Planning a vacation to Santiago, Chile—Neruda's birthplace is—is a must-see. Though you can't surf in Santiago itself (except for at the wave pool), as it is about 2 hours from the coast by car, you can prepare for some excellent waves near the capital and enjoy this fabulous city before launching into the Chilean coastal towns. It is nothing short of an adventure in Pacific Coast Paradise. There are endless surfing opportunities - with 300 days of waves per year - and plenty of other things to do as well. In this article, we'll just talk about a visit to the capital. Though Santiago itself sits in a valley not far from the sea, it will likely be your jumping-off point for any trip into Chile.