Viña del Mar, a main beach resort that’s located nearby the capital city of Santiago, Chile. Locals often refer it as La Ciudad Jardín which is Spanish for “The Garden City” as it has many beautiful gardens in the areas. Vina del Mar resembles an English south coast retirement town with a tiny bit more of sunshine. As of latest count the city has 290 thousand people and is ranked Chile’s fourth largest city.

Vina del Mar is a couple of key attractions which include the yearly music festival Internacional de la Canción de Viña del Mar, Spanish for “Viña del Mar International Song Festival” which is hosted in Quinta Vergara Amphitheater every third week of February lasting five days. Another popular attraction is the yearly hosted ATP Clay Court Tennis (Movistar open) tournament which promise some exciting matches on the grind. The casino is another good night spot, and one of the most renown gambling places you come across on the southern coast of the Pacific Ocean along with a couple of other small pubs and bars in town.

While in Vila del Mar don’t forget to take a city tour on the “Victorias” which are traditional horse driven carts taking you through the main streets and sights of the city. One more specialty of Vina del Mar includes the New Year Fireworks, it’s highly recommended to rent one of the many condominiums along the coast line for a unforgettable and breathtaking sight to make your new year’s toast at.

If you’re seeking a beach holiday in Vina del Mar you might want to reconsider, the water is freezing cold, in both the summer and winter season. When looking for warm and cozy Caribbean waters, head north.

Travelers to Vina del Mar are required to have a valid passport and visa, a return ticket must be presented to the immigration officer. By South American standards Vina del Mar is a safe city, but travelers should be aware of petty crimes such as pickpocketing.