Chile
Upcoming Tours
Must Do Adventure
Bucket List Experience
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
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
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.
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
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
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
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 Santiago, Chile, 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 Chile. Visa, 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.
