The majority of foreigners and many Chilenos engaged in business in
Valparaiso find relief from the disagreeable features of life in the
port by living in Viña del Mar, a beautiful residence suburb situated
on the opposite side of the bay, six miles distant, and connected with
the city by steam and electric railways.
Viña del Mar, which includes the stations of Mira Mar and Chorrillos,
is the popular pleasure and seaside resort of Chile. It is attractively
situated in a verdant valley, surrounded by rugged hills, has a fine
bathing beach, a number of large hotels, many beautiful residences
and cottages, and during the summer season, December to March, it is
thronged with visitors from Santiago and other interior cities, who
go annually to that favorite resort for the baths and the social
pleasures incident to a season at Viña. Among the attractive features
of the resort are a fine race course, where are held two race meetings
a year, polo, cricket, football, tennis, golf, etc.