City Life

Chile is home to a wealth of great shopping options that range from big city malls with a wide variety of brands and the luxury boutiques that line the most elegant streets of Santiago to the crafts fairs held in its smaller towns and on the islands. Local products include handicrafts made from wood, copper, stone and wool, as well as liquors and homemade jams. The most popular souvenirs include jewelry featuring semi-precious stones like lapis lazuli and chrysoprace and wine and pisco, which are available in supermarkets and specialty stores.

Once you've finished shopping, enjoy a meal at a restaurant or have a drink at a bar. Going out with friends is a favorite pastime in Chile, and fun nightspots in cities like Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Santiago, Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Concepción, Valdivia and Puerto Montt are open every day of the week and are especially popular on the weekends. In the summertime, there's plenty activity in resort towns like Viña del Mar, Reñaca, Zapallar, Villarica, Pucón and Puerto Varas. Restaurants offer everything from international haute cuisine to local specialties. Don't miss the "picadas," which serve up quality traditional fare at low prices.