As a passionate lover of the ocean, on the last day of 2023, Maodan, after returning to Chile, decided to embark on a solo adventure by bus to the beach closest to Santiago—Viña del Mar. There, he found a serene spot by the cliff, basking in the sea breeze, enjoying his music, and reflecting on the year gone by, while welcoming the new one with open arms Below is the detailed solo travel guide Maodan has prepared for you. [Smack R] Don’t forget to save it!

【Transportation】
Santiago boasts a well-developed public transportation system. You can easily reach the University of Santiago station via the subway or take a taxi straight to the Turbus Bus Terminal. At the terminal, you have two bus companies to choose from (see Figure 9: Pullman Bus and Turbus) that will get you to your destination.

Maodan opted for Pullman, which offers a bus to Viña del Mar approximately every 15 minutes. For the specific bus station’s official website, I’ll share the link in the comments section later, so stay tuned.

——【Bus Seat Selection Tips】
—— A quick tip: Maodan chose the Pullman bus, which is a double-decker. It’s highly recommended to select seats 1-12, 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 great choice. You can stretch out and enjoy a comfortable two-hour nap

Upon arriving in Viña del Mar, you can use Uber or DiDi; DiDi is more budget-friendly but requires cash. Once in the city, set your location to Reñaca Beach and take a leisurely walk along the coastline. The views are absolutely breathtaking.

【Final Precautions】
Even though this is a tourist area, safety should always be a priority. Recently, there has been an influx of refugees in Santiago, so keep a close eye on your belongings and avoid displaying any signs of wealth.
While the bus does have USD charging ports, the return trip might not.

So, remember to bring a power bank to keep your devices charged.
Oxxo stores here do not 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 helpful tip.
Every year, there are spectacular New Year’s fireworks on the beach.

This year, Maodan couldn’t book accommodation, so he made a round trip on the same day. He hopes to experience the full magic next New Year [Laughing Cry R]

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