Santiago family guide
Santiago is a modern capital with the snowy Andes as its backdrop. Kids ride a century-old funicular and a cable car over Cerro San Cristóbal, climb the castle-like terraces of Santa Lucía and eat warm empanadas. Within two hours you can splash in an Andean river, ride the old lifts of Valparaíso or, in the southern winter, play in real snow.
Create a Santiago activity book
Best ages
Every age enjoys the hills, parks and science museums, and older kids get more from Valparaíso walks and river rafting, which operators usually allow from about 7-8 years.
Stroller
Providencia and Las Condes have wide, flat sidewalks and many Metro stations have lifts. The hills, Valparaíso's stairways and Santa Lucía's steps call for a carrier.
Take this guide on the trip
Signal and roaming are not guaranteed abroad. Print this guide or save it as a PDF, then add a Santiago travel journal and packing list. All three are free and are made in your browser.
Travel journal for Santiago Packing list for SantiagoTop things to do in Santiago with kids
Cerro San Cristóbal Ages 3+
Ride the 1925 funicular from Pío Nono to the white Virgin statue, then take the cable car across the hill for wide views of the city and the Andes.
Cerro Santa Lucía Ages 4+
Climb stone stairways, terraces and a small fort on this free hill park in the centre; visitors register with ID at the gate.
Cajón del Maipo Ages 5+
About an hour southeast, families picnic by the Maipo River, spot condors over the peaks and try gentle rafting with local operators from spring to autumn.
Valparaíso day trip Ages 6+
Buses take about 1.5-2 hours to this colourful port, where kids ride the historic ascensor lifts and hunt for giant murals on the hills.
Snow day at Farellones Ages 4+
From about June to September the ski areas above Santiago offer snow play and beginner slopes about 1.5 hours away; book transport early on weekends.
Rainy-day and cold-day options
Museo Interactivo Mirador
A huge hands-on science museum in La Granja, easily a half day of experiments.
Museo Nacional de Historia Natural
A free museum in Quinta Normal park with a whale skeleton and Chilean wildlife.
Sky Costanera
The viewing deck of Gran Torre Santiago is clearest just after rain washes the air.
A simple first day
- Morning
- Ride the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal for Andes views before the haze.
- Afternoon
- Eat at Mercado Central, then climb the terraces of Cerro Santa Lucía.
- Evening
- Have 'once' with sopaipillas and walk the cafés of Barrio Lastarria.
Getting around
The Metro is clean and quick with a rechargeable Bip! card, though very crowded at rush hour. Ride apps work well around the city, and a rental car makes Cajón del Maipo and the ski roads easier.
Food kids like
Kids love empanadas de pino, completo hot dogs with avocado, pastel de choclo and the summer peach drink mote con huesillo. Lunch runs 1-3 pm and dinner is late, so many families do 'once', an early evening tea with bread.
What Santiago costs for a family
About CLP 180,000-280,000 (about €165-255) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging.
| Item | Typical price |
|---|---|
| San Cristóbal funicular return (adult / child) | CLP 4,000 / 2,000 (about €3.60 / €1.80) |
| Sky Costanera viewing deck (adult) | CLP 15,000-20,000 (about €14-18) |
| Empanada de pino | CLP 2,500-4,500 (about €2.30-4) |
| Metro ride with a Bip! card (adult) | CLP 700-900 (about €0.65-0.85) |
Cerro Santa Lucía, the natural history museum and many state museums are free, so balance them with the paid cable car day. Prices are typical ranges checked for 2025–2026; confirm current prices before you book.
Safety notes
- Summer sun from December to February is intense and dry, so carry water, hats and sunscreen, especially on the shadeless hilltops.
- Pickpockets work in the centre, on the Metro and in Valparaíso, so keep phones and bags zipped and close in crowds.
- Chile has frequent small earthquakes and builds for them, so learn your hotel's exit routes and teach kids drop, cover and hold on.
What's inside the Santiago activity book
A personalized printable book for one child (or up to three with Family), built around Santiago: landmark spotting, a 12-item scavenger hunt, a local food tasting page, local phrases and a quiz. Print it at home before you leave and bring a pencil.
Missions
- Andes peak counter
- Funicular and cable car rider
Landmarks to find
- Cerro San Cristóbal
- Gran Torre Santiago
- Cerro Santa Lucía
- La Moneda Palace
Foods to spot or taste
- empanadas
- completos
- mote con huesillo
- sopaipillas
Words to try
- Hola Hello
- Gracias Thank you
- Por favor Please
- Sí po Yes (Chilean style)
Mini €5.90 (10 pages), Adventure €9.90 (25–28 pages) or Family €14.90 (up to three children). One-time purchase, no subscription; the book is printed at home in English.
Create a Santiago activity bookQuestions parents ask
Is Santiago good for young children?
Every age enjoys the hills, parks and science museums, and older kids get more from Valparaíso walks and river rafting, which operators usually allow from about 7-8 years.
Can you use a stroller in Santiago?
Providencia and Las Condes have wide, flat sidewalks and many Metro stations have lifts. The hills, Valparaíso's stairways and Santa Lucía's steps call for a carrier.
How much does a family day in Santiago cost?
About CLP 180,000-280,000 (about €165-255) a day for a family of four, excluding lodging. Cerro Santa Lucía, the natural history museum and many state museums are free, so balance them with the paid cable car day.
When is the best time to visit Santiago with kids?
Best months: October, November, December, March, April.