Latest from Cheryl Haynes
20 Articles
5 Hidden Gems in Las Condes, Chile
In my first month or so in the metropolitan region of Santiago, Chile, I only knew Las Condes as the modernized, polished comuna, home to the financial district
Is the Costanera Center Worth Visiting in Santiago?
It’s hard not to spot the Costanera Center in Santiago, Chile. It’s massive. So tall, in fact, that its Gran Torre is the tallest building in all of South Ameri
Cairo, Egypt: Museums, Mosques, & Palaces
Less than 24 hours had passed since I arrived in Egypt, and I was already in complete awe of the historical scale of this incredible land. If you haven’t alread
Cerro El Plomo: The Journey to Base Camp (Pt. 1)
As soon as I arrived in Santiago, Chile, I began searching for nearby mountains that I could climb. And it didn’t take long to learn about Cerro Plomo. This mou
A Day Trip to the Chilean Coast: Reñaca & Viña del Mar
When it’s summertime in Santiago, Chile, a weekend beach trip is a must. And what better way to have a no-fuss weekend escape than a spontaneous day trip? Just
Turning Back on Cerro El Plomo: A Summit Attempt (Pt. 2)
Our summit attempt started practically in the middle of the night. In mountaineering, it’s called an alpine start; heading out in the early morning hours gives
Bierfest Santiago: Craft Beer, Live Music, & Summer Vibes
Clinking our plastic Bierfest beer mugs, my friend and I take our first sip of refreshing, cold beer as the Santiago sun beats down on our shoulders. This summe
On the Carretera Austral: Puerto Montt to Hornopirén, Chile
In the middle of the festive season of Fiestas Patrias, Chile’s Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 18th, my brother joins me in Santiago all the
Sidra Solidaria: Fundraising for the Chilean Wildfires
Last weekend in Santiago, Chile, I was invited by a dear friend to what I thought was a little pop-up event where there’d be homemade cider for sale. Little did
Parque Bicentenario: A Nature Escape Within Santiago, Chile
Tucked away along the Mapocho River, in the wealthy district of Vitacura, lies a tranquil green space. Parque Bicentenario is a common destination for locals wh
Plaza de Mulas: Inside Aconcagua’s High-Altitude Base Camp
At 4,370m (14,337 ft), Plaza de Mulas is more than just a camp on Aconcagua, the mountain in Argentina known as the “Rooftop of the Americas.” It’s a temporary
A Hidden Gem Near Santiago, Chile: Hiking Cerro Abanico
The mountains surrounding Santiago, Chile, are a hiker’s paradise. I’ve been hiking multiple times a month for over a year now, and it baffles me that there are
Vineyards & Valleys: Adventures in Mendoza, Argentina
Ready to find out why I keep coming back to Mendoza? Hint: It’s not just wine country. Mendoza, Argentina, is a beautiful city just east of the Andes mountains.
What Is Sanhattan? Exploring Santiago’s Modern Core
If you go to Santiago but you only go to “Santiago Centro,” where popular sights like Plaza de Armas and Palacio La Moneda are, you might be shocked, like I was
A Tourist’s Guide to Santiago’s Distinct Neighborhoods
When I first arrived in Santiago, Chile, I felt entirely overwhelmed by the size and sprawl of the metropolitan region. I’d decided to stay near the city center
High Camp in the Andes: Attempting Volcán San José
Our group of two guides, myself, and two other clients had just spent the day doing the approach trek toward the summit of Volcán San José. After plenty of ups
Into the Andes: Approaching Volcán San José
The end of February in Chile marks the final days of the summer season, and for a mountaineer like me, it feels like a rush to squeeze in one more high-altitude
How to Spend a Perfect Summer Weekend in Santiago, Chile
Summers in Santiago run from December through February, and they are hot, hot, hot! But if you don’t mind a little sweat, you can venture out and have yourself
Lollapalooza Chile in Santiago: My Festival Experience
Being from the U.S., I always knew about the Lollapalooza musical festival that happens every year in Chicago. But I didn’t realize there was also a Lollapalooz
Is Chile Safe? What Travelers Need to Know About Crime & Safety
I’m not normally one to pay much attention to a country's safety ratings before venturing out. And when I arrived in Chile, I hadn’t done much research about cr