Chile

Nature lovers and thrill-seekers make a beeline for the top destinations of Chile to catch a glimpse of the stunning vistas of towering mountain peaks of the Andes, pristine beaches, lush temperate forests, dramatic coastal scenery, and ancient volcanoes. Chile is the home of magnificent national parks and picturesque destinations that offer opportunities for trekking, hiking, river rafting, horseback riding, mountain biking, and more. Quench your cultural thirst, too, at the impressive array of museums and art galleries at Santiago.

Upcoming Tours

Must Do Adventure

  • Stargaze in some of the clearest skies in the world. Here in the Atacama, a combination of high altitudes, very little rainfall and minimal to non-existent light pollution results in crystal clear, star-filled skies which are unrivalled elsewhere on the planet.

    Stargaze in San Pedro de Atacama
  • The W Trek is often the very reason to come to Chile. If you are an avid hiker, this route around the Torres del Paine mountains has to be on your bucket list.

    Hike the WTrek
  • Known as ‘the nursery,’ the volcano of Rano Raraku, about 18km from Hanga Roa, is the quarry for the hard tuff from which the moai were cut.

    Explore archaeological site Rano Raraku

Bucket List Experience

easter-island | Bucket List Group Travel

Easter Island

Easter Island, a Chilean territory, is a remote volcanic island in Polynesia. Its native name is Rapa Nui. It’s famed for archaeological sites, including nearly 900 monumental statues called moai, created by inhabitants during the 13th–16th centuries. The moai are carved human figures with oversize heads, often resting on massive stone pedestals called ahus. Ahu Tongariki has the largest group of upright moai.

santiago-de-chile | Bucket List Group Travel

Santiago

Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, sits in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. Plaza de Armas, the grand heart of the city’s old colonial core, is home to 2 neoclassical landmarks: the 1808 Palacio de la Real Audiencia, housing the National History Museum, and the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral. La Chascona is the home-turned-museum of poet Pablo Neruda.

iquique-chile | Bucket List Group Travel

Iquique

Iquique is a coastal city in northern Chile, to the west of the Atacama Desert. A prosperous saltpeter mining town in the 19th century, today it’s a popular holiday destination with a tax-free port area, Pacific beaches and a seafront casino. In its historic district, an iconic 19th-century clock tower stands in Arturo Prat Square, the city’s main plaza.

Tierra del Fuego | Bucket List Group Travel

Magallanes Region

The Magallanes Region, officially the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica Region, is one of Chile’s 16 first-order administrative divisions. It is the southernmost, largest, and second least populated region of Chile. It comprises four provinces: Última Esperanza, Magallanes, Tierra del Fuego, and Antártica Chilena.

Punta Arenas | Bucket List Group Travel

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is a city near the tip of Chile’s southernmost Patagonia region. Located on the Strait of Magellan, which connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans, it’s often used as base for excursions to the surrounding wilderness and Antarctica. The Plaza Muñoz Gamero has a memorial to explorer Ferdinand Magellan, and the Museo Nao Victoria features a replica of one of his galleons.

patagonia chile | Bucket List Group Travel

Patagonia

Patagonia is a region encompassing the vast southernmost tip of South America, shared by Argentina and Chile, with the Andes Mountains as its dividing line. The Argentine side features arid steppes, grasslands and deserts, while the Chilean has glacial fjords and temperate rainforest. Argentina’s famed RN-40 highway passes the pinnacles of Monte Fitz Roy and Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park.

When to Visit

Peak Season

January and February are busy times to visit Chile, it being the peak of the country’s summer. The best time to visit Chile depends on the region you’re traveling to. October to March are the warmest and most accessible months for visitors heading to Patagonia, in the south of the country. Meanwhile, Santiago, the Central Valleys, and the Atacama Desert are truly year-round destinations.

Travel Guide

Location

Chile is situated in southern South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean and a small part of the South Atlantic Ocean.

Capital City

Santiago is the capital of Chile and its largest city.

Main Airport

Chile's Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) is just over nine miles from the centre of Santiago and is the main gateway welcoming visitors.

Language Spoken

Spanish is the most widely spoken language in Chile. The variant of Spanish spoken in the country is Chilean Spanish.

Currency

The Chilean Peso is the currency of Chile.

Visas

Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand need only a valid passport to enter Chile. Chile charges a reciprocity fee upon entry for Australians and Mexicans.

Electricity

In Chile the standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. There are two associated plug types, types C and L.

Vaccinations

The CDC and WHO recommend the following vaccinations for Chile: hepatitis A, hepatitis B, typhoid, rabies, meningitis, polio, measles, mumps and rubella (MMR), Tdap (tetanus, diphtheria and pertussis), chickenpox, shingles, pneumonia and influenza.

Emergency Calls

131 Ambulance (SAMU) 132 Firefighters (Bomberos) 133 Police Emergency (Emergencias Policiales) 134 Investigaciones. International call prefix: 1xx0 Country calling code: +56

FAQs about Chile

How is internet access like in Chile?

Expect to see wifi hotspots in the traditional locations like coffee shops and wherever you’d sit and eat or spend some time. Hotels and hostels also typically have Internet access. 

Can I use my mobile phone in Chile?

Any dual or multi-band GSM cellphone will work in Chile, but you’ll pay expensive roaming rates; check with your cellphone company before leaving. 

How are the toilets like in Chile?

Baños públicos or public bathrooms are commonly available in Chile. They cost a small fraction of one US dollar, but the cost subsidizes their cleaning and maintenance. C$170 was about US$0.25 at the time.

Can I drink tap water in Chile?

The tap water in SantiagoChile, is perfectly safe to drink. The authorities, reassures that the tap water here meets the international standards. Please know that the water from Santiago has high natural mineral content that can cause an upset stomach.

Are credit cards accepted in Chile?

Paying by cash is by far the best option in ChileVisa, MasterCard and AmEx are widely accepted, but only in major cities and tourist hotspots.

What is the convenience of ATM access like in Chile?

Chile’s many ATMs, known as redbanc, are the easiest and most convenient way to access funds. Transaction fees can be as high as US$10, so withdraw larger sums to rack up fewer fees. 

What to wear in Chile?

Chile is a diverse country with various climates and regions. Depends on the season you will need a mix of summer and winter clothing.

Is Chile safe for women to travel solo?

Chile is considered the safest travel destination in South America. You can safely travel alone as a single woman in the country.

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