Does Chile have nice weather in mid-February to March? I’m considering options from mid-February, and Chile is nearby. I may consider going full South, but Huilo Huilo or something similar that looks/feels nice.

Maybe Southern Chile could be an excellent option

Maybe not Santiago, then. Perhaps another cold AF place that gets livelier during the end of Summer (February)?

Santiago would be nice if you haven't been there before, maybe for 3-7 days

As for the south, I'd recommend Puerto Varas (been there several times) - pretty nice German-style town with a view to the volcano, very touristy though (a little bit tourist-trap) but you can rent a car from there and go to the different towns, lakes, rivers, see penguins (maybe) and many places in that area that are super nice (Chiloe, Parque Nacional Alerce Andino, Frutillar, etc.) all within <5hrs drive from Puerto Varas (which also has decent restaurants imo) - tons of stuff to do to be honest, so staying two weeks there wouldn't be a bad idea

You can also go further south to Punta Arenas, and that would be true Patagonia-style environment - nice and cold almost all year and tons of nature-related stuff to do, although the city/town is pretty much dead (from what I've been told, haven't been there personally)

Hey there 👋, does anyone recommend a hostel with coworking spaces, like Selina, but in Santiago? Or maybe a coliving? I’d like to work from Santiago for a few weeks but feel I might get bored staying in an Airbnb. Thanks so much!

Hello! I’m in Santiago for about another week if anyone is here and wants to meet up :)

What do people think of Valparaiso? Is a month a good amount of time, or too much?

Viña del Mar may be more comfortable for a longer stay (also feels safer). And you can still visit Valparaiso since it's nearby.

just heard stories from a US guy that stayed there like a week, he loved it and at the same time, said most tourists he encountered had been robed. wouldn’t recommend for that long, specially for summer, there’s much better places to spend a full month, but that obvs depends on the kind of fun you like

I've heard from a few other people that they were robbed in Valpo! I have some friends who want to go, though, and I really like traveling with other people instead of solo when I can

well, either do your best to stay safe or to convince everybody to go somewhere else 😅
anyways, my brother lived in Valpo many years, the city has a very cool and unique vibe

I like valparaiso, but definetely not the place for a whole month

Why not, Lucas? Too small a city? I generally try to stay awhile instead of passing through quickly but sometimes if I hate a place even one month can feel too long

Yes, it's cool but maybe not for everyone. I'd recommend staying somewhere in south as well if you can. 1-2 weeks in Valdivia, Aysén, and/or Puerto Varas wouldn't hurt your pocket too much and still be amazing experience

Hi all! I wanted to ask about the overall safety situation in Santiago and Valpo. I spent six months in Santiago 10 years ago and many people said to me that things have gotten a lot worse since… is that true?
Specifically around the center, Barrio Brasil, Republica, Lastarria, Bellavista… which are placed I would frequent safely with normal precautions…
Thanks in advance!

Not sure as I just got here yesterday … but uber driver did warn me about wafching out for pock pockets / knife wielding thieves at night around bellavista

there's not much around Valparaiso but beach and bohemia, which is fine if that's what you're looking for. But southern cities have more too offer in terms of landscapes and activities, specially in summer

Thanks a lot for the advice! Yes unfortunately I do look like a gringo, so need to be extra careful… looking forward to coming back after 11 years though!

I will be in Viña del Mar for 1 month from Jan 20 until Feb 21 if anyone else is around!

Additionally, I'll be exploring Puerto Varas and surroundings (perhaps as far as Pucon). Any tips from people who have been to that area?

Puerto Varas currently has gotten very expensive, because of gentrification from Santiago. If you want a base for touring around the mid-south of Chile, you can have a look at Valdivia.
From either of those, you have multiple national parks, all worth visiting, hot springs and all sort of outdoor activities. Cochamó is not that well known and I’ve heard is amazing. Chiloé has a very unique and during that time there’s Festivals in every town (they’re like a traditional customs and food faires); from Ancud (north of Chiloé) you can go see the penguins at Puñihuil
Also crossing to Argentina is easy from there and Bariloche and its sorrounding towns are very nice

Try renting a car, the Carretera Austral is beautiful starting from close to Puerto Montt and allows to see tons of stuff within 3-5hrs drives. Also, getting yourself through Chiloé and its different towns is way better with a car. I'd say, driving can be tiring though, so getting a tour beforehand is also not a bad idea