Adventures in South America: Valparaiso, Chile

We fly back to North America late tonight, but had the whole day to still enjoy Chile. Having experienced much of Santiago yesterday, today we decided to visit the lovely seaside city of Valparaiso. Pretty much everyone we met over the last couple of months before coming here who has been to Chile asked if we are going to Valparaiso, and we had not necessarily planned on it, but it worked out nicely to visit on our last day here. There are frequent intercity buses traveling the route and it is very affordable and takes about two hours. We were able to leave our luggage at the bus station in Santiago, too, which was very convenient since it will allow us to go straight from there to the airport later on. 

The Valparaiso bus station is across from the Congress building, which is pretty unique and on the site of Pinochet's childhood home.  

From the bus station we hopped on a city bus to take us further south to the Plaza Sotomayor. Valparaiso is Chile's main port, and where the Chilean navy is based. This building is (or at least was) the naval headquarters.

A short walk from the square . . .

. . . takes you to Ascensor Cordillera, one of what was once many funiculars that transport people from sea level up the cliff. I believe there are only something like sixteen of these left, but they remain a famous Valparaiso feature. 

You can ride them for about 25 cents. I was a big fan, and we rode four of them. 

Here are a couple photos of their inner workings. 

Valparaiso is also famous for its painted stairs and walls and such; it is super colourful and beautiful! 

Besides riding ascensores and enjoying the streetscapes, we had a lovely seafood lunch with a great view up on this patio.

This was our view as we dined.

Later, we enjoyed coffees with another lovely view.

We really enjoyed our afternoon in Valparaiso and we were happy we came; really, it deserves more than a full afternoon, and there seem to be many lovely places to stay along its colourful streets. Like this hotel, for example!

But, not only did we have to leave Valpo (as the locals call it) but it was time to leave Chile and South America altogether, so we took the bus back to Santiago and onward to the Santiago airport to begin our journey home.