Where to go for the best budget weekend fun in Vina del Mar, Chile in Spring?

🇨🇱 For those studying or working in Santiago, Chile, a weekend getaway to Viña del Mar is a great option. Located about 120 kilometers west of Santiago on the coastline, it is a beautiful seaside resort city with stunning views.

1. Transportation
🚌 Long-distance bus
You can buy tickets directly online from websites like Turbus, Condor, or Pullman Bus. The one-way fare is up to 8900 pesos (around 70 RMB), and there are discounts for round-trip tickets, with the second leg at half price. Buses depart from Terminal de Buses Pajaritos and Terminal Alameda, with many schedules available.

Choose according to your time, and it takes about 1.5-2 hours to get there.
🚗 Self-driving
If you have an international driver’s license, you can rent a car and drive directly on Ruta 68 highway. The road signs are clear, the road conditions are good, and the scenery is also very nice.

2. Must-visit attractions
The city is not too big, and you can leisurely stroll along the coastline.
⛵ Beach (Playa de Viña del Mar)
The beach is very comfortable, where Chileans enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and playing paddle. There is a street by the sea full of handicrafts and street performances.

If you like to buy small items, you can take your time, and it’s recommended to bring some cash for convenience.
🌸 Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores)
The flower clock is one of the landmarks of Viña del Mar, built in 1962, located near the coastal avenue. It feels like the level of a domestic city’s flower bed, and you can check it out when passing by.

🏠 Museum (Museo de Arqueología e Historia Francisco Fonck)
The museum is not large but well-designed, introducing the culture of the indigenous Mapuche people of Chile, the Moai statues of Rapanui, and more. The entrance fee is 4500 pesos (about 30 RMB). I personally enjoy visiting museums and find it quite worth a visit.

💰 Casino (Casino de Viña del Mar)
If you want to experience gambling, you can go to Enjoy Casino, which is both a casino and a hotel. I heard it also has restaurants, theaters, and shows, but I didn’t go in, so it depends on your interest.

3. Food recommendations
Seafood in coastal areas is generally good. I didn’t go to any specific restaurant, but I didn’t have any bad experiences. I felt that the Ceviche (seafood salad) here was better than in Santiago. Although it’s a tourist city, the prices are not higher than in Santiago.

🌟 Tips:
• Language: Perhaps because it’s a tourist city, many people speak English. I even met a guy on the street who wanted to learn Chinese from us.
• Safety: Except for feeling a bit chaotic when getting off the bus at the station, it is generally a safe tourist city. However, please keep your phones secure!