In a nutshell
- In this article, we cover the best neighborhoods to stay in Santiago, Chile and share our top hotel picks — here are our three favorites to get you started.
- Hostal Boutique Casa La Barca: Excellent location in the safe, central district of Providencia. Great value for money and just minutes from the metro.
- Lastarria Hotel: Well-equipped hotel in the heart of the city — a perfect base for exploring Santiago’s best attractions.
- One Nk Apartments: Stylish, modern apartments in the safe and upscale Las Condes neighborhood, with a metro station nearby.
Neighborhoods in Santiago de Chile: An Overview
Santiago will likely be your first stop on your vacation in Chile, since the country’s international airport is located in the capital.
Before you board your flight, it’s worth getting a solid overview of Santiago’s neighborhoods so you can pick the right base.
Even though Santiago de Chile is one of the safest major cities in South America, there are some districts you should avoid — especially after dark.
Here’s a quick rundown of all the neighborhoods that are worth visiting as a tourist:
- Providencia: Main tourist area
- Santiago Centro: City center
- Lastarria: Trendy bar district in the center
- Las Condes: Luxury neighborhood
- Bellavista: Hipster area and nightlife district
- Pudahuel: Airport district
Map of Neighborhoods in Santiago de Chile
To give you a better sense of where everything is, we’ve marked all the key neighborhoods on a map.
Where to Stay in Santiago?
Choosing the right location for your hotel in Santiago de Chile really matters. The two things to prioritize: being close to a metro station and staying in a safe area.
Some neighborhoods are much better suited for overnight stays than others. Below, we’ll walk you through each tourist district in detail and share our top hotel picks in Santiago de Chile.
Providencia
Providencia is, in our opinion, the best area to stay in Santiago de Chile. Think of it as the city’s tourist hub — great bars, a really relaxed vibe, and genuinely safe streets.
You’re also close to key things to do in Santiago, like the cable car up to Cerro San Cristobal, and the metro is right on your doorstep, making it super easy to reach the center and other parts of the city.
Providencia has accommodation across all price ranges, so there’s something for every budget — from budget hostels to boutique hotels.
Our Hotel Picks in Providencia
The Hostal Boutique Casa La Barca is set in a charming old villa in a quiet street, about five minutes from the nearest metro station. The breakfast is excellent and the rooms are seriously spacious.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Santiago Centro & Lastarria
The city center is home to many of Santiago’s most important attractions — Cerro Santa Lucia, the market hall, and the Plaza de las Armas are all here.
Daytime sightseeing is totally fine, but the center gets pretty sketchy after dark. For that reason, we only recommend staying in specific pockets of Santiago Centro.
If we were basing ourselves in the center, it would be in Lastarria. This neighborhood has a great cultural center, cool bars and cafés, and draws a mostly student and young professional crowd — which keeps the energy lively and the streets safe in the evenings.
It’s right next to a metro station, which makes getting around a breeze.
Our Hotel Picks in the Center of Santiago de Chile
Our top pick here is the Lastarria Hotel. It’s excellently equipped and a perfect base for exploring the city.
Good and affordable
Better
Luxurious
Bellavista
Bellavista is Santiago’s hipster neighborhood — officially part of Providencia, but very much its own world. Colorful houses, trendy cafés, and a buzzing nightlife scene define the streets here.
It’s absolutely worth a visit during your time in Santiago. That said, we wouldn’t really recommend Bellavista as a base — unless partying is your main priority.
The district has a reputation for being unsafe at night, and it’s not the most convenient location either: the nearest metro station is about a 15-minute walk away.
Our Hotel Picks for Bellavista
The one place we’d feel comfortable recommending in Bellavista is the Hotel Boutique Castillo Rojo. The rooms are beautiful and the whole atmosphere is wonderfully cozy.
Las Condes
Las Condes is Santiago de Chile’s luxury district. Upscale shopping galleries, modern high-rises, and immaculate streets are the norm here.
It sits a little further out from the tourist center, is less crowded with visitors, and is considered very safe — which makes it popular with expats and long-term residents too. The red metro line connects Las Condes directly to Providencia and the city center.
We’d suggest Las Condes if it’s your second time in Santiago or if you’re planning a longer stay and want a quieter, more residential feel.
Our Hotel Picks for Las Condes
The One Nk Apartments are sleek and modern, and offer really great value for money. The nearest metro stop is just around the corner.
Pudahuel
Staying near the airport only really makes sense if you have a short layover and don’t plan on exploring Santiago at all. The airport district is called Pudahuel.
Since the airport is well connected to the city center by public transit, we’d recommend booking a central place to stay in Santiago even for a visit of just two nights — you won’t lose much time commuting.
Our Hotel Picks near the Airport in Santiago
For a layover in Santiago, the most convenient option by far is the Holiday Inn. It’s the only hotel located directly at the terminal.
