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japanese garden in the metropolitan park

Santiago is supposed to have some 1500 green spaces  but the largest and most popular with locals and tourist alike is Parque Metropolitano de Santiago. The city planners have  devoted 40 percent of its green areas to this park and it’s also the largest urban park in South America.that includes a  forest  of 400 hectares as well as the developed area’s. If you want to see all the park’s amenities there are a few hills to climb, one of which rises  880 ft from the park’s entrance. lf you don’t feel  like walking or riding a bike on the trails that wind around this hill to the top, you can ride in a cable car for only one dollar. Once you reach the top you will be greeted with a full panoramic view of the city, snack bars souvenir kiosks, a church and large statue of the virgin mary that overlooks the city.  Other features of the park include the national zoo, a variety of botanical gardens, hiking trails in the forest, bike paths, a cultural center, picnic zones,  swimming pool, and wine museum. As indicated, there are many other parks in the city of Santiago and most offer a similar natural environment for relaxing along with the same kind of amenities, such as outdoor exercise equipment, bike paths, skateboarding courses, refreshment stands,etc.. In addition to the metropolitan park , a few  of the largest and  most popular parks are included in the photo gallery below; they are Bustamante Park, Forestal Park, Araucano Park , and Park Hurtado.

panoramic view of Santiago from on of the metropolitan park trails, the building in the background is tallest in South America and is the Costenero Center

one of several botanical gardens in the metropolitan park

a green meadow in the metropolitan park

a suricat at the metropolitan park zoo

a french architect designed the Florestal Park and this building is a french restaurant inside the park.

Florestal Park is a favorite gathering place for local muscians who provide entertainment and pass the hat for tips.

one of the paths for walking or biking through Florestal Park

Arauco Park is surrounded by modern architecture and the cities most important shopping mall

another plant scupture in Araucano Park. There is also a skateboard park, amphitheater, restaurants, museum, and paths for biking, hiking and jogging.

One of several garden scupltures in Araucano Park,

Bustamonte Park

the entrance to Bustamonte Park which leads to a cafe and library. The park also has outdoor exercise equipment.

Park Hurtado offers horseback riding for children, outdoor excersize equipment, picnic areas, open fields for sports, a small lake, and trails for walking or joggings

a look at the Andes mountains from Park Hurtado