Why invest in the Central Region of Chile?

We live and work in the Central Region of Chile, based in Valparaiso. We focus on real estate in the Quinta (Fifth) Region, Sexta (Sixth) Region and parts of the Séptima (Seventh) Region. We believe that this area of the country offers both the best lifestyle and the best investment opportunities. 

Chile is a very centralised country. Most bureaucratic decisions go through the capital city, Santiago. In the Central Region, you’re never more than two to three hours’ drive from the Capital. 

Santiago itself is a bustling, pulsing city. It is home to almost one third of the population of Chile. It is not to everyone’s tastes but it has Chile’s only major international airport. It also houses the country’s best museums, theatres, bars and restaurants. It makes sense to be close to the economic, bureaucratic and cultural heart of the country. 

Not only this, but the capital city also offers some excellent investment opportunities. Rental returns on apartments range from 6-9% and returns on commercial office space can reach as high as 12-14%. Santiago is also home to some beautiful architecture and lovely old houses that are perfect for renovating.

If you’re not the big city type then just a one and a half hour drive away is Valparaiso, one of South America’s most original and spectacular cities. Valparaiso’s heyday was during the 1800s, when it was one of the continent’s richest cities. It has been in decline since the opening of the Panama Canal in 1914 but is currently undergoing major changes and rapid gentrification. Chileans have finally woken up to what they have on their doorstep: a potential tourism goldmine and, quite simply, a stunningly beautiful city. Valparaiso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. 

New boutique hotels are springing up and some of Chile’s best and most innovative restaurants are now to be found in Valpo, as the city is commonly known. Old mansions are being converted into loft apartments and investment is pouring into the city. People from Santiago are starting to see Valparaiso as a holiday destination and also an investment opportunity, having previously given up on the city. Foreigners are also moving to and investing in Valparaiso. It’s easy to understand why: The city is an incredible, multicolour jumble of Victorian mansions and 19th century architecture. Stunning views of the Pacific Ocean are available at almost every turn and the potential is obvious. 

Despite the changes, Valparaiso remains a living, breathing port city of which its 250,000 inhabitants are fiercely proud. It has a small town atmosphere but with excellent amenities. 

A 15 minute drive up the coast is Viña del Mar. Viña is Valparaiso´s smarter, more grown up sister city. It is home to high class restaurants, bars, clubs, a huge casino and a large shopping mall. Viña is a modern, high rise seaside city that becomes packed during the summer holidays (January and February) but is relaxed and sleepy outside of those months, despite being home to almost 300,000 people. 

Heading further north up the coast there are many small towns and villages. There are many gated community and apartment block projects currently underway in this area. There is also a great deal of raw land still for sale. 

The first really desirable beach town north of Viña (including its extensions, Reñaca and Con Con) is Maitencillo, about an hour’s drive away. Maitencillo is home to a stunning beach and incredible views. In the summer many chefs and bar owners from Santiago move to the town and the place fills up. Summer has a young and fun energy in Maitencillo. Outside of the summer months, the town is quiet, peaceful and spectacularly pretty. 

A little further north of Maitencillo are the elite towns of Cachagua and Zapallar. Zapallar is second home to Chile’s wealthiest families. Mansions overlooking the bay cost in excess of a million dollars. Cachagua is not quite as high class as Zapallar but property prices are still towards the top end of the market. The beaches on this part of the coast are beautiful and the seafood incredible. 
Chile’s booming middle class aspires to own property in Viña, Maitencillo and north as far as Papudo. 

South of Valparaiso has traditionally seen less investment but this is rapidly changing. There are many small towns and fishing villages that are now receiving substantial investment and the price of raw land is considerably cheaper than to the north of Valparaiso. Middle class families are now starting to see this part of the coast as a good long term investment as it is within weekend driving distance of Santiago and the coastline is simply spectacular. 

Agricultural Property

The Central Region of Chile is famous for being the hub of Chile’s huge fruit and wine industry. This part of the country is blessed with fertile soils and a well-managed irrigation network. Avocados, cherries, apples, pears, grapes, plums, citrus fruits and more are all commercially grown in the area.

Chile’s world famous and award winning vineyards are mainly based in either the Casablanca or Colchagua Valleys. In 2005, the Colchagua Valley was named as the world’s finest area for winemaking.

Land values are half or less of those in the USA or Europe. This is something that the major foreign vineyards understand and they are beginning to buy up large quantities of land to expand their operations. There are also many smaller, boutique wineries springing up and producing some excellent wines.

General Information

In the Central Region there are dozens of activities in which you can participate. The area is home to Chile’s best sporting facilities. You can play golf, football, rugby, tennis and more. You can go hiking in the mountains or rafting down the rivers. Mountaineering and climbing are popular pastimes and Portillo and Valle Nevado, two of South America’s premier ski resorts, are just a short drive away. 

The Central Region also has the best climate. It is described as “Mediterranean”. From November to April there is virtually no rain and the daytime temperature averages around 27C with very little humidity. At night, the temperature drops to around 14C. In Autumn, the temperature starts to fall and the winter months of June and July are chilly and damp. Temperatures start to rise again August. 

This area of the country is simply perfect for everyone. It has some of the Chile’s finest private international schools where your children can study for internationally recognised exams. It offers a change of pace and lifestyle for those wishing to retire or experience another culture within a safe and friendly environment and there are many business and investment opportunities. 

• Proximity to Santiago and Santiago airport
• UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso
• Great food
• Incredible views over the Pacific Ocean
• Incredible views of the Andes
• Huge range of activities
• Best weather in Chile
• Excellent schooling
• Excellent value real estate
• Beautiful architecture
• Huge agricultural potential

It is for the reasons outlined above that we made the move to Chile from Buenos Aires. We hope we can assist you should you wish to do the same or if you are simply looking to make a great investment.