Metropolitan Park of Santiago
The Metropolitan Park of Santiago is an absolutely enormous urban park located in Santiago. The park covers Cerro San Cristóbal (St. Christopher Hill) which overlooks the city. There are many different attractions to see in the park, but be aware that a number of them do cost admission.
Many of the tourism activities in the park are operated by a private company called Touristik.
The park is probably best known for having a funicular and the Teleférico Santiago which is a cable car system that goes up the hills. The park also has the National Zoo, a Japanese garden, and a swimming pool.
It is possible to spend the whole day in the park, especially if you want to do any of the hiking trails. You could also split the day between nearby Bellavista neighborhood and the park. Bellavista is where Pablo Neruda’s house La Chascona is located.
Location:
Av. El Cerro s/n, Providencia, Región Metropolitana, Chile.
There are multiple entrances to the park. I entered from the neighborhood Bellavista. From that entrance it is very easy to get on the funicular, which then connects to the teleférico. You can buy your tickets for the funicular or the teleférico from the funicular station by the entrance to the park which is named Estación Pío Nono. I purchased the tickets together as a package deal that was called “Vive el Parque” which included tickets for the teleférico, the funicular, and panoramic bus. This ticket cost me $7,900 Chilean pesos which is $8.40 US.
General Park Hours:
Monday – Sunday and Holidays
6:00 AM – 10:30 PM
Admission to the park itself is free.
Many of the activities in the park have more limited hours, and require a ticket. A number of them are only open on weekends and holidays, or are closed on Mondays. Some of the tickets cost a higher price for foreign visitors.
There are also restrictions on the times that bicycles are allowed in the park, especially on weekends.
Activities in Parque Metropolitano:
Trails
The park has mountain biking trails and hiking trails that are free to use. The most popular hiking trail is Sendero Mapuche. Anything labelled as a Mirador is a scenic overlook.
Teleférico Santiago
Tuesday – Sunday and Holidays
10:00 AM – 7:45 PM
The teleférico is one of the main attractions of the park. It is a cable car or gondola lift system that goes up and down the hill. There are three teleférico stops in the park and each one has different activities nearby. Tickets can be purchased with credit card.
Each cable car seats up to six people. Many people were taking their dogs and strollers on it as well.
Oasis Station: The base station located near Pedro de Valdivia Norte. You can purchase tickets here, if you didn’t already get them.
Cumbre Station: This station has a large mirador, or scenic overlook, to take pictures of the city. It is next to the Santuario e images de la Virgen de la Inmaculada Concepción, which is a church sanctuary. You can climb the hill further and take pictures under a statue of Mary that is 22 meters tall.
Tupahue Station: The name comes from the Mapuche word for a place of god. The station has the Victoria Tower, Tupahue Pool, and the House of Culture.
There are different packages of tickets available for the teléferico individually or in combination with the funicular or scenic bus.
Funicular de Santiago
Monday – Sunday and Holidays
10:00 AM – 7:45 PM
Tickets required, but can be purchased as a package that also includes the teleférico.
The funicular runs between the Pio Nono Station and the Cumbre Station. From the Cumbre Station you can then transfer and take the teleférico.
The Pio Nono funicular station is right by the entrance of the park from Bellavista. It looks like a small castle.
The funicular has a large car that holds up to forty people. It is split up into different levels so everyone can get a good view.
The funicular was declared a historical monument in 2000. It opened in 1925.
The National Zoo
Zoológico Nacional
Zoológico Nacional
10:00 AM – 6 PM
Tickets are required. Admission is $4,000 Chilean pesos for adults, and $2,000 Chilean pesos for children.
The zoo is located a short distance from the Pio Nono entrance to the park, by the neighborhood Bellavista.
The zoo advertises that it works with animal conservation and is accredited by animal welfare groups. They have many animals that are native to Chile, such as llamas, condors, guanacos, flamencos, colo colo cats, and vicuñas.
Food in Parque Metropolitano de Santiago
You can buy snacks throughout the park. Near all of the teleférico stops are places to buy food. I got an empanada, and it was very good. They also sell drinks and ice cream.
There are also a lot of restaurants in the Bellavista neighborhood right next to the park entrance. I ate at Galindo which was very close to the park.