chile travel destinations

16 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in Chile

Written by Bryan Dearsley Updated Nov 26, 2021

Boasting one of the planet's most diverse landscapes, Chile has in recent years become an increasingly popular travel destination, particularly among nature lovers and adventure seekers. Here in this long, narrow nation on the west coast of South America, travelers will find an array of stunning sightseeing opportunities, from the tall peaks of the Andes and endless beaches to lush temperate forests, ancient volcanoes, and a dramatic coastline such as that found at Cape Horn .

Chile is also blessed with an abundance of superb national parks and conservation areas , many of them popular destinations for those into trekking and hiking , as well as those who enjoy adventurous things to do such as climbing, river rafting, mountain biking, and horseback riding.

But Chile is not without its cultural attractions, too, with cities such as the capital of Santiago offering many fine museums and art galleries, and stunning Easter Island with its famous stone figures. Whatever your travel preferences, you'll find no shortage of beautiful places to visit and photograph in Chile .

To ensure you see the best points of interest in this amazing South American country, be sure to read our list of the top things to do on Chile.

1. Torres Del Paine National Park

2. valle de la luna and the atacama desert, 3. easter island & rapa nui national park, 4. santiago: chile's cultural capital, 5. the chilean lake district, 6. cape horn, 7. valparaíso, 8. lauca national park, 9. pumalín park, 10. los pingüinos natural monument, 11. the humberstone and santa laura saltpeter works, 12. chiloé island & chiloé national park, 13. valle nevado, 14. mylodon cave natural monument, 15. cochamó valley, 16. vicente pérez rosales national park.

One of Chile's most important natural areas and an increasingly popular travel destination is the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park. Situated more than 100 kilometers north of the city of Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia, this stunningly beautiful area encompasses mountains, glaciers, and countless lakes and rivers.

The most important region of the park is the Cordillera del Paine , an area that marks the transition from the Patagonia steppe to the subpolar forests of the north. Perhaps the most notable of its many wonderful features are the three 2,850-meter-tall granite peaks of the Paine Massif, which dominate this already breathtaking scenery.

Hiking is one of the park's most popular activities, with numerous well-marked trails, many offering overnight shelters (refugios) with the basics needed for longer treks that circle the mountains. If you're planning on anything more than a day's hiking, professional guides are recommended and, in some areas, mandatory.

One of the top guided tours of the park is the five-day W Trek , one of the top hikes in Patagonia . This 71-kilometer route takes in some of the top points of interest in Patagonia, including the massive Glacier Grey and the mountains of Paine Grande.

Address: Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region

Official site: www.torresdelpaine.com/ingles/

Valle de la Luna, which literally translates as "Valley of the Moon," lies 13 kilometers west of San Pedro de Atacama at the north end of the country, near its border with Bolivia. It can be accessed via well-marked bike trails, tour buses, or self-drive car rentals.

This rugged, inhospitable looking landscape in the heart of the Atacama Desert attracts many visitors for its eerie resemblance to the surface of the moon, an effect caused by the erosion of its sand and stone features by wind and water over countless millennia. Despite its remoteness, though, this surprisingly beautiful landscape has sustained life for centuries, both human as well as that of numerous species of flora and fauna.

Among its most interesting features are its dry lake beds-this is, after all, one of the driest places on the planet-which are dazzlingly white due to deposited salt, and prone to producing fascinating natural saline outcrops.

Other notable features of the Atacama Desert are the region's many caverns, some containing evidence of pictographs created by early man and where some of the world's oldest mummies, preserved by the area's aridity, were found. The most famous of these, the Chinchorro mummies, are now on display at the archaeological museum in San Miguel de Azapa.

Also of interest is the Laguna Cejar sinkhole, famous for its turquoise water.

Address: San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta Region

First visited by Europeans in 1722, the magnificent yet remote Easter Island – so named by a Dutch Explorer who first set eyes on it on Easter Sunday – has been inhabited for thousands of years by Polynesians. Despite being more than 3,500 kilometers away from mainland Chile, this fascinating island with its remarkable stone sculptures remains the country's most recognizable attraction.

All told, 887 of these statues, known as Moai – created by the island's early Rapa Nui population – have been identified, most of them now protected by Rapa Nui National Park (the island itself has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site). The most impressive collection is at Ahu Tongariki where 15 of them have been re-erected on the island's largest Moai platform, or "ahu."

Rapa Nui is also where you'll find one of the country's best beaches, Anakena . This beautiful yet short stretch of white coral sand is the perfect spot for a break from hiking.

Also of interest are the many "hare paenga" ruins near ahu sites consisting of stones that once formed the foundation of boat-shaped houses. Other highlights include the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum in Hanga Roa , the island's main community, notable for its exhibits relating to the history of the Polynesian islanders and their traditions.

Hot Tip: Visiting Easter Island is best done as part of a Chilean vacation, with regular flights available from Santiago or Tahiti. Flight times are approximately five hours, so expect to stay at least a couple of days.

Read More: Most Beautiful Islands in the South Pacific

Santiago is not only the financial and business capital of Chile, it also serves as the country's cultural and entertainment center. Consequently, it's home to endless fun things to do, including visiting its best museums and galleries, along with excellent shopping, dining, and hotel options.

Centrally located and the country's main transportation hub, Santiago is where most visitors begin their Chilean travels before heading to the Andes or other areas of outstanding natural beauty, such as Easter Island. The smartest travelers, though, will allow time in their Chile travel itinerary to get to know Santiago.

Founded in 1541 and relatively crowd-free, the city features points of interest such as the Centro Cultural Palacio La Moneda , a state-of-the-art cultural center occupying part of the impressive Palacio de la Moneda, and the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts (Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes). Established in the 1880s, it focuses on Chilean artists, and boasts a large permanent collection of paintings, sculptures, and photos.

Other must-sees are the excellent Museum of Pre-Columbian Art (Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino), featuring collections relating to the country's native people, and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights (Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos). The latter commemorates those who suffered under the Pinochet regime.

A highlight of any visit to Santiago is taking the aerial tramway to San Cristóbal Hill for its stunning views over this most hospitable of cities. There are also some interesting attractions here, including an observatory, a 22-meter-tall statue of the Blessed Virgin Mary, and an amphitheater.

Be sure to also spend time enjoying Santiago Metropolitan Park (Parque Metropolitano de Santiago), a huge urban green space. Here, you'll find a botanical garden, the Chilean National Zoo, and a funicular railway.

Stretching for more than 330 kilometers from Temuco to Puerto Montt and resembling the alpine regions of Europe, the Chilean Lake District (Zona Sur) is well worth exploring. Like its alpine cousin, this beautiful region of the Andean foothills boasts rich farmland at the base of its many snowcapped volcanoes, ringed by thick forests and the kind of deep lakes that water sports enthusiasts drool over.

And the connection to Europe doesn't end here. After the forced resettlement of the region's indigenous people, the Mapuche , farmers from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany arrived, bringing with them aspects of their own culture that can still be seen in the architecture of towns like Osorno and Valdivia, as well as in the region's customs and festivals.

For adventure seekers, a typical Chilean Lake District itinerary includes endless hiking and biking potential, along with other fun activities such as volcano climbing; white water rafting; kayaking; canoeing; horseback riding; and, come winter, skiing. Road trips to the region are also extremely popular.

Considered something of a Holy Grail for travelers – and the equivalent of Mount Everest for yachting types – Cape Horn is, if you can get here, well worth the effort, if not the bragging rights.

The last stop before Antarctica and the world's southernmost tip, Cape Horn has for centuries been known as a sailor's graveyard for its remoteness, its hazardous coastline, and the rough seas that prevail here. While less important as a trade route now thanks to the Panama Canal, it has seen an increase in popularity among serious sailing enthusiasts, and features in a number of exciting races.

For the rest of us, it can, with careful planning, still be visited. There are, however, only a few ways to get to Cape Horn (apart from having your own yacht, of course). An increasingly popular option is via helicopter from the Chilean town of Puerto Toro. A day-long adventure, it can be expensive, so you may want to seek travel companions on the adventure. Alternatively, charter sailboats can get you here, but it's a long haul and often rough.

Cruise ships are, perhaps, the best option. A number of cruises in fact pass by Cape Horn on their way to Antarctica and will, weather and seas permitting, stop here for an hour. Passengers disembark via inflatable boats, so this part of the journey can be rough, too.

Once ashore, passengers can make the short cliff-top climb to what is perhaps the ultimate tourist selfie spot: the Cape Horn Memorial Sculpture. This breathtaking monument and its incredible views welcome you to the bottom of the world.

Chile's third largest city, Valparaíso, is nestled between the sea and the coastal mountain range about 112 kilometers northwest of Santiago and makes for an excellent day trip. As popular for its many old cobbled streets and unique architecture as it is for its lovely harbor and beaches, the city offers a great deal of fun things to do.

Many tourist attractions focus on the country's rich maritime heritage, including Lord Cochrane's Museum (Museo Lord Cochrane), located in a lovely old colonial home built in 1842. Another must-visit tourist attraction is the superb Naval and Maritime Museum (Museo Naval Y Maritimo) with its displays dealing with the War of the Pacific of 1879 between Chile and allied Peru and Bolivia, with particular emphasis on the contributions of Chile's war heroes.

A related attraction is the Ironclad Huáscar located in the Port of Talcahuano , some 600 kilometers south of Santiago. Talcahuano's beautiful harbor – home to Chile's navy – is the base for this immaculately restored historic vessel built in 1865 in Britain and one of the only surviving such battleships of her kind.

Located in the far north of Chile, just 140 kilometers east of the city of Arica, Lauca National Park (Parque Nacional Lauca) covers an area of 1,300 square kilometers and consists largely of high plains and mountain ranges, many of the latter comprised of large volcanoes.

Highlights include hiking around its many pristine mountain lakes, most notably Cotacotani and Chungara, which reflect the scenery around them to stunning effect. The park also features a number of important archaeological sites, as well as evidence of the early European settlers who left their mark in the region's many fine old colonial churches and buildings.

It's also especially popular for bird-watchers and is home to more than 140 species, including Andean geese, crested ducks, Chilean flamingos, and the massive Andean condor. Another beautiful area popular with nature lovers is Conguillío National Park (Parque Nacional Conguillío), also in the Araucanía Region of the Andes.

Address: Putre, Arica y Parinacota Region

Although only established as a nature sanctuary in 2005, Pumalín Park has become one of Chile's most important and popular conservation areas. Covering a vast area of more than 988,000 acres stretching from the Andes to the Pacific, the area boasts some of the country's most pristine coastline and forests and is notable for being almost entirely untouched by human development.

In addition to protecting the area's rich flora and fauna, including the Alerce, the world's oldest tree species, the park is easily accessible to visitors and provides one of the country's best wilderness experiences. It's owned and operated by the US-based Conservation Land Trust.

Thanks to its extensive network of trails, campgrounds, and visitor facilities, Pumalín Park is a delight to explore, whether for a short nature hike or as part of a longer ecotourism adventure. These often include a stay at rustic cabin-style accommodations overlooking one of the world's most beautiful, unspoiled backdrops.

Address: Sector Río Amarillo S/N Chaitén, Chaiten, Chaitén, Región de los Lagos

Official site: www.parquepumalin.cl/en/index.htm

In addition to its national parks, more of Chile's important conservation efforts can be seen in its many natural monuments. One of the most popular is Los Pingüinos Natural Monument (Monumento natural Los Pingüinos), just 35 kilometers northeast of the city of Punta Arenas at the southern tip of the island and incorporating the beautiful Magdalena and Marta Islands .

As its name suggests (pingüinos is Spanish for penguins), the monument is home to one of Chile's largest penguin colonies, consisting of some 60,000 breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins. Accessible only by guided boat tours, the islands are also home to large colonies of seals and sea lions.

Another of Chile's important natural monuments is El Morado , an easy drive from Santiago and site of the San Francisco Glacier and the 4,674-meter-tall Cerro El Morado mountain.

Address: Punta Arenas, Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region

Situated near the northern port city of Iquique in the remote Pampa Desert and declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005, this fascinating ghost town was once home to a bustling community.

For more than 60 years from about 1880, thousands of Chilean, Bolivian, and Peruvian workers toiled in the Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works (Salitreras Humberstone y Santa Laura), a hostile environment that included some 200 saltpeter mines. In the process, these workers formed a distinct culture and way of life that has been preserved here.

Although derelict since 1960, the site offers a fascinating glimpse into the tough conditions faced by these "pampinos," with many of the site's larger structures still standing and able to be explored. Professional guides are recommended given the area's remoteness and harsh climate.

Address: km 47 A-16, Pozo Almonte, Región de Tarapacá

Situated on Chiloé Island, the country's second largest island, Chiloé National Park is well worth adding to your travel itinerary. While not as rugged as the majority of the country's most striking scenery, Chiloé Island is nevertheless quite unique.

In places, it looks not unlike the kind of rural topography you'd expect to find in parts of Europe – Germany immediately springs to mind – and it's a delight to explore.

In addition to the island's numerous old iconic wooden churches, remnants of the communities established by Jesuit missionaries who settled here in the 1600s, you'll see plenty of attractive, colorful old homes. Known as "palafitos," they snuggle along the shoreline in places and are raised out of the water on stilts. Many of the island's old churches, too, are painted brightly and should be visited.

Chiloé National Park itself has become increasingly popular among tourists in recent years. A highlight of a visit to this area of outstanding natural beauty is the chance to observe wildlife as diverse as blue whales and dolphins (sightseeing excursions are available), and the large penguin breeding grounds on the nearby Islotes de Puñihuil Natural Monument . Available adventures include sea kayaking, hiking, and eco-tourism.

Address: Los Lagos Region

Once a well-kept secret, the fact that Chile is home to some of the world's best skiing is now common knowledge among skiers. By far the most popular ski area in South America, the Valle Nevado (Snowy Valley) resort region in the El Plomo foothills of the Andes is well-served by public transit from the country's capital of Santiago, located just 46 kilometers west of the slopes. Established in 1988, the ski resort covers a vast area and has grown rapidly in the time since.

Boasting mostly clear skies and great snow thanks to its high elevation 3,000 meters above sea level. It's skiable 112 days a year, and the resort features 37 trails and 11 lifts. It's as popular with beginner families as it is with seasoned skiers and snowboarders.

In addition to its three hotels, a variety of rental chalets and condos are available, suitable for short and long stays, and the resort also features eight restaurants. A snow school is located on-site, along with a ski shop and a tour company featuring heli-skiing adventures. Other notable Chilean ski resorts close to Santiago include La Parva and El Colorado .

Address: Avenida Vitacura 5250 of. 304, Vitacura, Región Metropolitana

Official site: https://vallenevado.com/en/

As popular with sightseers as it is with nature lovers, the Mylodon Cave Natural Monument (El Monumento Natural Cueva del Milodón) is situated in the heart of the Patagonia area of Chile a short distance from Puerto Natales.

Highlights of this fascinating natural wonder – part of the popular End of the World scenic drive – include a number of easy-to-access caves set around a formidable rock formation known as the Devil's Chair ( Silla del Diablo ).

The main cave, known as the Milodón Cave , was where, in 1895, the well-preserved remains of a prehistoric Mylodon were discovered (a tall statue of this long-extinct creature marks the spot where the discovery was made), along with remnants of other ancient animals and even human bones.

This impressive cave is some 200 meters deep, and it's fun to explore. If you've got time, take the marked trail that leads to the top of the cave, where you'll enjoy spectacular views over the nearby Eberhard fjord.

Other fun things to do include exploring the park's many other hiking trails, which include a number of raised sections at tree height that are fun to walk.

Address: Y-290 8, Natales, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena

Official site: http://cuevadelmilodon.cl/en/index.php

Known as the "Yosemite of Chile," the beautiful Cochamó Valley region of Chile is a delightful area to explore. Situated in the Los Lagos region of the Andes and named after the Cochamó river, it's a region that, like Yosemite, has become extremely popular among hikers and rock climbers, the latter drawn here for the chance to tackle its many 1,000-meter-plus granite walls.

Hikers, for their part, can choose from a variety of trails of varying degrees of difficulty, most of them taking you directly to popular sightseeing spots. These include the many beautiful waterfalls that dot the region.

You'll definitely want to tackle the 10-kilometer-long "Cowboy Trail," so named for its 100-plus-year history as a cattle trail (it was also used by the infamous bank robbers, Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid, after fleeing the US). This fun six-hour hike starts in the village of Cochamó and leads to La Junta, a rocky outpost with a number of campsites should you wish to bed down for the night.

In addition to the varied flora and fauna here, people are also drawn for the great fly fishing.

Established in 1926 and the first of the country's now numerous national parks, Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park (Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales) is located in the heart of the Chilean Lake District, and provides the perfect excuse to at least get a taster of this beautiful region.

Easily accessible from the city of Puerto Montt , the big tourist attraction here is the spectacular Petrohué Falls (Saltos del Petrohué). Here, the fast flowing Petrohué River plummets down a volcanic rock chute to Todos los Santos Lake, an especially impressive sight during the rainy season. After descending the falls and rapids, the water settles in the crystal clear lake, a popular fishing and bird-watching spot.

The area is also known for its diverse wildlife, including deer and pumas, as well as its thermal springs. Add to this picture-perfect location a backdrop of snowcapped volcanos, and you've got the perfect selfie spot to snap that memento of your vacation in Chile.

Address: Puerto Varas, Los Lagos Region

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SOME OF THE MOST AMAZING DESTINATIONS IN CHILE

In our tourist destination guide, you'll find all the information you may need to handle and coordinate you trip to Chile. Pictures, attractions, activities, location, how to get there, when to go, climate, services, surroundings, and much more.

Chile's destinations from north to south

Torres  del paine and puerto natales.

Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales

San pedro de atacama.

Antofagasta

El Loa and Calama

Easter Island

Robinson Crusoe Island

Puerto varas and lakes.

Concepcion and Arauco

Chiloe Island

Lago Puyehue and Osorno

Llanquihue and Todos los Santos Lakes

Panguipulli and Ranco Lakes

Puerto Montt and Angelmo

Saltos del Laja y Alto del Bio Bio

Cajón del Maipo

Termas de Chillan Ski Center

Chillán and Las Trancas Valley

Isla Negra and San Antonio

Linares and El Melado Hill

Los Andes and Portillo

La Campana National Park and Olmue

Pomaire and Maipo Valley

Rancagua and Cachapoal Valley

Casablanca Valley Wine Circuit

Santiago and Farellones

Colchagua Valley

Curico Valley and Radal Siete Tazas

Maule Valley and Talca

Las Trancas Valley

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

Coyhaique and Carretera Austral

Coyhaique and Puerto Aisen

General Carrera Lake and Baker River

Laguna San Rafael National Park

Puelo - Futaleufu Austral Route

Austral Route: Queulat - Puyuhuapi

Arica and iquique.

