Guide in Santiago

Arriving in Santiago, Chile, a day before embarking on a South American cruise on the Norwegian Sun in December ’08, my husband, Erwin, and I had only one day to see the city so we wanted to make the most of it.

I had read reviews in ITN recommending a guide there (Aug. ’07, pg. 70 & April ’08, pg. 66). I e-mailed Alejandro Molina
(alejandromolinamarin@yahoo.com) and we corresponded back and forth a few times. He works with other guides and drivers, as he put it, “like a little amateur travel agency.”

His fee was very reasonable: for two people, $70 for pickup at the airport and to drive us to the Sheraton Hotel plus $120 for a half-day city tour.

The guide who we had the pleasure of spending the day with was Alejandro Pinto. He picked us up right on time at the airport. Since we arrived at 9:50 a.m. on an overnight flight, we arranged to do the tour after lunch so that we might rest a bit. Mr. Pinto took us to the Sheraton and returned to pick us up at 2 p.m. for the tour.

He gave us the most comprehensive tour of the city that we could have imagined, from one end to the other. We stopped several times to walk around and browse, seeing public buildings, parks, shops. . . .

To change money into Chilean pesos (we would need them for some ports on the cruise), he took us to a place where we got the best exchange rate.

I also expressed interest in buying lapis jewelry, and he took us to a wonderful place with great prices and a beautiful selection.

Santiago is a beautiful, vibrant city, and Alejandro Pinto packed so much into a half-day tour that we feel we really got to see it. We very highly recommend him!

EILEEN SODELL
Scottsdale, AZ