Chile · Travel guide
How a 4,300 km ribbon of a country divides, how to choose between the ten destinations, when to go, what it costs and three routes that work.
Chile stretches from the Atacama Desert to Patagonian glaciers, with Easter Island far out in the Pacific. This guide explains how the country divides, how to choose between the ten destinations, how to move around, when to go, what it costs and three routes that work.
Chile is narrow and long, so the country is best understood as a set of regions, linked mostly by flights.
Santiago and the centre. Santiago is the capital and gateway, with Valparaiso on the coast and the wine valleys nearby.
The north. San Pedro de Atacama is the desert base, and the Elqui Valley offers pisco and stars.
The Lake District and Chiloe. Pucon, Puerto Varas and Chiloe have volcanoes, lakes and wooden churches.
Patagonia. Torres del Paine and the Carretera Austral are the wild south, and Easter Island sits alone in the Pacific.
Worth knowing: Most first trips combine Santiago with one northern and one southern region.
[[santiago
[[torres-del-paine
[[san-pedro-de-atacama
[[easter-island
[[carretera-austral
[[puerto-varas
Chile is long, so flights are the practical way to cover distance. Santiago connects to Calama (for the Atacama), Punta Arenas (for Patagonia), Puerto Montt and Easter Island.
Long-distance buses are comfortable and affordable, especially between Santiago and Valparaiso, the Lake District and the north.
A rental car is the best way to explore the Lake District, the Elqui Valley and the Carretera Austral.
Ferries link parts of the south, including crossings to Chiloe and along the Carretera Austral.
Worth knowing: Book Patagonia lodging and Easter Island flights as early as you can.
Chile has opposite seasons to the northern hemisphere. Summer runs from December to February.
November to March is the best time for Patagonia, the Lake District and Chiloe.
The Atacama is dry and sunny nearly all year, with cold nights in winter and occasional altiplano rain in summer.
Santiago and the wine regions are best in spring and autumn, with the harvest in March and April.
Winter, June to August, is ski season in the Andes and wet in the south.
Worth knowing: Easter Island is best from March to May or September to November.
Chile is one of the more expensive countries in South America, though still cheaper than Europe or North America. A budget traveller can manage on US$50-80 a day, a mid-range traveller on US$120-200.
Torres del Paine and Easter Island are the priciest places. Refugio beds, park fees and flights add up.
Cards are widely accepted, and the Chilean peso is the currency. ATMs are common, though in remote areas you should carry cash.
Chile is generally safe. Beware pickpockets in cities and take care on mountain trails and near active volcanoes. Earthquakes occur, so know your hotel's safety procedures.
Three nights in [[santiago
Tip Santiago]] with a day in [[valparaiso
Two nights in [[santiago
Tip Santiago]] and [[valparaiso
The itinerary on the country page, covering Santiago, the Atacama, Patagonia and the Lake District with [[chiloe
Tip Chiloe]].
Reference
Every place named above has its own detailed guide — attractions, food, where to stay, how to get around and a suggested day-by-day plan.
Santiago Metropolitan Region
Chile's capital and gateway: Plaza de Armas, La Moneda, Mercado Central, bohemian barrios, hill-top parks and Maipo Valley wineries within an hour.
Don't miss Looking out from Cerro San Cristobal as the Andes glow pink at dusk.
Explore Destination — SantiagoValparaiso Region, central coast
A UNESCO-listed port with 42 hills, cable-car lifts, street art, the Neruda house and the seaside resort of Vina del Mar nearby.
Don't miss Riding a century-old funicular up a hillside of painted houses.
Explore Destination — ValparaisoAntofagasta Region, northern Chile
A small oasis town in the Atacama Desert at 2,400 metres, base for the Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers, flamingo lagoons, salt flats and astronomy tours.
Don't miss Stargazing in one of the driest places on Earth after a day of salt lakes and geysers.
Explore Destination — San Pedro de AtacamaMagallanes Region, Chilean Patagonia
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in southern Patagonia, famous for the W Trek, the O Circuit, Grey Glacier, guanacos and pumas.
Don't miss Hiking to the base of the three granite towers at sunrise, when they glow red.
Explore Destination — Torres del PaineValparaiso Region, Pacific Ocean
One of the most remote inhabited islands on Earth, a UNESCO site with nearly 900 moai, crater lakes, beaches and Rapa Nui culture.
Don't miss Watching the sun rise behind fifteen giant moai at Ahu Tongariki.
Explore Destination — Easter Island (Rapa Nui)Los Lagos Region, southern Chile
An island archipelago with 16 UNESCO-listed wooden churches, palafito stilt houses, Chilote cuisine, penguin colonies and folklore.
Don't miss Eating curanto cooked in an earth pit, then watching penguins from a boat.
Explore Destination — ChiloeLa Araucania Region, Lake District
A lakeside adventure town with a volcano climb, rafting, hot springs, araucaria forests and Mapuche culture.
Don't miss Climbing the active Villarrica volcano at dawn and sliding down on your boots.
Explore Destination — Pucon and VillarricaCoquimbo Region, northern Chile
A green valley in the Andean foothills with pisco distilleries, observatories, the village of Pisco Elqui, Gabriela Mistral's home and stargazing.
Don't miss Sipping pisco in a village under one of the clearest night skies in the world.
Explore Destination — Elqui ValleyAysen Region, Patagonia
One of the world's great road trips, from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, passing Queulat, Marble Caves, Cerro Castillo and the Northern Patagonian Ice Field.
Don't miss Drifting by boat through blue marble caves on Lake General Carrera.
Explore Destination — Carretera AustralLos Lagos Region
A relaxed lakeside base for Petrohue Falls, Lake Todos los Santos, Vicente Perez Rosales National Park and kuchen cafes.
Don't miss Watching Osorno volcano turn pink at sunset over Lake Llanquihue.
Explore Destination — Puerto Varas and the Lake DistrictFAQ
Yes, so choose a region or two. Flights are cheap and frequent, and the country is easy to piece together by air and bus.
November to March for Patagonia and the south, and any time of year for the Atacama, though March to May and September to November are most comfortable.
It helps, especially outside Santiago and the main tourist areas, though staff in tourist businesses often speak some English.
Generally, one of the safer countries in South America, but watch for pickpockets in cities and follow trail and weather advice in the mountains.
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