Travelling widely can make you feel like you’re visiting other worlds—sometimes, all within one country. Chile is one such place. In its north, the colours of the Atacama Desert whisper through the driest living ecosystem on Earth. In the south, the fjords, peaks and glaciers of Patagonia invite you to experience the Americas at their wildest.
In the centre of it all, Santiago awakens each day to sunrise over the mighty Andes, bringing a grit, charm and charisma that has made it one of South America’s must-visit cities. Meanwhile, out in the Pacific lies one of the world’s most unique and mysterious cultures, Easter Island, regularly served by flights from Santiago.
Then, there’s the wine….
If your travel plans haven’t yet swung south to Chile, it’s time to see what too many travellers are missing.
Central Chile and Santiago – A Modern Capital with DIY Determination
Lively neighbourhoods give Santiago a distinctive character, mixing colonial architecture with spectacular palacios and an engaging street life. It’s also the economic and cultural heart of Chile, and so offers the best range of dining, nightlife, and culture you’ll find anywhere in the country. Unlike the north or south, Chile’s central region enjoys a year-round Mediterranean climate, supporting 80 percent of the population. Taking full advantage of that, Santiago takes liveability seriously. Immense green spaces break up any urban sprawl, most of its neighbourhoods are extremely walkable and quite safe, while public art seems to liven up the cityscape around every corner. That’s to say nothing of those Andes views, and the outdoor adventures found just a short drive away. After dark, Santiago ignites its party spirit, offering a diverse, DIY-driven nightlife that catches many visitors by welcome surprise.
A short drive to the Pacific brings you to Valparaiso, a veritable fiesta of colourful architecture that also serves as Chile’s most important port. Even the funiculars that ascend the city’s steep hills are brightly painted. Just as vibrant are the city’s cultural, literary, nightlife and food scenes. Enjoyed a street art or food tour in Santiago? Well, consider doing another one in Valparaiso, because the port city has its own unique character and flavours to share.
Speaking of flavours, no mention of Central Chile would be complete without praising its wine. Chile’s uniquely cool climate has offered vintners an ideal terroir since the 16th century. Carmenere is the star grape here, thought to be extinct until it was found growing in Chile in the 1990s. Since then, this big, bold red has put the nation’s wines on the ‘must-try’ list, bringing other varieties such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Pinot Noir with it.
Find Desert Perfection in Dazzling Atacama
The colours of the Atacama Desert can look more like an artist’s fever dream than a natural landscape. No, your eyes aren’t playing tricks. It really is that beautiful. From some of the clearest skies on Earth (astronomers flock to Atacama for a reason) to salt pans, geysers, rust-coloured volcanos, vivid blue lakes, ancient petroglyphs and an ecosystem that thrives in this harsh environment, exploring Atacama can feel like visiting several alien planets in one day, especially if you rent a car to reach some of the more remote corners of the desert. You can ease your aches and pains at Termas de Puritama hot springs, float in the cool waters of Lake Cejar, escape the daytime heat in San Pedro’s Meteorite Museum, or go stargazing after dark with a local expert on these skies.
San Pedro de Atacama is the nearest air hub and an ideal base for exploring the region, though you may want to splurge for a sustainable eco-lodge to maximize your immersion in this incredible landscape. Not only are they well-appointed and very comfortable, but you can meet like-minded travellers, swap tips and stories, or team up for a group excursion to more remote parts of the desert like Monjes de La Pakana, which can only be reached on a tour.
Moai than a mystery in the South Pacific
Easter Island, more properly known as Rapa Nui, has intrigued both professional and armchair archaeologists—and travellers—for centuries. It is, of course, famous for the moai, the mysterious stone heads that dot the island, all (with just seven exceptions) facing inward as if standing guard over the population on the gods’ behalf. At least, that’s one interpretation among hundreds. What happened to the moai’s creators? Or the island’s trees? Some of the story has been pieced together, but there’s nothing quite like visiting Rapa Nui for yourself and letting the facts as we know them so far mix with the emotions this incredible island can stir inside you. Far from a ghost island, Rapa Nui still supports a vibrant community with its own identity, culture and traditions. You can visit ceremonial complexes, or if you’re up to it, embark on a volcano hike for spectacular views.
Patagonia is Nature’s Ultimate Adventure
It’s no accident that an adventure clothing company took its name from Chile’s southern mountain region. Patagonia embodies Chile at its wildest, with awesome sights like the Torres del Paine, plus fjords, glaciers and some of Chile’s wildest trails. Like Atacama, a rich ecosystem thrives in this harsh climate, though you couldn’t ask for a much more extreme opposite, as glaciers calve into frigid waters and the crisp air invigorates your every breath year-round.
The W Trek, including the awesome Las Torres viewpoint, is Patagonia’s most famous walk. Of course, you’ll want your photo with the three most famous peaks in Patagonia, but don’t miss Los Perros Glacier, the Grey Viewpoint over the park’s biggest glacier, or the views over the park’s many lakes, plus spectacular waterfalls like Salto Chico.
Final tip? Don’t try and turn Patagonia’s viewpoints and attractions into a checklist. The entire landscape is its own fantastic world, and different hikes will suit different levels of fitness and ability. Be kind to your body and welcome the awesome sights of Patagonia as they come.
Christian’s first globetrotting adventure saw him get lost exploring the streets of Saigon. Following his nose to Asia’s best coffee, two lifelong addictions were born. A freelance writer and novelist, Christian’s travels have since taken him around his native Australia, Asia, Europe, and much of North America. His favourite trips have been through Japan, Spain, and Brazil, though with a love of off-beat, artsy cities, he’ll seize any opportunity to return to Paris, New York, or Berlin.
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