When you think of vacation spots in the South Pacific with beautiful beaches and a warm, clear blue ocean, then Chile is probably not the first place that comes to mind. However, this long narrow strip of coastal land, wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean, rather, like a big snake known as the Republic of Chile, has some of the most beautiful beaches in South America and the capital city of Santiago is very friendly.
This narrow land border borders Peru in the north, Bolivia in the northeast, Argentina in the east and the Drake Pass at the southernmost tip of the country and extends for 2,700 miles along the southwest coast of South America. It is only 150 miles widest, and the majestic Andes mountain range creates a natural border that separates it from neighboring Argentina and Bolivia. But the diversity of Chile from the northern arid land of the forbidden Atacama desert to the central valley of the river, which includes vineyards and agricultural land, as well as the lush Lake District and the southern labyrinth of Patagonia, makes this truly impressive adventure vacation land. With over fifty active volcano peaks, primeval forests and charming lakes, a temperate year-round climate, Chicago is fast becoming a new choice for eco-adventures in South America.
Most visitors to Chile arrive in the capital Santiago, and from here it is easy to go to different regions for a unique holiday. In addition, in Santiago and nearby Vina del Mar or Valparaiso, you will also find the most extensive gay-gay-related attractions in this diverse country.
Over the past decade, homophobia has almost disappeared in Chile, and same-sex relationships have been legal since 1998. The age of consent is eighteen, but sexual relations must be held in solitude so as not to be considered immoral or indecent behavior. Currently, the Chilean Congress is considering a law allowing civilian unions between same-sex couples and several well-known media celebrities, and has declared its support for gay rights. This has led to an increase in the number of gays, especially in Santiago.
Santiago's urban renewal is evident as the magnificent new office towers rise above the beautiful centuries-old estates and Spanish colonial architecture. The CTC telecommunications tower is literally the world's largest cell phone and dominates the skyline of Santiago, contrasting the neighboring Bellavista district with its narrow streets and elegant boutiques in the city’s bohemian quarter. It is a very clean, safe city and provides many pleasant walks in various tourist and residential areas or extensive public parks.
Any visit to Santiago should begin by riding the cable car to see the Statue of the Virgin Mary on the hill of Cerro San Cristobal and watch the city below. Many gay discos and bars are located in the Barrio Bellavista at the foot of Cerro San Cristobal. The nearest metro station is Baquedano in Plaza Italia, from where you cross Providencia Avenue, then cross the bridge over the Rio Mapocho, and you are in Barrio. Here you can find local restaurants, colorful cafes, bars and nightclubs, and this is one of the most fun communities in Santiago for both direct and gay visitors - this is not a gay ghetto, but rather a truly integrated area. Another concentration of gay bars is located in the city center, within walking distance of the beautiful Cerro Santa Lucia Park and not far from the pedestrian shopping streets. Recommended by some locals for the atmosphere of the surrounding bars - Bar Willy and Holandesa plus for a late nightclub where booths, bunkers and fausto are worth a visit. Clubs usually do not go until 1:30 am, and then the party can last until dawn.
If you start your day early for exploring or sleeping before noon, the city of Santiago has much to offer for sightseeing and entertainment. Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino is the best museum of Santiago, with a beautifully presented collection of pre-Hispanic art collected from all over the South American continent. Highlights include thoughtful Mesoamerican sweet burners, 3,000-year-old Andean textiles, and Maya carvings — for no reason whatsoever. Or you can try fresh seafood dishes in the majestic center of Mercado, surrounded by market stalls filled with brilliant sea bass and salmon, buckets of salted oysters, mussels or clams. La Chascona - is the former home of Pablo Neruda - Nobel Prize winner Chile Chile, which is packed in rafters with fancy and beautiful objects, from Victorian dolls and African carvings to music boxes and paper goods. Saved as a museum, it makes for a fascinating visit. Without a doubt, the best place to hunt for souvenirs is the lively market of Los Dominica, where you will find a huge selection of beautiful crafts, as well as antiques, books, fossils, a restaurant and live music with dancing on weekends. In addition, many Spanish palaces, castles and historic buildings are a photographer’s dream.
A few days later, it is worth spending time in the capital to go to the Pacific coast to enjoy the ocean and more resort-style holidays. A short fifteen-dollar motor bus ride will take you two and a half hours to the old port city of Valparaiso. It will be like going back in time to enjoy the charm of the old world in the real Chilean port of fishing and shipping. Historical buildings and the open-air market, where local people meet, have remained unchanged from past centuries. Local restaurants and bars serve authentic local dishes to savor delightful palm trees. Papa Frita --- fried potatoes --- Chilean specialty, especially in a dish called Chorillana, where potatoes are combined with eggs, onions, beef and sausage. Just remember that ketchup comes in a green container and chili sauce in a red container! Here in Valparaiso, you will also find the most modern congress building, which is the seat of the country's government. Walking around the city is a very relaxing and fun way to spend a day or two.
And now, probably, it’s time to stretch out on the beach and relax. A small fifteen-minute local bus stop from Valparaiso is the resort town of Vina del Mar. Vineyard by the sea --- where luxury hotels, apartments, as well as bed and breakfast skirts on the promenade of the Pacific Ocean. One of the largest gaming palaces in Chile --- The Municipal Casino --- is located here and includes a five-star hotel, a disco and a gourmet restaurant.
Also known as the Garden City with numerous parks and more than 2.5 miles of sandy beaches, Vina del Mar is a popular resort town where visitors enjoy the warm summer, beautiful autumn colors, exquisite spring flowers and spectacular year-round sunsets. The three beaches are frequented by locals and tourists GLBT --- Caleta Abarca, Los Marineros and Las Salinas - the latter are popular with local marines! And if you ask a question about “Wine” in the title, then you get into a treat when you try the local vintages for which Chile becomes famous. This seaside resort is ideal for relaxing and exploring this Chilean holiday.
Living throughout Chile ranges from retreats from the rear packer to modern luxury hotels and everything in between - all at reasonable prices. However, exclusively gay numbers are hard to find. In Santiago, the gay hotel La Foresta is ideally located in the heart of the city, close to the nightlife of GLBT and on the edge of Cerro Santa Lucia Park. The rooms are spacious, inexpensive, the staff is very helpful and well versed in gay scenes. Hotel Castillo is a gay guest house, built in 1920, with an interior designed like a castle and located next to a disco in Bokhara. The rooms are inexpensive if you like to be where at night and sometimes during the day.
It is important to note that Canadian visitors to Chile are required to purchase an entry visa valued at about $ 120 (credit cards are accepted), which is valid for the validity of your passport. However, this entry fee is more than offset by the very low cost of living and the extremely cheap cuisine and entertainment in Chile.
Thus, in the longest and narrowest country in the world, famous for honey, salmon and excellent wines, be prepared for a unique gay-South American experience and a rest on the Pacific coast, full of unique gay-Latin memories