La Tirana Religious Carnival

Pintados Geoglyphs

Chungara Lake

Huasco Lagoon

Surire Salt Lagoon

Cotacotani Lagoons

Morro de Arica

San Miguel de Azapa Archaeological Museum

Oasis de Pica and Mamiña Hotsprings Chile

Humberstone Saltpeter Offices

Lauca National Park

Lauca and Putre National Park

Bahia Cisne

Bahia Inglesa

Bahía Inglesa and Pan de Azúcar National Park

Flamenco Beach

Camino de Inca

Copiapo City

Copiapo and Ojos del Salado Volcano

Atacama Desert

Flowering desert

Pan de Azucar Island

Laguna Verde

Ojos del Salado Volcano

La Serena and Coquimbo

Ovalle and Fray Jorge National Park

Valle del Elqui

Araucania Andina

Villarrica Volcano Ski Center

Lonquimay Volcano Ski Center

Caburgua Lake

Calafquen Lake

Lanalhue Lake

Panguipulli Lake

Villarrica Lake

Ojos del Caburgua

Panguipulli and its seven lakes

Conguillio National Park

Huerquehue National Park

Nahuelbuta National Park

Villarrica National Park

Saltos del Huilo Huilo

Temuco and Budi Lake

Coñaripe Hotsprings

Liquiñe Hotsprings

San Luis Hotsprings

Villarica and Pucon

Villarrica Volcano

Punta arenas y tierra del fuego.

Cabo de Hornos and Beagle Channel

Cabo Froward

Cerro de la Cruz

Baquedano Mountains

Pali-Aike Cave

Magellan Strait

Magellan Strait and Punta Arenas

Bulnes Fort

Cabo de Hornos National Park

Pali-Aike National Park

Puerto Williams

Punta Arenas

Punta Dunguenes

Parrillar Lagoon National Reserve

Magallanes National Reserve

Perez River

Chilean Antartic Territory

Tierra del Fuego

Las Estrellas Village

Touropia Travel

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10 Best Places to Visit in Chile

By Mike Kaplan · Last updated on April 26, 2024

This Patagonian country is a rich tapestry of mountain and plain, jungle and ocean. Chile’s unusual long shape has given it a varied climate with one of the world’s driest desert in the north, while its southern tip is home to cold-weather creatures like penguins. Chile is one of the closest nations, along with Argentina and New Zealand, to Antarctica.

The South has a strong history of visiting explorers, as everyone who sailed around the world before the Panama Canal was built needed to pass its tip. The country also has a well-known wine region that attracts many oenophiles each year. Here is a look at some of the best places to visit in Chile :

10. La Serena [SEE MAP]

This northern Chilean town is the second oldest in the nation. It boasts a city full of lovely architecture and a warm golden beach. La Serena has a reputation as an intellectual town, and has a number of great sights that fit this description, like an archaeological museum and astronomical observatory.

Outdoor enthusiasts will love to bike through the Elqui Valley, swim, snorkel, dive and/or hike through Isla Damas, and visit the national park at Fray Jorge.

9. Santiago [SEE MAP]

The capital city is the political and cultural heart of Chile. From the high mountain views of the Cerro San Cristobal Park to the secluded history of poet Pablo Neruda’s writing retreat, there is much to see in Santiago .

Top picks include skiing Valle Nevado or Portillo, wine tasting at Vina Aquitania, or visits to one of several top museums like Museo Chile de Arte Precolumbio or Museo de la Moda. For those who don’t want to spend all of their time in the city, there are amazing hiking opportunities like the steep slopes of Cajon de Maipo.

8. Chiloe Island [SEE MAP]

Chiloé Island is the largest island of the Chiloé Archipelago in the Los Lagos Region and the second-largest island in South America after Tierra del Fuego. In part because of its physical isolation from the rest of Chile, Chiloé has a very special architecture and local culture.

The Spanish who arrived in the 16th century, and Jesuit missionaries who followed, constructed hundreds of unique wooden churches in an attempt to bring Christianity to the archipelago. The result was a mixing of Catholicism and indigenous Chilean beliefs.

7. Iquique [SEE MAP]

This beautiful beach and casino town offers a vibrant boardwalk and gorgeous 19th century Georgian architecture like the Aztoreca Palace. Iquique is the Monte Carlo of Chile, and has much to offer for anyone who loves free-spirited fun.

During the day, guests here can participate in world-famous surfing waves, paraglide or sand-board on the golden coast. A stroll down the wooden sidewalks of the historic mining town, or the cobbled Baquedano street, gives a look into an older economic boom time. Finally, the spectacular nightlife offers glitzy gambling, excellent cuisine, and shopping in the duty-free district.

6. Chilean Fjords [SEE MAP]

The southern coast of Chile presents a large number of fjords and channels that provide the only access to this part of Patagonia. Sailing through this region can be an unforgettable experience.

Most of the trips start from Puerto Montt and travel towards Carretera Austral, Laguna San Rafael and Puerto Natales. The journey takes visitors through days of uninhabited fjords, close encounter with glaciers and views of orange sunsets over the Pacific. To the south, the channels become narrower. Along the way, travelers might spot whales, many birds and sea lions.

5. Valparaiso [SEE MAP]

This hard-working economic port town on the coast of Central Chile was loved by the poet Pablo Neruda for its beautiful chaos. It boasts some of the first urban innovations in Latin America, like the first volunteer fire department.

In addition to its working class roots, Valparaiso has a reputation for an underground street art movement. Instead of specific tourist attractions , Valparaiso is best known for its brightly colored houses, a vibrant nightlife and beautiful seaside views.

4. Chilean Lake District [SEE MAP]

This long, lush volcanic valley region stretches from Puerto Montt in the South to Temuco in the North. It is home to dense forests, crystal-clear lakes, and snowcapped volcanoes. Before the introduction of Europeans, the lake district was thickly forested, and inhabited by the Mapuche, one of the few South American tribes to avoid being swallowed into the Incan nations.

Today, there are still some beautiful untouched lands, like Los Alerces National Park, known as Chile’s Yosemite. Mountains here are very young, only two thousand years old, which makes them higher and more jagged than anything in North America, and well worth the trip all by themselves.

3. San Pedro de Atacama [SEE MAP]

Set high on a plateau, San Pedro de Atacama lies in the Antofagasta Region of Chile, surrounded by countless mountains, lakes, and rock formations. Due to its awe-inspiring landscapes and scenery, the small town is a very popular destination among Chilean tourists and international visitors alike and can be found not far from the Bolivian border.

While San Pedro is pleasant and picturesque to visit, with a laidback vibe and lively cafes, most people just use it as a base from which to explore the surrounding area . From the center of town, you can easily arrange to visit the incredible Atacama Desert or any one of the impressive pre-Columbian archaeological sites and ruins that lie nearby.

Among the region’s many highlights are the otherworldly Valle de la Luna which looks very lunar-like in appearance and the El Tatio Geysers which spurt up so high into the air. In addition to this, there are also the pink flamingos at Laguna Chaxa to visit as well as the ancient petroglyphs at rainbow valley. The nightlife here is a little different- the big draw is star tours, as it is one of the darkest places in the world, and an opportunity to see the night sky undiluted.

2. Torres del Paine [SEE MAP]

The “towers of blue” national park constitutes a glaciated region on the Southern tip of Chile. Three large pillars in the park give it its name, and it is also home to a number of “horns”, or other mountains, and glaciated lakes. Exploration through this park can be done via mini van tours, multi-day treks, or catamaran trips.

There are a few services who will also offer horseback tours to some of the sites. Much of the park is foot-only, and there are a number of excellent guide companies who can help carry gear and cook meals on five to seven day treks.

1. Easter Island [SEE MAP]

Located more than 3,500 km (2,000 miles) form central Chile, Easter Island continues to be one of the world’s great mysteries. This treeless island of hundreds of giant, hollow-eyed statues carved by its Polynesian visitors is an eerie yet beautiful example of human artistry and achievement.

Besides visiting these statues from a respectful distance to avoid immense fines and hiking the rocky plains, guests here can enjoy two white sand beaches with off-coast diving, an extinct cinder cone, and a number of native-run tours that offer views of things that are unique and well worth it.

Map of Places to Visit in Chile

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Chile defies many visitors’ expectations of an Andean country. It is developed, relatively affluent and non-corrupt. Travel to Chile and you’ll discover one of the safest and most relaxing countries in South America. Its buses are comfortable and run on time; its people polite and respectful. Above all, though, visitors travel to Chile for its beautiful landscapes. The population is concentrated to the major cities, which leaves vast tracts of scarcely touched wilderness to explore.

Chile travel facts

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A country of geographical extremes, Chile’s diversity is reflected both in its people and its cuisine, which encompasses the tropical fruit of the arid north as well as king crab from the southern fjords. Above all, visitors head to Chile for its remote and dizzyingly beautiful landscapes. Our travel guide to Chile will provide you with everything you need to make the most of it.

• Motto: ‘ Por la razón o la fuerza ’ meaning, ‘By right or by might’.
• Population: 17.2 million people live in Chile, consisting of a fairly homogenous mestizo population with a few indigenous groups ranging from Mapuche in the Lake District, Yámana and Kawéskar (around 2,800) in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
• Economy: One of the most developed countries in Latin America, Chile has the steadiest growth in the region and the lowest level of corruption in Latin America.
• Law: Chile only legalised divorce in 2004.
• Politics: Although notorious for the Pinochet’s infamous military dictatorship during the 1970s and 1980s, Chile otherwise has a long history of parliamentary democracy.

Travel to Chile’s capital Santiago and you’ll find monuments, museums and restaurants. Whilst on the popular Central Coast, the port of Valparaíso provides a contrasting bohemian vibe. Chile’s largest beach resort Viña del Mar couldn’t be more different, with high-rises, casino and seafront restaurants.

Continue north and you’ll find a succession of idyllic beaches spread out along the dazzling fringe of the Norte Chico, which comprises semi-arid landscapes and hardy vegetation.

South of Santiago, the lush Central Valley, with its swathes of orchards and vineyards, invites you to find Chile’s best vintages, including Carmenère, the country’s signature grape. Further south, the much-visited Lake District is a postcard-perfect landscape spanning conical volcanoes to dense araucaria forests.

Just off the southern edge of the Lake District, the Chiloé archipelago is famous for its rickety houses on stilts, distinctive wooden churches and rich local mythology.

Back on the mainland, between the Carretera Austral and Campo de Hielo Sur (Southern Ice-Field), lies Patagonia , a land of bleak windswept plains bordered by the magnificent granite spires of the Torres del Paine massif, a magnet for hikers and climbers.

Across the Magellan Strait, Tierra del Fuego sits shivering at the bottom of the world, a remote place of harsh, desolate beauty, while Chile’s southernmost town, Puerto Williams, is the gateway to one of the continent’s toughest treks, the Dientes de Navarino.

No Chile travel guide would be complete without mentioning the country’s two Pacific possessions: Easter Island – one of the most remote places on earth – and the little-visited Isla Robinson Crusoe, part of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, with its dramatic volcanic peaks and a wealth of endemic wildlife.

Discover more places in Chile

• Patagonia Travel Guide
• Santiago and around Travel Guide
• The Central Valley Travel Guide
• The Lake District Travel Guide
• Tierra del Fuego Travel Guide
• Valparaíso Travel Guide

Given the variety of its climate and geography, you can travel to Chile at any time of year. The best time to visit Chile depends on what area of the country most interests you.

Santiago, northern Chile and the Atacama Desert are year-round destinations. Temperatures here tend to be hottest between January and March.

If you have your heart set on skiing around Santiago or further south, the best time is from July through to September. The season for adventure sports in the Lake District and Northern Patagonia tends to be November through to March.

The best time to visit South Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego is in warmer months of November to March. From June to September many places close and the area is difficult to navigate due to the snow.

The most straightforward way to travel to Chile is via Santiago’s modern international airport, though some travel to Chile by land from neighbouring countries, and a handful arrive by sea.

Airfares depend on the season. You’ll generally pay the most if you travel to Chile in the December-February and June-August periods, the southern and northern hemisphere’s summer holiday months, respectively. Fares drop slightly during the ‘shoulder’ months – March and November – and you’ll normally get the best prices during the low seasons: April, May, September and October.

For those travelling to Chile’s Easter Island, your flight from Santiago is likely to be cheaper if bought in conjunction with a LATAM Airlines international flight.

Getting around Chile is easy, comfortable and relatively good value. When you are there, you will most likely choose to travel by bus (or micros) due to the comfort and cost. Chile’s long-distance buses offer an excellent service thanks to the enormous amount of legroom, frequent departures and flexible itineraries.

Internal flights in Chile are useful for covering long distances in a hurry, though fares can be quite high. The country has a good road network, so hiring a car and driving is a quick and stress-free way of getting around.

Colectivos, shared taxis operating along a set route with fixed fares, are normally only slightly more expensive than local buses. These are good options when travelling in a couple or small group. Most colectivos look like regular taxis and have their route or final destination marked on a roof-board.

Taxis are normally black with a yellow roof. Foreigners are often overcharged, so check the meter has been turned on before you start a journey and get an estimate for the fare, if possible in Spanish. Fares should be shown on the windscreen.

• Atacama desert

Visit erupting geysers, crinkly salt plains and emerald lakes in the morning, and deep, mystical valleys by sunset in the driest desert on earth.

Travel advice for Chile

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Chile

• Sports and Outdoor activities in Chile
• Eating and drinking in Chile
• Getting around Chile: Transportation Tips
• Travel Tips Chile for planning and on the go
• Elqui Valley

Take advantage of some of the clearest skies in Chile and look at the universe through some of the world's most powerful telescopes.

Chile's rapidly evolving capital city boasts a vibrant eating out and nightlife scene, several fascinating museums, numerous cultural pursuits and a selection of excellent places to stay.

Valparaíso has a tangle of colourful houses, cobbled streets and bohemian hang-outs spread across a series of undulating hills overlooking the Pacific.

Pablo Neruda's house has been turned into a beguiling museum with an evocative collection of the Nobel Prize-winning poet's kitsch and often bizarre trinkets and knick-knacks.

Visit the numerous traditional bodegas around San Fernando and Santa Cruz, and sample some of Chile's finest vintages.

• Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

Hike the trails of Chile's most popular – and most spectacular – national park or climb the granite towers that give the park its name.

• Easter Island

Gazing down into the giant crater of the extinct Rano Kau volcano and visiting the magical moai at Ahu Tongariki and Rano Raraku are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

• Isla Robinson Crusoe

Isla Robinson Crusoe has the end-of-the-world castaway feel that inspired Daniel Defoe's famous book.

Sample one of Chile's most memorable dishes, admire the palafitos (traditional houses on stilts) or hike through temperate rainforest on Chile's mist and legend shrouded island.

• Patagonian islands

Lose yourself in this veritable maze of fjords and tiny islets by taking to the water in a sea kayak, or take a boat trip in search of the elusive blue whale.

• Tierra del Fuego

Explore the deserted roads running through steppe and dotted with guanacos and rheas, or fish in the pristine lakes and rivers of Chile's remotest region.

• Isla Navarino

Chile's southernmost inhabited territory (barring Antarctica), where the warmth of the locals contrasts with the harshness of the landscape.

Fly over some of the world's most treacherous waters or brave a sailing trip to Chile's southernmost group of islands – the biggest nautical graveyard in the Americas.

• Parque Nacional La Campana

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin by hiking up to the 1880m summit of Cerro La Campana, where you'll be rewarded by some of the best views in the country.

As part of our Chile travel guide we’ve drawn up some fantastic itineraries for travelling through Chile, taking you from the icy fjords and snow-tipped mountains of the south to the fertile wine-growing valleys in the centre and parched desert and highland lagoons of the north. In short, places to visit Chile abound.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Chile, created by local experts

11 days  / from 4896 USD

Luxurious Chile - Atacama Desert & Easter Island

Explore two of Chile's extraordinary highlights: the Atacama desert with its salt flats and lagoons and Easter Island. The island is famous for its stone monoliths and source of mystery for many. Your stay will be complemented in the best hotels, making this trip even more special.

10 days  / from 2650 USD

Chile Explored: From Santiago to Torres del Paine

The vast expanse of Patagonia is home to extreme landscapes, from jagged mountains, stark glaciers, clear blue lakes, and grassy fields. You will find them all in Torres del Paine, a huge contrast to the start of the trip in the historical, bustling city of Santiago.

14 days  / from 3800 USD

Self-Drive Santiago, Wines & Lakes

Discover the beauty of Chile independently in your own rental car. Start in Santiago before heading to Pucon, Huilo Huilo and Puerto Varas. As you'll be in your own car, you can plan each day at your liking - hikes, relaxing or cultural exploration? Decide spontaneously.

Most foreign visitors who travel to Chile do not need a visa. Visitors of all nationalities are issued with a ninety-day tourist entry card ( Tarjeta de Turismo ) on arrival, which can be extended once for an additional ninety days.

If you lose your tourist card, ask for a duplicate immediately, either from the Fronteras department of the Policía Internacional, General Borgoño 1052, Santiago or from the Extranjero’s department of the Intendencia in any provincial capital. There’s no charge.

As with all countries, make sure you check on the country’s government website about your visa requirements, before you travel.

Travel to Chile and you’ll find a vast array of quality raw produce, though many restaurants lack imagination, offering similar limited menus. That’s not to say, however, that you can’t eat well here, and the fish and seafood, in particular, are superb.

On the whole, eating out in Chile tends to be good value. In local restaurants you can expect to pay around CH$4,000–7,000 for a main course. The best trick is to do as the Chileans do and make lunch your main meal of the day; many restaurants offer a fixed-price menú del día, always much better value than the à la carte options.

Most of Chile’s festivals are held to mark religious occasions or to honour saints or the Virgin Mary. What’s fascinating about them is the strong influence of pre-Spanish, pre-Christian rites, particularly in the Aymara communities of the far north and the Mapuche of the south. Added to this is the influence of colourful folk traditions rooted in the Spanish expeditions of exploration and conquest, colonization and evangelism, slavery and revolution.

In the altiplano of the far north, Aymara herdsmen celebrate Catholic holy days and the feasts of ancient cults along with ritual dancing and the offering of sacrificial llamas.

