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Guide
Essentials
🏙️ City | Valparaíso is a vibrant coastal city known for its colorful houses, rich cultural heritage, and beautiful ocean views. |
👥 Population | Approx. 300,000 |
💻 Internet Speed | Average speeds of around 50 Mbps (fixed), 20 Mbps (mobile) |
💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 800 CLP, major banks include Banco de Chile, BancoEstado |
🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable in most areas, but recommended to use filtered water for safety. |
🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/L sockets |
📶 SIM Card | Major providers are Claro, Movistar, and Entel, with good coverage in the city. |
💳 Banking for Expats | Revolut, N26, and local banks widely accepted. |
🛌 Accommodation | Airbnb options, local hostels, and longer-term rentals available. |
💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, cards accepted widely in urban areas. |
🏠 Short Term Rentals | Airbnb, Booking.com, and local realty sites provide options. |
🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel Trotamundos, prices starting from CLP 12,000 per night. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción for stunning views and vibrant art. |
🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Plaza Victoria area offers several coworking spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
🏢 Best Coworking Space | Casa Siete – a cozy space with a great community focus. |
☕ Best Cafe for Work | Cafe del Poeta – popular for its ambiance and good Wi-Fi. |
💼 Networking Events | Eventivus organizes regular meetups for digital nomads. |
🥂 Social Events for Expats | Valparaíso Expat Group on Facebook hosts regular events. |
Transportation
🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Cabify and Uber operate effectively in Valparaíso. |
🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | BiciValpo offers a bike-sharing program across the city. |
🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Playa La Copa is the closest beach, about 20 mins by bus. |
✈️ Top Regional Airline | LATAM Airlines connects Valparaíso with Santiago and other regions. |
✈️ Top International Airline | Air France and American Airlines operate flights to Santiago. |
🛣️ Highway Access | Ruta 68 connects Valparaíso to Santiago and other coastal cities. |
🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Valparaíso's Metro system connects to Viña del Mar. |
🚍 Public Transport Passes | Bip! card for public transportation. |
✈️ Regional Travel | Buses run frequently to nearby cities like Viña del Mar and Casablanca. |
Health and Wellness
🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Carlos Van Buren – the main public hospital. |
🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Yoga en el Cerro offers classes in a beautiful hillside setting. |
🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Smart Fit – popular gym with various fitness options. |
🧺 Laundry Services | Lavandería Ecológica offers affordable laundry services. |
Food and Drink
📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Rappi are widely used for food delivery. |
🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Try 'Asado' – a traditional Chilean barbecue. |
🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | El Fogón Verde offers a range of vegetarian dishes. |
🍫 Best Dessert Spots | Tetería Café con Letras – known for their delicious pastries. |
🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Cardonal is a bustling market with fresh produce. |
🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | MercadoLibre is popular for online shopping. |
🛒 Grocery Delivery | Cornershop offers groceries delivered to your door. |
🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Paseo Yugoslavo features numerous bars and nightlife options. |
🍻 Local Brewery | Cervecería Altamira – local craft brewery with tours. |
🍷 Wine Bars | La Playa Wine Bar offers a variety of Chilean wines. |
🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors at Plaza Victoria serve delicious local snacks. |
🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Pasta Caffe serves excellent Italian dishes. |
Culture and Attractions
🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | La Sebastiana, Pablo Neruda's house, and Ascensor Artillería. |
🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo de Bellas Artes de Valparaíso – showcases local art. |
🏰 Historical Sites | The Historic Quarter of Valparaíso is a UNESCO World Heritage site. |
🕍 Religious Sites | Iglesia de la Matriz offers beautiful architecture. |
🎉 Annual Events | Valparaíso's New Year Fireworks are world-renowned. |
🎨 Cultural Districts | Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción are vibrant cultural hubs. |
🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Municipal is the main venue for performances. |
🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Playa Ancha for a local shopping experience. |
🎼 Music Scene | Valparaíso has numerous live music venues, particularly jazz. |
🎨 Street Art | The city is famous for its colorful murals. |
🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Cooking classes at La Cocina de Valpo. |
👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería de Arte Bahía offers local artists' exhibits. |
🕰️ Historic Buildings | El Mercurio Building is one of the city's oldest. |
🏴 Local Heritage | The city's unique architecture reflects its maritime history. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cerro La Campana National Park is a short drive away. |
🏞️ National Parks Nearby | La Campana National Park – great for hiking. |
🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Coastal paths along the waterfront are scenic and well-maintained. |
🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Mirador 21 de Mayo offers stunning views over the bay. |
🦉 Birdwatching Locations | Birdwatching in Laguna Verde nearby. |
🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Beaches like Playa Ancha have designated bonfire areas. |
Other Services and Amenities
📦 Parcel Delivery Service | Correos de Chile provides reliable shipping services. |
🛠️ Tech Repair Services | iRepair offers repairs for phones and laptops. |
🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Paseo Plaza hosts a public table tennis area. |
🧑🏫 Language Classes | Instituto Chileno Norteamericano offers Spanish classes. |
📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca Santiago Severín is a great study spot. |
🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultura La Moneda hosts various community events. |
🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Game On is a popular spot for gamers. |
🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Enjoy games at Casino de Viña del Mar, a short ride away. |
Business
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CLP 2,500,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CLP 100,000,000) |
🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CLP 1,800,000 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = CLP 72,000,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CLP 2,200,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CLP 132,000,000) |
🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CLP 1,600,000 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = CLP 96,000,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. CLP 2,000,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CLP 160,000,000) |
🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. CLP 1,500,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = CLP 120,000,000) |
💼 Corporate Tax | 27% standard corporate tax rate. |
💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 35% on dividends. |
🏦 Tax System | Chilean tax residency applies only to income generated within the country. |
📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | 40% for high-income earners. |
🧾 VAT | 19% standard VAT rate. |
🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, strict rules on foreign subsidiaries. |
🏠 Property Tax | Annual property taxation applies based on property's fiscal value. |
🏠 Property Transaction Tax | Approx. 0.1% - 0.2% of property value. |
💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | No capital gains tax for foreign investments; attractive for long-term stays. |