Photo: Omnespsx, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Santiago, Chile

Chile's capital, framed by the Andes, and the country's main gateway.

Main airport: Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL)

Local Time

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Current Weather

7°C

Clear sky 3 km/h

Coordinates

-33.3930, -70.7858

1555 m elevation

Nearby Airports

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Santiago sits in a valley with the snow-capped Andes visible on clear days, and it functions as both a business capital and the starting point for Chile's wine valleys and the Pacific coast at Valparaíso. It's the main international gateway to a country that stretches remarkably far north to south.

Best time to visit

March–May and September–November (Chilean autumn and spring) offer mild weather outside the summer heat and winter cold.

Top attractions

•The historic center (Plaza de Armas and La Moneda Palace)
•Cerro San Cristóbal, by funicular, for Andes views
•The Bellavista neighborhood and La Chascona, one of poet Pablo Neruda's homes
•A day trip to the Casablanca or Maipo wine valleys
•Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, about 90 minutes away on the coast

Practical tips

•Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL) has no rail link yet — the Centropuerto or TurBus airport buses connect to the Pajaritos Metro station, or taxis run directly downtown.
•Air quality can dip in winter due to the valley's temperature inversions — check conditions if traveling with respiratory sensitivities.
•Chile runs on the Chilean peso, and card acceptance is widespread in Santiago, though smaller vendors may prefer cash.

Frequently asked questions

What airport serves Santiago?

Santiago's main airport is Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL).

When is the best time to visit Santiago?

March–May and September–November (Chilean autumn and spring) offer mild weather outside the summer heat and winter cold.

Is Santiago a good place to meet someone flying from a different city?