3 Easy Day Trips From Santiago, Chile: From Vineyards to Islands!

Many people fly into Santiago with the desire to see more of Chile than just the city. However, Chile is quite a long country (4,270 kilometers or 2,670 miles long, to be exact), so this tends to present problems for tourists who are short on time and want to see the extreme North or South of the country. Don’t worry, while Patagonia and San Pedro de Atacama may be difficult trips to fit into just a week in Chile, you still have many options to see the nation’s main attractions! In this article, I’d like to present you with three easy day trips from Santiago.

Best Day Trips From Santiago, Chile: Planning Your Next Adventure

Day Trip To Valparaíso

If you’re coming to Santiago and only have time for one day trip, I fully recommend Valparaíso as your destination. Valparaíso (or “Valpo”, for short) is an interesting place to visit because of its status as a UNESCO World Heritage site. Moreover, this port town is  covered in amazing displays of street art. Artists from all over the world come to this city to leave their marks on buildings, steps, walls, roofs, and anything else that they can find. This display of color creates an interesting sensation for those exploring the Valpo’s corners.

You’ll notice that Santiago and Valparaíso are almost complete opposites although they are both very large cities. While Santiago’s buildings are quite modern and grey, Valparaíso holds on to its antique structures and bright-colored houses. The people in each of these cities are quite different as well, which may be due to Valpo’s proximity to the beach and ocean. The average Chilean holds a certain cariño (affection) towards Valpo because of its importance in the nation’s history as well as its natural charm.

How to get there:

Buses from Santiago to Valparaíso run every 10-30 minutes, so don’t worry about buying your tickets ahead of time. To get to the bus terminal, take the metro to the Universidad de Santiago de Chile station (the red line) and exit the metro station following the signs pointing to the “terminal de buses. As far as which bus company to take, I personally always use Turbus. The ride should take around 2 hours and tickets are typically around $2,500-3,000 CLP, so this trip is quite low-cost.

Unsure of what to do in Valparaíso? Check out Audrey’s post on “The best things to do in Valparaíso”.

Cajón del Maipo Day Trip 

Wanting to get outside of the city and feel a bit of fresh air? Cajón del Maipo is the place for you. Located a mere hour drive from most parts of Santiago, Santiaguinos frequently escape for the weekend to this hotspot for rafting, camping, trekking, and cycling. The little town of San José del Maipo is very quaint and is full of ferias (markets) and restaurant options offering home-cooked Chilean meals.

My favorite part of Cajón del Maipo? Easily the Embalse el Yeso, a reservoir deep in the Andes mountains that is responsible for providing a majority of the drinking water in Santiago. The water in the reservoir is a bright turquoise color, creating a beautiful contrast between the water, the Andes mountains, and the blue sky. I went during the summertime; however, I suspect that the mountains would be even more breathtaking when covered in snow.

How to get there: 

While it is possible to reach Cajón del Maipo using public transportation, I recommend renting a car for the day. In the summertime, any car can make the trek on the unpaved roads (believe me, we went in a Toyota Yaris). In the winter, the roads are more difficult to navigate, making it necessary to have a 4×4. If you’re set on using the buses, take the metro to Bellavista de la Florida (green line). From there, you can catch buses to the town of San José del Maipo. For those who aren’t afraid to hitchhike, this may be a cheaper way to do the trip. You’ll find that places such as Embalse el Yeso are almost impossible to reach on foot.

Ski Resorts – Day Trip Option

If you’re in Santiago during the winter, you’re in for a treat. Flying into Santiago over the Andes when they’re covered in snow really makes you appreciate the beauty of nature. If you want to take advantage of the weather for winter sports, Santiago is the perfect location for you. The drive to El Colorado or Valle Nevado, both well-known Ski resorts, is only about an hour and a half, depending on traffic. A word to those who easily suffer from car sickness: make sure to drive slowly. The route up to the top of the Andes is quite curvy.

Both resorts are beautiful, and if you have the extra cash, stay the night in one of the luxury hotels. From spas to pricey restaurants, this is the perfect place for indulgence. If you want to ski or snowboard but don’t have much experience, I recommend starting at El Colorado. For those who are more advanced, Valle Nevado is more up your alley.

How to get there: 

For travelers who don’t plan on renting a car, this day trip won’t present any problems for you. There are various tour companies offering transport, lunch, and ski/snowboard lesson packages (for example, here or here). Keep in mind that the best time to go skiing in Santiago is from around June to August.

Plan Smarter: Quick Itineraries, Season Tips & Easy Logistics for These 3 Day Trips

You already know where to go (Valparaíso, Cajón del Maipo, and the winter ski resorts). Here’s the companion section that helps you decide when, how, and what to do. All of this without over-planning or overspending.

Day-Trip at a Glance (pick one and go)

Getting There Without the Guesswork

Season-to-Season Cheat Sheet

Pocket Checklist (fits in a small day bag

Valparaíso: Easy, Colorful, Walkable

Where to wander first:
Head for Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre—they’re the friendliest hills for first-timers, packed with murals, cafés, and lookouts. Use the historic ascensors (funiculars) to save your knees on the way up and trace the mosaic stairs down.

