Chile is one of the most diverse countries in all of South America, from its majestic mountains in the northern part of the country, to its beaches in Valparaiso, to its fantastic glaciers in the very southern tip of the country.  

Valparaiso is one of the most exciting of all Chilean cities to visit because of the many activities that you can partake in. Enjoy a bottle of fine Chilean wine as you head out to the many bars and casinos in the Valparaiso area.  

Many different cruise lines have ships make Valparaiso their port-of-call when going on South American voyages, especially for trips made to the very tip of South America or those ships which circumnavigate Cape Horn (which is a thrilling experience in its own right).  

There are many shops, markets and malls for the shopping enthusiast located in Valparaiso. Take a stroll along the beach in order to encounter the many kiosks which sell local handmade arts and crafts as well as hand-carved jewels of various kinds and other South American apparel.  

For wildlife lovers, Valparaiso is a great place to grab an excursion for whale watching, or you can find tours which will take you further south in order to visit penguins in their natural habitat as well as condors, llamas, vicunas and alpacas. Native Chileans are very fond of making sweaters, scarves, mittens and other articles of clothing by using llama’s wool.   

Valparaiso offers an impressive engineering feat; take a ride on one of its 15 funicular elevators which take passengers up and down the hillside to the various houses which are built among the hills. It might be a little nerve-racking at first, but this ride is sure to thrill and leave you breathless by its beauty. 

Don’t forget to visit the town of Viña del Mar which is a five minute bus ride to the North of Valparaiso. Every summer this town is home to one of the largest Latin-American festivals in all of South America and offers every type of Spanish-speaking music such as reggaeton and merengue to flamenco, and is a treat for locals and Chileans alike. Many famous Latin-American singers flock to Viña del Mar during the festival and star sightings are a daily occurrence during that time of the year.

Whether you are lounging out on the beach among friends, strolling down the streets of Valparaiso while window shopping or visiting the fascinating museums this exciting city has to offer, Valparaiso will captivate your heart and soul.