Metropolitana de Santiago is the central Chilean region built around the capital, Santiago, a city of about seven million set in a valley between the Andes and the Coastal Range. Beyond the capital it holds the Cajon del Maipo canyon, the pottery town of Pomaire, the Maipo Valley vineyards and the Andean ski centres of Farellones, La Parva, El Colorado and Valle Nevado.
Family activities
Engaging experiences for travellers of every age.
Parque Metropolitano, Funicular and Zoologico Nacional
Santiago's giant hilltop park has a historic funicular, a cable car, a zoo with lions, Andean condors and Chilean wildlife, plus Tupahue and Antilen swimming pools in summer; it is the easiest all-day outing for families
Duration: Half day
Fantasilandia
Chile's biggest amusement park in Parque O'Higgins, with roller coasters, water rides, and a kids' zone for young children
Duration: Full day
Museo Interactivo Mirador (MIM)
A hands-on science museum in La Granja with more than 300 interactive exhibits on physics, the senses, and nature, a good rainy-day option for school-age children
Duration: 3-4 hours
Parque Bicentenario de Vitacura
A modern landscaped park with a lagoon, flamingos, playgrounds, lawns and a bicycle path, easy for strollers and picnics
Duration: 2-3 hours
Pomaire Pottery Village
A small clay-craft village about an hour from the city where children can watch potters at work, try the shaped clay, and eat giant empanadas
Duration: Half day
Buin Zoo
A large zoo in Buin, south of the city, with over 3,000 animals including big cats and primates; best reached by car or an organised transfer
Duration: Half day
Museo Artequin
A children's art museum in a 19th-century iron pavilion in Quinta Normal, with interactive reproductions of famous paintings and workshops
Duration: 2 hours
Snow Day at Valle Nevado or La Parva
A day of sledding or beginner skiing in the Andes, around 1.5 hours from Santiago, with ski schools for children available at the main ski centres
Duration: Full day
Family-friendly hotels
Accommodation designed with families in mind.
Sheraton Santiago Hotel & Convention Center
Large hotel at Av. Santa Maria 1742 in Providencia beside the Mapocho river, with an outdoor pool, spacious rooms, and views of the Andes
Family features: Pool, family rooms, kids' breakfast options, on-site restaurants, short ride to Parque Bicentenario
Hotel Atton El Bosque
Business-style hotel at Roger de Flor 2770, Las Condes near Metro El Golf, with a rooftop pool and apartment-style rooms
Family features: Pool, connecting rooms, breakfast buffet, close to Metro and restaurants
Hotel Plaza El Bosque Ebro
Mid-range hotel at Ebro 2828, Las Condes, a few blocks from Metro El Golf, with a pool and large suites
Family features: Pool, suites with kitchenettes, breakfast included, quiet residential area
Apartment rentals in Providencia and Las Condes
Furnished apartments near Metro Manuel Montt, Tobalaba and Los Leones give families a kitchen and washing machine; check Booking.com or Airbnb for current listings
Family features: Kitchen, laundry, extra bedrooms, nearby supermarkets and parks
Dining with kids
Eating out as a family.
Chilean restaurants are family-friendly; most have a 'menu infantil' (kids' menu) at CLP 5,000-8,000 (~USD 5-9)
Completos (hot dogs with avocado and tomato), empanadas de pino and sopaipillas are inexpensive crowd-pleasers
Dinner is late in Chile (8:30-10PM); families should eat at 7PM at cafes or fuentes de soda, which serve all day
Pastel de choclo (corn and beef casserole) and pollo con arroz are mild dishes that suit children
Ice cream shops such as Emporio La Rosa and Heladeria Savory are throughout the city for a mid-afternoon stop
Family travel tips
Practical advice for stress-free family trips.
Build downtime into every day — over-scheduled kids melt down faster than tired adults.
Carry snacks, water, and a small first-aid kit at all times.
Many attractions offer discounted family tickets — ask at the ticket window.