In central Chile, you’ll witness the influence of colonial traditions. In the days of the conquest, an important ingredient of any fiesta was the verbal sparring between itinerant bards called payadores , who would compose and then try to resolve each other’s impromptu rhyming riddles. The custom is kept alive at many fiestas in the Central Valley, where young poets spontaneously improvise lolismos and locuciones , forms of jocular verse that are quite unintelligible to an outsider. These rural fiestas always culminate in an energetic display of cueca dancing, washed down with plenty of wine and chicha – reminiscent of the entertainment organized by indulgent hacienda-owners for their peons.

In the south, the solemn Mapuche festivals are closely linked to mythology, magic and faith healing, agricultural rituals, and supplications to gods and spirits. Group dances (purrún) are performed with gentle movements; participants either move round in a circle or advance and retreat in lines. Most ceremonies are accompanied by mounted horn players whose four-metre-long bamboo instruments, trutrucas , require enormous lung power to produce a note. Other types of traditional wind instruments include a small pipe ( lolkiñ ), flute ( pinkulwe ), cow’s horn ( kullkull ) and whistle ( pifilka ). Of all Mapuche musical instruments, the most important is the sacred drum ( kultrún ), which is only used by faith healers ( machis ).

A list of festivals in Chile

Spaniards brought the first wooden image of San Sebastián to Chile in the seventeenth century. After a Mapuche raid on Chillán, the image was buried in a nearby field, and no one was able to raise it. The saint’s feast day has become an important Mapuche festival, especially in Lonquimay, where it’s celebrated with horse racing, feasting and drinking.

Celebrated throughout Chile since 1780, when a group of miners and muleteers discovered a stone image of the Virgin and Child while sheltering from an inexplicable thunderstorm in the Atacama. Typical festivities include religious processions and traditional dances.

This glitzy and wildly popular five-day festival is held in Viña del Mar’s open-air amphitheatre, featuring performers from all over Latin America and broadcast to most Spanish-speaking countries.

Among the nationwide Easter celebrations, look out for Santiago’s solemn procession of penitents dressed in black habits, carrying crosses through the streets, and La Ligua’s parade of mounted huasos followed by a giant penguin.

In many parts of central Chile, huasos parade through the streets on their horses, often accompanied by a priest sitting on a float covered in white lilies.

Throughout the altiplano, villages celebrate the cult of the Holy Cross, inspired in the seventeenth century by the Spaniards’ obsession with crosses, which they carried everywhere, erected on hillsides and even carved in the air with their fingers. The festivities have strong pre-Christian elements, often including the sacrifice of a llama.

A huge parade through the streets of Santiago bearing the Cristo de Mayo – a sixteenth-century carving of Christ whose crown of thorns slipped to its neck during an earthquake, and which is said to have shed tears of blood when attempts were made to put the crown back in place.

An important feast night, celebrated by families up and down the country with a giant stew, known as the Estofado de San Juan. In Chiloé, an integral part of the feast are roasted potato balls called tropones, which burn the fingers and make people “dance the tropón” as they jig up and down, juggling them from hand to hand.

Along the length of Chile’s coast, fishermen decorate their boats and take the image of their patron saint out to sea – often at night with candles and flares burning – to pray for good weather and large catches.

The largest religious festival in Chile, held in La Tirana in the Far North, and attended by over 80,000 pilgrims and hundreds of costumed dancers (see Santuario de la Tirana).

Military parades throughout Chile honour the patron saint of the armed forces; the largest are in Maipú, on the southern outskirts of Santiago, where San Martín and Bernardo O’Higgins defeated Spanish Royalists in 1818.

Thousands of Chilotes flock to the archipelago’s tiny island of Caguach to worship at a two-metre-high figure of Christ, donated by the Jesuits in the eighteenth century.

Chile’s Independence Day is celebrated throughout the country with street parties, music and dancing.

Each year, numerous dance groups and more than 10,000 pilgrims from Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina make their way along a tortuous cliff path to visit a rock carving of the Virgin in the Azapa valley, near Arica. There are many smaller festivals in other parts of Chile, too.

Traditionally, this is the day when Chileans tend their family graves. In the north, where Aymara customs have become entwined with Christian ones, crosses are often removed from graves and left on the former bed of the deceased overnight. Candles are kept burning in the room, and a feast is served for family members, past and present.

A second vigil to the dead is held in cemeteries, with offerings of food and wine sprinkled on the graves. In some far north villages, there’s a tradition of reading a liturgy, always in Latin.

Celebrated in many parts of Chile, the festival of the Immaculate Conception is at its liveliest in San Pedro de Atacama, where it’s accompanied by traditional Aymara music and dancing.

More than 100,000 pilgrims from all over the north come to Andacollo, in Norte Chico, to worship its Virgin and watch the famous masked dancers (see Andacollo and around).

The Chileans are not a particularly exuberant people, but passions are roused by several national enthusiasms – chiefly football and rodeo, which at their best are performed with electrifying skill and theatricality.

El fútbol reigns supreme as Chile’s favourite sport. Introduced by British immigrants in the early 1800s, football in Chile can trace its history back to the playing fields of the Mackay School, one of the first English schools in Valparaíso, and its heritage is reflected in the names of the first clubs: Santiago Wanderers, Everton, Badminton, Morning Star and Green Cross.

Horse-racing

There are two very different types of horse racing in Chile: conventional track racing, known as hípica , and the much rougher and wilder carreras a la chilena . Hípica is a sport for rich Santiaguinos, who don their tweeds and posh frocks to go and watch it at the capital’s Club Hípico and Hipódromo Chile.

Carreras a la chilena are held anywhere in the country where two horses can be found to race against each other. Apart from the organized events that take place at village fiestas, these races are normally a result of one huaso betting another that his horse is faster.

Rodeos evolved from the early colonial days when the cattle on the large estancias had to be rounded up and branded or slaughtered by huasos. The feats of horsemanship required to do so soon took on a competitive element, which eventually found an expression in the form of rodeos. Even though ranching has long declined in Chile, organized rodeos remain wildly popular, with many free competitions taking place in local stadiums (known as medialunas) throughout the season, which runs from September to April. Taking in a rodeo not only allows you to watch the most dazzling equestrian skills inside the arena, but also to see the huasos (riders) decked out in all their traditional gear: ponchos, silver spurs and all. Added to this, the atmosphere is invariably loads of fun, with lots of whooping families and excited kids, and plenty of food and drink afterwards.

The Chilean huaso

“Of the many cowboys of the Americas, none remains as shrouded in mystery and contradiction as Chile’s huaso,” says Richard Slatta in Cowboys of the Americas. Certainly the huaso holds a special place in Chile’s perception of its national identity. But the definition of the huaso is somewhat confused and subject to differing interpretations. The one you’re most likely to come across is that of the “gentleman rider”, the middle-class horseman who, while not a part of the landed elite, is a good few social rungs up from the landless labourer. This is the huaso you’ll see in cueca performances and at rodeos.

Chile offers an enormous range of outdoor activities, including volcano-climbing, skiing, surfing, white-water rafting, fly-fishing and horseriding.

Rafting and kayaking

Chile’s many frothy rivers and streams afford incomparable rafting opportunities. Indeed, the country’s top destinations, the mighty Río Bío Bío and the Río Futaleufú, entice visitors from around the globe. Rafting trips generally range in length from one to eight days and, in the case of the Bío Bío, sometimes include the option of climbing 3160m Volcán Callaquén. In addition to these challenging rivers, gentler alternatives exist on the Río Maipo close to Santiago, the Río Trancura near Pucón, and the Río Petrohue near Puerto Varas.

Chile’s white-water rapids also offer excellent kayaking, though this is less developed as an organized activity.

For the most part, Chile is a very empty country with vast tracts of wilderness offering potential for fantastic hiking. Chileans, moreover, are often reluctant to stray far from their parked cars when they visit the countryside, so you’ll find that most trails without vehicle access are blissfully quiet. However, the absence of a national enthusiasm for hiking also means that Chile isn’t particularly geared up to the hiking scene. There are relatively few long-distance trails (given the total area) and a shortage of decent trekking maps.

That said, what is on offer is superb, and ranks among the country’s most rewarding attractions.

The north of Chile, with its harsh climate and landscape, isn’t really suitable for hiking, and most walkers head for the lush native forests of Chile’s south, peppered with waterfalls, lakes, hot springs and volcanoes. The best trails are nearly always inside national parks or reserves, where the guardaparques (rangers) are a good source of advice on finding and following the paths. They should always be informed if you plan to do an overnight hike (so that if you don’t come back, they’ll know where to search for you).

The majority of trails are for half-day or day hikes, though some parks offer a few long-distance hikes, sometimes linking up with trails in adjoining parks. The level of path maintenance and signing varies greatly from one park to another, and many of the more remote trails are indistinct and difficult to follow.

Hardly any parks allow wild camping, while the few others that now allow it have a series of rustic camping areas that you’re required to stick to – check with the guardaparque. If you do camp (the best way to experience the Chilean wilderness) note that forest and bush fires are a very real hazard. Take great care when making a campfire (having checked beforehand that they’re allowed). Also, never chop or break down vegetation for fuel, as most of Chile’s native flora is endangered.

By far the most popular destination for hiking is Torres del Paine in the far south, which offers magnificent scenery but fairly crowded trails, especially in January and February. Many quieter, less well-known alternatives are scattered between Santiago and Tierra del Fuego, ranging from narrow paths in the towering, snow-streaked central Andes to hikes up to glaciers off the Carretera Austral.

If you go hiking, it’s essential to be well prepared – always carry plenty of water, wear a hat and sun block for protection against the sun and carry extra layers of warm clothing to guard against the sharp drop in temperature after sundown. Even on day hikes, take enough supplies to provide for the eventuality of getting lost, and always carry a map and compass (brújula), preferably one bought in the southern hemisphere or adjusted for southern latitudes. Also, make a conscious effort to help preserve Chile’s environment – where there’s no toilet, bury human waste at least 20cm under the ground and 30m from the nearest river or lake; take away or burn all your rubbish; and use specially designed eco-friendly detergents for use in lakes and streams.

The massive Andean cordillera offers a wide range of climbing possibilities. In the far north of Chile, you can trek up several volcanoes over 6000m, including Volcán Parinacota (6330m), Volcán Llullaillaco (6739m) and Volcán Ojos del Salado (6950m). Although ropes and crampons aren’t always needed, these ascents are suitable only for experienced climbers, and need a fair amount of independent planning, with only a few companies offering guided excursions.

In the central Andes, exciting climbs include Volcán Marmolejo (6100m) and Volcán Tupungato (6750m), while in the south, climbers head for Volcán Villarrica (2840m) and Volcán Osorno (2652m), both of which you can tackle even with little mountaineering experience.

Fly-fishing

Chile has an international, and well-deserved, reputation as one of the finest fly-fishing destinations in the world. Its pristine waters teem with rainbow, brown and brook trout, and silver and Atlantic salmon. These fish are not native, but were introduced for sport in the late nineteenth century; since then, the wild population has flourished and multiplied, and is also supplemented by generous numbers of escapees from local fish farms. The fishing season varies slightly from region to region, but in general runs from November to May.

Chile offers the finest and most challenging skiing in South America. Many of the country’s top slopes and resorts lie within very easy reach of Santiago, including El Colorado, La Parva, Valle Nevado and world-renowned Portillo. A bit further south, but no less impressive, stands the popular Termas de Chillán.

Horse-trekking

Exploring Chile’s dramatic landscapes on horseback is a memorable experience. The best possibilities are around Santiago, and in the Central Valley, where riding has been a way of life for centuries. In addition to the spectacular scenery, you can also expect to see condors and other birds of prey. Trips are usually guided by local arrieros, who herd cattle up to high pastures in springtime and know the mountain paths intimately. You normally spend about five or six hours in the saddle each day; a lingering asado (barbecue), cooked over an open fire and accompanied by plenty of Chilean wine, will be part of the pleasure. At night, you sleep in tents transported by mules, and you’ll be treated to the most breathtaking display of stars.

The only disadvantage of riding treks in the central Andes is that, due to the terrain, you’re unlikely to get beyond a walk, and cantering is usually out of the question. If you want a faster pace, opt for the treks offered by some companies in Patagonia, where rolling grasslands provide plenty of opportunity for gallops – though the weather can often put a dampener on your trip.

Mountain biking

For most of Chile’s length, there are extremely good and little-used dirt roads perfect for cycling – although the numerous potholes mean it’s only worth attempting them on a mountain bike. For a serious trip, you should bring your own bike or buy one in Santiago – renting a bike of the quality required can be difficult to arrange. An alternative is to go on an organized biking excursion, where all equipment, including tents, will be provided. Note that during the summer, cycling in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego is made almost impossible by incessant and ferociously strong winds.

Chile’s beaches are pulling in an increasing number of surfers, who come to ride the year-round breaks that pound the Pacific shore. By unanimous consent, the best breaks – mainly long left-handers – are concentrated around Pichilemu, near Rancagua, which is the site of the annual National Surfing Championships. Further north, the warmer seas around Iquique and Arica are also increasingly popular.

Some 18% of Chile’s mainland territory is protected by the state under the extensive Sistema Nacional de Areas Silvestres Protegidas (National Protected Wildlife Areas System), which is made up of 30 national parks, 38 national reserves and 11 natural monuments. These inevitably include the country’s most outstanding scenic attractions, so the main aim is always to protect and manage native fauna and flora. Given Chile’s great biodiversity, park objectives are as varied as protecting flamingo populations and monitoring glaciers.

National parks ( parques nacionales ) are generally large areas of unspoilt wilderness, usually featuring fragile endemic ecosystems. They include the most touristy and beautiful of the protected areas, and often offer walking trails and sometimes camping areas too. National reserves ( reservas nacionales ) are areas of ecological importance that have suffered some degree of natural degradation; there are fewer regulations to protect these areas, and “sustainable” commercial exploitation (such as mineral extraction) is allowed to take place. Natural monuments ( monumentos naturales ) tend to be important or endangered geological formations, or small areas of biological, anthropological or archeological significance.

In addition to these three main categories, there are a few nature sanctuaries ( sanctuarios de la naturaleza ) and protected areas ( areas de protección ), usually earmarked for their scientific or scenic interest.

Before heading out of the capital, head to Conaf’s head office in Santiago, where you can pick up brochures, books and basic maps. No permit is needed to visit any of Chile’s national parks; you simply turn up and pay your entrance fee (usually CH$1000–4000), though some parks are free.

Alternatively, Conaf’s Annual Pass (CH$10,000) allows unlimited access to all of Chile’s national parks and reserves – except Torres del Paine and Easter Island – for a year; it can be purchased from Conaf offices.

Ease of access differs wildly from one park to the next. Some parks have paved highways running through them, while others are served by dirt tracks that are only passable for a few months of the year. Getting to them often involves renting a vehicle or going on an organized trip, as around two-thirds of Chile’s national parks can’t be reached by public transport.

A few parks now have camping areas. These are often rustic sites with basic facilities, run by Conaf, which charge around CH$5000–10,000 per tent. In other parks, particularly in the south, Conaf gives licences to concessionaires, who operate campsites and cabañas, which tend to be very expensive. Some of the more remote national parks, especially in the north, have small refugios attached to the ranger stations – these are usually rustic, stone-built huts (from CH$5000 per person) containing around eight to ten bunk beds, hot showers and gas stoves. Some of them are in stunning locations, overlooking the Salar de Surire, for example, or with views across Lago Chungará to Volcán Parinacota. Sadly, however, they are increasingly unreliable.

While Chile’s handicrafts (artesanía) are nowhere near as diverse or colourful as in Peru or Bolivia, you can still find a range of beautiful souvenirs, which are usually sold in ferias artesanales (craft markets) on or near the central squares of the main towns. As for day-to-day essentials, you’ll be able to locate just about everything you need, from sun block to contact lens solution, in the main towns across the country.

Artesanía and other souvenirs

The finest and arguably most beautiful goods you can buy in Chile are the items – mainly jewellery – made of lapis lazuli, the deep-blue semi-precious stone found only in Chile and Afghanistan. The best place to buy these is in Bellavista, Santiago: note that the deeper the colour of the stone, the better its quality. Though certainly less expensive than lapis exports sold abroad, they’re still pricey.

Most artesanía is considerably less expensive. In the Norte Grande, the most common articles are alpaca sweaters, gloves and scarves, which you’ll find in altiplano villages like Parinacota, or in Arica and Iquique. The quality is usually fairly low, but they’re inexpensive and very attractive all the same. In the Norte Chico, you can pick up some beautiful leather goods, particularly in the crafts markets of La Serena. You might also be tempted to buy a bottle of pisco there, so that you can recreate that pisco sour experience back home – though you’re probably better off getting it at a supermarket in Santiago before you leave, to save yourself carting it about. The Central Valley, as the agricultural heartland of Chile, is famous for its huaso gear, and you’ll find brightly coloured ponchos and stiff straw hats in the numerous working huaso shops. The highlight in the Lake District is the traditional Mapuche silver jewellery, while the far south is a good place to buy chunky, colourful knitwear.

A range of these goods can also be bought in the major crafts markets in Santiago, notably Los Dominicos market. Also worth checking out are Santiago’s little flea markets.

Hard haggling is neither commonly practised nor expected in Chile, though a bit of bargaining is in order at many markets. It’s also worth trying to bargain down the price of hotel rooms, especially outside the peak months of January and February.

Top image © Erlantz P.R/Shutterstock

Chile’s diverse animal kingdom inhabits a landscape of extremes. The country’s formidable natural barriers – the immense Pacific, lofty Andes and desolate Atacama – have resulted in an exceptional degree of endemism , with a third of Chile’s mammals, such as the shy pudú (pygmy deer) not found anywhere else in the world.

Four species of camelid alone are found in Chile’s barren altiplano, namely the shaggy, domesticated llama and alpaca in the north, and their wild cousins – the Patagonia-dwelling guanaco and the delicate vicuña with its highly prized fur, restricted to the high altitudes. Chile’s biggest cat is the elusive puma , another Patagonia resident, while smaller wildcats, from the colo-colo to the guiña , also stalk these grasslands. Endemic rodents, such as the mountain vizcacha , are found in the northern highlands, while several species of fox can be spotted in the desert, altiplano and coastal forest.

