Santiago's upscale districts with hotels, restaurants, shopping malls, and the Costanera Center (South America's tallest building).
About Providencia & Las Condes
Providencia has a European ambiance with tree-lined streets, sidewalk cafes, and a diverse restaurant scene concentrated around the Providencia and Manuel Montt metro stations. The Barrio Italia neighborhood on its southern edge has become Santiago's antique and design district, with converted houses hosting vintage furniture dealers, craft studios, and trendy bistros. Costanera Center, South America's tallest skyscraper, anchors the district with its shopping mall and Sky Costanera observation deck offering 360-degree views of the city and Andes.
Las Condes continues the upscale character further east, with the Parque Arauco mall, the restaurant-heavy Isidora Goyenechea strip, and proximity to the Andes for day trips to ski resorts (Portillo, Valle Nevado, La Parva are all 60-90 minutes away). The neighborhoods are notably safe, clean, and well-organized compared to central Santiago, with modern infrastructure and extensive parks along the Mapocho River.
Nearby Landmarks
Transport Options
Quick Comparison
| Option | Cost | Time | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Taxi | CLP 25,000-35,000 ($28-39) | 30-50 minutes | Convenience, groups, heavy luggage |
| Rideshare | CLP 15,000-25,000 ($17-28) | 30-50 minutes | Budget-conscious, app users |
Good to Know
Late Night Transport
Airport buses run until about 11:30 PM to Pajaritos or Los Héroes, from where Metro Line 1 serves Providencia until midnight. Taxis from SCL to Providencia cost CLP 20,000-30,000 ($22-33 USD). Uber is widely used and usually cheaper. The Isidora Goyenechea area has nightlife keeping rideshare available.
Luggage Tips
Airport buses are luggage-friendly. The Metro to Providencia can be very crowded during peak hours — avoid Lines 1 and 4 between 5:00-7:00 PM with heavy bags. Providencia and Las Condes are flat with good sidewalks for wheeled luggage. Direct taxi or Uber from SCL is most comfortable with bags.
Accessibility
Santiago Metro has comprehensive accessibility with elevators at most stations. Providencia and Las Condes have the best sidewalk infrastructure in Santiago — wide, flat, and well-maintained. Costanera Center mall and Sky Costanera are fully accessible. Modern hotels in these neighborhoods meet international accessibility standards.