It may take away from the experience of travel, but knowing someone in a foreign city, in a country you have never been to, will save you considerable time, energy, and money.
Do not give in to the horde of taxi-drivers stacked atop one another, yelling, “best price,” while waving dilapidated signs of their services as you pass the last inspection point into the stagnant air of Santiago. It may seem like a good idea in your travel-bent mind, hunched over with your backpack, board bag and suitcase, but these birds of prey have no moral compass when it comes to overcharging gringos who have Lonely Planet books hanging out of their back pockets and exhaustion on their faces. Find a bus with a set price, or, as was my case, have a friend go there before you, have him find a girlfriend, and have her pick you up…. Details