Santiago, with a population of 5 million inhabitants, boasts some of Latin America's most spectacular infrastructure, such as the Santiago Metro and the advanced freeway systems. Also, Santiago is headquarters to many important companies and is a regionally important financial center.

Located in a valley, a good proportion of the country’s population reside in this capital. Although densely populated, its infrastructure is highly advanced allowing for easy access to all points in the city.

Santiago enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate: relatively hot dry summers with temperatures reaching up to 35ºC (95º F) on the hottest days; winters (June to August) are more humid with typical maximum daily temperatures of 15º C (59º F), and minimum temperatures of a few degrees above freezing.

There are many other things one can do at night in the center of Santiago. Why not simply have a walk along the Paseo Ahumada, where there are many street stalls selling trinkets and treats? At the end of that street, you will come across the recently refurbished Plaza de las Armas. Surrounded by Colonial buildings, the place is full of street painters and musicians who perform all sorts of concerts on the stage.

If you want to whoop it up in Santiago you will have a lot of possibilities. The best days are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Then it gets pretty lively and huge, buzzing crowds pour into the streets and bars of the nightlife zonas . These fall into three main areas: Bellavista , characterized by its small, informal restaurants and cafés, many of which put on live music after 11pm, usually guitar music, boleros or Latin; Providencia , packed with slick, American-style bars that pull in a huge crowd of professional types, including lots of expats and foreign visitors; and Nuñoa , the heart of Santiago's "underground" scene, where the bars and cafés lining the main square are filled with nonchalant students in ripped black jeans and leather jackets.

Santiago has more than one face. And this is part of its attraction: modern shopping malls on the one hand, and indigenous arts and crafts exhibitions (in the Cerro Santa Lucia) on the other, street performances and juggling outside the Museo de Arte Contemporaneo (Museum of Contemporary Art), and visual art exhibitions in its many galleries and underground stations. Santiago is a city of healthy contrasts between its different areas, with a truly fascinating cultural and architectural diversity.

You can learn Spanish in Chile in the capital (Santiago de Chile):

• Spanish Courses in Santiago de Chile

• EcuadorEcuador arguably has the most intensely varied landscape in South America. You get it all here: the collosal Andes, the Amazon, Pacific beaches, and of course the naturalist's paradise of the Galapagos Islands.
• BoliviaBolivia may be one of the poorest countries in South America, but its cultural wealth, the Andean landscapes and the remnants of mysterious ancient civilizations make it a rich and exciting destination for those looking for more than postcards.
• PeruThe landscape of Peru is as epic as its history. The shadows, canyons, and plateaus of the vertiginous Andes hide the remains of one of the world's most extraordinary empires - the Inca - while their eastern slopes are the cradle of the Amazon River itself.
• ChileIn Chile, nature runs the gamut of its most dramatic forms - enormous glaciers, craggy granite spires, and towering volcanic cones dominate the landscape. Torres del Paine National Park is widely held to be the finest park in the Americas.
• ArgentinaA country of wide-open pampas and ancient forests, Argentina is as wild as its capital city, Buenos Aires, is sophisticated.
• CubaCuba is a beautiful country, it also has a population that is very hospitable in spite of the economic difficulties in the last few years. It is a country of music, poetry, dancing, singing and chatting. People have time for each other and for their guests. Cuba is like going back in time to the 50´s: old cars, a relaxed atmosphere, no hurry.
• Costa RicaIn recent years, Costa Rica has nearly become synonymous with the term "ecotourism." Its pristine rainforests are painstakingly protected, and an ever-increasing tide of people comes to witness the astounding abundance of plant and animal species each year.
• Dominican Rep.The white sand beaches, impressive mountain ranges veined with spectacular rivers and waterfalls, and saltwater lakes teeming with exotic wildlife are just part of the Dominican Republic’s appeal. Whether you’re looking to party, relax or explore, the Dominican Republic has a lot to offer.
• GuatemalaA colorful and hospitable country. As the origin of the mysterious Mayas, the country offers some of the continent’s richest folklore. The cultural blend of Spanish and Indigenous people is still seen in daily life. Ancient rituals are intertwined with the modern. You will find an abundance of high quality, low-priced handicrafts.
• MexicoWith both the most populous city in the world, and some of the most beautiful beaches, Mexico is a lively destination. A variety of natural wonders from lush tropical rainforests to mountains and deserts make Mexico a gem for the adventurer, but its real treasure is in the spirit of its people.