Santiago bike tour: Parks, politics and local tips
Pedal through Santiago's central parks with a guide who actually lives here.
A three-hour afternoon bike tour of Santiago's main sights, led by a bilingual resident guide through Forestal Park, Plaza Italia and the Lastarria neighborhood, with stops at La Moneda Palace and the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center. The tour departs from the Recoleta office, includes a bicycle, helmet, water and handcrafted ice-cream, and keeps groups small so the guide can share insider knowledge about the city's recent history and local quirks.
Step-by-step itinerary
Explore Santiago's main sights by bike
- Depart from office in Recoleta
- Begin bike tour through main sites
- Visit Forestal Park and learn about local dogs
- Explore Plaza Italia (Plaza Baquedano)
- Stop at La Moneda Presidential Palace
- Listen at Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center
- Discover the lively Lastarria neighborhood
- End tour at office in Recoleta
- Forestal Park 20m
- Barrio Lastarria 20m
- La Moneda Palace 30m
What’s included
- Bicycle and helmet.
- bottled water.
- handcrafted ice-cream or coffee and espresso.
- bilingual guide for three hours.
- all stops at Forestal Park, La Moneda Palace, the Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center and Barrio Lastarria.
Times
- Every day 14:30
Before you book
Operated by La Bicicleta Verde Green Bike Tour Company
Prices and times updated yesterday
Traveler reviews
The experience
The tour starts in Recoleta and moves through the city on two wheels, which means you cover more ground than walking and see the parks the way locals do. Forestal Park is where much of the afternoon unfolds. The guide explains why the neighborhood loves it and points out the quiltros (Chilean street dogs) that have claimed it as home. You'll roll through to Plaza Italia, which locals still call by its official name, Plaza Baquedano, and learn why it matters to the city's layout and culture.
Two stops anchor the history part of the ride. At La Moneda Palace, the Presidential Palace, you sit outside with the group while the guide talks through the military coup and what it means to Santiago today, not from a textbook, but from someone who lives with that history. The Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center is the other landmark, where the guide unpacks the recent past that still shapes how people here think and move through the city.
The tour ends in Barrio Lastarria, the neighborhood full of bars and restaurants where you can grab a drink after if you want to keep the afternoon going. Before that, there's handcrafted ice-cream in various flavors, or coffee and espresso if you'd rather have that. The guide speaks both English and Spanish, so the group works in both languages. Helmets are mandatory by Chilean law and included. Water is too.
Is this one for you?The tour starts in Recoleta and you ride from there, so if you're staying elsewhere in Santiago or don't have a car, you can reach the office by public transport and spend the afternoon on a bike instead of figuring out how to navigate the city yourself. The small group size and bilingual guide mean you get the insider view without the usual tour-bus feeling.
Compare the 6 alternatives
Top questions
What languages is the tour guided in?
Live guide in English and Spanish.
Can children come?
Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.
What's the actual route like, how much pedaling is there?
The tour covers Santiago's main sights over three hours, moving through Forestal Park and the central neighborhoods at a pace that suits all fitness levels. You're on a bike the whole time, but the stops at La Moneda, the cultural center and Lastarria break up the riding, so it's not continuous pedaling.
Why does the guide keep talking about dogs in the park?
Forestal Park is home to many quiltros, the Chilean term for street dogs, and they're a real part of how locals experience the space. The guide explains why the neighborhood is so dog-friendly and what that says about Santiago itself.
Is this tour about the military coup and recent history?
The tour touches on Chile's recent history, especially at La Moneda Palace where the 1973 military coup took place. The guide, who is a Santiago resident, explains why those events still matter to how the city works today, but it's woven into the sights rather than a history lecture.
Can I bring my own bike, or do I have to use theirs?
Bicycles are included in the tour, so you ride one provided by the operator. Helmets are mandatory by Chilean law and also included.
Does the tour pick me up from my hotel?
The tour departs from the office in Recoleta, so you'll need to get there on your own. Public transportation options are available nearby if you don't have a car.
Santiago bike tour: Parks, politics and local tips
3h · EN · ES
from US$ 43.74 per person
Next, you choose your date and number of travelers and see the final price.