San Felipe

Encircled by mountains, at an altitude of 630 meters, San Felipe El Real is the political and commercial center of a valley that exports grapes and wine thanks to its favorable microclimate. Founded in 1740 by José Manso de Velasco, later to be viceroy of Peru, its core retains a colonial ambience; in addition to its attractive Plaza de Armas, several smaller plazuelas supply greenery and open space to the otherwise densely built downtown.

Getting There

San Felipe’s Terminal de Buses is on Avenida Yungay between Freire and San Martín. There are frequent buses to Santiago, and along Ruta 60 west to Viña del Mar [1] and east toward Los Andes and the Argentine border.