Best things to do in Vina del Mar

Created with a variety of colorful blooms, Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores) remains one of the city's best-loved landmarks. Commissioned for the 1962 FIFA World Cup, the clock features numbers and a face packed with vibrant red and blue blossoms set into a small hillside. Notice the white metal hands, the longest of which measures 3 m (10 ft). If you're keeping your eye on the time, note that this fully functional clock features a satellite system for accurate timekeeping.

Take a tour through a museum dedicated to pre-Columbian Chile when you visit Corporacion Museo de Arqueologia e Historia Francisco Fonck. Start outside with the Maoi statue, which draws many for photo opportunities. Inside the museum, the first floor covers Mapuche culture from pre-Columbian times and exhibits on Easter Island. Visit the upstairs to see insect collections and taxidermied animals from all over the world. (Note, however, that the second floor has just a few English translations.) When browsing, consider getting a tour guide, who can provide informative explanations of the exhibits in English.

Mingle with the high-rollers at Vina del Mar Casino, one of Chile's premier casinos. Try your hand at a range of gaming, including blackjack, poker, and slot machines. If luck's not going your way at the tables, enjoy a live performance or grab a bite to eat at one of the onsite restaurants. Even if you don't intend to spend any money, consider visiting simply to check out the lavish interior and sweeping views over the ocean.

A multicolored, tiered house on top of a hill, La Sebastiana provided the setting for the writing of some of the world's beloved poetic masterpieces. Today, Pablo Neruda's former residence pays tribute to the artist's legacy and contains artworks, 1950s furniture, and quirky bric-a-brac collected over the years. Visit early in the morning or towards closing time to avoid the crowds and long lines at the entrance.

Once a quiet, removed beach, Reñaca has been incorporated into Viña del Mar thanks to the tourist city's increasing urban sprawl. Now a buzzing hub for sun-worshippers, the beach offers excellent facilities, plenty of places to grab a meal or a drink, and an energetic atmosphere. Expect fairly large crowds during summer, as locals and tourists alike flock to the scenic attraction. Check with locals before swimming: the surf can be quite dangerous in certain conditions.

Quinta Vergara features three major city landmarks, including a Gothic-style palace, an open-air amphitheater, and a landscaped park. Jose Francisco Vergara, the founder of Vina del Mar, built the palace as his family's residence in 1910, when an earthquake destroyed their previous home. The concrete amphitheater hosts an international song festival every February. The highlight for most visitors is the park with exotic plants from the Far East and Australia, as well as sculptures and busts dedicated to famous Chileans, such as Neruda and Gabriela Mistral.

For a day in the forests of Chile, head to Jardin Botanico Nacional if you like peace and quiet amid the great outdoors. This large park has enough space that you cannot explore all of it in a single day. Travel through the attraction's fields, hills, and forests before heading to the lake for some swimming or lounging by the water. For the thrill seekers in the group, search out the obstacle course situated among the trees, which offers two courses and ziplining too.

Don’t miss Palacio Rioja, a century-old colonial mansion with picturesque gardens. Upon entering the building, you'll be able to peruse information panels describing the history of the area, as well as the mansion itself. Take a camera to capture pictures of the resplendent gardens, and enjoy a relaxing picnic lunch in colorful gardens. Check the mansion’s schedule of events for information about movie screenings and musical performances.

Avenida Peru hugs the coastline of this region, connecting the beaches Playa Estero and Playa Acapulco. With tall city buildings on one side, and the waves of the ocean lapping the other, a walk along this street embodies the essence of this coastal city. Stroll through various musicians and street performers, who often are busking for tips. Vendor’s stalls line the picturesque avenue selling all sorts of things, like homemade food, local sweets, and souvenirs.

Admire the scenic coast of Vina del Mar as you walk along Costanera, a long oceanfront boardwalk. You'll see surfers searching for the next big wave and beachgoers making the most of the pleasant weather. Check out the small street stalls along the boardwalk, which purvey locally made handicrafts and other souvenirs. When it's time to relax, grab a drink or an ice cream at one of many cafes and bars along the promenade.