Shopping Centers--Santiago is home to two American-style megamalls: Parque Arauco at Av. Kennedy 5413, open Monday through Saturday from 10am to 9pm, Sunday and holidays from 11am to 9pm; and Alto Las Condes at Av. Kennedy 9001, open Monday through Sunday from 10am to 10pm. Both offer hundreds of national brands and well-known international chains, junk-food courts, and multiscreen theaters (Parque Arauco is closer to Providencia). The best way to get to Parque Arauco is by cab (about $4-$5 from Providencia) or take the Metro to Escuela Militar and take a blue "Metro Bus" that will drop you off at the door. Note that weekends are hectic and jam-packed with shoppers.

Throughout Santiago, stores are typically clustered together in galerías, labyrinthine mini-malls with dozens of independent shops; you'll find them virtually everywhere. A good example is the Mall Panorámico at Avenida Ricardo Lyon and Avenida 11 de Septiembre, with 130 shops and live music on weekends. If you need to find clothing or shoes, you'll find lots of options around Pedro de Valdivia and Providencia and 11 de Septiembre avenues, or just hit the mall. Several blocks away on General Holley, Suecia, and Bucarest streets you'll find more expensive, upscale clothing boutiques. Chile's version of Rodeo Drive is Alonso de Córdova in the Vitacura Neighborhood.