A country seemingly made for birdwatchers, Chile is home to a curious mix of the small and beautiful, such as hummingbirds (including the firecrown, endemic to the Juan Fernández islands), while at the other end of the scale is the mighty Andean condor , soaring over the mountains. High in the Andes near the Bolivian border, the Chilean and James’s flamingo gather at remote saltwater lakes, while the long-legged ñandú propels itself over the Patagonian steppe. Equally impressive sea birds include the Humboldt , Magellanic and king penguins , and Chile’s coastal waters host some spectacular mammals, such as the blue whale and several species of dolphins .

Few countries, moreover, can match Chile for the sheer diversity of scenery and range of climatic zones – from the driest desert in the world to immense ice fields and glaciers. Spread between these extremes is a kaleidoscope of panoramas, taking in sun-baked scrubland, lush vineyards and orchards, virgin temperate rainforest, dramatic fjords and endless Patagonian steppes . Towering over it all is the long, jagged spine of the Andes, punctuated by colossal peaks and smouldering volcanoes . Given this geographical spread and dearth of population, it’s not unusual to stumble on steaming hot springs, gleaming white salt flats or emerald lakes, and have them all to yourself.

Lovers of the great outdoors will likewise be seduced by the almost endless possibilities for outdoor activities , whether it be jeep rides, birdwatching, skiing, horse trekking, hiking, volcano climbing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting or fly-fishing – all offered by a large number of local outfitters, with the possibility of designing unique itineraries to suit your tastes. If you have less active plans in mind, you can sit back and take in Chile’s scenery from multi-day boat cruises through the southern fjords or jaw-dropping topography from the comfort of a plane or hot air balloon. Wilderness aside, Chile’s wine-growing regions are second to none and connoisseurs can sample a wide range of tipples, including Carmenère, Chile’s signature grape, while cultural exploration may take you from Santiago’s Salvador Allende memorial to to the Mapuche reducciones of the Lake District, the gold rush remains in Tierra del Fuego, the Chinchorro mummies in Arica’s best museum or the remains of nitrate mines around Iquique. However you do it, Chile will not disappoint you, and you can experience its diversity in whatever style you choose – this is not a developing country, and you don’t have to slum it while you’re here. There are plenty of modest, inexpensive accommodation options and camping facilities up and down the country, while those on a more generous budget will find increasing numbers of luxurious, beautifully designed boutique lodges in spectacular locations, particularly in the south.

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updated 29.12.2023

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One-Week Itinerary for Chile

One Week in Chile: The Ultimate Itinerary

Stretching 4,270 kilometers (2,653 miles) from north to south, Chile is one long, lean, and epically diverse country. It’s a place where you’re never more than a stone’s throw away from the mountains or the sea, with a remarkable assortment of places to hike, spot animals, and soak up Chilean history and culture. 

Promising a broad introduction to Chile’s magnificent landscapes, this ultimate itinerary spans the extreme dusty north of the Atacama Desert and the montane, glacier-riddled south of Patagonia. It’s an ambitious plan for just a week and you’ll be covering quite some ground, so expect to rely on Chile’s network of low-cost flights to transport you across vast distances. Alternatively, slice out a destination or two to free up time to dive deeper into a select few destinations. 

Day 1: Santiago

Touch down in Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benítez to begin your Chilean adventure. Airport shuttle services from the arrivals hall transport you into the chaotic but thrilling modern city of Santiago. The Chilean capital is a place of five-lane expressways and high-rise blocks owned by flashy multi-nationals. But, if you peer a little deeper beneath this contemporary façade, you’ll find a city of history, ample parks, and dynamic neighborhoods packed with intriguing restaurants and bars.

Your first stop is the Plaza de Armas, Santiago’s cavernous main square. It's a hive of activity, from the elderly gentlemen playing chess in one corner to the shoe shiners and stray dogs who roam between the towering palms. Nearby, the Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino (Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art) is a wealth of Indigenous artifacts, including funerary statues used by the Mapuche people. 

In the afternoon, enjoy a leisurely stroll around the trendy Lastarria neighborhood before taking the winding paved pathways to the bench-fringed top of leafy Cerro Santa Lucía. This rounded hill that rises out of the city center offers some of the finest views across Santiago. You’ll want to bring a camera to capture a skyline of rooftops offset by the vertiginous backdrop of the snowy Andes Mountains. 

For a final flavor of Santiago’s unique culture, book a table at pioneering restaurant Peumayen to sample enigmatic flavors from Chile’s indigenous populations. Afterwards dive nose-first into a tasting at Bocanáriz , home to more than 300 of the country’s finest wines. 

Day 2: Valparaíso

The antithesis of Santiago’s urban modernity lies a two-hour bus journey west in the tumbling coastal city of Valparaíso. Lavish, late 19th-century European buildings and aged funiculars that creak their way up into the city’s 42-or-so hills typify this colorful bohemian city that was once among the world’s most important shipping ports. 

While Valparaíso has certainly lost its wealth, it will never lose its spirit. Much of the main tourist neighborhoods of Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción are now daubed in a lively lick of paint from the internationally-renowned graffiti artists who have left their mark here. To understand the vivid history of these sights, you’re best off exploring with a tour. 

Another creative who fell for the city is Chile’s much-loved poet, Nobel Prize-winning Pablo Neruda. Famed for his passionate poems written for a string of lovers, his Valparaíso home, La Sebastiana , is a place to delve into his love of whimsy and childlike décor—as well as admire some of the finest views of the city and harbor from his living room. The free audio guide is a must to understand the house and its famous former inhabitant. 

For lunch, soak up the sun on the shady terrace of Restaurant El Peral , where the razor clams and seasonal fish give you a taste of traditional coastal Chilean dining straight off the boat. 

Leave the city to return to Santiago for the night and enjoy a sundowner on the rooftop terrace of the exclusive The Singular Hotel . Then make your way to Argentine steakhouse Happening for an expertly grilled entraña (skirt steak) paired with a robust Chilean cabernet sauvignon.

Day 3: San Pedro de Atacama

TripSavvy / Chris VR 

An early, two-hour flight heading north to Calama Airport, followed by an easy airport shuttle (no need to book; they leave when full from outside arrivals), brings you to northern adventure capital, San Pedro de Atacama. 

Drop your luggage at your hotel and slather on the sunscreen: At 2,433 meters (7,982 feet) above sea level, you’ll want to take care. The altitude can hit—and fiercely—so spend your afternoon gently to acclimate . Devote an hour or so to the Museo del Meteorito (Meteorite Museum) and their collection of more than 3,200 meteorites that have landed in the surrounding desert, some of which are a remarkable 4.5 million years old.

To catch the sunset as it fades behind the wind-buffeted sand dunes of the Valle de La Luna (Moon Valley), either hire a bike from a business along Toconao road and cycle the 45 minutes, or book a horseback riding tour with Atacama Horse Adventure if you’re feeling less energetic. Take plenty of water for the dry desert air and warm clothes; when the sun drops, the air quickly turns cold. 

Back in town, enjoy classy Andean dining beside an open fire at Adobe , where live Andean music begins at 8 p.m.

Day 4: Los Flamencos National Reserve

It’s an early start—think 4 a.m.—for a tour up into the mountains that encircle San Pedro de Atacama. You’ll arrive as the sky begins to bleed with the dawn at the Géiseres del Tatio (Tatio Geysers), the world’s highest and third largest geyser field. As they’re located at 4,320 meters (14,173 feet) above sea level, you may well be struggling for breath, so take things slowly as you admire jets of steam that erupt from the earth’s crust. Pack a swimsuit for a morning dip on the way back in the luxuriously hot Puritama hot springs, a series of eight, crystal-clear pools fed by geothermal water. 

Back at your hotel, take an afternoon nap before joining a tour out to Laguna Chaxa, a saline lake surrounded by the gray-white salt flats of the Salar de Atacama. You’ve a great chance to spot Andean, James’s, and Chilean flamingos (although good luck telling them apart), who come here to dine on the waters’ veritable feast of algae. Just before sunset, you’ll be whisked across to Laguna Tebinquinche for a pisco sour and a dramatic display as the light drops beneath the surrounding wall of volcanoes, turning the lake pink. 

Chow down on a llama burger and wash it down with beer, made on the premises and infused with herbs plucked from the desert. Wrap up warm for a stargazing tour with local experts SPACE , who’ll whisk you out into the desert to observe the night skies using their 15 professional telescopes; with more than 300 clear nights annually, the Atacama Desert is one of the world’s best places for stargazing. 

Day 5: Punta Arenas

It’s another early start as you make your way back to Calama Airport to board a five-hour flight to Punta Arenas, with a layover in Santiago. The main gateway to Chilean Patagonia, this wind-battered town lies on the northern shore of the Magellan Strait, where eagle-eyed visitors may spy squat-nosed Chilean dolphins frolicking in the waters if you take a wander along the coastal road. 

Book onto an afternoon speedboat tour with Fiordos del Sur out to Magdalena Island, a 97-hectare reserve with some 120,000 resident Magellanic penguins between November and March. Expect to get up-close-and-personal with this chattering mass of birds and their newly-hatched chicks thanks to pathways that allow you to roam between their nests. 

In the evening, enjoy a local delicacy—king crab—and pretty bayside views at fine-dining establishment La Yegua Loca . You'll then catch a late, three-hour bus ride across plains to Puerto Natales. 

Day 6: Puerto Natales

A ramshackle town hugging the depressingly-named—yet enchantingly picturesque—Last Hope Sound, Puerto Natales is deep in cowboy country. 

To get to grips with the Patagonian pursuit of sheep farming, board the speedboat to Estancia La Península on a one-day tour of their 19,000-hectare family ranch. You’ll spend a morning trotting along the fjords atop a criollo horse before catching a display of sheep shearing and digging into the ultimate in Patagonian lunches: spit-roasted lamb. 

Back in Puerto Natales, sample the locally-made Calafate berry gin at the Australian-run Last Hope Distillery . Save room for dinner at uber-luxurious The Singular Patagonia for a first-class feast of scallops, hare, or salmon ceviche, all paired with one of dozens of different options of Chilean wine. 

Day 7: Torres del Paine National Park

Your final day dawns on the outskirts of Chilean Patagonia’s most famous national park: Torres del Paine. Revered for its three spire-like peaks of granite that rear out of a landscape awash with glassy lakes and thunderous glaciers, it epitomizes remote Patagonia. It’s a two-hour drive from Puerto Natales and best visited with a rental vehicle. 

The main attraction is the eight-hour hike up to the three towers, although you can shake things up a little and instead go ice trekking on the park’s 3.7-mile-wide glacier, Grey, or paddle out to its snout across the glacier's namesake lake for a completely new perspective. 

Finish the day back in Puerto Natales ahead of your flight back to Santiago. Or, you could opt to extend your trip to include Argentine Patagonia, just across the border. 

A Guide to Airports in Chile

The 8 Most Popular Cities in Chile

The 20 Best Things to Do in Chile

Top 15 Destinations in Chile

The Complete Guide to Chilean Patagonia

Your Trip to Chile: The Complete Guide

Torres del Paine National Park: The Complete Guide

The Best Time to Visit Chile

Weather in Chile: Climate, Seasons, and Average Monthly Temperature

Top 10 National Parks in Chile

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Your Trip to Argentina: The Complete Guide

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One Week in Argentina: The Ultimate Itinerary

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Chile Travel Guide

Looking for an in-depth Chile travel guide ?

Then you’re in the right place!

Once you start to read about Chile, you’ll quickly realize why it’s one of the top destinations for travelers in South America.

From its incredible natural wonders to its vibrant culture to its delicious cuisine, Chile has so much to offer travelers of all kinds. Whether you’re strolling through cities like Santiago and Valparaiso or trekking the Andes Mountains and glaciers of Patagonia, you are sure to have an amazing time in Chile.

If you’re planning a trip to Latin America, this country on the Pacific coast should be high on your list of places to visit.

Chile’s natural wonders are considered its main attractions, drawing in tourists from around the world ready to see these incredible sights.

The country is home to 41 national parks, making up 20% of the country’s territory and ranging from snow-peaked mountains to remote seaside landscapes.

One of the country’s top parks is Torres del Paine National Park, located in Patagonia. Known for its jagged, snowy mountains, turquoise waters, and incredible glaciers, you’ll find some truly one-of-a-kind sights here.

Up north in the Atacama Desert , you’ll find Los Flamencos National Reserve with spectacular desert views, cool lagoons and, of course, herds of colorful flamingos.

Further south, you can hang out in the Chilean Lake District, a beautiful mountainous region often likened to those found in Switzerland and Germany. Here you’ll find Vicente Perez Rosales National Park, Chile’s oldest park, featuring gorgeous waterfalls, volcano views, and a temperate rainforest.

Chile’s amazing scenery and well-maintained roads make it the perfect country for road tripping. If you’re feeling truly adventurous, rent a car and drive the Carretera Austral, the country’s most famous highway.

This scenic route through Patagonia stretches over 1,000 kilometers (621 miles) and features lush mountain views and impossibly fresh air. There are tons of great places to stop along the way, including the Puyuhuapi Hot Springs, Queulat National Park, and more.

Sticking to public transport? Consider taking a bus through the Andes Mountains into Argentina. You’ll enjoy amazing scenic views throughout the trip and tickets cost as little as $20 per person one way, making it a great way to see the country on a budget.

Keep reading to dive into resources that will help you with planning a trip to Chile in South America.

Note: This ultimate guide to Chile travel contains affiliate links to trusted partners!

Use this Chile travel map to begin planning your trip to this incredible country!

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Best Chile Tours

Explore local culture with a Chilean tour guide through these unique excursions:

• Valparaíso Region Tour – Viña del Mar from Santiago
• Half Day Sailing Magdlena Island Penguin Colony Punta Arenas October to March from Magallanes
• 5-Day Torres del Paine W Trek from Puerto Natales
• Private Easter Island Full-Day Tour
• Cajón del Maipo and Embalse el Yeso from Santiago
• Full-Day Wine Tour from Santiago with Sommelier Guide
• Inca Lagoon in Portillo Andes Mountains – Arqueologic Park & Wine Tasting from Santiago
• Kayaking in Huerquehue National Park (sunrise / sunset) from Pucon
• Astronomical Tour with Guide and Pick Up to San Pedro de Atacama

Chile Hotels

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Renting A Car In Chile

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Chile Travel Insurance

It doesn’t matter if you’re traveling solo or with a group on a Chile tour. When visiting Chile — or any other country in the world — make sure to get travel insurance to protect your health and safety.

In my opinion, the best travel medical insurance for travelers is SafetyWing as they’ve got a large network and offer both short-term and long-term coverage — including coverage if you’re traveling for months as well as limited coverage in your home country).

Additionally, SafetyWing is budget-friendly and offers $250,000 worth of coverage with just one low overall deductible of $250.

With coverage, you’ll have peace of mind as you embark on your Chile travel itinerary.

Click my referral link here to price out travel insurance for your trip in just a few clicks .

Chile Travel Guide FAQ

Below, find answers to frequently asked questions about traveling in Chile .

Q: What are the best places to visit in Chile?

One of the top places to visit in Chile is the country’s capital city of Santiago . This vibrant city in the Andes mountains has tons to offer travelers of all kinds, whether you’re looking for outdoor adventures, unique cultural experiences or some culinary exploration.

Santiago’s location in between the mountains and the Pacific coast make it the perfect home base for those looking to do some skiing in Valle Nevado, hiking in Cajon del Maipo, or sunbathing at the beaches Concon; each destination is a short drive or bus ride away from the city!

Art lovers will want to check out the Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, featuring a vast collection of Indigenous art from across Latin America, and the colorful neighborhood of Bellavista, once home to renowned poet Pablo Naruda.

You’ll also find tons of great wineries in the area serving up the bold red varietals for which the country is well-known.

Chilean Patagonia ‘s gorgeous landscapes also attract tons of travelers every year. This area in southern Chile offers tons of once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from hiking glacier-topped mountains to seeing penguins in their natural habitat.

Torres del Paine National Park and Tierra Del Fuego National Park are two of the area’s top attractions and for good reason.

At Torres de Paine , you’ll find breathtaking mountain views while hiking the “W Circuit,” a six-day trek that will test your mettle while taking you to some of the park’s most iconic sights. It’s known as one of the best hiking trails in the world !

And at Tierra Del Fuego National Park, you can hop on the “End of the World Train,” a former prison transport line that offers incredible views, no hiking experience needed.

In northeastern Chile, you’ll find San Pedro de Atacama , an arid desert town with much to explore.

In Mars Valley, or Death Valley, you’ll find incredible desert views and rocky hills that make for one-of-a-kind sunsets. The area is home to tons of hiking trails, but one of the coolest things to try is sandboarding.

The desert’s dry climate gives the sand a powdery feel, so you can fly down the hills just like you do on the ski slopes.

Looking for some R&R? The Atacama Desert is also home to some amazing thermal hot springs where you can rest your bones after your long travels.

The small town of San Pedro de Atacama is also worth checking out itself, with cool mud-brick buildings and lots of shops and cafes to explore.

Q: Is Chile expensive for tourists?

Chile is considered one of the most expensive destinations in South America for tourists. As Chile is one of the most developed countries in South America, things are generally more expensive and prices are comparable to those you’d find in European destinations.

That said, there are many deals to be found in Chile and it’s very possible to travel through the country on a budget.

The average traveler spends about $102 USD per day in Chile on food, transportation, accommodations, activities, and other travel expenses.

Q: What is the best way to travel around Chile?

The bus is generally considered the best way to get around Chile. The country’s long-distance bus routes are known for being comfortable, punctual, and affordable.

Chile’s bus companies also travel to an extensive list of destinations, so you’ll probably be able to get where you need to go — even if it’s a bit off the beaten path.

If you’re traveling overnight, spring for a salon cama or premium bus service with seats that fully recline or fold flat. Breakfast is usually included on these routes and you’ll arrive feeling refreshed after traveling in comfort.

If you’re heading to more remote locations or just want the freedom of traveling on your own schedule, renting a car in Chile may be the way to go.

Chileans are safe drivers and your main safety concerns on the road are stray animals and pedestrians who tend to use the road as a sidewalk.

Do note that Santiago does have vehicular restrictions based on smog levels in an effort to combat air pollution. If you’re visiting the city, you may want to stick to using public transportation to get around.

Q: Is Chile safe for travel?

Chile is one of the safer destinations in South America. Violent and petty crime levels are generally low, although pickpocketing, bag snatching and mugging, do happen in more urban areas.

Remember to stay aware of your surroundings at all times and keep any valuables close to you and out of sight to avoid pickpockets . It’s also best not to flaunt any obvious signs of wealth, particularly if you’re visiting more tourist-heavy areas.

