Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar needs 2 days: the Garden City (with its famous flower clock) and urban beaches on one, and a trip to neighboring Valparaíso on the other. December-February (southern hemisphere summer) is peak beach season. It's more expensive than Valparaíso, reflecting its status as Chile's traditional upscale beach resort. It's nicknamed the «Garden City» for its parks and tree-lined avenues, and its International Song Festival, one of South America's most important music events, has been held in its amphitheater every February since 1960.