Parque Metropolitano - Santiago, Chile
Posted by: 
denben
S 33° 25.527 W 070° 37.995
19H E 348156 N 6300353
Parque Metropolitano and Cerro San Cristóbal in Santiago Chile.
Waymark Code: WMBNXM
Location: Chile
Date Posted: 06/07/2011
Views: 13
Located in the heart of Santiago, Parque Metropolitano is Chile's largest urban park and one of the most beautiful and well-known green spaces in the city. The park has a total area of 722 hectares and covers San Cristóbal, Los Gemelos and Chacarillas Hills.
San Cristobal's Hill is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Santiago. From Terraza Bellavista you have a splendid view over the city, and on a clear day you can see the snowy mountains.
The summit of Cerro San Cristobal is crowned by a gleaming white 22 meters statue of the Virgen de la Inmaculada donated by France in the 1920s. At the Sanctuario Inmaculada Concepcion Pope John Paul II held a mass during his visit in 1987.
You can reach the top on foot, by bike or by car, but the most interesting ways to get there are the funicular and cable car routes.
From the western entrance at Plaza Caupolicán you can walk - it's a steep but enjoyable one-hour climb - or take the funicular.
If you take the funicular, consider stopping at the National Zoo on the southwestern side of the park. It is designed to teach visitors about native and exotic fauna and is home to many Chilean specimens as well as African lions, white tigers, giraffes and monkeys.
If you are coming from the eastern entrance, you can ascend in the cable car that leaves seven blocks north of the Pedro de Valdivia Metro stop. The ride, which seats two in a colored-glass bubble, can be terrifying for acrophobics. Tree branches whack at your lift as you glide over the park.
There are two public swimming pools in the park, the Tupahue and the smaller Antilén, which are open in summer.
The "Official Tourism" URL link to the attraction: [Web Link]
Hours of Operation:
Park: Sun.-Thurs. 8 am-10 pm, Fri. and Sat. 8 am-midnight.
Funicular: Mon. 1-8, Tues.-Fri. 10-8, weekends 10-8.
Cable car: weekdays 2:30-6:30, weekends 10:30-7:30
Admission Prices:
Park: free
Round-trip funicular 2,300 Chilean pesos
Round-trip cable car 2,300 Chilean pesos
Approximate amount of time needed to fully experience the attraction: Half of a day (2-5 hours)
Transportation options to the attraction: Attraction provides transportation from a parking facility - See description
The attraction’s own URL: Not listed
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