The risk of natural disasters in Chile is a bit higher than in other destinations thanks to its active earthquake zone and volcanoes. Keep an eye on the news for any natural disaster warnings and evacuation notices and brush up on your earthquake safety protocols before your trip so that you’re extra prepared for anything.

Q: What do I need to know before going to Chile?

If you speak Spanish, you might notice that Chile’s version of the language is a bit different than what you’re used to. Every Spanish-speaking country has its own dialect and vocabulary, so some of the phrases and pronunciations you’ll hear may be new to you.

If you’re regularly conversing with locals, you’ll likely adjust to the dialect quickly and may even pick up a few new words.

For non-Spanish speakers, it’s definitely helpful to learn a few phrases in the language before your trip. Only around 10% of Chile’s population can converse in English, so you’ll probably need to know at least a little Spanish to communicate with locals. Plus, learning and using the local language shows respect for a destination’s culture.

As is the case in many Latin American destinations, meals start late in Chile. Most restaurants don’t open for lunch until 1 PM and you may find yourself sitting down for dinner long after sundown. Adjust your schedule accordingly; early risers may want to sleep in a bit to compensate for the late nights.

Looking to travel between Chile and Argentina? You’ll find that the Andes Mountains make this a bit difficult in certain spots. You’ll have to take a boat to travel into Argentina from certain spots in Patagonia like Villa O’Higgins and public transport options between the two countries are nonexistent here.

At the mountain crossings in the north, you’ll find that most buses and cars stick to those on the main highways. Paso de San Francisco is probably the most scenic route, but can take some time to travel. If you’re short on time, consider flying from one country to the other.

Q: How many days should you spend in Chile?

Most experts suggest spending 7 to 10 days in Chile to get a good idea of the country. This length of time will give you enough time to visit some of the country’s top natural wonders, cities, and wineries with ample travel time to get to each destination.

Q: What is the best month to visit Chile?

While the weather in Chile can vary greatly from place to place, October through March (Chile’s summertime) is generally considered the best time to visit. During this time, you’ll find warm and pleasant weather throughout much of the country.

This is also Chile’s peak season for tourism, so you may want to visit in those shoulder months (September through October and March through April) to avoid crowds at major attractions.

If you’re visiting in the peak of summer (December through February), you’ll definitely want to book your accommodations well in advance, as things book up quickly during this time.

Q: Do I need a Chile travel visa?

Visitors from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union do not need a visa to visit Chile.

Visitors from South American states including Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay simply need to show their national ID upon arrival in Chile and do not need a passport to enter the country.

Visitors from Australia do need a visa to enter Chile and can apply for an e-visa online.

It’s recommended to view your country’s Chile International Travel Information page for the most up-to-date information on entry and exit rules and Chile Travel Requirements. You can also contact the Consulate General of Chile.

Q: Where is Chile?

Chile sits along the western seaboard of South America. It shares borders with Peru and Bolivia (north), Argentina (east), and the Pacific Ocean (west).

Q: Are credit cards accepted in Chile?

Credit cards — particularly Visa and Mastercard — are widely accepted around Chile, though it is always wise to carry some cash for smaller establishments and in case of emergency. Note that you’ll often likely spend less when paying cash as many Chilean businesses pass credit card fees onto the customer.

Q: Can you drink the tap water in Chile?

The tap water is safe to drink in most places in Chile outside of San Pedro de Atacama. That being said, it’s always a good idea to double check with your hotel to be safe. Moreover, Chile’s tap water has a high mineral content, so drinking it for long periods of time is not advised.

Q: What is the local currency in Chile?

The local currency in Chile is the Chilean peso.

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Chile Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 30, 2023

Chile is one of the most slender and longest countries in the world — it’s just 150 miles across at its widest point! From the snow-capped volcanoes of Patagonia and blistering heights of the Andes to world-class wineries and Maoi sculptures of Easter Island , there are a lot of wonderful things to see in Chile.

Traveling to Chile was one of the best experiences I’ve had in South America. It just constantly blew me away. It’s one of the most developed South American countries (the capital, Santiago, is a tech hub for the region), the people were awesome, the food was incredible, and the scenery made me feel in awe of nature.

Not only is there lots to do but the country is budget-friendly, which really rounds it out as a must-see destination.

Use this travel guide to Chile to plan your visit, save money, and make the most out of your trip!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• Where to Stay
• How to Get Around
• How to Stay Safe
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Chile

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Chile

1. See Easter Island

Easter Island, located 3,540 kilometers (2,200 miles) off the coast of Chile, is the most isolated inhabited island on earth and home to the Rapa Nui Polynesian indigenous people that have lived there since 300 CE. Named after explorer Jacob Roggeveen’s ‘discovery’ of the island on Easter Sunday in 1722, this protected UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its Moai sculptures (the iconic big faces dotted all over the island). However, there is so much more to the island, including thousands of archaeological sites, volcanic craters and tunnels, pristine beaches, and excellent diving. To explore this magical place, hike around the dramatic cliffs and extinct volcanoes around the Moai archeological sites or around the spectacular Rano Kau crater and the Ana O Keke Cave. Or go sun yourself on Anakena’s beautiful white coral sand beach or Ovahe, a secluded pink sand beach hidden in a little cove with sparkling turquoise waters.

2. Discover Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine lies between the Andes and Patagonian steppe and is made up of snow-clad mountains, glacier lakes, and some of the best hiking in Chile. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful and desolate regions on the planet. There is no end to the scenic views here, including the three rugged, towering peaks of Central, Monzino, and Dagostini as well as the Southern Ice Fields. Be sure to wander around the enchanting Sarmiento Lake and see the Amarga Lagoon and the giant Salto Grande Waterfall. Admission is 29,250 CLP for up to three days for foreigners.

3. Explore Santiago

Chile’s capital is a thriving city and home to a third of the country’s entire population. Founded in 1541, this vibrant capital offers gorgeous panoramas, great restaurants, tasty locally-produced wine, and of course, Barrio Bellavista’s nightlife. There are quite a few must-see attractions in the city: Parque Metropolitano (a large urban park) as well as Cerro San Cristóbal, where you can hike around taking in beautiful views of the city, shouldn’t be missed. The Museum of Human Rights is also a must-visit site, as it chronicles the dark years of Pinochet when thousands of people ‘disappeared’ at the hands of his violent regime.

4. Marvel at San Pedro de Atacama

Located in Chile’s Norte Chico northern region, San Pedro de Atacama is one of Chile’s hottest tourist towns. Literally. Sitting at 2,400 meters (7,874 feet), the ancient town is in the driest desert in the world (it reportedly hasn’t seen rain since 1870). But the rock formations here are stunning, and it’s the perfect place to stargaze. This little town with adobe houses and dirt streets only has 5,000 inhabitants but plenty of tourists visit up to explore the stunning valley landscapes, the Atacama Salt Flats, and the Chaxa and Miniques Lagoons. Don’t miss the famous beautiful jagged geological formations of Valle de la Luna and Valle de la Muerte valleys that can be reached by bicycle from town.

5. Visit colorful Valparaiso

Nicknamed the “Jewel of South America,” this colorful city near Santiago is a mesh of bohemian bars and Victorian architecture along a coastline of sheer cliffs. The laid-back atmosphere and beauty of the area have inspired generations of writers and poets, including poet Pablo Neruda. Be sure to bring your camera because the whole city is painted in vibrant Insta-worthy colors. Take the Ascensor Reina Victoria funicular up to the Concepcion neighborhood and have a cocktail on the hilltop overlooking the city as you try some of the delicious local seafood dishes. Also, be sure to check out two of Chile’s top beaches nearby, the upscale Viña del Mar and the super cool Reñaca.

Other Things to See and Do in Chile

1. see the san marcos cathedral.

The same architect who was responsible for the Eiffel Tower, Alexandre Gustav Eiffel, designed San Marcos Cathedral. The cathedral is in Arica, Chile’s northernmost city, and was built to replace the original cathedral destroyed by an earthquake in 1868. The new cathedral was commissioned in 1876 and is a rare example of Gothic architecture in South America.

2. Get tipsy on a wine tour

Chile’s vineyards have been producing world-class wine for over 400 years. There are plenty of tours available around the country as vineyards stretch the entire length of Chile. I think the best wineries are located near Santiago. Expect to pay around 15,000-20,000 CLP for a basic tour, though fancier tours at more prestigious vineyards can easily be over 55,000-100,000 CLP per person. Most tours last 4-8 hours.

3. Hike a volcano

Chile is home to the world’s tallest active volcano, Ojos del Salado, which lies in the Andes near the Argentine border. Villarica and Osorno are also popular volcanoes (and both lie close to lakes). Most volcanoes in the country have thermal spas at their base too. Experienced hikers can do the trip on their own, though there are plenty of guided tours available for travelers looking for a group tour. Most multi-day tours span 10-14 days and cost millions of pesos. For day trips like the Cajon de Maipo, Osorno Volcano, Termas Colina, and Petrohue Falls, expect to pay 32,000-56,000 CLP per person.

4. Valle de la Muerte

Also known as “Death Valley,” this is an astounding place to hike, go horseback riding, or even go sandboarding. Located in the northeast of the country near San Pedro de Atacama, there are also guided moonlight walks that take you out over the rocky martian landscape. You can rent a sandboard for around 8,300 CLP or go on a sandboard tour for 23,000 CLP per person which includes transportation. There are even tours that sandboard at midnight, using spotlights to light the way (they have a DJ too!). If you’re looking to hike, check out the Corniza Trail. It’s a 7-hour loop that’s relatively easy (many families do it).

5. Santuario de la Naturaleza Valle de la Luna

Also located near San Pedro de Atacama, the “Valley of the Moon” is an otherworldly landscape that is home to stones and sand formations that have developed an extraordinary texture due to thousands of years of winds and flooding. The rock formations look like the surface of the moon, hence the park’s name. It’s a great place to go hiking — just don’t forget to bring water as it can get quite warm. Tours are available for around 26,000 CLP per person.

6. See the El Tatio geysers

A popular tourist attraction, these geysers are incredibly beautiful and well worth a visit as they make up the largest geyser field in the Southern Hemisphere (and they are the third largest in the world). You have to get up around 4am as all the tour companies aim to get you there by sunrise and it’s a 90-minute drive from San Pedro de Atacama. But it’s worth the effort! Bring a swimsuit as there are thermal pools nearby. Tours cost around 33,000-38,000 CLP. You can visit without a tour (admission is 15,000 CLP) but you’ll need to rent your own vehicle to get there.

7. Museo de Bellas Artes

This museum is one of the best in the country. Located in Santiago, it’s home to a wide display of fine art, sculptures, photography, paintings, and digital media. Built in 1910, the building is somewhat small but the architecture is equally as impressive as the collection within (it was built in the Beaux-arts style and has a very Parisian feel to it). Admission is free.

8. Mingle among the wealthy in Viña del Mar

Considered a Chilean Miami, this city next to Valparaiso serves as a hotspot for casinos, upscale cafes, and seaside restaurants. Even if you don’t have money to burn, it’s an interesting place to spend an afternoon people-watching as you wander the beach promenade. You’ll find lots of world-class restaurants here. If you’ve got some money to burn, stay a night!

9. Tour Pablo Neruda’s homes

One of the world’s most famous poets used to call Chile home. With homes in Valparaiso, Santiago, and Isla Negra, this Chilean icon stuffed a lifetime of knick-knacks, literature, and interesting maritime architectural pieces into his three abodes. All of them are open to the public. Even if you’re not a huge fan of his work, his homes alone are an interesting glimpse into Chilean culture as Neruda is a cultural icon and one of the most famous poets of the 20th century. Admission to each home costs around 7,000 CLP and includes an audio-guide system in multiple languages.

10. Get off the beaten path

Some lesser-known treasures worth visiting in Chile are Frutillar (a beautiful lakeside community in southern Chile’s Los Lagos Region), Lonquimay (another gorgeous lakeside town in the Malleco Province of southern Chile’s Araucanía Region), Caleta Tortel (a rugged seaside town with wooden walkways instead of streets in the heart of Patagonia) and Coyhaique (a less pricey Northern Patagonia city that’s a hub for great nature adventures). If you’re looking to beat the crowds, be sure to visit some of these lesser-known destinations.

11. Swim in the world’s largest pool

If you’re looking for some luxury, head to the Crystal Lagoon, home to the world’s largest swimming pool. It’s located at the San Alfonso del Mar resort in Algarrobo, just west of Santiago. The pool is the size of twenty Olympic swimming pools and is the biggest recreational swimming pool in the world, requiring 66 million gallons of water just to fill it! A 1-2 bedroom apartment rental here costs 70,000-120,000 CLP per night.

Chile Travel Costs

Accommodation – Hostel dorms start around 9,800 CLP per night and private rooms come in at around 22,000-30,000 CLP. Free breakfast and free Wi-Fi are common, and many hostels have self-catering facilities if you want to cook your own food.

Budget hotels are inexpensive in Chile with prices starting at 25,000-35,000 CLP per night for a basic double or twin bed (though expect to pay closer to 55,000 CLP for a nicer budget hotel). Many budget hotels include free breakfast and free Wi-Fi (though not all, so be sure to double-check).

Airbnb is available in the larger cities, with prices as low as 16,000 CLP per night for shared accommodation. If you want a private home or apartment, expect to pay at least 45- 60,000 CLP.

For those traveling with a tent, camping is possible. There are a handful of campgrounds scattered around the country where you can pitch a tent for as little as 5,300-6,000 CLP per night but some with lots of amenities and proximity to the beach are as much as 35,000 CLP.

Food – With an extensive coastline, Chilean cuisine relies heavily on seafood. Cod, salmon, shrimp, lobster, prawn — there are tons of options available. BBQ meat (including alpaca) is particularly popular in the north. Other popular Chilean dishes include churrasco (steak sandwich), machas a la parmesana (clams baked with white wine, parmesan cheese, and butter), and chupe (a hearty seafood stew), and empanadas.

Overall, food in the country isn’t too expensive, though prices get a lot higher the further south you go due to higher transportation costs. Most places in the country offer a set menu for lunch with a starter, main, and drink for about 7,000 CLP. A steak dinner with wine and an appetizer costs around 35,000 CLP while a fast food combo meal (think McDonald’s) costs around 6,000 CLP.

A latte or cappuccino costs 2,300 CLP while a domestic beer can be as cheap as 3,000 CLP. Bottled water is 850 CLP.

Grocery shopping can save you a lot of money if you have access to a kitchen. Expect a week’s worth of groceries to cost around 25,000 CLP depending on your diet. This gets you basic staples like pasta, rice, quinoa, vegetables, and some meat.

As everything must be shipped south, food prices in Patagonia are about 30% higher than elsewhere in the country.

Backpacking Chile Suggested Budgets

How much does it cost to visit Chile? That depends on a few different factors, specifically, what you plan on doing while you’re here as well as your travel style.

On a backpacking budget of 36,000 CLP per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook your own meals, use public transportation to get around, and visit a few museums. If you plan on drinking, you’ll need to add 5,000-8,000 CLP per day.

On a mid-range budget of 105,000 CLP per day, you can stay in a private Airbnb, take buses between destinations, eat out at street stalls and cheap restaurants serving local cuisine, take the occasional taxi, drink at the bar, and do some paid excursions like guided hikes and wine tours.

On a “luxury” budget of 205,000 CLP per day, you can stay in a hotel, hire a rental car to get around, do some guided tours, drink as much as you want, and eat out at nice restaurants for every meal. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily. Keep in mind these are daily averages – some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in CLP.

Chile Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Chile can be an expensive place to visit, especially if you’re doing a lot of tours and activities. The size of the country also means you can end up spending a lot on transportation. Here are some tips to help you save during your visit:

• Buy wine at the supermarkets – Surprisingly, buying wine from vineyards can be more expensive than in the supermarkets. Buy from the supermarkets if you’re on a tight budget.
• Take the bus – Bus service is inexpensive and efficient here. Night buses are comfortable and a good way to save on a night’s accommodation (they often have lie flat beds).
• Buy food from La Vega Market – La Vega Market in Santiago sells everything you could possibly need and all sorts of local ingredients from Chile and Peru. Shop here for your veggies, fruits, and to get an authentic experience.
• Eat at the local fish markets – In the coastal cities, the local fish markets are usually the best place for a seafood meal. Though the restaurants look cheap and thrown together, they’re delicious!
• Shop around – Haggling is not common and vendors stick to their guns even when called out for price discrimination. So, if you’re quoted an inflated price for being a tourist it’s best to just move around and find alternatives where the prices are already set and visible. Otherwise, you’ll just be wasting your time and energy.
• Ride in a micro or colectivo – Regular buses are for intercity transportation. “Micros” are intracity, and “colectivos” are taxis that drive a specific route once they get four people in the car, and charge a very low rate. If you want to go somewhere, chances are there’s a micro or colectivo that can get you close — just ask a local and they’ll know where to point you.
• Stay with a local – Chile doesn’t have a huge Couchsurfing community, but you can still give it a shot and try to find a host (and get a local friend and a free place to stay). Just be sure to send your requests early!
• Take a free walking tour – There are some great options available when it comes to free walking tours in Santiago, such as Tours 4 Tips or Free Tour Santiago . If you want to explore the city while learning about its history, architecture, and people then be sure to take a free tour. Just remember to tip at the end!
• Stay at a Hola Hostel – Hola Hostels is a network of hostels predominantly in South and Central America. They offer 10% off to their members, as well as other local discounts for food and activities. Joining is free, and their hostels are also committed to environmentally sustainable practices.
• Travel in the shoulder season – Prices in the country are cheaper outside of the high season (which is November-March). This includes admission to parks like Torres del Paine, which charge double during the busy summer months. Beat the crowds and save some money by skipping the high season.
• Bring a water bottle – LifeStraw is a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter that you can use instead of buying single-use plastic bottles. It removes bacteria, parasites, micro plastics, and other contaminants so it’s perfect for cities as well as if you’re out hiking in nature.

Where to Stay in Chile

Hostels can be found in all the major destinations across Chile. Here are my recommended places to stay if you’re on a budget:

• Hostal Forestal (Santiago)
• Poker Hostel (Santiago)
• Hostal Po (Valparaiso)
• Hostal Rural (San Pedro de Atacama)
• Kona Tau (Easter Island)
• Chili Kiwi Lakefront (Pucon)

How to Get Around Chile

Public transportation – Public transportation, especially in Santiago, is reliable and affordable. In Santiago, you need to purchase a refillable bus pass (BIP Card) for your journeys as individual tickets are no longer available. The card costs around 1,550 CLP with the average ride costing around 700 CLP (prices vary depending on the time of day). BIP cards need a minimum initial credit of 1,000 CLP. You have to pay for your card and top-ups in cash; non-Chilean credit cards are not accepted.

