Meet the Couple Behind
Chillin' in Chile
About Us
We met in 2020 while studying international studies in Spain during COVID. Between curfews, masks, and navigating a strange time abroad, we became close fast and discovered that we travel surprisingly well together. Since then, we’ve visited more than 10 countries and built a shared love for exploring new places and cultures.
After two very cozy years in San Francisco, we were craving something spontaneous and just chaotic enough to keep life interesting. An opportunity led us to Chile, so we sold everything, said goodbye to our beautiful Victorian rooftop apartment, packed our cat Michelada, and headed to Santiago.
Since landing in late 2024, we’ve wandered through Argentina, Uruguay, Brazil, and Peru, collecting stories, eating our way across borders, and managing the occasional travel disaster that only becomes funny once it’s over.
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The Humans (and Cat)
Marily
A Bay Area native and daughter of Mexican immigrants, she has always seen travel as both a privilege and a reminder of how big the world really is. Her work has spanned international organizations, philanthropy, and AI-focused initiatives. After relocating to Chile, she launched her own consulting practice and now balances work with as much ceviche, marraquetas, and travel as possible.
Nathan
Born and raised on the East Coast before making the West Coast home. He has worked internationally in both the expert network space and in sustainable agriculture, where he is equally comfortable making meaningful professional connections or farming mandioca in rural parts of Paraguay. Photography is his favorite side pursuit, and many of the images throughout this site come from his lens.
Michelada
She is a two-year-old former street cat from San José, California. She is playful, opinionated, and the only member of the household who did not ask for an international move. She may still be quietly holding a grudge.
What We Share
Chillin’ in Chile exists because, when we moved here, we couldn’t find the kind of information we actually needed. So we started documenting everything, from the practical stuff we wish we’d known, the places people overlook, and the everyday details that make living in Chile (and traveling South America) easier.
Our goal is simple: share honest, useful content for anyone considering visiting, moving to, or spending more time in this part of the world.
On the blog, you’ll find:
- Practical Guides on visas, budgeting, transportation, and settling into life here
- Neighborhood insights and what it’s like in different parts of Santiago
- Food and drink recommendations based on places we actually go
- Hidden gems that don’t make the typical travel lists
- Cost-of-living breakdowns and expat tips grounded in real numbers
- Itineraries for weekend trips, day trips, and longer adventures in Chile and South America
- Lessons learned from navigating a new country and culture
If you’re planning a move, thinking about a long stay, or just curious about Chile, we’re here to make the learning curve a little easier.
“They travel for fun. I travel against my will.”
Michelada
