Vina Del Mar

Posted in Modern Culture, Resorts by admin on August 30th, 2010

Developed in the 1870′s as a playground from Chile’s wealthy, today’s Vina Del Mar is a gorgeous seaside resort location boasting the breath-taking estates, beachfront hotels and sport facilities, coupled with a few unexpected diversions that leave visitors feeling like they’ve stumbled into the French Riviera as opposed to the Florida panhandle. From horse racing to the Vina Del Mar Casino, this is anything but a sleepy beach town, likely only sleeping through late morning hours as a result of partaking too heavily in the lively nightlife. Not to say the culture is that of a Cancun or Acapulco; Vina Del Mar is, in a word, classy. From its ornate colonial abodes to the horse drawn carriage rides that accent city streets, when you travel to Vina Del Mar you get the distinct feeling you are among the world’s elite. The city itself is divided into two parts, the old town (downtown area) and beachfront, both of which offer unique experiences in their own right. For those who do intend to simply sit around and lounge, the white sand beaches are as pristine as any in South America, offering a scenic view of the Chilean shoreline, along with perhaps a few more enticing sights, as the local beach patrons are often nearly as attractive as their impressive surroundings.Vina Del Mar is approximately a 75 mile drive from Santiago to the coast, only 5 miles north of Valparaiso. For those worried about renting a car, driving in a foreign country, and making the trek to Vina Del Mar on their own, don’t fret. Daily buses run between Vina Del Mar and Santiago International Airport. If you decide to make the drive yourself, the 75 mile stretch is mostly highway (via Ruta 68). If you attend to arrive by sea, the largest nearby port would be the Port of Valparaiso, though it is likely you will find docking space for rent in local marinas up and down the Vina Del Mar coast.