Bus – For intercity travel, buses are the cheapest way to get around — and they are nice too! Reclining seats are common and many even recline almost all the way down. Additionally, some night buses even have a curtain between the seats so you can have a little privacy from your neighbor. The best companies to use are Turbus and Pullman.

Expect to pay at least 38,000 CLP per person from Santiago to Antofagasta. From Santiago to Valparaiso, bus tickets cost around 6,000–10,000 CLP each way. For something like the cross-country journey from Santiago to Punta Arenas, expect to pay at least 60,000 CLP for the 40-hour bus ride (this is an incredibly long distance so you have to change at Osorno or choose flying).

Train – Traveling by train in Chile is virtually non-existent. Much of the tracks have been left to decay beyond repair outside the central region of the country. Trains link Santiago with Curico, Talca, Linares, and Chillan with air-conditioned cars but that’s the extent of Chile’s train infrastructure. You can visit trencentral.cl for the available routes and prices.

Flying – Flying around the country is surprisingly affordable. Expect to pay around 28,000-35,000 CLP for the two-hour flight from Santiago to Antofagasta. Prices are similar for trips from Santiago to:

• La Serena (one hour)
• Calama (two hours)
• Arica (two hours forty-five minutes)
• Concepcion (one hour)
• Puerto Montt (one hour forty minutes)

For a flight between Santiago and Puerto Natales, expect to pay around 40,000-55,000 CLP. Round-trip flights from Santiago to the remote Easter Island cost around 240,000-300,000 CLP.

Car rental – Driving in Chile is much easier (and safer) than driving in other South American countries. Many of the highways are well-maintained thanks to their liberal use of toll roads. While driving in Santiago can be a little chaotic, once you get out of the city things generally become much easier. Expect to pay around 178,000 CLP for a one-week rental. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

When to Go to Chile

Since Chile is in the southern hemisphere, the summer months are December, January, and February. With landscapes ranging from desert to tundra, the weather and temperatures can vary tremendously here. Expect daily highs around 28-30°C (82-86°F) in Santiago, while the highs in Torres del Paine are closer to 13°C (55°F).

Winter is not a particularly great time to visit as the temperatures can drop below freezing, with snowfall common in certain regions. Daily lows reach -15 °C (5 F), making it rather unpleasant to be out and about during the day. Unsurprisingly, you can see why most travelers visit during the summer.

Fortunately, the shoulder season is also a fantastic time to visit Chile as you’ll be able to beat the crowds and save yourself some money. It’s an especially good time to visit if you plan on visiting Torres del Paine as there will be fewer hikers here and the park admission will be much cheaper. November and March are usually included in the high season, so aim for late October or early April. The weather won’t be perfect, but it’s a good compromise for travelers looking to dodge the crowds.

How to Stay Safe in Chile

Chile is considered a safe destination and generally ranks as one of the safest on the continent. That said, crimes still do occur so you’ll want to take some precautions during your trip. The most common crimes in Chile are petty theft and bag snatching. Since these are crimes of opportunity, you’ll always want to make sure your possessions are secure. Be extra vigilant when riding the bus and when you’re in areas popular with tourists.

When taking the bus (especially the night bus) make sure you don’t have any valuables in your checked bag. Additionally, keep any valuables secure and out of reach from any would-be pickpockets.

If you’re enjoying the nightlife of Santiago, keep an eye on your drink as drink-spiking can occur.

Be sure to read about the common travel scams to avoid here .

Earthquakes are also common enough in Chile that you’ll want to make sure you are prepared should one occur. Know where your emergency exits are in your accommodation as well as any local evacuation locations for major emergencies. If you have a map downloaded on your phone, save the location of the nearest hospital and airport as well, just in case.

If you need emergency services, dial 113 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Chile Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Chile Gear and Packing Guide

If you’re heading on the road and need some gear suggestions, here are my tips for the best travel backpack and for what to pack!

The Best Backpack for Travelers

If you want something different, refer to my article on how to choose the best travel backpack for tips on picking a pack and other backpack suggestions.

What to Pack for Your Trip

• 1 pair of jeans (heavy and not easily dried, but I like them; a good alternative is khaki pants)
• 1 pair of shorts
• 1 bathing suit
• 5 T-shirts ( Unbound Merino is my preferred company. If you’re a member of TNN+, you can get 15% off your purchase )
• 1 long-sleeved T-shirt
• 1 pair of flip-flops
• 1 pair of sneakers
• 6 pairs of socks (I always end up losing half)
• 5 pairs of boxer shorts (I’m not a briefs guy!)
• 1 toothbrush
• 1 tube of toothpaste
• 1 package of dental floss
• 1 small bottle of shampoo
• 1 small bottle of shower gel

Small Medical Kit (safety is important!!!)

• Hydrocortisone cream
• Antibacterial cream
• Hand sanitizer (germs = sick = bad holiday)

Miscellaneous

• A key or combination lock (safety first)
• Zip-lock bags (keeps things from leaking or exploding)
• Plastic bags (great for laundry)
• Universal charger/adaptor (this applies to everyone)
• LifeStraw (A water bottle with a purifier)

Female Travel Packing List I’m not a woman, so I don’t know what a woman wears, but Kristin Addis, our solo female travel guru, wrote this list as an addition to the basics above:

• 1 pair of stretchy jeans (they wash and dry easily)
• 1 pair of leggings (if it’s cold, they can go under your jeans, otherwise with a dress or shirt)
• 2-3 long-sleeve tops
• 2-3 T-shirts
• 3-4 spaghetti tops
• 1 light cardigan
• 1 dry shampoo spray & talc powder (keeps long hair grease-free in between washes)
• 1 hairbrush
• Makeup you use
• Hair bands & hair clips
• Feminine hygiene products (you can opt to buy there too, but I prefer not to count on it, and most people have their preferred products)

For more on packing, check out these posts:

• What I Pack For My Travels
• The Ultimate List For Female Travelers
• How to Choose and Buy the Right Backpack

Chile Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Chile travel and continue planning your trip:

Is Chile Safe to Visit?

How to Travel Easter Island on a Tight Budget

18 of the Best Spots in Patagonia

Patagonia: Thoughts on Getting Offline and Trying to Camp

12 Ways to Save Money in Argentina

16 Amazing Photos from My Visit to Torres Del Paine

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Chile TRAVEL GUIDE

Fodor's Essential Chile (Fodor's Travel Guide) Whether you want to go hiking in Patagonia, hit the beach in Viña del Mar, or drink your...

At the southwestern edge of South America, Chile feels a world away. Mountains, glaciers, deserts and a rugged coastline are just some of Chile’s charms but there’s also a rich native culture and bustling cities to discover along its long, thin 4,270-km expanse.

The entry point for most is through the capital city, Santiago, where the major international airport connects this far-flung country to the rest of the world. Glistening skyscrapers stand out against the snowy frame of the Andes mountains but Santiago also boasts old world charm in the bohemian neighbourhoods of Lastarria and Bellavista. Plaza de Armas is Santiago’s hub, which is just a stone’s throw from the Central Market and La Vega, where you’ll find all of Chile’s exotic fruits and sea creatures on display. Well-heeled city folk dine in the upmarket neighborhoods of Providencia and Las Condes, where some of the country’s best restaurants and bars hide.

Just on the doorstep of Santiago are the wine regions of Aconcagua, Maipo, and Casablanca which offer perfect day trips in wine country. It’s well worth spending a night drinking wine under the stars and between the vines in one of Chile’s award-winning winery accommodations in the Central Valley. It’s here, especially in Colchagua, where avant-garde architecture and fine wine-paired dining experiences meet.

Although there’s plenty of ways to relax and unwind in Chile, most voyage here for the excellent outdoor adventures. There are few places in the world with four natural borders like Chile. To the north, the country is hemmed in by the world’s driest desert, the Atacama. Unparalleled star-gazing have attracted the likes of NASA to set up base here, but San Pedro de Atacama is just as popular with nomads drawn to the special energy of this high-altitude desert plain. Geysers, volcanoes, and salt-crusted valleys are just some of the natural wonders found within.

To the east, the Andes mountains run down the spine of the country, separating Chile from Argentina. Fishing in the lake district and river rafting in Pucón are highlights, while skiing, climbing and hiking attract visitors to the mountains year-round. In the south is the holy grail for hikers, the W around the Torres del Paine. The remarkable spires of ancient granite make one of the world’s most beautiful natural sculptures rising from the vast Patagonian steppe. Pumas, condors, and guanacos will catch your gaze, if you can manage to pull your eyes away from the creaking glaciers, stunning fjords, and milky glacial lakes that extend through Chile’s southern border and the gateway to Antarctica.

The final frontier is to the west, Chile’s Pacific coast. From the white pebble beaches of the north, down to the volcanic black sands of the south, Chile’s coastline is unarguably photogenic. The mysterious islands of Chiloé and Easter Island might pull you away from the mainland, but almost everyone is lured back by the calm waves at Viña del Mar and the chaos of color and culture that is Valparaíso city. Chile may be slim but it’s diverse to discover.

FODOR'S FINEST

The best hotels in south america.

• Hotel Nothofagus Patagonia, Chile
• Nayara Alto Atacama Atacama Desert, Chile
• The Singular Patagonia Patagonia, Chile

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Top destinations.

• Parks & Preserves

The Lake District

As you travel the winding roads of the Lake District, the snowcapped shoulders of volcanoes emerge, mysteriously disappear, then materialize again, peeping through trees or...

Santiago, Chile’s capital city, nestled between the Andes and the coastal range, has long been overlooked in favor of older, bigger or more well-known capital...

The Central Coast

Most people head to the Central Coast for a single reason: the beaches. And while yes, many are drawn here by the rough grandeur of...

El Norte Grande

The Norte Grande is as vast as it is remote, but don’t be fooled by this seemingly empty landscape: the Atacama Desert is filled with...

El Norte Chico

Between the fertile central valley to the south and the vast expanse of the Atacama Desert to the north, El Norte Chico—or Chile’s Little North—hosts...

Steeped in magic, shrouded in mist, the 41-island archipelago of Chiloé is that proverbial world apart, isolated not so much by distance from the mainland...

Southern Chilean Patagonia

There's no doubt about it that Patagonia is striking in its beauty—the constantly changing sky throws a different light on the landscape from one minute...

The Southern Coast

The sliver of land known as the Southern Coast stretches for more than 1,000 km (620 miles), from the southernmost part of the Lakes District...

The Central Valley

The Central Valley is the most abundant valley in Chile, not just for fruit and grape production, but also for its wealth of opportunities for...

Easter Island

Easter Island, the most isolated inhabited island in the world—2,985 km (1,850 miles) from its nearest populated neighbor and 3,700 km (2,295 miles) off the...

Valparaíso's dramatic topography—45 cerros, or hills, overlooking the ocean—requires the use of winding pathways and wooden ascensores (funiculars) to get up many of the grades...

The resort town of Pucón, on the southern shore of Lago Villarrica, attracts Chileans young and old. By day, there are loads of outdoor activities...

Hugging the coast on the northwest side is the island’s capital of Hanga Roa. Of the 6,000 residents, about half are indigenous Rapa Nui and...

• San Pedro de Atacama

It is not an exaggeration to call San Pedro de Atacama a once-in-a-lifetime destination, as after all, there’s nowhere else quite like the Atacama Desert...

• Puerto Varas

A fast-growing resort town on the edge of Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Varas is renowned for its view of both the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Stunning...

One of Chile’s most scenic cities, it gracefully combines Chilean wood-shingle construction with the architectural style of the well-to-do German settlers who colonized the area...

• Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar has high-rise apartment buildings that tower above its excellent shoreline, and the wide boulevards are lined with palms, lush parks, and mansions...

This northern gateway to the Lake District acquired a bit of pop-culture cachet as the setting for a scene in The Motorcycle Diaries, a film...

Steeped in history, Chile’s second-oldest city, La Serena, wears two distinct faces today. On one hand, it charms visitors with its European-style old quarter. On...

• Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine, Chile

While known for being a rather unimpressive town on its own, the proximity of Puerto Natales to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine and Parque Nacional...

Founded in 1567, Castro is Chile's third-oldest city. Its history has been one of destruction, with three fires and three earthquakes laying waste to the...

The hub of the Aysén region in Patagonia, this is a city in contrast, with modernity mixing with a traditionally slower rhythm in the shadow...

• Puerto Montt

For most of its history, windy Puerto Montt was the end of the line for just about everyone traveling in the Lake District. Now the...

Iquique is the capital of Chile's northernmost region, but it wasn't always so important. For hundreds of years it was a tiny fishing community. After...

Side Trips from Santiago

For more than a few travelers, Santiago's main attraction is its proximity to the continent's best skiing. The snowcapped mountains to the east of Santiago...

Arica boasts that it is "the land of the eternal spring," but its temperate climate and beaches are not the only reason to visit this...

This once sleepy village has become the height of rural chic in recent years, due, in large part, to the booming Colchagua Valley wine industry...

The village of Chacao (where your ferry arrives) was actually the site of one of the first Spanish shipyards in the Americas, but it was...

As you head into the Elqui Valley, the first town you come to is Vicuña, famous as the birthplace of one of Chile's most important...

• Antofagasta

Antofagasta is the most important—and the richest—city in El Norte Grande. It was part of Bolivia until 1879, when it was annexed by Chile in...

Copiapó was officially founded in 1744 by Don Francisco Cortés, who called it Villa San Francisco de La Selva. Originally a tambo, or resting place...

Straddling the banks of the Río Claro, Talca is not only Maule's most important industrial center; it is also one of the most appealing towns...

In 1814, the hills around Rancagua were the site of a battle in the War of Independence known as the Desastre de Rancagua (Disaster of...

Villarrica was founded in 1552, but the Mapuche wars prevented extensive settlement of the area until the early 20th century. Founded by the Spanish conqueror...

Although the least visited of the Lake District's four major cities, Osorno is one of the oldest in Chile, but the Mapuche prevented foreigners from...

Halfway down the western edge of Lago Llanquihue lies the small town of Frutillar, a destination for European immigrants in the late 19th century and...

• Pisco Elqui

This idyllic village of fewer than 600 residents has two pisco plants. Once known as La Unión, the town, perched on a sun-drenched hillside, received...

The discovery of vast deposits of copper in the area turned Calama into the quintessential mining town, and therein lies its interest. People from the...

• Maitencillo

This town is a string of cabanas, houses, and eateries spread along the 4-km (3-mile) Avenida del Mar. Two long beaches are separated by an...

Near the town of Villa Lucia, Ruta 231 branches east from the Carretera Austral and winds around Lago Yelcho. About 159 km (99 miles) later...

The largest town south of Valparaíso, Algarrobo has a winding coastline with several yellow-sand beaches and consequently attracts throngs of sun worshippers. The pine forest...

How to explain the lovely name Concón? One theory is that in the language of the Changos, co meant "water," and the duplication of the...

The Pan-American Highway, which begins in Alaska and stretches for most of the length of North and South America, ends without fanfare here in Quellón...

Ovalle always suffers in comparison to its fairer sister to the north, La Serena, as it has no beaches or breezes. However, it can be...

If you are traveling by ferry to and from Chiloé or Puerto Montt, you will likely pass through Chaitén. In May 2008, a volcano erupted...

• The Southeastern Circuit

Most of the archaeological sites on the island line the southeastern coast. Driving along it, you pass many ahus, where moai once stood, most of...

• San Fernando

San Fernando is surrounded by popular wineries, handsome hotels, colonial estancias, and beautiful nature spots. The city is a convenient stopping point alongside Ruta 5...

The small fishing villages of Cochamó are blessed with friendly people but little infrastructure. Only a few farms dot the countryside. In short, nature with...

• Bahia Inglesa

Some of the most beautiful beaches in El Norte Chico are at Bahía Inglesa, which was originally known as Puerto del Inglés because of the...

• Lago General Carrera and Nearby

It takes a 280-km (174-mile) drive from Coyhaique along the rutted, mostly unpaved Carretera Austral to reach Lago General Carrera—a beautiful, almost surreally blue lake...

• The Western Circuit

On the western tip of the island are the cave paintings of Ana Kai Tangata and the petroglyphs near the ceremonial village of Orongo. You'll...

Founded in 1743, Curicó means "black water" in Mapudungún, the native Mapuche language. Today this agroindustrial center is the provincial capital and the gateway to...

In the Mapuche language, Lican Ray means "flower among the stones." This pleasant, unhurried little resort town of 2,169 inhabitants is on Lago Calafquén, the...

• Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Aisen

The drive from Coyhaique to the town of Puerto Aysén and its port, Chacabuco, is beautiful. The mist hangs low over farmland, adding a dripping...

• Parque Nacional Vicente Perez Rosales

Chile’s oldest national park, with its spectacular Lago Todos Los Santos, forests, and Andean mountain backdrop, Vicente Perez Rosales is a real treasure for hiking...

• Puerto Puyuhuapi

This mossy fishing village of about 500 residents is one of the oldest along the Carretera Austral. It was founded in 1935 by German immigrants...

An oasis cut from the brown desert, the tiny village of Mamiña has hundreds of hot springs. Renowned throughout Chile for their curative powers, these...

An aristocratic enclave for the past century, Zapallar doesn't promote itself as a vacation destination. In fact, it has traditionally been reluctant to receive outsiders...

• Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

A top global destination for hikers and nature spotters, Torres del Paine National Park is, quite simply, outstanding. With breathtaking mountains, glaciers, and lakes, along...

In a letter dated October 8, 1545, Spanish conquistador Pedro Valdivia wrote: "Of all the lands of the New World, the port of Papudo has...

• Isla Quinchao

For many visitors, the elongated Isla Quinchao, the easiest to reach of the islands in the eastern archipelago, defines Chiloé. Populated by hardworking farmers and...

• Parque Nacional Lauca

The Parque Nacional Lauca offers dramatic landscapes and eye-catching wildlife. Stunning volcanic landscapes and colorful desert scrubland are dotted with llamas, flamingos, and all sorts...

The colorful wooden houses of Chonchi are on a hillside so steep that it's known in Spanish as the Ciudad de los Tres Pisos (City...

Not too long ago, migrating sperm whales could still be seen from the beaches at Quintay, although they were all but exterminated by the whaling...

From a distance, Pica appears to be a mirage. This oasis cut from the gray and brown sand of the Atacama Desert is known for...

