Ahumada Boulevard (Paseo Ahumada)

The basics

Ahumada Boulevard is the busiest of downtown Santiago's pedestrian streets, and it's as great a spot for people watching as it is for shopping. It's a safe and easy place to explore independently, and its central location makes the boulevard hard to miss. Due to its location, many history and shopping tours of the Chilean capital include a stroll down the street.

Things to know before you go

• Wear comfortable shoes and sunscreen before heading out on your stroll.

• Ahumada Boulevard is mostly paved with flat tiles, and many stores have step-free entrances.

• Note that while there are a lot of street vendors on Ahumada Boulevard, haggling is not the norm in Chile and prices are often posted.

How to get there

Ahumada Boulevard is located in the heart of downtown Santiago, a couple of blocks east of the Plaza de la Constitución. If you're coming by metro, you can get off at Estación Universidad de Chile and head north (lines 1 and 3), or take line 5 to Bellas Artes and walk toward the south side of Plaza de Armas. The walk takes less than 10 minutes.

When to get there

If you want to see Ahumada Boulevard at its liveliest, come on a Saturday or Sunday, when the thoroughfare gets busy with shoppers. Weekdays around lunchtime can also get busy with the office worker crowd. The area can stay lively well into the evening, particularly when the weather's nice.

Mote con huesillo

Within minutes of setting foot on Ahumada Boulevard, you’re likely to see vendors selling mote con huesillo, Chile's ubiquitous non-alcoholic drink. This sweet beverage is made by stewing dried peaches in cinnamon-sugar water. It’s served cold and with husked or pearled wheat kernels at the bottom, which you can fish out with a spoon and eat once you’ve finished your drink.