ALVARO

The History & Street Art Enthusiast

  • I live in Santiago
  • I speak English, Español
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 5 hours

Hi there! Nice to meet you

ALVARO

Hello and welcome!

Thank you for taking the time to explore my profile and for your interest in discovering the incredible city of Santiago.

My name is Álvaro — though most of my guests call me Alvy (much easier to pronounce!).

My journey as a tour guide is deeply rooted in both my academic and personal background. I hold a degree in Communications and Journalism, along with a postgraduate diploma in Tourism Management and Sustainability. This combination has allowed me to create meaningful connections with travelers and design experiences that are insightful, engaging, and unforgettable.

Becoming a guide felt like a natural path. I’ve always believed that communication is one of the most powerful ways to bridge cultures and build understanding. Sharing Chile’s rich history, vibrant culture, and breathtaking landscapes with visitors from around the world is not just my profession — it’s my passion.

In my 20s, I spent seven years living, working, and traveling abroad across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Those adventures broadened my worldview and deepened my appreciation for Chile. When I returned home, I knew I wanted to share the beauty and complexity of my country with international guests.

For over a decade, I’ve worked in hospitality and tourism — including in Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury retreats — and I’ve had the pleasure of guiding more than 30,000 travelers throughout Chile and South America. I’m proud to say I’ve never lost a single one!

Outside of guiding, I have a deep love for literature, the performing arts, photography, and nature. I bring that same energy and curiosity to my tours, blending cultural insights with personal stories and a healthy dose of humor — occasionally dark, but always sincere!

What makes me different as a host? I offer much more than a standard itinerary. With insider knowledge of Chile’s hidden corners, local life, and diverse perspectives — from politics and architecture to social dynamics and economic trends — I tailor every tour to your interests, making each journey feel personal and unique.

I look forward to welcoming you to Chile and sharing with you everything this extraordinary country has to offer.

Warm regards,

Álvaro (Alvy)

  • I live in Santiago
  • I speak English, Español
  • Verified Local host
  • Response time less than 5 hours

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Reviews

Susan
18 July 2025
Alvaro was the perfect guide for our tour of Santiago. He was knowledgeable, interesting, kind and fun. The tour was well planned and coordinated, showing us Santiago highlights which are quite spread out. When we would finish walking in an area, his driver would be right there to take us to the next . We saw a lot, learned a lot and had fun — a perfect tour!Fabulous Santiago Tour
Jesse
16 July 2025
Alvaro was a fantastic guide. I would highly recommend him. He gave us a great overview of the city and provided a lot of cultural and historical context. And he speaks English very well. You will not be disappointed.A great overview of the Santiago City
Arlene
7 July 2025
Alvie and driver picked us up at the hotel exactly as scheduled. He shaped our tour to fit our interests and to satisfy our curiosity about Santiago. He provided depth and insight into a country that my friend and I knew little about. And, he was careful to ensure our safety and security as we toured all parts of the city. I liked the personal touch, the detailed information and the comprehensive experience. From the funicular and cable car to the governmental center, Alvie ensured that we had a positive experience.Worthwhile few hours with an expert!
Lennart
3 July 2025
Great tour with Álvaro. We had so much fun, and he showed us many interesting places in Santiago. A big recommendation for anyone who is new here and wants to learn something about this very interesting place. Thanks for the nice afternoon, Alvi!Great tour with Álvaro
Jenniffer
20 June 2025
Amazing day with Alvaro! Could not have asked for a better guide to show me the city’s rich history and beautiful architecture. Everyone should take this tour!Amazing day with Alvaro!
Elizabeth
22 May 2025
Alvaro was great! Wonderful first experience in Santiago that gave us a taste for the area.Wonderful first experience in Santiago
Judson
15 April 2025
Alvaro was wonderful. From fast and frequent communication before our arrival in Santiago to being 15 minutes early to pick us up at our hotel, fantastic. The tour itself was great, Alvaro had tailored it to fit out walking limitations and made sure not to rush. He is a walking encyclopedia on Chile and Santiago. Our tour was just what we wanted, an overview of the city and a gondola ride for the views from up there. A real added plus was our driver, Christopher. He drove the van, safely, comfortably, while Alvaro was free to provide running commentary, answer questions and devote all of his attention to us. This is real value added. Huge thanks to both of them for making our Santiago experience memorable. Alvaro is THE GUIDE to book.Santiago: An memorable experience
Carol
13 April 2025
Alvaro was a perfect guide. His English is excellent and his scope of history and knowledge is as well. He focused on what we wanted to hear (history, recent developments) and gave us a very good pace to the tour. He adjusted our timeframe and activity as we wished. We highly recommend Alvaro to anyone who wants to guide to Santiago or beyond.Alvaro was a perfect guide
John
10 April 2025
Alvaro did a great job weaving together the history, architecture, neighborhoods and politics which contributed to Santiago today. My wife and I finished the tour feeling like we had a master class on Santiago!A master class on Santiago!
Robert
10 April 2025
Alvaro has insightful knowledge of the history and culture of Santiago, Chile, and the entire South American region from the indigenous peoples up to the modern day political and economic structure. He was courteous, congenial, and completely safety oriented. We thoroughly enjoyed our tour and highly recommend it.Alvaro has insightful knowledge of the history and culture of Santiago

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