Vina del Mar Day Trips: Top 5 Unforgettable Adventures
Vina del Mar, that so called “Garden City” of Chile, just offers a starting point for great trips! With its coastline and vibrant culture, just consider it the spot for discovering some of Chile’s treasures. Lucky for you, several locations offer diverse experiences, and there really is something for just about every traveler to like, and they’re close. Let’s get right into the five day trips from Vina del Mar that you might like!
1. Valparaiso: A Colorful Coastal Cousin
Just a short hop away, pretty much around 20 minutes from Vina del Mar, Valparaiso so sits! Valparaiso, a UNESCO World Heritage site, really offers colorful streets, views, and that artsy feel that should grab your attention. You’ll want to ride the historic funiculars that go up those hills! You’ll see some graffiti on almost every street that shows how artistic this city can be! This area of Chile really makes you want to grab your camera and take photos all day, just of everything, or get some really good seafood at one of the places along the harbor! I remember wandering through Valparaiso, feeling like I stepped inside a painting. The buildings that use every color ever just bring such joy! Be sure to take some sturdy shoes because the walkways can be tough, that is, if you decide to explore the hilly area.
Oh, also, don’t just skip that Naval Museum, it’s quite something! The museum basically gives you lots of facts, that sort of make Valparaiso so unique! As a matter of fact, this will give you a deeper look into what makes this place so cool.
How to Get There: Just hop on a bus from Vina del Mar, super quick and also very cheap.
Read our full review: Valparaiso Chile travel Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Guided Tour of Valparaiso)
2. Casablanca Valley: Wine Lovers’ Paradise
If you’re a wine lover, Casablanca Valley is for you; very much so, a must! I swear it. A short jaunt inland shows the green landscape filled with vineyards. So that means you need to stop by a few vineyards, learn about cool-climate winemaking, that’s a fact, and sample the wines; like your Pinot Noir and Sauvignon Blanc. Now most of the wineries offer tours where you can see those processes, that is how the grapes get processed. Just a couple of years ago, I had some friends in town so we went to a fancy lunch, then wine tasting. The air was so refreshing. The flavor of the wine actually felt special as it comes from this region.
Oh and one thing you’ll want to look for is pairing lunch with wine. Several places do this, offering fantastic foods matched to the taste of some glasses of wine. The pairing adds another thing to your wine tasting making it so, something extra.
How to Get There: By car or by taking a wine tour! Those tours are usually super simple ways to get you to some spots.
Read our full review: Casablanca Valley wine tour Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Casablanca Wine Tours)
3. Reñaca: Beach Vibes and Sea Lions
A short jaunt up the coast drops you on the beaches of Reñaca; seemingly it’s just a beach, but it is much more! As a matter of fact this place attracts tourists with beautiful gold sand beaches. If you’re feeling energetic you should go jump off the slopes! As a matter of fact there are so many vendors right near the beach too. You can grab something to eat and something to drink. A little tip is if you decide to venture north just a bit there is this spot at the beach that has sea lions; and the view is very great for seeing these awesome animals. I recall chilling there for an entire afternoon, just watching these animals.
The thing that I love is that at this location everyone hangs! Young people, old, so you can go here and still feel very comfy!
How to Get There: A brief bus ride, just take a taxi cab; so easy to do.
Read our full review: Renaca Chile travel Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Renaca)
4. Concón: Culinary Delights and Coastal Views
Not far from Reñaca you see Concon, that area offers seaside spots to enjoy, that often get overlooked but shouldn’t! That being said, the spot is famous for many restaurants. Be sure to explore these, there are lots of foods to sample! As a matter of fact many specialize in locally caught seafood. Also, north of Concon you see what they call the “Dunes of Concon.” My family loves coming here for eating and we’ve tried just about every restaurant and cafe in the zone. After lunch and/or dinner, you should really walk that beach at night. With less people there, that night air feels more fresh; makes it special!
How to Get There: Public transportation will work, so you could take a taxi; neither should take much time.
Read our full review: Concon Chile travel Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Discover Concon)
5. Isla Negra: Neruda’s Coastal Retreat
If you’re really into poems then you’ll want to go to Isla Negra to see one of Pablo Neruda’s houses; just for you to know, this now operates as a museum. Basically the area provides beautiful sights by the sea and something special when talking about Chile’s artsy stuff. Actually the museum just allows you to know Neruda’s life. Also to peek at what got his poem writing to move! Also so you see the Pacific’s natural magnificence.
I have fond memories of a trip to Isla Negra, sort of a day of quiet thought and beauty. Seeing Neruda’s collection gave me new insight of Neruda’s love for the water; makes a connection to it that echoes inside me.
How to Get There: Taking a tour really will cut the issues away. Also buses leave from Vina del Mar, and these often stop by the house.
Read our full review: Isla Negra Pablo Neruda Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Visit Isla Negra)
