The park's creation was inspired by the Bois de Boulogne in Paris.
The Funicular railway, opened in 1925, is designated as a National Monument of Chile.
The park houses the 'Jardín Japonés,' a traditional Japanese garden gifted by the Japanese Chamber of Commerce in 1978.
The sanctuary at the summit was visited by Pope John Paul II in 1987, who held a mass there.
The Teleférico system was modernized in 2016 with 46 new cabins, replacing the original 1980s infrastructure.
The park contains the 'Casa de la Cultura Anahuac,' an architectural site designed for cultural events.
It is home to the Bosque Santiago, an educational center focused on the native flora of the Mediterranean climate zone.
Parque Metropolitano de Santiago, locally known as Parquemet, is the largest urban park in Latin America, spanning over 700 hectares across the San Cristóbal Hill. It functions as a massive green lung for the city, incorporating the National Zoo of Chile, the Teleférico (cable car) system, and the Funicular railway. The park features the Sanctuary of the Immaculate Conception at its summit, marked by a 14-meter tall statue of the Virgin Mary. Visitors can explore various botanical gardens, the Tupahue swimming pool, and extensive biking and hiking trails. The terrain ranges from manicured landscapes near the entrance to rugged forest paths higher up the slopes. It is a vital center for outdoor recreation, hosting millions of visitors annually. Several distinct access points connect the hillside facilities to the neighboring districts of Recoleta, Providencia, and Vitacura. The park is managed by an autonomous public service under the Ministry of Housing and Urbanism.
The terrace at the base of the Virgin Mary statue for a panoramic view of the Santiago skyline against the Andes mountains.
Bring a refillable water bottle and sunscreen, as the higher sections offer minimal shade.
Use the cable car for the ascent to save energy for walking the various summit trails.
Check the park's official map beforehand to coordinate movement between the Zoo, Funicular, and Teleférico stations.
Attempting to traverse the entire park on foot without a map; the steep incline is more strenuous than it appears.
The Funicular and Teleférico systems typically undergo scheduled maintenance on certain Mondays.
No littering, stay on designated trails to protect flora, and keep pets on a leash.
