Home > Santiago > Private Tour: Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso Day Trip from Santiago
USD $163.00
Private Tour: Vina Del Mar and Valparaiso Day Trip from Santiago
Santiago, Chile
Enjoy the services of your own personal guide on a private day trip exploring the coastal towns of Central Chile. Travel through wine country, stopping for a sample before arriving in the 'Garden City' of Vina del Mar. Visit the bohemian town of Valparaiso and the Pablo Neruda Museum before heading back to Santiago after a day of relaxed sightseeing.
Depart for the central coast traveling through the valleys of Curacavi and Casablanca. The latter is known for its recent success as a wine producing area and there is a stop to visit one of the vineyards and taste some Chilean wine.
Continue to the coast and visit the beach area of Renaca and the town of Vina del Mar, known as the Garden City for its pretty parks and flower lined streets. Visit the Gaming Casino and the coastal road.
In the afternoon continue to the picturesque port of Valparaiso built in the 16th-century on a total of 43 hills which are reached by narrow windy streets, staircases and a series of lifts (funiculars). This area has been declared by UNESCO as patrimony of humanity due to its eclectic architecture and urban development.
You may wish to visit the Pablo Neruda Museum which contains some of the poets collections, specifically related to the sea. The Museum is situated on one of the hills overlooking the bay offering fantastic sea views.
At the end of the day you have the choice to return to Santiago, or stay in Valparaiso for a little longer making your own way back to the city at your leisure.
The tour was amazing! Our tour guide was great and so knowledgeable about Valparaiso and Chilean history.
Review by: Lliberated, April 2018
A really good day. Very relaxed. Enjoyed the wine tasting who wouldn't and the mine of information that was given. Saw all the interesting parts of Vina de Mar and our lunch venue right on the sea front away from the hustle and bustle, was lovely. Good menu, great service and well priced. Visited lots of different areas of Valparaiso, our guide was very informative and our driver very patient. A really good day which was very much at our own pace.
Review by: KYang415, February 2018
Well-paced day-long excursion to fascinating Valparaiso and picturesque Vina Del Mar. Included visit to Pablo Neruda House was a special treat.
Review by: Rhonda D, December 2017
From the moment I was picked up at the W Hotel in Santiago till my return I had the most enjoyable, informative day. Carol my guide could speak very good English and had a fantastic knowledge of Chilean history. The colourful city of Valparaiso and the resort atmosphere of Vina Del Mar was a great contrast. I will certainly be back to this area and using Carol as my guide._br/_ Rhonda Daly - Australia
Review by: Norman K, September 2017
Our guide and driver were excellent. The driver, Francisco, always found just the right spot to let us out and pick us up. Our guide, Carolina, was knowledgeable and friendly. Our one complaint was Viator's unwillingness to ask the local partner if they would pick us up at the airport hotel where we were staying in Santiago. We took a taxi to a downtown hotel to meet our guide. As we drove to Valparaiso, we passed very near the airport. At the end of the tour, the driver was very happy to return us to the airport instead of downtown. I am quite sure he would have picked us up there in the morning as well.
Review by: Amy L, June 2017
Francesca and our driver were on time and very informative. They gave us plenty of time to wine taste and see the sights in Viña Del Mar and Valparaiso. She answered all of our uestions and was a fun person to be around. I recommend this tour as you get to see more of Chile and the coast.
Review by: jansmith1, May 2017
Our day with guide Claudio and driver Marcello was incredible. Both gentlemen were courteous, friendly and helpful. We had requested an English speaking guide and we were not disappointed. Claudio was both passionate and knowledgeable about his country. As a result we came away with a better understanding of the history, politics, customs, food, economy, geography and people of Chile. The tour was marvelous from start to finish. As a result we definitely plan to return to Chile for more adventures. Claudio Millan is an excellent tour guide!
Review by: Carol M, April 2017
Loved this trip! Cesar did a great job explaining the history of the area. Particularly enjoyed the walks around Valparaiso and the tour of Pablo Neruda's house. A really fun day!
Review by: Dawn B, April 2017
This was an amazing tour probably the best part of my trip. Our tour guide Dario sp? and driver Luis were both great. They were on time for our hotel pick up and provided lots of details about the places we were visiting. They also took there time and did not make us feel rushed at all. It was a really great experience. The only thing I would advise is that you have all the details about what is included in your purchase with you. There was a little confusion around whether or not wine tasting was included it was. Dario called his office to confirm and we were all set from there.
