Chile - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 425

chalets set against a beautiful backdrop of tree-covered
mountains, with opportunities for fishing, trekking and
cycling. Take Bus Interbus from Talca terminal towards
Armerillo (7 buses daily; 1hr 30min). Email a head to
make a r eservatio n. Camping/ person CH$3500 , dorms
CH$6000 , doubles CH$14,000

Destinations Santiago (6 daily; 4hr 30min); Talca (6 daily;
2hr 20min).
Tourist information The helpful and well-stocked
Sernatur o ce is located at 18 de Septiembre 455 (March-
Nov Mon-Fri 8.30am-5pm; Dec-Feb Mon-Fri 8.30am-
8pm, Sat 10am-8pm, Sun 10am-2pm; T 42 2223272).

EATING
La Buena Carne 1 Norte 1305. Large restaurant specializing
in grilled meat, owned by the butchers on the opposite
corner. Excellent cuts at bargain prices. Lomo vetado (Ribeye)
CH$2990.
Restaurant Via Lactea 1 Sur 1339, local 10. Restaurant
seving a range of meat and fish dishes and an excellent
selection of ice cream. Tables fill up in the evenings. Mains
CH$3500-CH$7000.

ACCOMMODATION
Hostal Canadá Av Libertad 269 T 42 2234515. A
welcoming hoste ss presides over spotless rooms with
cable TV. Doubles CH$16,000
Residencial 18 18 de Sept 213 T 42 2211102. Family-run
hotel with friendly owners offering slightly tatt y but clean
rooms with a simple breakfast included. Doubles CH$20,000

EATING
Arcoiris Roble 525. Excellent vegetarian restaurant
specializing in delicious juices, crêpes and salads. Veggie
burger CH$2500.
Mercado Municipal Bordered by Roble, Riquelme, Prat
and 5 de Abril. Inexpensive, traditional Chilean dishes,
such as pastel de choclo and completos , are served at the
multitude of cocinerías here. Longaniza y pure (Chilean
bangers and mash) CH$2500.

CHILLÁN
CHILLÁN lies 150km south of Talca in
the middle of the green Itata Valley .
A nondescript town rebuilt time and
time again after earthquake damage and
Mapuche attacks, Chillán is famous as
the birthplace of Chile's national hero
and founding father, Bernardo
O'Higgins. It also boasts an excellent
market, overflowing with an abundance
of fresh produce and authentic Mapuche
handicrafts. The centre of town is the
Plaza Bernardo O'Higgins , featuring a
towering 36m cross commemorating the
thirty thousand victims of the 1939
earthquake, which largely destroyed the
city. Escuela Mexico , a school built with
Mexico's donations in the wake of the
earthquake, draws visitors with its
frescoes, painted by the famous Mexican
muralists David Alfaro Siqueiros and
Xavier Guerrero. They depict famous
figures from Latin American history.

4

AROUND CHILLÁN
One of the biggest attractions of the area is
the hot-springs resort of Termas de Chillán
( T 42 2434200, W termaschillan.cl), which
with 29 runs, most of intermediate level,
becomes a bona fide ski resort in the
winter. There is also ample off-piste terrain,
ideal for snowboarders , who are not
allowed on some of the resort's runs.
During the summer, in the valley
overlooked by the looming Volcán Chillán
(3212m), hiking, horseriding and downhill
biking are all popular activities.

ARRIVAL AND DEPARTURE
By bus Regular Rem Bus ( T 42 2229377) services go to
nearby Valle Las Trancas between 6.50am and 7.20pm
from Chillán's rural bus terminal; the last bus departs
Las Trancas at 7pm.

ARRIVAL AND INFORMATION
By bus Most long-distance buses arrive at the Terminal
María Teresa at Av O'Higgins 10 ( T 42 2272151), while
the regional firm Linea Azul operates its own terminal
at Constitución 1 ( T 42 2203800). Buses from local
destinations, such as the Valle Las Trancas, arrive at the
rural bus terminal at the market.
Destinations Concepción (8 daily; 1hr 30min); Curicó (every
30min; 2hr); Santiago (every 50min; 6hr); Talca (8 daily; 3hr).
By train The station is at Av Brasil s/n ( T 600 5855000).
Trains run six times a day between Santiago and Chillán,
stopping at several Central Valley towns.

ACCOMMODATION AND EATING
The majority of holidaymakers stay at the cheaper
lodgings in Valle Las Trancas, which offers a scattering of
hospedajes , campsites and restaurants, surrounded by
immense mountains.
Chill'In Km72.5, Valle Las Trancas T 42 2247075. Brand-new
place with its own pizzeria, attractive dorms and Skype-
equipped free internet. Dorms CH$9000 , doubles CH$20,000