Presenting: The Center of Santiago
Around the Plaza de Armas you can still feel the history of Santiago. When Santiago was founded, this Plaza was the first and central point of the new settlement.
Nowadays known as the center of the Peruvian community of Santiago, you will find an interesting combination of old and new here, of history and presence.
To take in some culture, visit the Museo Precolombino. It shows a unique collection of american indian artefacts and treasures, among them some golden items that survived the Spanish ransacking. If you speak a little bit of spanish, we recommend visiting the national history museum as well- it has an interesting and lively display of chilean history.
Absolutely worthwhile is a visit to the central market(Mercado Central). From Plaza de Armas, take the road "puente" and just follow it for about 500 meters until you reach the first stands selling vegetables. There´s one big hall just for "Mariscos", seafood and fish, and another one only for meat. In the seafood part, there are several restaurants where you can try the food. Seafood-lovers generally find it amazing. Nearby, the old railqay station "Estacion Mapocho" is one of the most beautiful antique-buildings of Santiago, though if there´s no exhibition, it´s not posible to get in.
From there, walk eastwards along the river and a few steps further you´ll reach the Parque Forestal. Many people chose it their favourite park of Santiago, and its beautiful trees may be a good reason why. Some of the best atmosphere Santiago has to offer is here.
If you don´t have enough yet, continue to Cerro St. Lucia. This hill in the middle of the city offers a charming green surrounding and spectacular views.
Finally, don´t miss out on the "Moneda", the government palace that was over a few days in 1973 the scene of Pinochet´s military coup, during which the chilean army and airforce generals successfully intented to take over the power from the tragic and tremendously popular figure Salvador Allende.
Santiago Center will offer you relatively cheap accomodation. Although in general and especially during the day there should not be any problem of security (apart from pick-pocketing, of course), during the night, take care around plaza de armas and the mercado central. It´s not really dangerous, but stick to the light and not the loneliest places if possible.
In the Center you find the "Extranjeria", the government institution that deals with all the visa-issues for foreigners. This institution will be crucial for you if you plan to stay in Chile on anything different from a tourist-visa.
If you come for Business, in the center you will find attorneys, government institutions, shopping and companies´ headquarters.
