Parque Arauco

Parque Arauco is an upscale shopping mall at Av. Presidente Kennedy 5413 in Las Condes, in the eastern part of Santiago, Chile. It is laid out in a partly open-air style with landscaped walkways, in contrast to the fully enclosed malls elsewhere in the city. The mall houses international and Chilean fashion brands, department stores, sportswear and an outdoor-clothing cluster, along with electronics, beauty and homeware shops, cinemas and a wide selection of restaurants and cafes. Goods are new and branded, so the question of authentic versus replica does not arise, and prices are mid to high, in line with the affluent surrounding district. Prices are fixed, and bargaining is not customary. Cards are accepted everywhere, and international cards generally work. Tourist VAT refunds do not apply to retail goods in Chile, so visitors should not expect a tax-free return on purchases. The atmosphere is polished and busy, with families and office workers, and it is most crowded on weekend afternoons and during sales periods. The layout is arranged around open plazas and multi-level galleries, with a food court and restaurant terraces in several areas and an anchor department store at each end. Visitors seeking outdoor gear will find a cluster of specialist shops for hiking and mountain clothing, which is useful before trips to the Andes. Opening hours are daily from 10:00 to 21:00, and current store listings and events are published on the mall's website. The mall can be reached by bus along Av. Kennedy or by a short taxi or ride-hailing trip from Metro Manquehue or Escuela Militar stations.