Providencia Region

By albertduarte

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Providencia

If you're gay and vegetarian this area is perfect for you. But, if you are a heterosexual carnivore or a bi-sexual omnivore this area is also perfect for you because it combines mass transit convenience, wide variety of restaurants, enough male/female night fellows to stare at, and comfortable hotels and hostels.

I stayed at The Orly Hotel for a week which is a charming boutique hotel on Pedro Valdivia and Providencia Avenue in the heart of the "Providencia" neighborhood. Providencia is the most modern and most manicured area of Santiago proper. Flashy business folk on their hurried way to and from work dominates the crowd scene during the day, at night residents of the expensive and trendy apartment buildings take an evening stroll on the wide sidewalks, tourists are common in the area as well.

Providencia is a beautiful area of Santiago and walking distance to "Cerro San Cristobal" which has breathtaking views of all of Santiago. Just walk towards the hill on the street "Pedro Valdivia" and after walking through a affluent suburban neighborhood you will be right at the base of the mountainous park with access to a shuttle to the top, a hiking trail and a park information kiosk.


From downtown (El Centro) take the red line subway to Pedro Valdivia or Los Leones. I live in New York City so I am used to getting around on the subway, but for even a subway newbie the system in Santiago is simple, cheap and clean with providing you with fast and efficient surface taking you anywhere in the city. The subway even stops at all of Santiago's major bus terminals.

A cab ride from the airport may cost you as much at 15,000.00 pesos (about 28 American dollars) However, if you are comfortable speaking Spanish insist to the cab driver to use the taxi meter ("taximetro" in spanish) to take you to Providencia then the cab ride will most definitely be much less then 15,000.00 pesos. Cab's in Santiago usually ask for a flat fare to and from the airport, but if you get a cab who is willing to do it on the meter, it will be much cheaper for you.




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