Review by: Tarmo P, February 2017
We had paid the through the Viator web site beforehand without getting any information about our guide. That's not a good thing._br/_ During the tour our guide Ismael gave us hardly any information about what we are going to do and see. He didn't show any interest in us and our preferences either. _br/_ Our voucher included a wine tasting, but when we told this to our guide, he said it would take too much time and would not be worth it. Instead we stopped at a big wineshop along the road. Not very interesting._br/_ We clearly told the guide that our main interest in the tour was Valparaiso and that in Vina del Mar we would only like to visit the archeological museum. Despite that he took us for a rather long drive and a couple of stops in Vina del Mar and then let us understand that we should see the museum quickly._br/_ After the museum he told us that he had booked us a lunch now without asking us when we want to have it and that we would continue to Valparaiso after it. We told him we were not hungry yet and wanted to eat only after the tour. He changed the booking accordingly._br/_ When we finally got to Valparaiso, we did a fairly short walk there, but our guide gave us hardly any information about the city, it's history or about the colorful graffitis all around us. He only repeated time after time, that all these houses are painted with different colors - as if we didn't see it._br/_ The most irritating thing on the tour happened when we came to Pablo Neruda's house. Earlier in the car we had clearly told our guide that we had already visited Neruda's house in Santiago and were eager to see his house in Valparaiso also. But now Ismael bluntly told us that we can only have a quick look on the house from outside, because visiting it would take too long time. I told him we want to see the house from the inside too, but he insisted that HE doesn't have time and that HE doesn't even have the money for the museum ticket. Finally we just told him that we are now going to buy the tickets and visit the house, but we'll do it quickly. And so we did.
Review by: roboser0, January 2017
Overall this trip was a disappointment. Vina Del Mar is a seaside beach resort town which is lovely but no different to dozens or more around the world. If you have stayed at this type of place occasionally or on a regular basis then you certainly would not wish to go to Vina Del Mar especially sitting in the heavy traffic in summer. The Tour does not include lunch in the price charged. We started at 9am and were taken to a restaurant at 2.30pm where the food served was not of good quality. The Valparaiso segment was interesting in the old part of the town but the colourfully painted buildings were much the same and the viewing along the steep streets required much walking on foot. A visit to the house where Pablo Neruda lived is included.
Review by: irving j, January 2017
Really very interesting and enjoyable. Would definately recommmend
Review by: Verne C, November 2016
Loved this trip. Very good way to get away from Santiago and see the coast and the many sights. We had a great tour guide.
Review by: jwakb, November 2016
Almost a nice tour but or local operator was only ok. The local operator's office lost our hotel pick up information causing us to loose the first part of the day. Our guide was good. Our driver was very diligent in facilitating each local site drop off. In Valparaiso we had walked by numerous cute and interesting local restaurants that would have been great for lunch for our very small group. Instead the operator took us to a total tourist trap off the highway that was terrible.
Review by: Stan G, October 2016
While the two cities are well worth seeing, there was too much driving and not enough walking. The stop on the way at a winery in the Casablanca Valley was excellent, one of the highlights. It would have been nice to have some time to visit shops in Valpo. Instead, our guide indicated we had 20 minutes to see th Pablo Neruda house. THe guide was well prepared, very nice and capable. However, the trip was a high level overview of the two cities - I personally would have preferred more time to explore Valpo on foot.
Review by: Barry D, August 2016
Excellent private day tour.
Review by: kenneth r K, April 2016
This was an excellent tour. Our English speaking guide Paula was absolutely wonderful and gave interesting explanations of everything we saw. Max our driver was very capable and safe. Ken kurtz
Review by: Mary H, March 2016
Our guide was Carol and she did an amazing tour with us. She was on time, friendly, and her English was perfect. She answered all of our questions and provided helpful information. We enjoyed all of the sights and the lunch location was spectacular. The winery stop was better than I had imagined and was glad that we had booked it. Our trip to the market was fun and with Carol's assistance we were able to buy souvenirs. Our travel group all agreed that this was fabulous. Everything about this day was special and our tour guide was extra special.
