Bienvenido a Chile! This country is a popular tourist destination thanks to its stunning landscapes, unique culture and well known wine regions. It’s home to the driest desert in the world, various Andean Ski resorts, and the famous archipelago of Easter Island.
We backpacked through Chile in 2019 and spent several weeks hiking the W Trek in Patagonia, exploring the Atacama and experiencing the vibrant culture in Santiago. It’s an adventure lovers paradise offering delicious food and amazing wine around every corner.
- Capital City: Santiago
- Population: About 20 million
- Language: Spanish
- Currency: Chilean Peso ($1 USD = 917.43 CLP)
- Time Zone: Chile Standard Time (GMT-4)
Top Places To Visit In Chile
Easter Island – Known as one of the world’s greatest mysteries, Easter Island is a Chilean territory in Polynesia. It’s home to hundred of hollow-eyed statues, locally known as moai, carved by Polynesian visitors. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, a visit here is a unique travel experience, but it can be expensive.
Patagonia – Most people visit Patagonia for the awe-inspiring landscapes. It’s a very diverse region with 9 national parks spanning between both Argentina (Los Glaciares National Park) and Chile (Torres del Paine). With forests, glaciers, mountains, volcanoes and rivers, this remote region is loved by anyone who visits.
San Pedro de Atacama – This remote town on an arid plateau in northern Chile is nestled within the driest desert in the world, but it also boasts one of the clearest skies in the world due to its high altitude and absence of light pollution. It showcases peculiar rock formations, breathtaking landscapes and ancient culture.
Santiago – A sprawling bustling metropolis, we were pleasantly surprised by Chile’s beautiful capital. It’s surrounded by the Andes Mountains offering picture perfect views. You can enjoy the stunning neoclassical architecture, unique neighborhoods and fun nightlife.
Torres Del Paine National Park – Located on the southern tip of Chile within Patagonia, this national park is even better in person. You can visit on your own or as part of a tour, but spaces are limited. We hiked the W-trek and it’s one of our favorite hiking experiencing to date.
Valparaíso – If you’re looking to experience Chile’s rich culture, look no further than Valparaíso. It’s a beautiful bohemian town famous for its colorful hillsides, abundance of street art and meandering alleyways.
San Pedro de Atacama
Biking through the San Pedro de Atacama made us feel like we were on another planet! There are so many unique things you can do in this lunar like landscape, explore our guides to see what we recommend.
20 Best Things To Do Around San Pedro De Atacama, Chile
Valle De La Luna: Orbit Moon Valley By Apollo Mountain Bike
Perfect San Pedro De Atacama, Chile Itinerary: With & Without Car
Most Popular Tours In Chile
How Many Days Do You Need In Chile?
If you’re looking to see Chile’s popular cities, we recommend spending 5-7 days visiting Santiago, Valparaíso and some of the famous wine regions.
But if you’re looking to explore Patagonia and the Atacama, we recommend you plan 10-14 days soaking up the jaw-dropping landscapes. These popular tourist destinations are remote so it will take time traveling between them.
Best Time To Visit
Chile experiences all four seasons, and if you’re heading to Patagonia, the best time to travel is in the summer months of December through March. However, Santiago, the Atacama and the central valleys are year-round destinations. The warm weather is popular with visitors between the months of December and February so if you plan to visit this time of year, you’ll need to book well in advance.
Since we spent a few weeks in Patagonia, we visited from January to March. In the mountains, the weather was variable with both hot and cool days so you’ll have to prepare with the proper hiking essentials and layers.
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