Street art etiquette:
Murals are living art; pose beside, not on, and walk around active scaffolds. Stencils, tiles, and tiny paste-ups hide in the doorways—half the fun is noticing the little pieces between the big hits.

Food ideas:

• A plate of chorrillana (beef, onions, fries, egg) is share-size.
• Seafood fans: look for caldillo de congrio (eel soup) or paila marina (mixed shellfish).
• Coffee culture is strong on the hills—seek out small-batch roasters; many pour cold brew on warm days.

Photo trick:
When Valpo’s marine layer lingers, it acts like a giant softbox. Colors will be saturated; shoot façades head-on for those crisp, graphic “postcard wall” frames.

Extend to Viña del Mar (optional):
Hop a city bus or the Metro Valparaíso along the coast for sandy beaches and manicured gardens if you want a quieter vibe before the return bus.

Cajón del Maipo: Andes Air, Short Trails, Big Views

Why go:
One hour from Santiago you’re in glacial valleys, turquoise water, and river-song picnics. It’s the anti-city reset.

Best short stops:

• San José de Maipo for supplies, coffee, and a quick plaza stroll.
• San Alfonso for bakeries and bridge views.
• Cascadas de las Ánimas (private reserve) for beginner-friendly trails and bathrooms.
• Embalse el Yeso for that bright-turquoise WOW (go when roads are dry and wind is light).

Driving notes:
Unpaved stretches can be washboarded. In summer, start early to beat dust and park close; in winter, conditions turn on a dime—if chains are required, don’t gamble.

Leave No Trace:
Trash bins are scarce past San José. Pack out everything, including citrus peels (they don’t disappear magically in alpine air).

Altitude & hydration:
It’s not extreme elevation, but it feels dryer and sunnier. Sip water often, add electrolytes, and bring a hat—even if there’s snow on the peaks.

Wildlife & winds:
Afternoon gusts can whip across the reservoir; keep phones on lanyards and jackets zipped. If you’re lucky you’ll spot condors soaring on thermals (look above cliffs where the wind stacks).

Ski Day: El Colorado vs. Valle Nevado (quick compare)

El Colorado

• Vibe: compact, good for warming up, lots of gentle terrain.
• Why pick it: first-timers, families, short day fits easily.
• Lessons: plentiful and beginner-friendly.

Valle Nevado

• Vibe: wide-open bowls, long runs, postcard views.
• Why pick it: intermediates/advanced, full-day commitment.
• Extras: modern lifts, pricier food; the panoramas are real.

Chairlift kit: lip balm with SPF, glove liners, and a small thermos—your future self will cheer you.

Road reality:
Switchbacks are no joke; let tours drive if you’re not used to mountain roads. If you self-drive, leave before sunrise, check the Carabineros (police) advisories, and carry chains when told to (even if the day looks perfect).

3 Easy Day Trips from Santiago, Chile – 12-Question FAQ

1) I only have time for ONE day trip from Santiago. Which should I choose?

If you want color, vibe, food, and zero logistics stress: Valparaíso.
It’s just ~2 hours by frequent bus, it’s walkable once you arrive, and you’ll get UNESCO-listed hills, street art, lookouts, seafood, and harbor views—all in one day. Cajón del Maipo is stunning if you’re craving Andes scenery, but it’s more DIY. Ski resorts are seasonal.

2) How do I get to Valparaíso from Santiago, and do I need to book ahead?

You take the metro (Line 1/red line) to Universidad de Santiago and follow signs to the bus terminal. Buses to Valparaíso run every 10–30 minutes, companies like Turbus are common, it’s about a 2-hour ride, and tickets are usually in the range of 2,500–3,000 CLP. You normally don’t need to pre-book on a standard weekday.

Once in Valparaíso, you can walk or use funiculars (ascensores) to reach the hills like Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre.

3) What do I actually do in Valparaíso for the day?

A classic loop:

• Ride an ascensor (historic funicular) up to Cerro Concepción / Cerro Alegre.
• Wander the lanes, stairs, and alleys full of murals and mosaics (this is basically an open-air street art museum).
• Stop at a lookout like Paseo Gervasoni or Paseo Atkinson for bay views.
• Eat local: chorrillana (fries + steak + onions + egg, built for sharing), seafood soups, empanadas.
• Head down to the port (Muelle Prat) and, if the water is calm, hop a short harbor boat ride to see Valpo’s hills from the sea.
  Then bus back to Santiago in the early evening.

Tip: Pose beside murals, not on stairs/painted steps, and keep volume low in residential lanes.

4) How do I visit Cajón del Maipo and Embalse el Yeso without stressing?

Easiest mode: rent a car for the day.
From Santiago, drive ~1 hour to San José de Maipo (coffee, empanadas, fuel, snacks), then continue deeper into the canyon for river stops, light walks (like Cascadas de las Ánimas), and ultimately Embalse el Yeso, a turquoise reservoir in the Andes that supplies much of Santiago’s drinking water.

