. |
ποΈ Local Markets | Mercado Central and Feria de Los Dominicos are great for shopping local products. |
πΌ Music Scene | Live music at La Casa en el Aire and Club Subterraneo showcases local talent. |
π¨ Street Art | The streets of Barrio Bellavista are popular for vibrant mural art. |
π§βπ³ Cooking Classes | Classes at La cocina de la leche offer insights into Chilean cuisine. |
π©βπ¨ Art Galleries | GalerΓa Patricia Ready features contemporary Chilean artists. |
π°οΈ Historic Buildings | The Palacio de La Moneda, the presidential palace, is a remarkable historical building. |
π΄ Local Heritage | Chilean folk traditions are celebrated through various festivals and events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
π Nearby Nature Escapes | CajΓ³n del Maipo offers stunning natural scenery and hiking opportunities. |
ποΈ National Parks Nearby | Cerro La Campana National Park is within a 1.5-hour drive. |
π² Cycling/Walking Paths | Parque Forestal features beautiful paths by the river. |
π Scenic Viewpoints | Cerro San CristΓ³bal offers panoramic views of Santiago. |
π¦ Birdwatching Locations | The Parque Nacional RΓo Clarillo is a great spot for birdwatching. |
π₯ Bonfire-Friendly Spots | CajΓ³n del Maipo has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
π¦ Parcel Delivery Service | DHL offers reliable domestic and international parcel delivery. |
π οΈ Tech Repair Services | Tech services like iFixit are available in many neighborhoods. |
π Table Tennis Spots | CafeterΓa TΓ© en la Nube offers a ping pong table for free. |
π§βπ« Language Classes | Spanish language schools like Ecela offer immersion courses. |
π Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca de Santiago provides a quiet study environment. |
ποΈ Community Centers | Centro Cultural La Moneda hosts various community and cultural events. |
πΉοΈ Gaming Lounges | Gaming spots like Game Over provide a venue for video game lovers. |
π° Casino & Gaming Halls | Monticello Grand Casino is one of the largest in the region. |
Business
π’ Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = $100,000) |
π’ Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,800 per mΒ² (e.g., 40 mΒ² = $72,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,200 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = $132,000) |
π 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,600 per mΒ² (e.g., 60 mΒ² = $96,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,000 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = $160,000) |
π‘ 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,500 per mΒ² (e.g., 80 mΒ² = $120,000) |
πΌ Corporate Tax | 27% for corporations. |
π΅ Dividend Withholding Tax | 35% on dividends. |
π¦ Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
π Highest Income Tax Bracket | Up to 40% for high earners. |
π§Ύ VAT | The standard VAT rate is 19%. |
π Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Chile has CFC rules for foreign subsidiaries. |
π Property Tax | Yes, property tax is based on property value. |
π Property Transaction Tax | The tax is typically around 2% to 4% on property purchases. |
π» Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Chilean tax policy can be conducive for digital nomads, with certain allowances for non-residents. |