LOCATION

Viña del Mar means the “Vineyard of the Sea”. It’s the 4th largest city in Chile, located on the Pacific coast. You’ll be right by the beach and just 70 miles from the bustling capital, Santiago, 10 miles from Concón (the country’s gastronomic capital – yum!) and only five miles away from the colorful UNESCO World Heritage City of Valparaiso.

STUDYING ABROAD IN VIÑA DEL MAR

When you study abroad in Viña del Mar, you’ll attend Universidad de Viña del Mar (UVM), which has quickly become one of Chile’s most prestigious private universities. It’s a small university with about 5,000 students which makes for a great opportunity to integrate with the local Chilean students and receive plenty of attention from faculty and the International Office. Classes are offered in both English and Spanish (depending on your language level) and take place on a few centrally located campuses.

For anyone with an intermediate or advanced level of Spanish, one highlight of the program is the “Cultures in Contact” course where American and Chilean students learn about each other’s cultures and work together to improve their language skills.

You’ll live in a Chilean homestay in a safe neighborhood not far from the university. You’ll have a single room and shared bathroom, usually with 1 or 2 other students.

WHAT’S VIÑA DEL MAR LIKE?

Viña, the “Garden City”, is a clean, orderly university town with manicured, palm-tree-lined boulevards and palaces. An estimated 60,000 students live here during the school year, so the local community caters to this population. You’ll find yourself in a friendly, welcoming place with great nightlife and miles of beaches to enjoy where life often centers around the coast. There are also music festivals, a tennis tournament and memorable restaurants.

In the summertime (remember there are opposite seasons here!), Viña is a popular vacation destination for Chileans, so the population swells for a few months.

Exploring Chile beyond Viña del Mar is also easy with plenty of inexpensive travel buses to take you around. In nearby Concón (besides the delicious food), you can try sandboarding on the dunes or hiking or head to one of the many ski resorts near Santiago for Winter fun.

HOW CAN I SPEND MY FREE TIME?

With a constant stream of visitors – both tourists and students like yourself – Viña del Mar has a packed calendar of events, cultural activities and other fun things to discover that will keep you busy. Here are a few not to miss:

FONCK MUSEUM OF ARCHAEOLOGY & HISTORY. This small museum, housed in an old mansion, is a wonderful place to learn about the anthropology and culture of Chile and Easter Island. There’s even an authentic Moai in the garden. In fact, it has one of the most expansive exhibitions on the Rapa Nui people and culture outside of Easter Island.

BEACHES. There are many beaches, and some of the best in Chile are found here in Viña del Mar. Enjoy them! Don’t forget the sunscreen.

FESTIVAL DE LA CANCION. The week-long festivities surrounding the “International Song Festival” are always exciting! This event, featuring both international and Latin American artists, has been running every February since 1960, drawing crowds of up to 15,000 to the Quinta Vergara ampitheater.

ART GALLERIES. At the Marpau Art Gallery, see a mix of artwork from a combination of international and local artists, both contemporary and classic, including some of the best up-and-coming Chilean artists. Learn about the local art scene and its history in more depth at the Artequin Viña del Mar or head to the open-air museum (Museo Cielo Abierto) to see the murals painted by a mix of well-established Chilean artists and students.

SURFING. If you’re looking for somewhere to take a board to the waves, you’re in luck. Chile has a 2,500-mile shoreline! There are great spots in Viña del Mar, but if you’re an enthusiast, don’t miss a chance to visit Pinta de Lobos in Pichilemu, which has been noted as the “world surfing capital”.

VENTURE FURTHER AFIELD. There’s so much to see and do, from a visit to the bustling capital of Santiago, to skiing in the Andes, but a few other suggestions include:

• VALPARAISO. Just five miles from Viña del Mar, you have the “Jewel of the Pacific”, Valparaiso, to explore with its rich culture and colorful architecture. You’ll spot Latin America’s oldest stock exchange, Chile’s first public library, and 15 rare funicular railways.

• PATAGONIA. What an unforgettable experience is a trip to Patagonia in Southern Chile! Spend a weekend discovering in awe an unspoiled, exotic wilderness of mountains, glaciers, forests, fjord and steppes and you’ll return to classes refreshed and inspired.

• EASTER ISLAND. Head back in time with a visit to Easter Island where you’ll see the ancient stone statues (moai) that were created by the early Rapa Nui people. There are over 1,000 on the island!

WHAT (AND WHERE) SHOULD I EAT?

You’ll find cheap eats for a student budget and more expensive fare for a treat. Here are a few places for your list:

CAFES. For a caffeine fix, head to Salon de Te y Cafeteria Dulce Espejo, Tea Corner, Bonhome, or café repost. Good Nick has good food options and El Tintico de Botero has a great breakfast menu. 

FOOD. Try La Cabana Restaurante or Donde Willy for Chilean food; Pecado del Inka for ceviche, Empanadas Mauricio or Empanadas Emilu for…you guessed it…empanadas; and A Mano Gin & Burgers or Burger Home for American-style burgers and a taste of home. For pizza nights, try San Romano Pizzeria. For a sweet treat, pick up alfajores in Shop Sausalito.

MUST TRY. Seafood is a good bet here with fresh fish a local favorite (try the pomfret (pomfret) or hake (merluza). Empanadas (meat or veggie pockets) make a quick snack, and completos (hot dogs, fully loaded) or chorrillana (traditional dish of french fries, beef and onions) are good choices for an easy fast-food style meal. For something a bit fancier, try the Machas a la Parmigiana with razor clams, cream, white wine and parmesan, or have a pastel de jaiva (crab pie). To satisfy a sweet tooth, dig into the alfajores, filled with dulce de leche. In Viña, they’re typically enjoyed dipped in melted chocolate. Even better!

ANY OTHER TIPS?

A few other things to keep in mind to make the most of a study abroad experience in Viña del Mar…

1. SURFING. Pack a wet suit if you plan on surfing. The water can get cold! If you’re new to the sport, you can sign up for lessons, or try something called skimboarding which is like surfing on shallow water, almost like skateboarding.

2. WULF CASTLE. The local castle on the coast has a glass-bottomed floor where you can watch the waves crashing beneath your feet!

3. BLACK SAND. For a different beach experience with fewer crowds and stunning black sand, head to Playa Negra in Concón.

4. CASH. It’s useful to carry cash with you as not all shops are happy to accept cards.