PARQUE METROPOLITANO - CERRO SAN CRISTÓBAL

Metropolitan Park is Chile's largest urban park. Covering an area of 722 ha, it is nicknamed "the lung of Santiago". The park comprises the San Cristóbal, Chacarillas, Gemelos and Pirámide hills. A funicular will take you to the top, to the Terraza Bellavista belvedere, to admire this absolutely unique panorama of Santiago and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes. Cerro San Cristóbal rises to 860 m and, as in Rio de Janeiro, is overlooked by a 22 m high Virgin Mary. She has been watching over the city since 1908. At its base is a small chapel where Pope John Paul II held a mass in 1987. You can also go for a walk or a bike ride, take a dip in the lovely swimming pools (crowded at weekends), or discover the park's wildlife, as Cerro San Cristobal is also home to a zoo with 150 different species of animal: flamingos, penguins, tigers, monkeys and kangaroos, the zoo allows you to observe protected animal species. Follow the various paths that lead to picnic areas and landscaped gardens, the setting is really pleasant and the lawns rather well-kept. To reach the heights of the park without getting out of breath, you can take the cable car. There are three stations (Oasis, Tupahue, Cumbre), featuring an adventure park, a Japanese garden and an orchard. Ideal for sunny weekends!