Forget the Amazon, the Piranhas are in Santiago!

Great painted horses and very modern office buildings in Santiago.
see all photos »

We had to overnight in Santiago because we could not fly directly to La Paz from B.A. Our impression on reflection is that Santiago is a pretty city under a cloud of smog at the foot of spectacular mountains. Unfortunately, the place seems to be geared around ripping off visitors from the get go. US$ 56 each to enter the country, huge customs queues, piranha taxi drivers and porters and an expensive cab fare to the city relative to other places. Total confusion at the hotel with our on line paid booking not being recognised and the free airport transfers not forthcoming. Only one room available instead of the 2 booked; disgusting rooms... am I going on too much?

Nice walk around the area followed by a pleasant meal became very disappointing when we realised we had been blatantly overcharged by the restaurant.This was after they told us they were giving us a discount because one of the desserts had mould in it and taught us to not assume that the total on the electronic bill has not been fudged to add up to more than the listed items.

Sorry Santiago, you are not in the game compared to your neighbours.

Then.. 4am wakeup to be at the airport by 5, and confusion and debate on checkout about who was paying what to whom was the crowning glory.

The lit up and nearly empty departures hall felt like a sanctuary after the mess outside.

Sorry Santiago, you are not in the game compared to your neighbours.