Best Places to Visit in Chile

Squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific, Chile is sometimes called the longest country in the world. It is never more than 180 km wide, but its coastline extends over 4,300 km. Its unusual long shape has given it a varied climate with one of the world’s driest deserts in the north, while its southern tip is home to cold-weather creatures like penguins. Chile is also one of the closest nations, along with Argentina and New Zealand, to Antarctica. Here’s a look at the best places to visit in Chile:

Number 10. Punta Arenas

An intriguing mix of rural and urban, wooden tin-roofed houses rub shoulders with giant glistening malls and business buildings in Punta Arenas. An important port, this sprawling city is located right down south in Chile bordering the Magellan Strait. With lots of tourist services on offer and a plethora of stunning sights lying nearby, Punta Arenas is a great base from which to explore the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and Torres del Paine national park as well as neighboring Argentina.

Number 9. Santiago.

The capital of Chile is home to forty percent of the country´s population and as such, it is a bustling, cosmopolitan place full of life and energy. A sophisticated city, you can stop by its world-class restaurants and walk through its fancy neighborhoods and leafy hillside parks before heading to the lively nightlife spots and bars in Barrios Brasil. Snow-capped mountains form a beautiful backdrop to Santiago and, due to its proximity to the ocean; you can ski and visit the beach on the same day!

Number 8. Chiloe Island.

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 the country, Chiloé has a very special architecture and local culture. The Jesuit missionaries who arrived in the 17th century constructed hundreds of unique wooden churches in an attempt to bring Christianity to the archipelago. The result was a mixing of Catholicism and indigenous styles that can still be seen today.

Number 7. Iquique.

Spectacularly located at the foot of a desolate coastal mountain range with a gigantic dune overlooking it, Iquique is a bustling cosmopolitan city. As it borders the Pacific Ocean and is in a duty-free shopping zone, an eclectic mix of people descends on the city with surfers and casino goers, paragliders, and shoppers all equally at ease in Iquique. One of the most popular beach resorts in Chile, its lovely oceanfront promenade makes for a peaceful and scenic walk as wooden walkways add to its charm.

Number 6. Lauca National Park.

Located in the Andean Mountain range in the north, the uncultivated beauty of Lauca National Park continues to attract visitors looking to explore the diverse, rugged landscape of Chile’s outdoors. Not only are you surrounded by snow-capped volcanos and cobalt blue lakes, but you’ll also get to view a diverse variety of wildlife. Alpacas, flamingos, and more than 130 different bird species roam around the sprawling national park.

Number 5. Valparaiso.

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 and beautiful seaside views.

Number 4. Pucon.

Of the many towns and villages in Chile’s Lake District, few are as popular as pretty Pucon. Situated on a beautiful lake, it offers a stunning view of the active volcano Villarrica in the distance. Pucon is a well-established hub for outdoor activities in every season. Opportunities for mountain climbing, water skiing, and kayaking abound. Pucon is great for relaxation too. Black-sand beaches line the shoreline and the town is packed with restaurants, bars, and hotels.

Number 3. San Pedro de Atacama.

San Pedro de Atacama is a Chilean town on the edge of one of the world’s most breathtaking landscapes. Austere, endless flood and salt plains surrounded by coppery mountains are plentiful and have to be seen to be believed. 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.

Number 2. Torres del Paine National Park.

It may be located in remote Chilean Patagonia, but Torres del Paine National Park is one of Chile’s largest and most visited parks. Why? Well, the scenery is pretty spectacular. The Torres del Paine is just one awesome sight you’ll see. The three peaks dominate the landscape in the Paine Mountains. Besides mountains, the park is dotted with glaciers, rivers, forests, and steppe, making it a hit with outdoors enthusiasts.

Number 1. Easter Island.

Getting to Easter Island can be time-consuming since it is the most remote inhabited island in the world. The nearest inhabitants are almost 1,300 miles away. But it’s not its remoteness this Chilean territory is noted for. It’s what you’ll see when you get there: almost 900 primitive statues carved by early Polynesian inhabitants. These awesome statues, called moai, may have been carved about 1,000 years ago. Most statues were carved from solidified volcanic ash, with obsidian being used for the black eyes.