If you’re thinking of crossing the mountains to go shopping, the question is no longer whether it’s worth it. The answer is yes, and by a long way. The real question is how to organise it so you get the most out of every peso — and every hour.
In this guide, we’ll tell you which products have the biggest price differences, which are the best shopping centres in Santiago, the best ways to pay in 2026, and why staying at the Rugendas Hotel Boutique in the El Golf neighbourhood puts you just a stone’s throw from everything you need.
How much can you save by shopping in Santiago?
The price difference between Chile and Argentina remains significant in 2026. Depending on the product category, goods can be between 30% and 60% cheaper. Some specific examples cited in the Argentine media:
The North Face jacket: USD 170 in Santiago vs. over USD 550 in Argentina
Adidas trainers: from USD 45 in Chile vs. over USD 90 in Argentina
Levi’s jeans: approx. USD 40 in Chile vs. over USD 130 in Argentina
Acer 512GB laptop: USD 680 in Chile vs. over USD 1,100 in Argentina
Designer T-shirt: from USD 8 in Chile vs. USD 25 in Argentina
Prices are indicative and subject to change as of 2026. Rates may vary depending on the season and availability.
Why is that? Chile has free trade agreements with the United States, Mexico, Japan, China and other Pacific Rim countries, which allows international products to enter the country at very low tariffs. This has a direct impact on the retail price.
What to buy
Technology and electronics
Laptops, mobile phones, headphones, video game consoles and accessories. These are among the categories with the widest price gap. Brands such as Apple, Samsung and Sony have a direct presence in shopping centres, with prices significantly lower than in Argentina.
Sportswear and footwear
H&M, Zara, Decathlon, Nike, Adidas, New Balance, Vans. They all have shops in Santiago, with prices that are often double or triple what they cost in Argentina. Bring an extra suitcase — I’m not exaggerating.
Winter and outdoor clothing
Jackets, rucksacks, mountaineering gear. The North Face, Columbia, Patagonia. For those of you who are also going skiing, now is the perfect time to update your kit before heading up into the mountains.
Perfumes and cosmetics
Mid-range and high-end products that can cost twice as much in Argentina. Perfumes, skincare and make-up from international brands.
Household goods
IKEA has a presence in Chile (Parque Arauco Oriente) and is a favourite destination for Argentinians thanks to its design and prices. Air fryers, bed linen, tableware and home décor are particularly popular categories.
The best shopping centres in Santiago
Cenco Costanera (Costanera Centre) — The largest in Latin America
The Cenco Costanera, also known as Costanera Center, located in the Providencia and Las Condes area, is the largest shopping centre in South America. Four floors featuring international brands, tech shops, dining options and the tallest skyscraper in South America, complete with its Sky Costanera viewing platform. If you only have time for one shopping centre, this is the one to visit.
Distance from Rugendas Hotel Boutique: Between 10 and 15 minutes' walk or a 2-minute drive (Uber, taxi or private hire)
MUT — Tobalaba Urban Market
Right next to the hotel and with a unique identity. This space isn’t a traditional shopping centre, but a place where gastronomy, design and local produce come together. Perfect for lunch whilst you’re out shopping, or for picking up a souvenir with a distinctly Chilean flavour. Don’t forget to visit the third floor, where you’ll find the Market Garden. One of the project’s most important spaces, it will be integrated into MUT and the city, fostering connections between residents, visitors and those who work in the buildings.
Distance from Rugendas Hotel Boutique: Between 10 and 15 minutes' walk or a 2-minute drive (Uber, taxi or other transport of your choice).
Parque Arauco and Parque Arauco Oriente (formerly Open Kennedy) — For luxury brands and much more
Parque Arauco is one of the largest shopping centres in Santiago, offering a wide range of shops, a cinema, an amusement arcade and a medical centre, as well as a Luxury District at the top of the boulevard, where you’ll find brands such as Louis Vuitton, Gucci, Tiffany, Dolce & Gabbana and Carolina Herrera. This area also features a wide variety of restaurants and international fashion.
Open Kennedy, also known as Parque Arauco Oriente from April 2025, is located opposite Parque Arauco. It is a slightly smaller shopping centre featuring shops such as Ikea, H&M Home and Sodimac, ideal for those looking for homewares, home décor and furniture. This centre is connected to Parque Arauco via an underground passage, but you can also reach it directly by crossing the street or via one of its entrances on Kennedy or Cerro Colorado streets.
Distance from Rugendas Hotel Boutique: 10 minutes by car.