Most days travelers in the laid-back port town of Dalcahue stop only long enough to board the ferry that deposits them 15 minutes later on...

A drive along the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue to Ensenada takes you through the heart of Chile's murta-growing country. Queen Victoria is said to...

Some of Chile's finest red wines hail from the Alto Maipo, the eastern sector of the Casablanca Valley. There are a number of wineries—old and...

• Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos

In the middle of one of the largest salt flats in the world, crowds of pink flamingos flock to a couple pretty lagoons. While the...

If you’re traveling by car or jeep down Carretera Austral, this small town of approximately 1,200 residents is a good place to stop for gas...

Those turned off by the hustle and bustle of Antofagasta will likely be charmed by Juan López, a hodgepodge of pastel-color fishing shacks and a...

On the protected interior of the Golfo de Ancud, Quemchi is a small, tranquil fishing village that makes for a good stopover when visiting churches...

• Parque Nacional Puyehue

One of Chile's most popular national parks, Parque Nacional Puyehue draws crowds who come to bask in its famed hot springs. Most never venture beyond...

• Parque Nacional Chiloe

The Parque Nacional Chiloé comprises a huge swath of Chiloé's Pacific coast. It’s a wonderful mix of broad beaches, rolling sand dunes, lush temperate rain...

• Parque Nacional Villarrica

Dominated by Villarrica Volcano, this park is on the outskirts of Pucón and has become Chile’s most popular place to climb a volcano, as well...

• Parque Pumalin

The world's largest privately owned nature preserve, the future Pumalín National Park (it will officially become a national park in April 2019) in northern Chaitén...

• Parque Nacional Conguillio

One of southern Chile’s most beautiful and oldest tree species, the araucaria tree thrives in the native forest that blankets one of Chile’s best national...

Pisagua, one of the region's most prominent ports during the nitrate era, at one time sustained a population of more than 8,000 people. Many of...

The ancient homeland of the proud indigenous Pehuenche people, Curacautín province is one of the most spectacular places in southern Chile for adventuring into wild...

• Lago Vichuquen

An hour's drive from Curicó, this lake is a popular place for water sports such as sailing and water-skiing. The town itself, about 8 km...

"I needed a place to work," Chilean poet and Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda wrote in his memoirs. "I found a stone house facing the ocean...

• Puerto Octay

The story goes that a German merchant named Ochs set up shop in this tidy community on the northern tip of Lago Llanquihue. A phrase...

The center of all that is magical and mystical about Chiloé, Quicaví sits forlornly on the eastern coast of Isla Grande. Superstitious locals strongly advise...

Though easily reached by a 15-minute ferry ride from Chonchi, Isla Lemuy feels miles away from anything. It's the third largest of Chiloé's islands, just...

There are many ghost towns left from the nitrate boom in the early 20th century, and Chacabuco is one of them, although this deserted town...

• Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael

One of Chile's largest parks, extending 168 square km (65 square miles), Laguna San Rafael encompasses the length of Chile's vast northern Patagonia ice fields...

• Parque Nacional Pan de Azucar

Some of the best coastal scenery in the country can be found at Parque Nacional Pan de Azúcar. Imposing cliffs give way to deserted white-sand...

• Huilo Huilo

At this private nature reserve, which spans nearly 120,000 hectares (300,000 acres), you find some of the last and best stands of Chile’s native evergreen...

• Geysers del Tatio

Witnessing the fumaroles at daybreak here is one of the best experiences Chile has to offer. The geysers pump out boiling water throughout the day...

• Reserva Nacional Pampa del Tamarugal

This large forest in the middle of the desert is a unique sight. One of the highlights of the Reserva is the enormous geoglyphs that...

This town named for the red cypress trees that dot the area sits on an elongated peninsula and, as such, is the only town on...

• Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas

This 100-km (62-mile) reserve is filled with vicuñas that graze in the high plains near the blue alpine lakes. There are also volcanoes in the...

• Parque Nacional Queulat

Many tourists mistakenly neglect to stop at this vastly underrated park, yet it is a good place to camp and hike. If you do make...

• Parque Nacional Bosques de Fray Jorge

Seemingly defying the logic of El Norte Chico’s otherwise barren landscapes, Parque Nacional Fray Jorge is a lush cloud forest formed by a unique microclimate...

• Salar de Surire

From a distance, Surire looks like a giant white lake, but as you approach you’ll see the small white crystals of salt that define this...

This is a stop for hardcore nature lovers. Here at a confluence of three rivers, the Chepu River valley forms before merging finally into the...

Thousands of Chileans flock to Reñaca every summer for one, and only one, reason—the crashing waves. You need merely contemplate this wide stretch of golden...

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Although there are more than 5,000 geoglyphs in the Atacama, this one is the most iconic. The Gigante de Atacama is an 86-meter depiction of...

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Unless you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, this 124-square-km (48-square-mile) park is accessible only in summer (even then, a jeep isn't a bad idea). It's worth...

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8 Incredible Places to Visit in Chile For Your Next Adventure

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 14th November 2023

Having spent over three years living in Santiago, plus multiple other trips back to Chile where I’ve hitchhiked , road-tripped , and trekked around this country , I think it’s fair to say I know a thing or two about the places to visit in Chile.

As one of the top destinations on the planet for adventurous travelers (and #1 in South America ), there are a plethora of destinations that you really need to discover on your next trip to South America’s skinniest and stunning[ist] country.

Sure, Patagonia and Torres del Paine National Park are a huge draw (and included in this list), but there are so many utterly beautiful places across the country that deserve to be on your itinerary.

So, get ready to be inspired with this list of my eight favorite locations for your next adventure when you travel to Chile – and don’t miss my article about the best things to do in Chile , either!

1. Torres del Paine National Park

If you’ve read anything about this country then it should come as no surprise that Torres del Paine National Park comes out at the top of this list of places to visit in Chile.

I first saw the granite spires of this surreally beautiful national park when I hiked the W back in March 2016 and was so enamored that I had to return to complete the Full Circuit or O.

Although I understand that a nine-day hike can take quite a chunk out of anyone’s holiday allocation or backpacking trip in Chile, I strongly recommend that you consider trekking the Circuit  rather than the more popular – and very busy – W .

Not only will you get your fill of hanging glaciers, glimmering glacial lakes, and glimpses of guanacos, foxes, and hares, but it’s a genuine adventure that accessible even to those who’ve never embarked upon a multi-day hike before.

How to get to Torres del Paine National Park from Santiago: Flights from Santiago to Puerto Natales run from the start of December until the end of February with LATAM Airlines . Out of these dates, flights from Santiago to Punta Arenas with LATAM or Sky (two per day, three hours 25 minutes) are your best option.

Where to stay in Puerto Natales: The closest town to Torres del Paine is Puerto Natales, and most travellers stay at least overnight in what has become a surprisingly hip little town. Possibly my favorite hotel in Patagonia (or Chile itself) is Simple Patagonia  ($250 USD double) where, on clear evenings, sunsets across the sound are spectacular from its vast windows. Channeling the barns that once populated the region, the buildings are simple, while inside is a modern warm design, with underfloor heating, large tiled baths, and astonishing views from the living and dining area and bedrooms (the best are rooms 8 and 11). 

2. Chilean Tierra del Fuego, Southern Patagonia

As adventurous places to visit in Chile go, this is probably the most difficult and rewarding of them all. Tierra del Fuego, the huge island at the far end of Patagonia, is only really visited on the Argentine side, with tourists making their way to Ushuaia and the southernmost city on the planet.

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But the Chilean half of Tierra del Fuego is a bewitching paradise of soaring, snow-dusted mountains, rusty peat bog, and a huge range of native wildlife that you’re almost guaranteed to see on a trip here.

In March 2017, I took not one but two road trips to the very end of the road at Caleta Maria, powering through windswept landscapes in our rental Landrover and wild camping beside vast, undisturbed lakes. In March 2024, I returned and stayed at the incredible Lodge Deseado (read about my experiences in Tierra del Fuego and how you can visit independently ).

Chilean Tierra del Fuego was truly the most beautiful place I’ve ever been in South America and for adventurous souls, it’s the ultimate place to visit in Chile.

It’s also home to Parque Pingüino Rey , a reserve protecting the 70-or-so-strong colony of king penguins that lives at the shores of Bahía Inútil in Tierra del Fuego and which you can visit as part of an expensive tour from Punta Arenas or by arriving independently.

How to get to Tierra del Fuego from Santiago:  Fly from Santago to Punta Arenas and hire a vehicle (a 4×4 isn’t necessary but a car with reasonably high suspension is a good idea) and take the ferry across at Punta Delgada to Tierra del Fuego.

There are plenty of international vehicle rental companies in town, but for the best prices and to book easily in advance (and get insurance documents in English), I always use Rental Cars .

Where to stay in Tierra del Fuego: There is a range of cabañas (cabins) run by local people en route . We stayed in Hosteria Las Lengas (four-person cabin $83,300 CLP ($125 USD), double room $134,470 CLP ($202 USD), reservations [email protected] ) on the shores of Lago Blanco and at Estancia Lago Fagnano (camping (price unknown), four-person cabin $60,000 CLP ($90 USD), contact +61 2 262 366 or +56 9 821 683 88), as well as wild camped in various lake and riverside spots.

3. The Chepu Valley, Chiloé

A growing number of those who travel to Chile head to Chiloé, the island just south of Puerto Montt in the Lakes Region. It’s best known for its rainbow-colored houses on stilts that line the estuary in capital Castro and which are known as palafitos.

Many of these former fishermen’s dwellings have been converted into swish boutique hotels and symbolize the rich culture that makes this island so distinct from the rest of Chile.

You’ll also see this singular identity in the equally quirky wooden churches dotted around the island. 150 were built by the Jesuits in the early 1600s with the help of the Chilote people, with the remaining 60 – many in pastel hues – a curious representation of the island’s boatbuilding and religious heritage. 16 have also been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites to reflect their distinctive cultural importance.

Beyond the architecture, Chiloé is a place of unique food (try curanto, a seafood and potato stew cooked underground) and untouched natural landscapes.

While Parque Nacional Chiloé is the most visited, my personal favorite is the astoundingly beautiful and wildlife-rich Chepu Valley.

Here, I kayaked at dawn through the jet-black boughs of a forest that sunk beneath the waters of Río Puntra after a 9.3 magnitude earthquake – the largest ever recorded – ripped through the island, causing the whole of Chiloé to drop 1.5m.

You might even spot Southern river otters in these silent waters, and while I failed to do so, I did manage to catch a glimpse of a whole family of pudú, one of the smallest deer species in the world.

Unfortunately, the lodge that used to offer these tours has since shut down, so your best option is a tour from nearby Ancud. The area also has one of the most beautiful coastlines I’ve seen in Chile, so it’s well worth the wander down to the beach.

How to get to the Chepu Valley from Santiago: Sky and LATAM both fly to Puerto Montt (five per day, one-hour 45 minutes, from where you need to take a bus to Puerto Montt bus station to get connecting transport to Ancud.

From here, public buses leave on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays to Chepu (check at the bus station for the exact times in the morning and afternoon). Alternatively, you can take a taxi directly to Chepu or get dropped off at KM 25 on the road towards Castro and hitchhike from there.

Where to stay in the Chepu Valley: On the western shores of Lago Cucao in the southwest of the island,  Palafito Cucao Lodge  ($130 USD double, two-night minimum) is one of my favorite places to stay in Chile. The building mimics a traditional wooden-shingled palafito, with a stylish living room and wraparound terrace over the lake, where you may spot an otter meandering through the waters. It’s also just a short distance from  Parque Nacional Chiloé , which is home to a number of short hiking trails and outstandingly beautiful beaches. 

4. The Carretera Austral, Northern Patagonia

This 1,240km stretch of mostly unpaved road makes for one of the most exciting ways of traveling in Chile: road-tripping. Depending on your Chile travel itinerary, you can start the Carretera Austral at its northern tip from Puerto Montt or at its southernmost town, Villa O’Higgins.

In reality, most rent a vehicle in the former (just check the T&Cs to ensure you can take it on the Carretera Austral) and drive through the glacial and forested landscapes of northern Patagonia, stopping at Carretera highlights such as the Queulat Hanging Glacier, the Enchanted Forest, the San Rafael Glacier, and the Marble Caves.

You can also hire a car in Balmaceda, an airport halfway down the Carretera Austral.

For those with even more adventurous tendencies, travel in Chile wouldn’t be complete without hitchhiking the Carretera Austral, a both safe and highly recommended way of seeing Patagonia.

You’ll need to allow yourself more time as it’s never guaranteed that you’ll get hitch, and also to pack a full set of camping equipment (check out my recommended packing list for Patagonia for suggestions ) just in case you get stuck in the middle of nowhere and have to pitch up in a spellbindingly beautiful part of Patagonia – what a shame!

How to get to the Carretera Austral from Santiago: Sky and LATAM both fly to Puerto Montt (five per day, one-hour 45 minutes). Alternatively, the Navimag ferry leaves Puerto Montt and sails to Coyhaique, about halfway along the Carretera Austral two times per week during the Austral summer.

Where to stay along the Carretera Austral: There are plenty of places to stay en route . Check out this complete guide to the Carretera Austral for all my recommendations.

5. Puerto Varas, The Lakes Region

Puerto Varas has long been one of the favorite places to visit in Chile for travelers, not only because this small city has an incredible lakeside location and is overlooked by the snowy cone of Volcán Osorno, but it’s also a short distance away from a whole host of hikes and activities.

One option is to summit the volcano using a tour, but if you’re on a smaller budget, you’re better off renting a car from town and driving up to the end of the road near the top of the volcano, from where it’s possible to ride the cable car even higher.

At the top of the cable car, you can hike to the red crater which has stupendous panoramic views of the surrounding landscape.

Nearby, there’s also the Saltos de Petrohue, a set of gushing waterfalls that spill over ancient lava flows and the tiny village of Petrohué where you can walk along the beach beside Lago Todos Los Santos and even pay a small amount for a short boat trip around the lake.

How to get to Puerto Varas from Santiago: Sky and LATAM both fly to Puerto Montt (five per day, one-hour 45-minutes) and from there, it’s a short bus journey to the bus station and then 20 minutes via local minibus to Puerto Varas. Buses from Santiago also leave for Puerto Varas, taking roughly 13 hours.

Where to stay in Puerto Varas: Both times that I’ve travelled in Chile to Puerto Varas, I’ve stayed in Compass del Sur  (dorm $14,000 CLP ($17 USD), double room $39,000 CLP ($46 USD)). They have huge, comfortable rooms and their breakfast is awesome!

6. The Atacama Desert, Norte Grande

Sky-piercing volcanoes combine with record-breaking geyser fields and a sprinkling of flamingos in the Atacama Desert, one of the most popular destinations for foreign tourists and one of the truly unmissable places to visit in Chile.

At over 2,400m above sea level, the Atacama Desert is breathtaking in both senses of the word and also one of the top places on the planet for stargazing thanks to an average of over 200 cloudless nights per year.

But while a trip to this high-altitude region of desert and salt flats is always going to be memorable, one way to ramp up the adventure is by hiring a car and heading out into the Atacama Desert under your own steam.

Not only will this save you a lot of cash, but it means that you can adapt your itinerary and reach places such as the Piedras Rojas – a strange formation of lava flow from one of the many surrounding volcanoes – which was my personal highlight.

How to get to the Atacama Desert from Santiago: Seven flights per day leave from Santiago to Calama (two hours 10-minutes), after which it’s a one-and-a-half-hour bus journey to San Pedro de Atacama, the oasis town at the heart of the desert.

Where to stay in the Atacama Desert: I stumbled upon Ckuri Atacama ($48,000 CLP ($78 USD) double) online and this is definitely the nicest place you will find in San Pedro. They only have three rooms and it’s best if you’re a couple (they’re only double rooms), but they all include a bathroom with shower, a large double bed and a small dining area with fridge, cutlery, and plates.

7. Valdivia, The Lakes Region

This small university city in the Lakes Region isn’t one of the places to travel in Chile for adventure per se , but given that so few tourists ever make it here, part of Valdivia’s appeal is that you feel like you’ve made it some truly away from the crowds.

That said, there’s plenty of room for an adventure in Valdivia, which is best known by Chileans as the beer capital of the country, thanks in large to the German heritage of many of its residents.

Brewing giant Kunstmann is based here and you can even do a tour of its factory (something I’ve heard compared to a trip to Disney Land – so you may want to give it a miss), but there’s a range of tiny, craft breweries and brilliant bars selling all the local brews (a particular favorite was El Growler ).

What’s more, the resident sea lion colony that lives at the fish market is more than worth the trip to Valdivia alone – particularly as you’ll likely see a fearless local dog attempting to have a standoff with an equally fearless sea lion…

Outside of town, you can take a bus to nearby Niebla where tiny motorboats transport you across to the ruined Spanish fortifications on Isla Mancera and Corral or you can enjoy the museum at Fuerte Nieble with its commanding views across the bay.

How to get to Valdivia from Santiago: It’s a ten-hour, overnight bus from Santiago to Valdivia with a number of companies offering the route. You can also take a 3-and-a-half-hour bus from Puerto Montt.

Where to stay in Valdivia: We stayed in the incredible Airesbuenos Hostel (dorms $12,000 CLP ($16 USD), double $32,000 CLP ($51 USD)), which has a beautiful outdoor space, huge comfortable bedrooms and a really great breakfast.

7. Pucón , The Lakes Region

For many, Pucón is the ultimate destination for adventure travel in Chile, with the main highlight being the fact that you can ascend to the peak of Volcán Villarrica, an active, 2,847m stratovolcano that presides over the town and the whole area.

One of the major draws of hiking to the top is the lava lake found within the volcano’s crater and which can be seen spitting lava in the months of February and March when it’s most active.

Luckily, it hasn’t erupted for two years, when it spewed lava and ash into the air and over 3,000 people were evacuated.

But the real fun comes when you make your way down, sliding on your posterior as far as the snow will take you.

Although you’re unlikely to see the lava if you visit in October or November, you’ll definitely end up sliding down the volcano a lot further (and walking a lot less) than we did when I was there in March.

In and around Pucón there are also a wealth of hiking trails with sensational views in Parque Nacional Huerquehue, kayaking and rafting opportunities on the nearby Río Trancura, and a load of hot springs that are best visited at night so that you can relax in a geothermal pool beneath a shimmering sky of stars.