In dry summer conditions, even a small car can usually make it (people have done it in tiny city cars). In winter, you’ll want a 4×4 and possibly tire chains; if roads are icy/snowed in, join an organized tour instead of forcing it. The last stretch is unpaved, narrow, and windy.

5) Can I get to Cajón del Maipo on public transit?

Partially. You can take the metro to Bellavista de La Florida (green line), then grab local buses/minibuses toward San José de Maipo. That’ll get you into the valley town.

But here’s the catch: public transport won’t reliably take you all the way to remote high-Andes spots like Embalse el Yeso. Past San José, rides get sparse, hitchhiking is common, and walking long canyon distances at altitude is not realistic. That’s why most travelers either self-drive or book a guided outing.

6) What’s so special about Embalse el Yeso?

Picture this: bright turquoise water in a high Andean basin, framed by jagged peaks and (seasonally) snow. It feels otherworldly. The reservoir provides a major share of Santiago’s drinking water, so there’s also this “you are literally looking at the city’s lifeline” feeling.

Practical notes:

• It’s windy. Bring a jacket even in summer.
• Sun at altitude is brutal. Wear SPF, hat, and sunglasses.
• There are no services up there. Pack snacks, water, and carry your trash back out.

7) I’m going to Santiago in winter. Can I really ski as a day trip?

Yes. Santiago sits incredibly close to the Andes ski resorts. Two popular ones:

• El Colorado – more compact, beginner-friendly terrain, great if you’re newer to skiing/snowboarding.
• Valle Nevado – bigger, higher, more open bowls, good for intermediates/advanced and people chasing long runs and epic views.

Typical timing: leave around 7:00 a.m., ride by 9–10 a.m., ski all afternoon, and be back in Santiago for dinner.

8) I don’t have a car. Can I still ski?

Totally. Tour companies from Santiago offer full-day packages that often include:

• round-trip transport up and down the mountain,
• gear rental,
• lift pass,
• lesson add-ons (for beginners),
• sometimes even lunch.

This is ideal if you’re not confident driving mountain switchbacks. The access road has dozens of curves and climbs fast; if you get motion sick, sit near the front and bring motion tablets.

Prime ski season in central Chile is roughly June–August (sometimes bleeding into September depending on snowfall).

9) What should I pack for each of these three trips?

Valparaíso (coast):

• Light layers (cool mornings, sunny middays, breezy afternoons)
• Comfortable shoes for hills and stairs
• Small cash for funiculars, snacks, harbor boat rides
• Camera/phone with plenty of storage (murals!)

Cajón del Maipo / Embalse el Yeso (Andes):

• Sun protection (hat, SPF, sunglasses) even if it’s chilly
• Windproof layer / light puffer
• Water + electrolytes, snacks
• Offline maps (cell signal can be spotty past San José)
• Closed shoes with grip (dust, loose rock, mud in shoulder seasons)

Ski resorts:

• Base layers, gloves, beanie, sunglasses/goggles, SPF lip balm
• ID + card/cash for rentals/locker/food
• Motion sickness fix if you’re twisty-road sensitive

10) When is the “best” season for each trip?

• Valparaíso: Year-round. Summer (Dec–Feb) is warm and bright; fall (Mar–Apr) is a great sweet spot with fewer crowds and clear views.
• Cajón del Maipo / Embalse el Yeso: Summer and early fall are easiest for road access and turquoise water views. Winter snow makes it gorgeous but can close roads unless you’ve got 4×4/chains or a tour.
• Ski resorts (El Colorado / Valle Nevado): Southern winter (roughly June–August) is prime. That’s when the Andes are snow-covered and lifts are running.

11) I get anxious about safety. Are these day trips okay to do independently?

In general:

• Valparaíso: Busy, lived-in port city. Normal urban awareness applies—keep your phone and camera secure, especially in crowded or quieter alleys. Stick to the main cerros (Concepción / Alegre) and touristy lookouts during the day.
• Cajón del Maipo: The main “risk” is terrain, not people. Drive cautiously, don’t edge too close to drop-offs near Embalse el Yeso, watch footing on uneven ground, and don’t stay so late that you’re navigating unlit gravel roads in full dark if you’re not used to it.
• Ski resorts: Road safety is the concern. If you’re uneasy about snow/ice driving or mountain switchbacks, a shuttle/organized tour is the low-stress move.

12) If I only have 3 days in Santiago, how would you slot these?

Here’s a no-overthink sample:

• Day 1: Santiago itself (Plaza de Armas, Lastarria, Barrio Bellavista, viewpoint from Cerro San Cristóbal, dinner + pisco sour).
• Day 2: Valparaíso day trip (art, port, seafood, sunset, back to Santiago).
• Day 3:
  • If it’s summer: Cajón del Maipo + Embalse el Yeso for Andes air and turquoise water.
  • If it’s winter: Ski day at El Colorado or Valle Nevado, with hot chocolate and Andean views.

That way, in three days you’ve hit: Chilean urban life, Pacific coast color, and high-Andes drama—all without flying to Patagonia or the Atacama.

Have you taken any day trip from Santiago?