A real working port!

Valparaíso was the first time I've been to a port town where shipping is a big part of the economy, therefore, I enjoyed seeing all the big ships and the shipyard. I also liked climbing the cerros (ascensor up and climbing down) and admiring the architecture. Valparaíso definitely has a distinct feel as a town. It's not nearly as touristy as Viña del Mar, yet it doesn't completely feel like a town untouched by visitors. We saw two pretty parks in the town, but once again we couldn't access any building to see inside. We went on a national holiday of sorts, so the town was rather quiet and many restaurants were closed, but I could tell that during a normal day it is a bustling city. Since Valparaíso is only a 15 minute bus ride from Viña del Mar it is definitely worth a half-day to see.