"This acclaimed ice cream parlor with more than 15 locations (most Santiago malls have one) dishes out every imaginable flavor. Regulars crave dulce de leche, lifted from the namesake caramel dessert. Or try the Chilean classic called café helado , a tall glass of strong, chilled coffee with a scoop of ice cream at the bottom and whipped cream on top. ¡Ay, yi, yi! A rare spot for decaf coffee, as well as sugar-free and gluten-free treats, La Rosa serves breakfast, lunch, and high tea. By Travesías"

"Quench Your Thirst The mercury during summer afternoons can hit 34C (or around 95F). How to stay cool during the hottest time of the day (4-6pm)? Besides seeking shade or air-conditioning, Santiaguinos seek solace in a traditional drink called "mote con huesillos." Huesillos, sun-dried peaches, are cooked with water and a touch of sugar. The liquid and fruit are chilled and served with a scoop of toothy golden barley. Mote con huesillo is sold by vendors throughout downtown. More than a drink, it's a satisfying, healthy snack."

"Santa Wears Shorts in Santiago For the uninitiated northerner, spending Christmas in Santiago can be a little odd. First, it is HOT. December 21 is the summer equinox and the temperature can heat up well into the 90s. There are no cookies in sight here; yuletide cheer comes from "pan de pascua" (Christmas bread) and a dangerously easy-to-drink alcoholic eggnog called "cola de mono" (monkey's tail). Christmas Eve is an all-or-nothing affair starting with a late dinner (9-10pm) and presents after midnight. On Christmas day, the parks fill with children riding new bicycles and families picnicking. While Christmas decor may depict Santa and snowy vision, let's be realistic. We all know that good Ol' Nick is wearing shorts and drinking a cold "schop" (beer) in this weather."

"Cool Off in a Pool with a View Atop towering Cerro San Cristóbal, there are two municipal pools where many families go to cool off during the summer: Tupahue and Antilén. Conveniently, these all have fabulous views of the city below. However, they do come with a price tag of US$12 for the lower-elevation Tupahue, and US$15 for Antilén, which keeps crowds to manageable levels in January and February."

"Eat Chilean Tomato Salad. Every. Single. Day. After New Year's, tomatoes become the king of vegetables and flood the markets with no end in sight (until March). Many of the shirt-soakers hail from a dusty country town near the coast called Limache. These tomatoes hold a place in most Santiaguinos' hearts and nearly every restaurant, joint, and household will be making copious amounts of "Ensalada Chilena" (Chilean tomato salad) at this time of year. The ingredients are simple: perfectly ripe tomatoes cut into slices or wedges (no skin), tempered onions, chopped cilantro or basil, a drizzle of olive oil and a pinch of sea salt. Heaven."

"Go Horseback Riding in La Campana Park Only an hour and a half north of Santiago is one of the Central region's best kept secrets: La Campana National Park. The park covers over 20,000 acres and preserves over 60,000 Chilean palms (some over 400 years old and multiple stories tall). To appreciate the coastal mountains, saddle up with a local "huaso," or cowboy, to explore the trails, riding through palm forests, streams, and up and down mountain sides with a stop for a shady picnic. Talk to local outfitter Chile Off Track to help set up your ride."

"Dance the Night Away Catedral is part of the trio of Café del Opera (great coffee, lunch, ice cream) and the high-end gourmet restaurant Opera. The third piece is Catedral, located on the second floor and roof of the historic building sprawling over the corner of José Miguel de la Barra and Merced. Catedral is a bar with great food including their delicious "crudo," Chile 's version of steak tartare with a touch of lemon. However, it's not until later that the party gets started with live music from Thursday through the weekend from jazz to cumbia and local rock bands like Los Tres or Chico Trujillo. José Miguel de la Barra 407, Santiago Centro Phone: 56(2) 2664 3048"

"For Theater Lovers Santiago's largest summer festival is held every January and is focused on the performing arts, with a heavy emphasis on theater. The international festival draws in major theater troupes, plays, clowns, mimes and puppeteers from around the world who perform at different playhouses across the city--and even street shows. As its name indicates, Santiago a Mil, the cost of entrance is $1,000 pesos, or about US$2, making this accessible to everyone. For the most popular plays, be sure to book well ahead as they sell out."

"Head to the Beach When the inland summer heat gets to you, take a day trip and head west to the mighty Pacific, only an hour and a half away. North of the crowded resort area of Viña del Mar is Concon. Once a tiny village, Concon lines the azure Pacific like the Costa Brava in Spain . Sink your feet into the soft sand on the main beach, catch some waves or soak up the sun. There's a lovely path for a long walk along the Coastal Route with waves crashing below. Stop at classic joints for crispy seafood empanadas in Concon or dine oceanside at favorite local spots like Aquí Jaime--perfect with a chilled Sauvignon Blanc."

"Santiago's Newest Water Park The newly opened Parque Fluvial Renato Poblete was once a garbage dump and squatters’ before the nearly 50 acres were taken by the government and transformed into this handsome park. Dividid into two areas, “El Cauce” (The Channel) is 17-acre flood plain with three water mirrors. The second, known as “Brazo del río” (River’s Arm), covers 32 acres and boasts a lagoon formed by the Río Mapocho, now a place for water sports. Like in most Chilean parks there are soccer fields and a cycling path that belongs to part of a circuit covering over 20-miles and multiple neighborhoods. On the weekends, Santiago families congregate here under the sun for a pinic. Tuesday to Sunday, 9:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. Avenida Presidente Balmaceda 2800, near Costanera Sur, Quinta Normal"