Outlets — For those looking for the best price
If price is your priority, outlet stores are the best option; they’re a bit further out, but they offer a wide range of products:
Arauco Premium Outlet Buenaventura (Quilicura): Nike, Adidas, Columbia and The North Face, with discounts of up to 70% on last season’s stock.
Easton Outlet Mall (Quilicura): more than 70 discount stores.
La Florida Outlet Centre: south of the capital, quieter and with a good selection.
Distance from Rugendas Hotel Boutique: +40 minutes by car.
The best way to pay in 2026
This is a key point and can make the difference between a profitable trip and one that isn’t quite so profitable.
The best option: Debit from a US dollar bank account. You get the best exchange rate and avoid additional taxes. Many Argentine banks now allow you to use US dollar accounts for overseas spending.
Second option: international credit card, with the statement paid in dollars. No additional taxes and the peace of mind that comes with not having to handle cash.
Things to avoid: exchanging Argentine pesos in Argentina to take them to Chile, or paying by debit from an account held in Argentine pesos. The resulting exchange rate is unfavourable and tax deductions may be applied, making the transaction more expensive.
Take some cash in US dollars with you for emergencies or for shopping at markets and street fairs. And check with your bank that your card is enabled for use abroad before you travel.
Why staying at Rugendas Boutique Hotel makes all the difference
Location is everything when it comes to a shopping trip. There’s no point wasting hours travelling when you could be browsing the shops.
Rugendas Hotel Boutique It is located at Versalles 3085, in the El Golf neighbourhood of Las Condes — the hub of Santiago’s best shopping destinations. Just a few metres from El Golf Metro station, with direct access to Costanera Norte and just a few minutes’ walk from all the main shopping centres.
What makes the difference:
- Boutique design with a distinctive identity · Rooms designed to make you feel at home
- Personalised service · a team that remembers your name and knows your preferences
- Rugendas Restaurant in the same building · Signature cuisine at a discounted rate for guests, perfect for dinner after a busy day’s shopping
- Buffet breakfast included · to start the day full of energy before heading out to explore
- Parking included · if you decide to hire a car to get to the outlet stores
Are you travelling with your family, in a group, or for a longer stay?
If your trip includes more people or more days, Time Hotel & Apartments — part of the same hotel group — offers fully equipped apartments in the El Golf neighbourhood.
A fully equipped kitchen for storing and organising your shopping, a spacious living room, several bedrooms and everything you need to feel at home after a day spent carrying heavy bags. Also ideal for longer stays that combine shopping, meetings or sightseeing.
Discover the range of flats available at www.time.cl
The perfect plan: two days of shopping from El Golf
Day 1
Tomorrow: Buffet breakfast at Rugendas Restaurant. Make the most of the day and head out to explore the neighbourhood. You could walk to the Costanera and then pop over to the MUT – they’re less than five minutes apart.
Lunch and afternoon: Head to MUT and explore the park on the third floor; you can lose yourself among the shops and try out the restaurants on the lower floors (there’s something for everyone)
Evening: Dine at Rugendas Restaurant and enjoy an exclusive 20% discount for guests; try one of the classic sours and savour the atmosphere where Chilean and international cuisine come together to create unique flavours.
Day 2
Tomorrow: Parque Arauco and Parque Arauco Oriente (formerly Open Kennedy) if you’re looking for luxury shopping or IKEA. Browse the shops and discover Parque Araucano and Parque Juan Pablo II; both parks are next to Parque Araucano and feature a food court with a range of restaurants.
Afternoon: a trip to the Quilicura outlets, budget permitting. To get there, you’ll need to take an Uber-style ride-hailing service or hire a car.
Evening: Discover Isidora Goyenechea, a culinary hotspot near the Rugendas Hotel Boutique, where you’ll find places such as Plaza Perú and its range of dining options. Be amazed by the views from Cenco Costanera at night.
Before crossing the mountains: what you need to know
Please bring a valid passport or national identity card. You may cross the border using a Chilean or Argentine national identity card for tourism purposes.
Argentinians may bring in goods worth up to USD 500 without declaring them if they arrive by land. Above that amount, they must be declared at customs.
Check the conditions at the mountain pass before setting off — in winter, some passes may be closed or subject to restrictions due to snow.
Book your accommodation in advance, especially during the high season (July) and long weekends. Demand in El Golf is high at these times.
Your shopping trip starts here
Santiago has everything you’re looking for, at prices that Argentina simply can’t match right now. And El Golf is the perfect place to start: well-located, well-connected, and with a hotel that makes you feel right at home after a day of lugging your bags around.
Book your stay HERE o escribinos y cotizá tu viaje reservas@time.cl