Moon Chile

DISCOVER Chile

10 TOP EXPERIENCES

Planning Your Trip

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The Best of Chile

BEST HIKES AND TREKS

WILDLIFE ENCOUNTERS

Explore the Atacama Desert

HIGH-ADRENALINE ADVENTURES

Carretera Austral Road Trip

Getaway to the Lakes District and Chiloé

BEST BEACHES

Superlative in beauty and scale and at times utterly wild, Chile is a truly unique South American nation, where you can venture from desert to glacier and from pristine coastline to soaring mountaintop, all in one trip. Those seeking an unforgettable adventure will not be disappointed.

Chile is a place that, in many ways, doesn’t make an awful lot of sense, defined as it is by huge contrasts. It’s bookended to the east and west by the snow-cloaked Andes Mountains and the freezing waters of the Pacific Ocean. The dry desert north and the lush Patagonian south are different in every conceivable way, from the colors of the landscapes to the traditions and ethnic makeup of the people—but both somehow still represent Chile.

When I head to a national park or drive out into the mountains, there is always something new that delights me. I stumble on a bewitching glacial lake or watch in awe as the stars light up the sky above a soothing hot spring tucked away in a mountain valley.

Chile is the ideal place to stray from the main roads. Go wilderness camping in a silent forest in Patagonia. Stargaze in the Atacama Desert. Ski down the flank of a snow-covered volcano. Peel back Chile’s layers and see the world from a new perspective.

10 TOP EXPERIENCES

Planning Your Trip

Where to Go

Santiago

In the country’s most modern city, fine-dining restaurants rub shoulders with typical Chilean bistros and spirited live music venues. Historic buildings host museums and cultural centers remembering Chile’s colorful history. The capital city’s backdrop of the snowcapped Andes means skiing, hiking, and remote weekend escapes are never far away.

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

On the coast west of Santiago is a cooler climate and crisper air, housing the seductive beach resort towns of hilly bohemian Valparaíso and modern Viña del Mar, where Chile’s rich and famous kick back during the summer. Picture-perfect coastal towns surround the two cities to the north and south, boasting glorious sun-drenched beaches. Nearby, the Valle de Casablanca is laced with long-standing vineyards.

Norte Grande and the Atacama Desert

Stretching from the border with Peru, the seemingly barren plains of the Norte Grande fold into the spine of the Andes. The region is home to the mummies of Arica, colossal waves beloved by surfers, and abandoned mining towns. The gateway to the Atacama Desert is San Pedro de Atacama, a place that promises lunar landscapes, otherworldly salt flats, and unparalleled stargazing.

Norte Chico

The Norte Chico is a region of inviting coastlines, green valleys, and wilderness that sees few international visitors. The unsung Parque Nacional Pan de Azúcar, a reserve of remote beaches and wildlife, is one of the region’s greatest draws. Chañaral de Aceituno is the country’s top spot for whale-watching. In Parque Nacional Llanos de Challe, rare periods of rainfall lead to one of Chile’s strangest sights: the desierto florido (flowering desert), when the otherwise barren land blooms with wildflowers in countless hues. Inland, the verdant Valle de Elqui produces Chile’s national spirit, pisco.

Central Valley

Sliced in half by Chile’s main highway, the fertile Central Valley is crisscrossed by grapevines and framed by ski resorts on the shoulders of volcanoes. But the Central Valley has more to offer than just wineries and adventure sports. Coastal Concepción, the largest city in the region and the capital of Chilean rock music, is the gateway to a range of fascinating historical monuments and towns.

Lakes District

With its backdrop of perfectly conical volcanoes, lush Valdivian temperate rainforest, and shimmering lakes, the Lakes District is Chile’s adventure capital. Hike through national parks populated by unique flora and fauna, including the iconic araucaría (monkey puzzle tree). Summit the active Volcán Villarrica, relax in natural hot spring pools, and learn about the region’s indigenous Mapuche people in this beautiful region.

Chiloé

The Chiloé Archipelago dances to the beat of its own drum, with a traditional and relaxed pace of life. This is one of Chile’s lushest ecosystems. Parque Nacional Chiloé and remote Parque Tantauco are excellent places to encounter endemic wildlife such as the pudú (pygmy deer). The area is known for its architecture, which includes historic wooden churches and colorful palafitos (houses on stilts).

Northern Patagonia and the Carretera Austral

Northern Patagonia is a landscape of dense forests and hidden glaciers. Drive Chile’s greatest road trip on the Carretera Austral, a mainly unpaved highway. It traverses the region, snaking through barely populated land and world-class national parks filled with quiet trails and rare wildlife.

Southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego

The emblematic granite spires of Parque Nacional Torres del Paine have made this South America’s hiking capital. It’s also a wildlife haven, home to penguin colonies and waters rich in marinelife. Tierra del Fuego is perhaps Chile’s least-explored area, a landscape of steppe and snowcapped mountains that attracts hikers, adventurers, and fly-fishers.

Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Over three thousand kilometers from the mainland, Rapa Nui is Chile’s most enigmatic island, home to massive and awe-inspiring moai statues. Occupying most of the island is Parque Nacional Rapa Nui, Rapa Nui’s biggest draw, where you can see the moai and other monuments of this early culture. Relax in the laid-back town of Hanga Roa, or join in the celebration of the Rapa Nui culture during the annual Tapati Rapa Nui festival.

When to Go

Seasons in Chile are reversed from the seasons in the northern hemisphere. December-February is summer, and June-August is winter. September-November is spring, and March-May is fall. Unlike most South American destinations, Chile doesn’t have a specific rainy season, although most areas see more rainfall April-September.

Orcas and humpback, blue, and sei whales appear off the Pacific coast and in the Chilean fjords late November-April. Magellanic and Humboldt penguins breed on small islets off the coast September-March.

High Season

Summer offers warm days and warmer nights across the country and sees crowds in Patagonia, Rapa Nui, San Pedro de Atacama, and the Lakes District. Easter Week (Semana Santa) and the school holidays during the last two weeks of July are also high tourist season. Expect crowds and high prices at the ski resorts during this period.

Hotel prices, airfares, and bus fares soar during these periods. Booking in advance, in some cases up to two months ahead, is necessary. This is also the case for Chile’s 17 or so public holidays, when most restaurants and shops are closed. Many of the country’s main festivals and celebrations take place during summer.

Shoulder Seasons

Patagonia is best experienced in the shoulder seasons, October-November and March-April, when the weather is still warm and the fierce summer winds die down. While there is a growing trend toward accommodations and other tourist businesses opening earlier and staying open later in the season each year, some may not be open at the ends of these windows. In the rest of the country, these months are also a good time for tourist-free beaches. Independence Day celebrations are September 18-19 nationwide.

Before You Go

Passports and Visas

Visitors from the United States must have a valid passport to enter Chile. No visa is required, but your airline may ask you for proof of onward travel before you board. Upon arrival, travelers are normally given an entry stamp for 90 days. Australian nationals must pay a reciprocity fee at the airport. All visitors are given paper entry receipts, which must be presented at departure.

Advance Reservations

To travel in Patagonia during the December-February high season, book accommodations a few months in advance. For lodgings along the W and O routes in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine, prebooking is compulsory; expect to book your lodgings at least three months in advance.

Overland bus transportation can be booked on the day of departure, but if you’re traveling in Patagonia, it’s best to reserve a few days in advance. Boat transport can normally be arranged up to the week of travel.

Vaccinations and Insurance

No vaccinations are required for travel to Chile, but routine vaccinations should be up to date. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends vaccinations against hepatitis A and typhoid. Rabies shots are recommended for those traveling to remote destinations.

Medical care in Chile is of a high standard, but buying health insurance before traveling is recommended, as private medical treatment can be expensive.

Transportation

Car rental is easy to arrange in cities across the country. Rates are more favorable when you book in advance, particularly during the high season, when demand can often exceed supply in parts of Patagonia and around San Pedro de Atacama.

GETTING THERE

Most travelers arrive by air to Santiago’s modern Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport. Other international airports include Aeropuerto Internacional El Tepual in Puerto Montt, and Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo in Punta Arenas.

The main overland routes into Chile are from Mendoza and El Calafate, Argentina. Crossing into Arica from Peru in the far north is also common.

GETTING AROUND

Domestic flights are the most comfortable means of covering large distances in Chile and are becoming increasingly affordable. Long-distance buses are slower but comfortable. For budget travelers, they are often the most practical form of transport. Renting a car allows far more flexibility and provides access to national parks that are otherwise difficult to reach. Budget plenty of time for car travel, as driving distances are vast.

Public transportation is very reliable across the country. In Santiago, the metro and bus systems are affordable and easy to use. Taxis are reliable and generally safe.

It’s possible to take a boat along the Patagonian coasts and fjords, with local passenger ferries and upmarket cruise ships offering a unique perspective of Chile. Adventurous travelers can also cover the full length of the country by bicycle.