Review by: Chris, February 2016
Our guide Tanya made this private tour outstanding. She had our driver take every road in Valparaiso up and down hills, have him stop wherever and have us get out and walk and wind up meeting the driver somewhere else. Got us into the museum and knew to do it before a long queuing line appeared as my wife and I finished our tour of it. Stopped for a very nice lunch that did not break the bank. Helped my wife buy a ring from a trusted store in Vina Del Mar. Only letdown was Vina Del Mar that was nice to drive through but had not much to offer. I would recommend this tour over a group tour for a better experience.
Review by: Sanjiv M, February 2016
Sergio was a very good guide - very knowledgeable and helpful.
Review by: William O, January 2016
Excellent tour, driver was friendly and the guide was very pleasant, extremely knowledgeable and made sure we were comfortable and saw everything we wanted to see. We were very pleased.
Review by: mer, November 2015
Wow!_br/_ What a great day with our Tour Guide Carol and driver Rodrigo._br/_ Carol is an extremely pleasant, knowledgeable, courteous professional that was a pleasure to be with._br/_ Starting in Santiago, we stopped at a winery along the way to Vina De Mar._br/_ It was also the time of a Chicha festival in Curacavi where we stopped and sampled this really tasty drink._br/_ Stopping in Vina Del Mar, we toured the city on foot, and then had a great lunch in a restaurant that overlooked the sea._br/_ Spending the remainder of the day in Valparaiso was just fantastic._br/_ Pablo Naruda's house, incredible Graffiti, old winding streets, old buildings, buildings built within buildings, incredible sites, smells and sounds._br/_ Thank goodness Carol was our guide as we believe that it is probably very easy to get lost in this great old winding city._br/_ Thank you to Carol and our safe driver Rodrigo for a very memorable day!
Review by: Alan K, June 2015
Excellent tour guide. Very good overview of the ride from Santiago to Viña del Mar and Valparaiso. She took us beyond the normal touristy stuff and showed us things that we would never found on our own.
Review by: Clive G, May 2015
The trip was very interesting and the guide knew a lot of information about the places we went. He knew his 'script' well._br/_
Our only disappointment was that our 'English-speaking Guide' was very limited in speaking and understanding anything in English that wasn't on his 'script '. He was unable to answer our questions and didn't understand what we were saying a lot of the time - he just laughed and nodded.
Review by: Stephen J, May 2015
The tour guide was so friendly and spoke great English. She and the driver accommodated us in every way, including walking our baggage down to the hotel because the street had been blocked off. We tried to help but they wouldn't let us. It was an excellent tour and experience.
Review by: Helen G, May 2015
The trip was very interesting and the guide knew a lot of information about the places we went. He knew his 'script' well._br/_ Our only disappointment was that our 'English-speaking Guide' was very limited in speaking and understanding anything in English that wasn't on his 'script '. He was unable to answer our questions and didn't understand what we were saying a lot of the time - he just laughed and nodded.
Review by: Deanne, April 2015
Our driver was Franciso and our guide Laurina. Both were friendly and knowledgeable I wouldnt hesitate to recommend this tour. We were able to tailor the time we spent in places, miss some completely and they were totally accommodating. Before going to Santiago so many people said you must go to Vina-Del-Mar and Valparaiso and the day did not disappoint. Valparaiso has interesting, brightly coloured houses, the port, amazing murals and it was an interesting place to visit. We had lunch in Vina-Del-Mar overlooking the ocean and whilst it was good to see the town, it may not have stood out for me, except there was a Moai, which was a complete surprise. Bucket list item check! Great day.
Review by: gail k, March 2015
We had a private tour lead by Cristian. He is a knowledgeable guide well versed in All aspects of Chile. His English is very fluent and his enthusiasm and willingness to answer all our questions is much appreciated. We enjoyed our day immensely Highly recommended
Review by: Trevor H, November 2014
Long day but very interesting and wrth it
Review by: Vicki, November 2014
The best tour we had in Chile thanks to our amazing tour guide Daniel. We stopped at Villa Veramonte for a quick wine tasting then on to Valparaiso, and to Vina del Mar. Great sight seeing tour!
Review by: Jude, October 2014
Wonderful day had the most amazing guide Caryl highly recommend we were traveling as a group of 4 and the only ones in the minivan this was very comfortable very interesting and knowledgeable guide. Thanks Caryl pictures we brought on the wall framed.
Review by: S S, May 2014
We were delighted that on the very next day of the Santiago City tour on 11 April 2014,Gladys Riquelme and Adolpho were again to be our guide and driver.
