Sign up for my newsletter

Unsubscribe

Eat, Sleep, Play - Chile

« Return to Eat, Sleep, Play    « Return to Chile



Remember, these are only the places I managed to get to, representing not a splash in the ocean, a fart in a hot tub, a mullet in a trailer park, a…you get the idea. Consult your Lonely Planet, Rough Guide, Lets Go, Fodors, Local Shaman for dozens of other options. Sometimes, I wish I had.

EAT

San Pedro

Cafe Export - Like many of the other bars and restuarants on the main Caracoles drag, Cafe Export pumps with lounge, house and chillout music, with the added bonus of huge, yummy pizzas and friendly funky staff. Not too cheap, but then nothing on Caracoles is.
Solcor Restaurant - If cheap is what you’re looking for, plus meals cooked and served by someone’s granny, this little hole in the wall is it. Mostly chicken and rice, in some form or another, but all with that homecooked taste and guilty grandma stare. Just off Caracole on Calama.
Sunaj Mikuna - past the HIN youth hostel on Caracoles, at the back of some kind of house or hotel or whatever, is this little fly-netted local restuarant, serving up big pieces of chicken and potato (of course) for suprisingly little.

Valporaiso

J Cruz M Casino Social Museo - You have to see the place to believe it, a cross between an antique store, a bingo parlour, a college dorm room and a teenage gang clubhouse, with old guys singing opera. Every faded paint speck has someone’s scribble on it, plus dolls, instruments, cards, ID pictures, records. They serve only one thing but its cheap and yummy: chorrillana, a mountain of poutine-like beef, fries and egg. Off the beaten track and brilliant.

Santiago

PizzeriaTiramisu - There are so many restaurants in Santaigo that this section is a little pointless…more so because I mostly at at home, so to speak. I did however have a huge salmon and yummy pizza at this popular joint, buzzing at 11pm on a Sunday night.

Pucon

Cafe Trawen - A little pricey, but if you imagine you’re in an Austrian ski resort paying Euros, it works out pretty cheap. Best of all though, is the fast, free, wireless Internet should you happen to be traveling with a laptop, and need to file weekly reports! On Bernado O Higgins.
Raps - It’s been a long time since I’ve enjoyed a hamburger this much. Dripping with mayonnaise and guacomole on a home made bun, they provide the avo-chile, mustard and ketchup, and its a bun or messy glory. On Bernado O’Higgins.

SLEEP

San Pedro

Hotel Corvastch - I walked around for an hour looking for a basic single room that wouldn’t cost a fortune. Even a single room at the youth hostel was $25US. Corvatsch offered a tiny, but clean, central safe and convenient room, with nice staff (no English) and satellite TV. And it was only $9, a bargain in San Pedro. Not sure what the hotel opposite offers in their single room, considering the price is $60US. http://www.corvatschchile.cl

Valporaiso

Villa Maria Antonieta- The HIN in the gorgeous city of Valporaiso is only a few months old in a massive old house. The staff are awesome, its got all the facilities, and is a good walk up or down from the main street with all the shops. Free internet rocks, as do the sunny patios, DVD player and English-speaking girls at reception. http://www.hivalparaiso.cl

Pucon

Mayra’s Hostel - Clean youth hostel with free internet, equipped kitchen, friendly international travel crowd. Loved the heavy blankets. Mayra herself is fiesty and friendly, but I wish the shower had a bit more than the dribble. Calle Colo Colo.

PLAY

San Pedro

Cafe Adobe - Cheapest place to drink, most expensive place to eat…cool to sit in the outdoor yard with the massive fire going under the bright desert stars. On Caracoles St.
Bike shops - Its cool to rent a bike for half a day and get lost in the desert, but I’m not going to recommend the shop I went to because the bike was barely holding itself together with years of sand and ass grease.

Pucon

Mamas and Tapas - Seemed to the only place happening in town, at least in April Gringo season. Funky, comfy bar, flexible happy hours, lounge beat, wicked revolving door to the bathrooms. On Bernado O’ Higgins
Sol y Nieve - The best company to do hike the volcano, ask for William, he’ll take good care of you. On Bernado O’ Higgins. http://www.chile-travel.com/solnieve.htm



Search Modern Gonzo

Latest Reports

  • Sharks, Primates, Volcanoes and Jeepnies

    Lets return to the warm islands of the Philippines exploring Cebu City, Bohol, Malapascua Island and Bicol, while taking in the unusual landscapes, creatures, activities and modes of transport.

  • Cruising in Alaska

    Alaska challenges the American consciousness like an unscratchable itch. After exploring the wild taiga by bus, boat, helicopter, train and plane, it’s all aboard the Coral Princess for a spectacular cruise down in the Inside Passage.

  • Into the Land of Fire and Ice

    Iceland is a pressure cooker of volcanoes, glaciers, waterfalls, deserts and hot springs. Exploring the southwest with a fellow travel veteran, expect stunning and bizarre images in a land truly at nature’s mercy.