Beyond the Tourist Traps: Truly Underrated Travel Experiences

16. Valparaíso, Chile: Color, Chaos, and Creativity

Valparaíso is a kaleidoscope carved into cliffs, where street art sprawls across staircases and every building wears a riot of color. This bohemian port city, once beloved by Pablo Neruda, is chaotic in the most compelling way—old funiculars rattle up hills, sea winds carry poetry, and impromptu music echoes through alleys. Explore its cerros (hills), sip wine on graffiti-lined rooftops, and get gloriously lost. Unlike polished capital cities, Valparaíso is imperfect, layered, and alive. It’s a haven for artists, dreamers, and travelers who prefer their beauty unscripted. Come here if you want to be surprised—and maybe a little transformed.