Chile
From the snow-capped Andes mountains to 2,700 miles of Pacific coastline, Chile's diverse geography makes the country a destination for adventure seekers. The capital city of Santiago is located 60 miles from the coast and is the fifth largest city in South America. Home to over six million inhabitants, Santiago is both modern and dynamic, dominating the political, economic, and cultural life of the country. Its pleasant Mediterranean climate and proximity to the mountains permits many outdoor pursuits such as hiking, skiing, snow boarding, camping, river rafting, and horseback riding.
Valparaíso and its twin city of Viña del Mar are on the Pacific coast, just two hours by bus from Santiago. Valparaíso is a port city, housing the Chilean Congress, and Viña del Mar is a modern resort city with shops, beaches, and recreational facilities as well as residential housing. The two cities each consist of 600,000 inhabitants, of which more than 60,000 are university students. Affordable mass transportation between the twin cities makes the coast a popular weekend choice for Santiago residents.