Bellavista and North Santiago

The northern part of Santiago starts from Bellavista and ranges out to the city borders in the north comprising the municipalities of Recoleta, Independencia, Renca, Quilicura and Huecuraba. These areas north of Mapocho river, was known in colonial times as La Chimba. The area was known for its many convents and cemeteries, and today they've been joined by hospitals and health centers. Traditionally a low and middle class part of the city, nowadays this urban sprawl also contains some high class residential areas like Hurchuraba and Chicureo.

Closer to downtown, wedged between San Cristobal and the river, Bellavista is full of eating and drinking places for all tastes. There are also theaters, karaoke bars, LGBT clubs, and artisan and jewellery shops.

Get in

Bellavista can be reached by walking across the Mapocho River from Plaza Italia/Metro Baquedano (Lines 1 and 5).

Further out line 2 of the metro covers some of the northern suburbs (along Av. Recoleta), and line 3 runs along Av. Independencia. However, most areas are accessible by bus. As otherwise with suburban Santiago, avoid rush hours.

You can of course also take a taxi. They are best found at highly trafficked places such as metro stations and malls. While some taxis are circulating in the area, chances of finding one is rather low, especially at nighttime. However in the partying district of Bellavista taxis are more easily found also during the night.

See

• 1 La Chascona, Fernando Márquez de la Plata 192, ☏ +56 2 27778741, +56 2 27378712. Mar-Dec: Tu-Su 10:00-18:00; Jan Feb: Tu-Su 10:00-19:00. One of three homes owned by the famous poet Pablo Neruda, La Chascona (meaning tangle-haired woman, after his third wife) is in the artistic Bellavista neighborhood. The house is filled with lots of quirky artifacts collected by Neruda throughout his life, as well as artwork by some of his famous friends. Tours are given in English, French, and Spanish. 9500 pesos. 
• 2 Parque Metropolitano. This vast park is home to Cerro San Cristóbal. At 722 ha, it's one of the world's largest urban parks. From the top there is a beautiful view over the city and, on a clear day, the Andes. The summit can be reached by funicular (1500 pesos one way, 2000 pesos return; cheaper for children and seniors, more expensive on weekends and holidays), cable car, or a hike (45-90mins). In the park there is also a Japanese garden, the national zoo, and two swimming pools. Pope John Paul II visited its summit in 1987. (updated Jul 2017)
• 3 Cementerio General de Santiago (Recoleta, near Cementerios subway station). About two million Chileans rest in peace at the country's largest and oldest cemetery, including many important historical figures like Manuel Rodriguez, Violeta Parra, Andres Bello, Maria Luisa Bombal and most presidents of Chile. It's also an open air museum of burial mausoleums in Egyptian, Greek, Gothic, Moorish and almost any other thinkable styles. (updated Feb 2016)
• 4 Vega central de Santiago. A colorful market with over 500 stalls, selling fruits, vegetables and other food products. The current market building was inaugurated a century ago but farmers have been selling their products at this place since colonial times. Worth visiting for the experience. (updated Feb 2016)

Buy

• Barrio Patronato – founded by immigrants who opened textile companies here, this is a good place for finding both fabric and clothes from all over the world at low prices. Take the metro (line 2) to Patronato and walk towards east along the barrios shop-lined streets.
• 1 Arauco Premium Outlet Buenaventura. Its a little far from Santiago, but there are plenty of stores there. You can find Lacoste, Zara and others trademarks's store. You can go there by car, by bus and metro or by taxi. If you are taking the metro, go to the Vespucio norte station at orange line. Then, exit the station and cross the road to catch the bus. The bus number is B05. Make sure that your Bip! card has enough funds for you to come back to the station, because using the card is the only way that you can catch a bus in Santiago and you can't recharge the card in the outlet. It's very hard to catch a taxi when you are returning because this outlet is far away from the city and no taxi driver wants to pick you up there. It's better to just take the bus to the Vespucio Norte Metro station and travel by metro to your hotel. 

Eat

Looking down the funicular tracks in Parque Metropolitano towards central Santiago

The eastern part of Bellavista, on calle Constitución between Dardignac and Antonia López de Bello, has many different types of restaurant. The same goes for the alleys near Mallinkrodt and Dardignac.