Review by: Neeraj K, April 2014
Much better than we had expected. Sandra, our guide, and Hernan, our driver were both very good, and did all that they could to make our trip memorable. Sandra was very knowledgeable and helpful. Hernan was most cooperative.
Review by: yvonnemartin m, March 2014
The convenience of being picked up and dropped off at hotels was terrific. But I believe it was quite expensive for Chili. The guide and driver were excellent. We had a nice tour of Vina Del Mar but the .luncheon restaurant although very well situated on the water was expensive and the fish meal was unedible.
Review by: Jack F, January 2014
Gladys was superb, an excellent guide who knew her cities and Chilean history. I learned a tremendous amount about Chile, Santiago, the Wine Country and Valparaiso during my tours. Gladys was very accommodating, cheerful and knowledgable. You're lucky to have Gladys working for you!
Review by: Tanya L, January 2014
Tour guide was excellent and gave us a lot of information on Chile and surrounds. The destination is interesting.
Review by: Bandit, October 2013
Great day trip from Santiago! Valparaiso and Vina del Mar are a must see when in Chile - beautiful and unique in their own ways! Guide was great and stopping at a winery was an added bonus!
Review by: IW Beaton B, July 2013
The Guide, Riccardo, and the driver were excellent. Enjoyable but a little on the expensive side. Thanks very much.
Review by: Karen C, November 2012
We spent a lovely day touring from Santiago with Juan. The private tour was definitely worth the extra charge- it is nice to be able to spend a few extra moments here, or less at another. I wish I knew the name of the restaurant we visited in Vina del Mar- it was the best meal I had in Chile!
Review by: Nicole Cindy L, September 2012
good but not excellent really depends on the tour guide
Review by: Morris B, January 2012
This tour was a highlight of our stay in Santiago. The driver and tour guide were very attentive to our interests and needs; they were flexible and responsive; and when we got stuck in slow moving traffic at Vina Del Mar, they did not expect us to pay any more for their longer day. The car was roomy and comfortable for the four of us.
Review by: Lawrence N, December 2011
The tour took us where they said they would go and they fulfilled their promise. But I thought it was somewhat mechanical, like doing the same tour for everyone. I pay for a private guide in order to have a tour that fits me, and this didn't. For instance I'm not interested in tasting wine, but I am interested in how it is made. We went to a wine shop for a tasting when what I was interested in was the machines and barrels in the back room that produced it. Again the tour wasn't bad, but it never made it past the tourist attractions.
Review by: Lawrence N, October 2011
The tour took us where they said they would go and they fulfilled their promise. But I thought it was somewhat mechanical, like doing the same tour for everyone. I pay for a private guide in order to have a tour that fits me, and this didn't. For instance I'm not interested in tasting wine, but I am interested in how it is made. We went to a wine shop for a tasting when what I was interested in was the machines and barrels in the back room that produced it. Again the tour wasn't bad, but it never made it past the tourist attractions.
Review by: Robert C, October 2011
In general a good tour, but if you want to see Valparaiso properly you'll need more time than this trip allows. Pablo Neruda house is very good, whether you have any interest in poetry or not.
Review by: LEE S, September 2011
Could not get into Valpariaso due to student riots..I believe guide knew before trip started and waited until 2:30 pm to tell...lots of wasted time to make us think we got our money's worth...Should have offered to take us the following day or given us some choice from the get go
Review by: Jenset, August 2011
A super tour. Our guide Miriam was fantastic and her enthusiasm for everything on the itinerary did not wane throughout the whole day. I would highly recommend this tour.
Review by: LEE S, July 2011
Could not get into Valpariaso due to student riots..I believe guide knew before trip started and waited until 2:30 pm to tell...lots of wasted time to make us think we got our money's worth...Should have offered to take us the following day or given us some choice from the get go
Review by: Karen W, May 2011
We thoroughly enjoyed the trip to Valparaiso, the winery (surprise add on), and Vina Del Mar. The guide (Marcella) was very knowledgeable along with a safe and cordial driver. They accommodated our preferences and didn't shortcut any part of the tour. High recommended.
Review by: Pamela S, May 2011
Francisco and Carlos were wonderful- informative, polite and prompt. Although the weather was not the best, we had a thoroughly enjoyable time. Francisco kept the right balance between historical perspectives and just fun. Thanks again.
Review by: Jenset, February 2011
A super tour. Our guide Miriam was fantastic and her enthusiasm for everything on the itinerary did not wane throughout the whole day. I would highly recommend this tour.
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