Santiago

Santiago, one of the Best Cheap Vacations in Central and South America, is often associated with soaring skyscrapers, sprawling vineyards, and majestic mountains, and you wouldn't be mistaken. Santiago, which is located in the Maipo Valley and is bordered to the east and west by the Pacific Ocean and snow-capped Andes, mesmerizes tourists with its breathtaking scenery, neoclassical architecture, and creative cuisine.

In its nearly 500-year history, Santiago has endured invasions, dictatorships, and earthquakes, so it hasn't always been so seductive. Santiago has been able to rebuild its image and gain a spot on the tourism map with other well-known South American cities like Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro over the past several decades, thanks to an economic boom. Old mansions and imposing cathedrals can be found alongside cutting-edge stores and hip galleries on Santiago's streets, serving as reminders of the city's complex past and present.

Explore the city's thriving neighborhoods by dining in the Barrio Italia, shopping with style-conscious Santiguenos in Bellavista, or taking in the view from Santa Luca Hill. After that, explore the Plaza de Armas to see the Metropolitan Cathedral or the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art to see the antiquities on show.

And as dusk falls, have pisco sours at a cocktail bar or stay up late to party at one of the several nightclubs spread out over the city. It may not be possible to experience Santiago's innovation and culture in its entirety in a single trip, but it won't take much work to enjoy what matters: chic stores, wonderful food, and wine. These local obsessions are giving Chile's capital a new sheen.

• #6 in Best Cheap Vacations in Central and South America
  
  
• #7 in Best Places to Visit in September
  
  
• #11 in Best Places to Visit in October

Country: Chile