• 1 Ciudad Vieja, Constitución 92, ☏ +56 2 22489412. M 12:30-18:30, Tu 12:30-00:00, W 12:30-01:00, Th-Sa 12:30-01:30. A great "sanguchería", where you can have some of the most gourmet sandwiches in the city. A place to have a drink with friends at very economical prices. 
• 2 Galindo, Dardignac 98, ☏ +56 2 27770116, reservas@galindo.cl. Su-Th 12:30–01:30, F Sa 12:30–02:30. A great place to eat typical Chilean dishes, like "pastel de choclo" or "arrollado huaso", in the middle of Bellavista, typical district of the city nightlife. Main dishes 4700-8100 pesos. (updated Jul 2017)
• 3 Vietnam Discovery, Loreto 324, ☏ +56 2 27372037. M - Sa 13:00-00:00, Su 13:00-16:00. One of the best Vietnamese restaurants in Santiago. Waiters fluent in English. 
• 4 MosaiCafé, Bellavista 52, Local 86, ☏ +56 2 2489965, mosaic@mosaic.cl. Lots of different types of food, including pizza, seafood, sushi, and sandwiches. Great views from the upper balcony. 
• 5 The White Rabbit, Antonia Lopez de Bello 118, ☏ +56 2 2503 4246, info@thewhiterabbitstgo.com. Intimate and charming restaurant, great for romantic dinners. Wonderful food and very friendly staff. Terrific veggie and non-veggie plates. 

Drink

Bellavista has a wide range of choices from popular places to upscale, such as a jazz bar. In addition, there are discos with all kinds of music, from contemporary eletro-pop to salsa and merengue. This is probably the only barrio where you can find a disco that has a predominately gay audience. It is a fun atmosphere and features drag-queen shows during Saturday nights. Moreover, Bellavista is the area that lasts the longest during Friday and Saturday nights, with most places closing at 04:00–05:00, and a few places (so called "after hours") run until 06:00-07:00.

• 1 Pio Nono. Most places open until 05:00. Pio Nono in Bellavista has an intense feeling, bars line the street on either side. The area has a very youthful quality but older visitors shouldn't be intimidated. One of the most lively areas of the city at the weekend. 
• 2 La Casa Club, Santa Filomena 11 (Providencia), ☏ +56 2 27350503. Five-level club with each floor catering to different musical tastes, laser show, bar and special events, highly recommended. 
• Patio Bellavista. 
• 3 Maestra Vida, Calle Pio Nono 380. A place to learn and see performances of salsa and other Latin dances while having a drink. 

Sleep

• 1 Dominica Hostel, Dominica 24 (steps away from Cerro San Cristobal), ☏ +56 2 27327196, contact@dominicahostel.com. This restored old house was especially designed to accommodate travelers. Full of common spaces and practically-designed dorm rooms. Located steps away from Cerro San Cristobal. 
• 2 Hostal del Barrio, General Ekdhal 159. Hostel in a quiet area but nonetheless quite near to the hotspots of Barrio Bellavista. The rooms are not huge but very clean, including the bathroom. The German owner cares ver much about his clients. Breakfast is included and is rather large for Chilean hostels. 15,000 pesos for a single with own bathroom.. 
• 3 Hostel Bellavista, Dardignac 184, Barrio Bellavista, ☏ +56 2 27328737. Hostel in a great area for dining out and nightlife but can be loud on the weekends. The staff is friendly with some glaring exceptions. There are several computers and free Wi-Fi, a large common room equipped with a TV, DVD player, plenty of seating, pool table and a guitar. Very popular with young international backpackers and independent travelers. 
• 4 La Chimba Hostel, Ernesto Pinto Lagarrigue 262, ☏ +56 2 27358978. Small budget hostel with friendly staff and great facilities. Near Metro Baquedano, La Chascona, Cerro San Cristobal and the city's best bars and restaurants. 7,000 pesos. 
• 5 H Rado Hostel, Pio Nono 5, ☏ +56 2 4294420, reservas@radohostel.com. Boutique hostel with cool wall art, a sunny common room, and a huge roof deck. Walking distance to all the great places in Bellavista. 
• 6 Hotel Sheraton, Avenida Santa María 1742, ☏ +56-2-22335000.