How to get to Pucón from Santiago: Most visit Pucón as part of a trip towards Santiago from Patagonia as it’s around five hours by bus to Puerto Varas and Puerto Montt. However, it’s possible to take an 11-hour overnight bus from Santiago directly to Pucón.

Where to stay in Pucón: Pucón is known as Chile’s capital of adventure and, while it’s a firm favorite with the backpacking set, if you’re looking for a high level of comfort than a hostel, there are plenty of options – although you will need a car to access the best.  Rakau Lodge  ($275 USD double) sits comfortably within this category. This sensitively-designed property is surrounded by forest and so is the ideal place for relaxation – particularly after a busy day of hitting the trails in nearby  Parque Nacional Huerquehue. It’s worth upgrading to the villa for your own private terrace surrounded by the peaceful sounds of the forest.

Saturday 23rd of September 2023

Spent 2 months traveling Chile about 15 years ago…went everywhere by Guide and public transportation. Stayed with families and camped. Chile is a gorgeous country in all aspects! Thanks for the reminder

Steph Dyson

Thursday 23rd of November 2023

Thanks Judi!

Friday 8th of September 2017

Thanks Steph for the great information! I am going to some of these places next month!

Monday 11th of September 2017

Thanks Mark! And you'll have such a great time - enjoy!

• Huasco Valley
• San Pedro de Atacama
• Elqui Valley
• Antofagasta
• Limarí – Fray Jorge National Park
• Bahía Inglesa
• Alto El Loa
• La Serena and Coquimbo
• Copiapó Valley
• Tagua Tagua – Almahue Valley
• Alto Colchagua Universidad Glacier 
• Cachapoal Valley
• Portillo Ski Resort
• Pirque and Maipo Valley
• Aconcagua Valley
• Valle Nevado Ski Resort
• El Colorado Ski Resort
• Curicó Valley
• Maule Valley
• San Antonio/Leyda Valley
• Colchagua Valley and Santa Cruz
• Casablanca Valley
• Viña del Mar
• Cajón del Maipo
• Robinson Crusoe Island
• Rancagua and Sewell
• La Parva Ski Resort
• Rano Raraku
• Llanquihue Lake
• Chillan Ski Resort
• Puerto Montt
• Osorno and Puyehue
• Valdivia and Corral
• Pucón and Villarrica
• Panguipulli
• Temuco and Lago Budi
• Arauco Territory
• Puerto Varas
• Chilean Antarctic Destination
• General Carrera Lake
• Tierra del Fuego
• Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén
• Carretera Austral
• Torres del Paine
• Puerto Natales
• Punta Arenas
• Family recreation
• Coastal beaches
• Lakeside Beaches
• Hot Springs
• Spa and relaxation
• Patagonian cruises
• Lake sailing
• International cruises
• Visits to observatories
• Astronomical facilities
• Indigenous Peoples and Ethnotourism
• World Heritage Sites
• Archaeology
• Paleontology
• Poetry and Literature
• Typical gastronomy
• Gastronomy of the world
• Hiking y trekking
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Mountainbike
• Horseback Riding
• Mountain and rock climbing
• Sport fishing
• Kitesurfing and water sports
• Ice walking
• Overland 4×4
• Paragliding and aerial sports
• Wildlife watching
• Landscape photography
• National Parks
• Bird Watching

Seven must-see nature destinations in Chile

By: Chile Travel - 28 August, 2021

We invite you to discover the most beautiful and assorted landscapes from north to south in the seven unmissable nature destinations in Chile. Add them to your bucket list to visit them when sanitary protocols allow it. Get ready to live an unforgettable trip through these lands.

Portada de Antofagasta, northern Chile Photo: [@alfredodelacruzph]

Atacama Desert

Valley of the Moon, Atacama Desert, northern Chile Photo: [@ro.fotop]

We begin our journey from north to south, and the first of the seven must-see nature destinations in Chile is the famous and spectacular Atacama Desert and the town of San Pedro, the tourist epicenter of northern Chile. Its special and diverse landscape will guarantee a trip full of adventure and outdoor activities.

Atacama Salt Flat, northern Chile Photo: [@historias_de_ruta]

Dune hikes, bike rides, hot spring baths, magical sunsets, watching one of the clearest skies in South America and learning about the history of native peoples are just some of the activities that this unique place on the planet offers visitors.

Puritama hot springs, Atacama Desert, northern Chile Photo: [@turismolayana].

Beaches of the central coast of our country

Zapallar beach resort, central zone of the country Photo: [@mequiastoribio]

If you love the ocean and the coastline, we invite you to spend your days in the beautiful beaches of the central zone of our country. Most of them are located only 200 km away from Santiago.

El Canelo Beach, Algarrobo, central Chile Photo: [@latribu_ecolodge]

If you visit us during the summer, the cool waters of the Pacific Ocean will cool you off from the high temperatures. Additionally, we have so many kilometers of shoreline that anywhere you go you can enjoy the most varied seafood offer. Is there any other reason to consider our central zone as one of the seven nature must-see places in Chile?

Surfer at La Boca beach, Concón, central coast of Chile Photo: [@fabianignaciovp]

Conguillío National Park

Sierra Nevada Route, Conguillío National Park, southern Chile Photo: [@parqueconguillio].

If you are looking for a place to get away from the noise of the city, where you can walk through ancient Araucaria forests and breathe that unique scent of damp ground, your destination is undoubtedly southern Chile, especially this wonderful National Park located in Melipeuco, 112 km from the city of Temuco, in the area of La Araucanía.

Llaima Volcano and Araucarias of Conguillío National Park, southern Chile Photo: [@vicentejoruz]

It is also an ideal place for hiking, so get ready to explore this unmissable nature destination in Chile with a camera in hand to capture the assorted wildlife that the park has to offer.

El Colgante Hanging Glacier

Man at the foot of El Colgante Hanging Glacier and Los Duendes Lake, Queulat National Park

Photo: [@region_de_aysen_chile].

This hanging glacier is located in the Queulat National Park, 210 km from Coyhaique, southern Chile. We chose it as one of the seven must-see nature destinations in Chile for its extreme beauty.

Woman contemplating El Colgante hanging glacier, southern Chile Photo: [@yovi_nature]

Trekking, hiking, and climbing are the main sports activities that this paradise can offer you. If you like to do sports while breathing fresh air, this is the place!

Marble Chapels

Marble Chapels, south of Coyhaique, Chile Photo: [@vetg_21]

Calcium carbonate mineral formations eroded over thousands of years by the largest lake in Chile, the General Carrera. In this destination you can appreciate different textures, shapes and beautiful turquoise colors along these islets.

Woman in boat heading towards a Marble Chapel, southern Chile Photo: [@nickromanl].

The Marble Cathedral, Marble Chapel, and Marble Cavern are the main attractions and to visit them you ride a boat from Puerto Rio Tranquilo, located 216 km south of Coyhaique, in the Aysén area of our country.

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park, Chilean Patagonia Photo: [@sayhueque_argentinatravel].

Considered the eighth Wonder of the World, this destination had to be included in the list of the seven unmissable nature spots of Chile. Located 115 km from Puerto Natales, this area is a perfect mix of majestic landscapes and wildlife. Travelers from all over the world come to visit, either for the day or for its famous circuits. We remind you that you have to book your visit to the park well in advance!

Woman at the foot Torres del Paine Photo: [@cometo.cl]

The magical island of Rapa Nui

Anakena Beach, Rapa Nui Island, Chile Photo: [@viajexchile]

How not to highlight within the seven must-see nature destinations in Chile the unique island of Rapa Nui, famous for the traditions of its native people, its moais, beaches, and colors of its sunsets. A mandatory destination in your list of destinations to visit in our country.

Sunset at Tahai, Rapa Nui Island, Chile Photo: [@imaginarapanui]

Experience the Chilean nature, its traditions, forests, glaciers, mountains, deserts and coastline. Our country is so long that it has all the contrasts you can imagine!

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SouthAmerica.travel’s Chile tours cover this spectacularly diverse country head to toe – from the Atacama desert  to Patagonia ‘s Torres del Paine National Park and glacier cruises . Thriving Santiago is just an hour away from world-class Chile wineries , skiing and golf . The perfect Chile or honeymoon vacation starts in the Lake District , surrounded by glacial lakes and volcanos, or a Chile adventure tour hiking through the Andes. Or explore the ancient Polynesian cultures on an Easter Island tour . For an extended experience, combine Chile and Argentina , or add Uyuni Salt Flats on your way from Chile to Bolivia . Browse our suggested Chile vacation packages or design your own : all trips are hand-crafted by our travel experts and feature must-see destinations and hidden gems, matched to your travel style, pace, and schedule. Update: Chile Covid-19 Travel – South America is open for travel again! Our partners are ready to plan your Chile trip! Read More ⌄

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Places to Visit in Chile

Visit Chile – one of the narrowest countries in the world, with over 6500 km of coastline, making its landscapes incredibly diverse. From the beaches of Chiloé Island to the jagged peaks of Patagonia to the wineries, horseback riding, and metropolitan cities, Chile is a country that has something for every traveler. If you’re interested in a trip to Chile, the chances are you’re intrigued by either the world-class wines, forests, and fjords in the lake district , the spectacular northern deserts of Atacama, or the snow-swept mountains of Torres del Paine. Or maybe it’s the Polynesian island of Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island. There are plenty of places to visit in Chile . Whatever the destination that intrigues you most, you will be pleasantly surprised by how the country exceeds your expectations.

Many of our Chile vacations start in Santiago . Explore the cosmopolitan city surrounded by the Andes Mountains. Whether on foot or taking a private tour visiting the beautiful Plaza de Armas or the colorful markets, you will experience the best of this South American economic wonder on your Santiago city tour. Santiago, not far from the Casablanca Valley (one of Chile’s best wine regions), serves as a perfect home base for day trips through Chile’s central region, including the port cities Valparaiso and Viña del Mar for those looking for an excursion near the great Pacific, or watch a solar eclipse .

Casablanca Valley & Valparaiso

Taste the finest new world wines on any of our Chile Wine Tours . Tour the Casablanca Valley or visit other local wineries famous for their high-quality white grapes. Later, continue towards the coast of Valparaíso and Vina del Mar for fresh seafood from the Pacific Ocean and colorful buildings. Valparaíso was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003 and is most famous for its vibrantly painted houses sitting in the hills, primarily accessible via cable car.

Torres del Paine & the Marble Caves

Explore the world-famous Torres del Paine National Park , and stay in some of the most beautiful five-star luxury lodges in South America . Torres del Paine National Park, in Chilean Patagonia, is one of the main highlights of Chile vacation packages due to the famous towers (the three dramatic mountain peaks), the Cuernos del Paine (the Paine horns), glaciers and icebergs, green grasslands, and grazing guanacos. Spend your days exploring the park on day hikes and excursions, and end your day with a delicious 3-course meal and a glass of red wine. You might also add an excursion to the famous Marble Caves in Chile . Or cruise Chile on a five-star vessel. On our Australis cruise, you can see penguins, with a good chance of spotting whales, and go on daily shore excursions and hikes in remote destinations where few people have had the opportunity to visit.

Atacama Desert Tours

After your adventure through the Southern region of Chile, travel north towards a warmer destination, the Atacama Desert. This magnificent natural wonder is the driest desert in the world. Explore the Moon Valley and Death Valley where you will see surreal landscapes that are sure to leave you speechless. Wake up early one morning and visit the Tatio Geysers, watch as the geysers erupt – reaching nearly 10 meters in height. Here you may spot flamingos, foxes, guanacos, and more. From colorful coastal towns to glaciers and deserts, Chile has some of the most diverse landscapes that are sure to impress the most seasoned traveler.

Popular Chile Tour Combinations

For a complete itinerary of Chile’s most popular destinations, consider The Highlights of Chile Tour . This 14-day trip covers the country’s most diverse landscapes, including Torres del Paine, San Pedro de Atacama, and the mysterious Easter Island. Enjoy hiking adventures through the Death Valley, seeing striking glaciers and majestic mountain peaks, exploring the metropolitan city of Santiago, and getting an up-close look of the moai statues. This Chile tour package is the ultimate experience.

Chile and Argentina are incredibly easy to combine into one tour, as they share a border spanning nearly their entire length. Another great option for those looking to see some of the world’s driest coastal deserts is a Chile and Peru tour , combining visits to the Nazca Lines and the famous Atacama. For an additional awe-inspiring natural landscape, add a trip to Bolivia’s Uyuni Salt Flats which is best connected with Chile through the Atacama Desert.

Chile Attractions & Top Destinations

On a Chile vacation, visit all of its most popular vacation spots and attractions. See our list below of some of the best places to explore while touring Chile.

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When is the best time to visit Chile?

However, for those who prefer the outdoors and hot temperatures, the summer season from December – March might be the best time to visit the beach towns of La Serena or hike the surrounding areas of Santiago de Chile. While those who enjoy winter sports and fewer crowds, the winter season from June – August is a wonderful time to visit one of Chile’s most notable ski resorts. Ultimately Chile has a wide range of landscapes that are accessible year-round, like the breathtaking Atacama Desert, the driest desert in the world, or the quaint island of Chiloe, with its picturesque stilt houses. There’s something for everyone in Chile.

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Travel Destinations You Should Avoid in 2024

I n a world full of endless possibilities, the decision of where to go is one of the hardest travelers have to make. After all, time and money are limited and you want to use them as best you can. 

To help travelers (and the world), Fodor's has released a "no list" for 2024. The nine destinations on it are places you should consider avoiding, whether it is because they're suffering from overtourism or because of environmental issues. 

We've taken the list and ranked each destination from "think it twice" to "avoid at all costs."

9. Atacama Desert, Chile

It's surprising to see Chile's Atacama Desert on Fodor's No List , given that it's a vast wonderland filled with colorful lakes, giant rock formations and some of the darkest skies in the world.

The problem with this destination is that it has become a dumping ground for textile trash created by the insatiable consumption of fast fashion. Swaths of the desert are now dystopian dumps of discarded clothes, many of which still have tags on. 

Still, we wouldn't say you should absolutely avoid this destination. Rather, travel it in a way that promotes sustainable and eco-conscious tourism.

8. Ha Long Bay, Vietnam

Ha Long Bay is one of the most breathtakingly beautiful places in the world. Few things compare to waking up aboard a small ship in the middle of the bay, opening your cabin window and seeing the giant limestone cliffs rising from the emerald water. 

But like Atacama, this natural wonder is now plagued by pollution. Some of the trash comes from the ships that take tourists around the bay or from the surrounding cities, but a significant amount also washes in with the tide from other parts of the world. 

Should you skip it altogether? Again, we still think it's worth it, but try to choose a ship that disposes of trash responsibly. And go with managed expectations because you are likely to see trash floating in the bay as you do kayaking excursions. 

7. Athens, Greece

The cradle of modern Western civilization, Athens is a city every history enthusiast should visit at least once. Travelers are lured in by its wonderful museums, amazing food and the ancient ruins scattered around the metropolis. 

Unfortunately, Athen's undeniable appeal has resulted in a bad case of overtourism that has gotten so bad it can put a damper on your experience — and more importantly, on the life of locals. Gentrification, inflation and overcrowding makes living in the city uncomfortable. For tourists, this translates to long lines and attractions filled to the brim. The problem is particularly apparent in the Acropolis, the crown jewel of the city's landmarks. 

Our advice? Save the summer for visiting the islands (preferably some of the many lesser-known ones) and come to Athens in the winter. 

6. Lake Superior, Canada and the United States

Lake Superior is the largest freshwater lake in the world and seeing it with your own eyes is a worthy experience. But Fodor's warns travelers from coming to enjoy its magic precisely because tourism is affecting water quality. Boat tours, over-fishing and water consumption can be big problems in towns and cities along the lake, especially those that draw in big summer crowds. 

If you decide to plan a vacation, try to skip the usual suspects and go to towns that are smaller or not as well-known. Also, try to be conscious of how much water you use on your vacation.

5. San Gabriel Mountains National Monument, California

The largest green area near Los Angeles, San Gabriel Mountains National Monument attracts people looking to get away from the noise and pollution of the city. 

But, unfortunately, many of these city dwellers have forgotten how to be decent people and treat the area like a playground to be trashed. Literally. Besides leaving trash all around, people mess with water flow by creating small dams, graffiti hills and disrespect wildlife. Because of limited resources, there isn't enough staff to patrol the area and make sure people are behaving. The result is a natural area that could've been beautiful but that is slowly being destroyed by people. 

If you go, make sure to practice basic wilderness decency. 

4. Mount Fuji, Japan

A symbol of Japan and one of the world's most famous mountains, Mount Fuji is on the bucket list of any serious hiker and climber. And that's exactly the problem. 

Travelers arrive to see long lines on the hiking trails that make it almost impossible to connect with nature. Instead, the experience can often feel like being cattle. On this one, we would encourage travelers to either visit in the off-season or skip the destination altogether. It's not that it's not worth visiting, but that the amount of tourists has begun to translate into environmental issues for the mountain. 

Sometimes, the best way to protect a place is to avoid it.  

3. Koh Samui, Thailand

Thailand's beaches are famous for their clear, warm water and white sand. Maybe years ago, they were a true tropical paradise. But anyone who's been to the popular islands will tell you that the social media pictures are largely a lie. It's common to have to step around trash while you try to get to the water. Once in, you'll find plastic waste floating around. 

As one of the most coveted beach spots, Koh Samui is a victim of poor tourist behavior, trashs brought in by the tides and a lack of efficient waste management by the local government. To make matters worse, freshwater is scarce and much of it is used up by hotels rather than local households. 

Avoid coming here completely. Instead, look for another island or coastal town in the country that has not yet been victimized by overtourism.

2. The Ganges River, India

The Ganges is a sacred river that is central to life in many parts of India. But it's also one of the most famous examples of overconsumption of water and pollution. The river is filled with waste and the explosion in both population and tourism has led to issues with its flow. 

If you visit India, you'll likely see this river. But avoid going on a cruise along it. Most ships don't have proper waste management systems and end up creating more pollution. They also use up a lot of water. This is an experience to completely skip. 

1. Venice, Italy

No one can deny that Venice is one of the most unique and beautiful cities in the entire world. But its beauty has been its downfall for decades now. In fact, this floating city was probably the first well-known example of overtourism. 

The number of people who visit is so out of hand that the city is at risk of being deserted as locals flee crowds and inflated prices. Motorboats also create a unique type of wave pollution, moto ondoso, which contributes to the area sinking into the sea. 

While it's certainly a place you want to see, it's better not to go until it's been able to create a more sustainable type of tourism that doesn't ruin locals' lives.