Viña del Mar is actually located just 5 miles from the city of Valparaíso, and these two cities together form the second largest urban center in Chile, with a combined population of over 600,000. While Viña del Mar provides beautiful beaches and a varied repertoire of artistic performances, Valparaíso is internationally recognized as the cultural and legislative capital of Chile, and as a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The distinctive personality of Viña and Valparaiso is exemplified by the large student population that resides there. It has been calculated that some 60,000 students from all 15 Chilean regions and from various countries in Latin America, North America, Europe, and Asia populate these two cities, and in turn, have transformed them into Chile's preferred destination for college students.

The town of Viña del Mar was founded in 1878 as a place for the wealthy from cities such as Santiago and Valparaíso to get away. It quickly became more than a town for the rich, as major companies began to be established there, helping the local economy boom. Originally the town was simply an extension of the neighboring city of Valparaíso, but because of the area's growth, the Chilean government authorized it to be a separate city.

Besides being known for its beaches, Viña del Mar draws both tourists and locals to the numerous parks and fountains that are found throughout the city. Rich in flowers and plants, Viña's most famous bed of flowers in the city is the Reloj de Flores, a large clock made up of flowering plants.