What to Take

For hiking in Patagonia, waterproof jacket, hiking boots, and pants are a good idea, along with trekking poles. A waterproof camera bag or dry bags are useful to protect electronics from the rain. A 60-liter backpack for long-distance trails in Parque Nacional Torres del Paine provides enough space for camping equipment and food.

Motion sickness pills can be a welcome antidote to rough ferry journeys. Binoculars for whale-watching or bird-watching are useful. To protect against the sun, a wide-brimmed hat and high-SPF sunblock are essential. Pack plenty of light layers for cold nights.

The Best of Chile

Chile’s sinewy length is matched by a wealth of places to visit. It’s no mean feat to pack in the country’s highlights in a two-week trip. Stand in awe of some of its most jaw-dropping landscapes and remotest national parks while soaking up history and culture. This itinerary is selective and fast-paced. It requires a number of domestic flights to cover the necessary long distances between attractions.

Santiago

DAY 1

Arrive in the morning into Santiago’s Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez and take a taxi to the city center. Drop your luggage at the stylish boutique hotel The Aubrey, in the heart of Barrio Bellavista.

In the vibrant Barrio Lastarria, take the paved path to the top of Cerro Santa Lucía for dazzling panoramas across the city to the mountains beyond.

Head to the Plaza de Armas, Santiago’s main square. Visit the 18th-century Catedral Metropolitana before spending an hour or so in the superb Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino, exploring the underground room dedicated to pre-Colombian Chilean textiles, ceramics, and religious artifacts.

For dinner, get acquainted with the country’s diverse organic wines and creatively plated Chilean dishes at Polvo Bar de Vinos.

Valparaíso and Valle de Casablanca

DAY 2

Take the 1.5-hour bus ride west to the wine region of Valle de Casablanca and rent a taxi to take you around the nearby wineries. Drop in for a tasting and vineyard tour at Viñamar and Emiliana, then have lunch at Tanino, the on-site restaurant at Casas del Bosque.

Hop back on the public bus; it’s an hour-long journey to Valparaíso, where you can stay the night in Winebox, a hotel owned by the former winemaker of Casas del Bosque.

DAY 3

Start early for the 1.5-hour bus ride to Casa Museo Isla Negra, the sea-inspired home of poet Pablo Neruda, south of the city. Dine on baked parmesan razor clams at the museum’s restaurant, El Rincón del Poeta, before returning to Valparaíso.

Spend the afternoon visiting viewpoints in the graffiti-daubed hills of Cerro Alegre. Pop into the Museo Municipal de Bellas Artes for a history lesson about the city. Be sure to ride on a couple of the creaky ascensores, historic funiculars that transport passengers up the city’s steep hills.

Southern Patagonia

DAY 4

Catch the bus to the Santiago airport and take an early-morning flight to Aeropuerto Internacional Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo (3.5 hours), the main airport in Patagonia. From the airport, a bus (3.25 hours) runs north to Puerto Natales, where you can wander among historic weatherworn buildings and watch birds from the banks of the mountain-fringed sound on which the town is situated. Note that it’s possible to fly directly to Puerto Natales from Santiago during high season. This will allow enough time for a half-day horseback tour at a nearby ranch.

Rent a car for the following day’s drive. Have dinner at the innovative Lenga (make a reservation ahead of time) before getting a good night’s sleep in elegant VinnHaus.

DAY 5

Leave early for the 2.5-hour drive to the southern entrance of Parque Nacional Torres del Paine. Take a three-hour boat tour with Turismo Lago Grey to the snout of the dazzling Glaciar Grey.

Have dinner at Hotel Lago Grey, where you’ll get views of bobbing icebergs on the lake. This is also a good spot to spend the night.

DAY 6

From your hotel, take the road through the national park to the Centro de Bienvenida. From here, take the trail to Mirador Las Torres (15km round-trip, 4 hours), a viewpoint of the park’s eponymous towers. It’s a steep climb up a rocky valley to reach the lake and granite peaks. Return the way you came.

Drive back to Puerto Natales. Treat yourself with a night in the gorgeous fjord-side hotel Simple Patagonia. Dine next door in The Singular Patagonia, with its lavish wine menu and gourmet Patagonian-inspired cuisine.

DAY 7

It’s time to visit Argentinean Patagonia. Board a bus (5hr) for El Calafate, Argentina. Continue on to Parque Nacional Los Glaciares,