How to Travel to Valparaíso Chile on a Budget

While many squeeze in Valparaíso Chile as a day trip from Santiago, we think this colorful, quirky coastal down deserves a few days on its own. Valparaíso is less touristy then Santiago, a little grungier, and a base for other great activities like the beautiful beaches of Viña del Mar or the Casablanca wine region which we visited cheaply with public transportation! We spent 4 days in Valparaíso Chile and think there are lots of great cost effective ( and free) options to take advantage of. Keep scrolling for how to explore Valparaíso Chile on a budget with suggestions on the best ( free) things to do!

Valparaiso chile on a budget featuring the iconic colorful houses up on a hill with a red flowering tree in front.

How to get to Valparaíso Chile from Santiago?

Traveling from Santiago to Valparaíso is both easy and budget-friendly. We think the best way to travel between these two cities is the public bus which takes about 2 hours and costs between CLP 7,000 and 14,000 ( about $9-$18 USD).

From Santiago, make your way to Terminal Alameda and you’ll find lots of different bus company options ( we took Pullman). Flixbus also offers routes between the two cities for as little as $2 USD and can be booked right through their app.

If you’re looking for an organized day tour from Santiago that will include a stop at Valparaíso, Vina del Mar AND Casablanca ( read that as : art, beach AND wine), then we recommend this full day tour from Santiago.

Valparaiso Chile Weather

If you like mild weather and less tourists, then the best time to visit Valparaíso is during the shoulder seasons ( September- November) or (March-May). We went to Valparaíso in March and it was really peaceful. The only downfall of the slightly cooler weather could be that the beach in neighboring Viña del Mar could be a little cold- but it’s all a tradeoff!

We also think Valparaíso is better outside of peak summer season because the cooler temperatures allow for more pleasant times to soak in all of the street art and café culture that make Valparaíso so charming and unique. For anyone who has attempted to tour Western European cities in the peak of the summer, you’ll understand what we’re talking about-it’s just too hot!

Valparaíso Chile: Things to Do for FREE!

  1. Street Art:One of the top reasons to come to Valparaíso is for the street art scene. Charge up your camera batteries if your slumping around with a DSLR camera ( which would be worth it for the shots here) to enjoy all of the colorful murals and graffiti that give Valparaíso its energy.
    • Valparaiso Chile Tour: If you really want to appreciate the stories behind the pieces and discover more unique spots, then we recommend this guided 2 hour street art tour.
  2. The Beach: Aside from the 600 CLP charge (. 60!) to ride the metro one stop to neighboring Viña del Mar- the beach is free! Viña del Mar is a beach town where you’ll find lots of Chileans soaking in the sun. In addition to the long sandy beach front, Viña del Mar is also known for lots of high end restaurants and a closeby local market which makes for a great day trip.
  3. Check out Plaza Sotomayor: Across from the Naval Museum, this is a great spot for eating street food and people watching.
  4. Go to the local market: Right by the bus station ( that you might use to head out to the Casablanca wine region) you’ll find Mercado Cardonal. This market is a great spot to stock up on local produce and other snacks for cheap. Plus, the atmosphere is always lively!

How to enjoy Valparaíso Chile on a Budget?

  1. Art Museum: We went to the Museo de Bellas Artes which is only CLP 3,000 ( about $3.20 USD) for admission! Quite the steal for 5 levels of art to explore.
  2. Ride the iconic Ascensores ( funiculars): Valparaíso’s famous funiculars are a fun way to navigate the steep hills . For less then $1USD, you can ride one of the 15+ lifts-or hike up the nearby windy steps for free!
  3. Poetry Museum: Home to the iconic Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, this house shows off Neruda’s personal collections. Additionally, soak in beautiful 360 degree views of the city from the four-story complex.

Best Budget Hotels in Valparaiso Chile

  1. Meraki Hostel– For $45 USD/Night, this property is well loved by the Agoda community with over 500 reviews averaging a 9.2/10 review. Meraki Hostel features a central location putting you right in the middle of the action in Valparaiso!
  2. Mi Paz: This is actually a home to rent out! For Less then $35 USD/ Night, this property boasts over 350 reviews and maintains a 9.3 rating.
  3. Nomada Eco-Hostel- If you really want a good bargain/ high quality ration, check out this property that has rooms for just $10 and maintains over a 8.0 rating!
  4. Hostal La Casa Azul- Another amazing deal. For $11 USD, this room also includes access to a shared kitchen AND free breakfast.

What else is there to know about Valparaíso Chile on a Budget?

Is Valparaíso Chile worth visiting?

Yes! We think Valparaíso is a beautiful artsy city that is walkable, welcoming, full of culture, and close to the beach.

How many days should I spend in Valparaíso Chile?

Valparaíso can be visited as a day trip from Santiago if you’re short on time. We think 3 nights is the perfect amount of time to enjoy Valparaíso. This will allow you enough time to make a few day trips to the beach or the Casablanca wine region.

Should I visit Valparaíso over Santiago?

If you can, visit both! Valparaíso is artsy, a little rougher on the edges, and feels more local. Santiago is also full of energy ( and people) and is the capital city which is always worth visiting on it’s own right.To read a more on why Valparaíso shines on its own, check out this review from Kuoda Travel. We also love all the green spaces in Santiago. Personally, we also stayed in one of our favorite workable apartements in Santiago ( complete with a rooftop pool!)

Is Valparaíso walkable?

Yes! Especially with the support of the ascensores, you can easily navigate the hills, worry free.

What is the weather like in Valparaiso?

Valparaiso Chile has a mild Mediterranean climate. The hottest month of the year in Valparaiso is January and the coolest months are from June-September.

What else?

If you’re looking for other cool activities to do in Valparaíso, then check out the Wordly Adventurer’s suggestions here . Want an outline on how to spend 2 days in Vale? Check out the Wordly Wanderer’s 2 day guide to Valparaiso’s guide here.

We hope you find our suggestions helpful on how to explore Valparaíso Chile on a budget and that you too think Valparaíso is a great addition to your Chile itinerary! For our 2 week trip to Chile we split our time between Santiago, Valparaiso, and Patagonia and think it’s a great balance of city, culture, and nature!

Want ideas on where else to go in Chile? Check out our:

If you’re looking for other suggestions on where to go after your trip to Chile, check out:

Welcome! We're Vic and Pat- 30 somethings that have accumulated 10+ years of international travel experience who finally have the guts to share their experiences. We focus on budget couple travel in unique locations that aren't necessarily on a "bucketlist." We don't believe in taking time for granted and we do believe in living our life on the move. Sometimes we have long weekends, sometimes we have a 2 week holiday, sometimes we travel and work remotely for 2+ months at a time. Regardless of what chapter of life we're in, we want to show you how to stretch your budget, maximize travel hacks, and create memorable experiences.