If you go to Santiago but you only go to “Santiago Centro,” where popular sights like Plaza de Armas and Palacio La Moneda are, you might be shocked, like I was, to see that there’s an entirely different atmosphere just a 20-minute metro ride away. It’s a place known as Sanhattan, Santiago’s financial district, and stepping into this neighborhood gives you a completely different experience.
Sanhattan swaps old facades for shiny high-rises, chaotic energy for sleek streets and polished sidewalks, mixed crowds for suited-up business professionals. For me, this business district in Las Condes is more corporate than charming and more sterile than unique. Even so, there are many highlights of Sanhattan that make it a desirable destination, depending on the type of visit to Chile’s capital you want to have. If a modern, polished environment is your preferred environment, I believe Sanhattan would be a good choice for a visit or long-term stay.
The Glossy Atmosphere of Sanhattan
I was truly stunned at the difference between Santiago’s downtown, central area, and the modern corporate tower, luxury hotels, and Lime-scooter-covered streets in this neighborhood. It’s vertical and elegant, with special touches like water pools or statues in the shadows of some of the office buildings. At first glance, I missed those decorative touches, but after months of walking these streets, I find that I see more every time.
Sanhattan is between the Mapocho River and Américo Vespucio. The approximate borders are Presidente Riesco to the north, El Golf to the east, and Apoquindo/Tajamar to the south. The metro stations in this sector, from west to east, are Tobalaba, El Golf, Alcántara, and Escuela Militar. I can walk from end to end in about 15 minutes, but winding through all of the streets that extend off the main street would take far longer. I’ve found it enjoyable to simply walk or even jog on the streets in Sanhattan—just not during rush hour (usually 5:00-7:30 pm).
What to Do in Sanhattan
When I lived in this area, it took me a while to find some of my favorite places to go. I always enjoyed working out of any one of the numerous Starbucks locations here, where I ran into plenty of other international remote workers. There’s even a Starbucks Reserve tucked away at the edge of this neighborhood in El Golf with plenty of tastefully decorated space to enjoy an afternoon. But when I want to experience local places, there are plenty to choose from. Below are some of my favorite destinations when I’m in the Santiago financial district.
For rooftop drinks in Sanhattan, Red2One at the W Santiago and Luna Bar at the AC Hotel are two of the best-known options. If you’re craving coffee, I’d look at The Elephant Coffee, FIX Café, or Living Café. For shopping and finding unique gifts, the MUT, Costanera Center, and the storefronts around Isidora Goyenechea are all easy places to start.
Bars:
- Red2One at the W Santiago in El Golf/Las Condes
- Luna Bar at the AC Hotel
Cafes:
- The Elephant Coffee
- FIX Café
- Living Café
Shopping:
- MUT (Mercado Urbano Tobalaba)
- Costanera Center
- Isidora Goyenechea / El Golf streets (storefronts & galleries)
But going to Sanhattan without a specific destination in mind is also sure to end well. I’ve found it easy to show up, meet a friend in a central location (El Golf, for example), and wander the streets. We’ll find something to fit our mood sooner rather than later; it’s dense enough with bars, cafes, and stores to be able to spontaneously find something.
Who Would Enjoy Sanhattan?
The financial district of Santiago, in my opinion, is well-suited for a specific type of traveler. It’s a great destination for business travelers in Santiago, digital nomads, and anyone who craves modern city energy. Whenever I go to this district, I feel a more contemporary atmosphere compared to other parts of the city, and it’s more energizing to see corporate workers focused on getting to their office buildings.
I’d say that if you’re interested in having a purely upscale experience, if you want to stay in beautifully designed hotels and experience some of the classiest restaurants, you can find all of that in Sanhattan. You won’t necessarily find the cultural and historical energy or the quaint, charming Chilean energy of other neighborhoods in more low-key parts of Vitacura, or Barrio Italia, or Pueblitos Los Dominicos, for example, but I’ve come to learn that this district is great for enjoying a nice day or evening out in clean, relatively safe streets.
Contrast with the Rest of Santiago
The thing that makes Sanhattan noteworthy from my perspective as a traveler in Santiago is just how different it feels from other parts of the metropolitan region. It’s so different than what you might picture when you think of Chile. The modernness was such a surprise to me, especially visiting inside some of the brand-new, digitalized, ultra-modern apartment complexes.
The difference between Sanhattan and older neighborhoods like Bellavista, Lastarria, or Centro is night and day. Even the relatively spacious and leafy streets of Providencia, which are just west of the border of the financial district, simply don’t compare in atmosphere. Sanhattan seems like it’s more international in terms of the corporate offices that I see there; more global travelers, especially business professionals, would be likely to feel at home there.
A Neighborhood for Every Visitor to Santiago
Though it’s not my first recommendation for people who ask me where to go and what to see in Santiago, it’s a good stop to see how varied the city is. It can be an excellent base to stay in this modern area and then travel to visit other historical, older, and more colorful parts of the city. The polished urban environment of Sanhattan is eye-catching, to be sure, and I’ve found that it serves as proof of the diversity and distinctiveness of neighborhoods in Chile’s capital city.
