As a passionate lover of the sea, on the last day of 2023, after returning to Chile, Maodan decided to embark on a solo adventure. He hopped on a bus and headed to Viña del Mar, the charming beach closest to Santiago. Perched by the cliff, he savored the salty sea breeze and listened to his favorite tunes, bidding farewell to the old year and welcoming the new one with a sense of renewal ✨✨ Below is the detailed solo travel guide Maodan has prepared for you [kiss] Make sure to save it!
🚇【Transportation】🚌
Santiago boasts a well-developed public transportation system. You can take the metro to the University del Santiago station or catch a taxi straight to the Turbus Bus Terminal. At the terminal, two bus companies (see Figure 9: Pullman Bus and Turbus) offer routes to Viña del Mar. Maodan opted for Pullman, which departs every 15 minutes. For the specific bus station’s official website, I’ll post it in the comments section later, so stay tuned.
——✨【Bus Seat Selection Tips】✨—— A quick tip: Maodan chose the Pullman bus, a double-decker. Seats 1-12 are highly recommended as they are less likely to cause motion sickness. If you’re traveling solo, seat 12, the last single seat on the first floor (see Figure 3), is a gem. It allows you to stretch out and lie flat for the entire two-hour journey, making it incredibly comfortable 😌😌
Upon arriving in Viña del Mar, you can use Uber or DiDi. DiDi is more budget-friendly but requires cash. Once in the city, navigate directly to Reñaca Beach and stroll along the coastline; the views are absolutely breathtaking.
❗【Final Precautions】❗
1️⃣ Even though this is a tourist area, safety should always be a priority. With an influx of refugees in Santiago recently, be extra cautious with your phone and avoid displaying wealth on the streets.
2️⃣ While the bus offers USD charging ports, the return trip might not have power.
Always bring a power bank to keep your devices charged.
3️⃣ The Oxxo stores here don’t allow top-ups, but surprisingly, the ticket office at the bus station does. When Maodan’s phone was out of service, he asked the convenience store owner and discovered this handy tip.
4️⃣ Every New Year’s Eve, the beach hosts spectacular fireworks.
This year, Maodan couldn’t book accommodation, so he made a round trip on the same day. Hopefully, next New Year’s Eve, he can come back and fully experience the magic [laughing and crying].
