Downtown Santiago with Plaza de Armas, La Moneda presidential palace, and the historic center.

About Santiago City Center (Centro)

Santiago's city center (Centro) is the political, commercial, and cultural heart of Chile, centered around the Plaza de Armas — a tree-shaded colonial square surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office (now a museum), the National Historical Museum, and the Royal Court (Real Audiencia) building. The plaza buzzes with street performers, chess players, and vendors selling local treats.

The Barrio Lastarria and Barrio Bellas Artes neighborhoods, east of the Centro, have become Santiago's cultural corridors. Art galleries, independent bookshops, vintage stores, and sidewalk cafes line the streets around the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes (housed in a stunning Beaux-Arts building) and the contemporary GAM cultural center. The nearby Cerro Santa Lucía, a hilltop park with fountains and terraces, offers beautiful city views.

Santiago sits in a valley surrounded by the Andes Mountains, which provide a dramatic snow-capped backdrop visible on clear days. The Mercado Central, a gorgeous 19th-century iron structure, serves some of Chile's best seafood in a vibrant market atmosphere. The city's food scene reflects Chile's extraordinary ingredients — seafood from the Pacific coast, wines from the surrounding valleys, and traditional dishes like pastel de choclo and empanadas de pino.

Nearby Landmarks

Plaza de Armas Mercado Central Cerro Santa Lucía Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes La Moneda Palace

Transport Options

Taxi

Cost CLP 20,000-30,000 ($22-33)
Time 25-45 minutes

Follow "Taxi" signs at arrivals. Queue at official taxi stand. Metered fares, no need to negotiate.

Rideshare (Grab/Uber)

Cost CLP 12,000-20,000 ($13-22)
Time 25-45 minutes

Arrivals level, official taxi and ride-share

Step-by-Step Directions

Take TurBus or Centropuerto bus from outside arrivals to Los Heroes or Pajaritos Metro station. Then take Metro Line 1 to your destination. Buses run every 10-15 minutes.

Quick Comparison

Option Cost Time Best For
Taxi CLP 20,000-30,000 ($22-33) 25-45 minutes Convenience, groups, heavy luggage
Rideshare CLP 12,000-20,000 ($13-22) 25-45 minutes Budget-conscious, app users

Good to Know

Late Night Transport

Centropuerto and TurBus airport services run until about 11:30 PM. After that, taxis from the airport to Centro cost CLP 15,000-25,000 ($17-28 USD). Uber operates in Santiago and is often cheaper. The city center has active nightlife in Barrio Lastarria and Barrio Bellas Artes areas.

Luggage Tips

Airport buses have luggage compartments underneath and are comfortable with bags. Santiago's Metro has limited luggage space during rush hours. The city center is walkable but some streets have uneven pavement. Most Centro and Lastarria hotels are within walking distance of bus drop-off points.

Accessibility

SCL airport is fully accessible. The Metro has elevators at most stations and wheelchair accessibility. Airport buses have luggage bays but limited wheelchair access — confirm when booking. Santiago's main avenues have accessible sidewalks, though secondary streets can be uneven.