Santiago is the biggest city in Chile, with about 8 million residents. We recommend spending a couple of days here to learn about the culture of the country. Check out the link for our guide! We recommend staying in the Las Condes or Vitacura neighborhoods, which are both very safe and well located. Parque Arauco is a big shopping center and the starting point for many tours; we recommend staying close by. The Santiago Marriott Hotel is a good reference for the general area. Note that Ubers are very affordable and recommended over public transport for ease. However, stay close to the red line of the metro if you'll be relying on public transport. Taking tours around the city is the most effective way to sightsee as a foreigner. We highly recommend Tours 4 Tips free walking tours. We also recommend looking at tours through Turistik, they have day tours outside of the city as well as local sightseeing tours and the typical double-decker buses.
Day trip from Santiago (1:30hrs). Valparaiso is Chile's main port town and a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is rich in history, culture and ART! Note however that Valparaiso can be dangerous as a tourist if you don't know which places to stick to. We HIGHLY recommend visiting with a tour group, even if you drive yourself from Santiago. It is a quirky, gritty place and very much worth the trip. Look at "Tours 4 Tips" agency for the best tours. After the tour, we recommend taking a boat tour on the bay. Note: You can visit both Vina del Mar and Valparaiso on the same day, they are only 30 minutes apart.
Day trip from Santiago (1:30hrs) This is Andrea's hometown! Vina del Mar is a popular tourist destination during the summer months when people flock to its beaches. The city is home to about 370,000 people. Some favorites: Admire the flower clock, a huge, working contraption planted between Valparaiso and Vina del Mar. Stroll on the "Avenida Peru" by the oceanside, eat ice cream, people-watch and browse crafts and souvenirs. See a real Moai statue from Easter Island outside the Fonck museum. Go north to nearby Concon to watch the sunset on the sand dunes.
A great day-trip from Santiago (1:30hrs) Penguins, surfing, beaches, strolling, arts and crafts fairs. Also close to my favorite Pablo Neruda house at Isla Negra. Definitely visit if you have time. Fun fact: Algarrobo is home to the second largest saltwater pool in the world. It's so big you can sail in it! You can enjoy it by booking a condo at "San Alfonso del Mar", which people commonly rent out on Airbnb. Let us know if you want more info.
If you are planning to drive from Santiago to Pucon and want to take the scenic route, driving through Argentina is a good option. Note that this will add several days to your trip! Crossing the Andes from Santiago takes about 5 to 6 hours. The route will have you crossing the Andes mountains, a sight to behold in and of themselves. The Argentinian countryside is beautiful and you can stop at one or more several cute towns on the way. There are many places to see but these are some good spots: Mendoza San Martin de los Andes Bariloche