Chile
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Chile GALLERY
2019 2019 Fodor’s Go List Destination
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At the southwestern edge of South America, Chile feels a world away. Mountains, glaciers, deserts and a rugged coastline are just some of Chile’s charms but there’s also a rich native culture and bustling cities to discover along its long, thin 4,270-km expanse.

The entry point for most is through the capital city, Santiago, where the major international airport connects this far-flung country to the rest of the world. Glistening skyscrapers stand out against the snowy frame of the Andes mountains but Santiago also boasts old world charm in the bohemian neighbourhoods of Lastarria and Bellavista. Plaza de Armas is Santiago’s hub, which is just a stone’s throw from the Central Market and La Vega, where you’ll find all of Chile’s exotic fruits and sea creatures on display. Well-heeled city folk dine in the upmarket neighborhoods of Providencia and Las Condes, where some of the country’s best restaurants and bars hide.

Just on the doorstep of Santiago are the wine regions of Aconcagua, Maipo, and Casablanca which offer perfect day trips in wine country. It’s well worth spending a night drinking wine under the stars and between the vines in one of Chile’s award-winning winery accommodations in the Central Valley. It’s here, especially in Colchagua, where avant-garde architecture and fine wine-paired dining experiences meet.

Although there’s plenty of ways to relax and unwind in Chile, most voyage here for the excellent outdoor adventures. There are few places in the world with four natural borders like Chile. To the north, the country is hemmed in by the world’s driest desert, the Atacama. Unparalleled star-gazing have attracted the likes of NASA to set up base here, but San Pedro de Atacama is just as popular with nomads drawn to the special energy of this high-altitude desert plain. Geysers, volcanoes, and salt-crusted valleys are just some of the natural wonders found within.

To the east, the Andes mountains run down the spine of the country, separating Chile from Argentina. Fishing in the lake district and river rafting in Pucón are highlights, while skiing, climbing and hiking attract visitors to the mountains year-round. In the south is the holy grail for hikers, the W around the Torres del Paine. The remarkable spires of ancient granite make one of the world’s most beautiful natural sculptures rising from the vast Patagonian steppe. Pumas, condors, and guanacos will catch your gaze, if you can manage to pull your eyes away from the creaking glaciers, stunning fjords, and milky glacial lakes that extend through Chile’s southern border and the gateway to Antarctica.

The final frontier is to the west, Chile’s Pacific coast. From the white pebble beaches of the north, down to the volcanic black sands of the south, Chile’s coastline is unarguably photogenic. The mysterious islands of Chiloé and Easter Island might pull you away from the mainland, but almost everyone is lured back by the calm waves at Viña del Mar and the chaos of color and culture that is Valparaíso city. Chile may be slim but it’s diverse to discover.

ULTIMATE EXPERIENCES

25 Ultimate Things to Do in Chile

Amanda Barnes

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The Lake District

As you travel the winding roads of the Lake District, the snowcapped shoulders of volcanoes emerge, mysteriously disappear, then materialize...

Santiago

Santiago, Chile’s capital city, nestled between the Andes and the coastal range, has long been overlooked in favor of older, bigger or more...

El Norte Grande

The Norte Grande is as vast as it is remote, but don’t be fooled by this seemingly empty landscape: the Atacama Desert is filled with natural...

The Central Coast

Most people head to the Central Coast for a single reason: the beaches. And while yes, many are drawn here by the rough grandeur of the windswept...

El Norte Chico

Between the fertile central valley to the south and the vast expanse of the Atacama Desert to the north, El Norte Chico—or Chile’s Little North...

Chiloe

Steeped in magic, shrouded in mist, the 41-island archipelago of Chiloé is that proverbial world apart, isolated not so much by distance from...

Southern Chilean Patagonia

There's no doubt about it that Patagonia is striking in its beauty—the constantly changing sky throws a different light on the landscape from...

The Southern Coast

The sliver of land known as the Southern Coast stretches for more than 1,000 km (620 miles), from the southernmost part of the Lakes District...

The Central Valley

The Central Valley is the most abundant valley in Chile, not just for fruit and grape production, but also for its wealth of opportunities for...

Easter Island

Easter Island, the most isolated inhabited island in the world—2,985 km (1,850 miles) from its nearest populated neighbor and 3,700 km (2,295...

Valparaiso

Valparaíso's dramatic topography—45 cerros, or hills, overlooking the ocean—requires the use of winding pathways and wooden ascensores ...

Valdivia

One of Chile’s most scenic cities, it gracefully combines Chilean wood-shingle construction with the architectural style of the well-to-do German...

Temuco

This northern gateway to the Lake District acquired a bit of pop-culture cachet as the setting for a scene in The Motorcycle Diaries, a film...

La Serena

Steeped in history, Chile’s second-oldest city, La Serena, wears two distinct faces today. On one hand, it charms visitors with its European...

Pucon

The resort town of Pucón, on the southern shore of Lago Villarrica, attracts Chileans young and old. By day, there are loads of outdoor activities...

Puerto Varas

A fast-growing resort town on the edge of Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Varas is renowned for its view of both the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Stunning...

Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar has high-rise apartment buildings that tower above its excellent shoreline, and the wide boulevards are lined with palms, lush...

Coyhaique

The hub of the Aysén region in Patagonia, this is a city in contrast, with modernity mixing with a traditionally slower rhythm in the shadow...

Castro

Founded in 1567, Castro is Chile's third-oldest city. Its history has been one of destruction, with three fires and three earthquakes laying...

Puerto Montt

For most of its history, windy Puerto Montt was the end of the line for just about everyone traveling in the Lake District. Now the Carretera...

San Pedro de Atacama

It is not an exaggeration to call San Pedro de Atacama a once-in-a-lifetime destination, as after all, there’s nowhere else quite like the Atacama...

Side Trips from Santiago

For more than a few travelers, Santiago's main attraction is its proximity to the continent's best skiing. The snowcapped mountains to the east...

Iquique

Iquique is the capital of Chile's northernmost region, but it wasn't always so important. For hundreds of years it was a tiny fishing community...

Arica

Arica boasts that it is "the land of the eternal spring," but its temperate climate and beaches are not the only reason to visit this small...

Puerto Natales

While known for being a rather unimpressive town on its own, the proximity of Puerto Natales to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine and Parque...

Santa Cruz

This once sleepy village has become the height of rural chic in recent years, due, in large part, to the booming Colchagua Valley wine industry...

Ancud

The village of Chacao (where your ferry arrives) was actually the site of one of the first Spanish shipyards in the Americas, but it was moved...

Vicuña

As you head into the Elqui Valley, the first town you come to is Vicuña, famous as the birthplace of one of Chile's most important literary...

Villarrica

Villarrica was founded in 1552, but the Mapuche wars prevented extensive settlement of the area until the early 20th century. Founded by the...

Copiapo

Copiapó was officially founded in 1744 by Don Francisco Cortés, who called it Villa San Francisco de La Selva. Originally a tambo, or resting...

Antofagasta

Antofagasta is the most important—and the richest—city in El Norte Grande. It was part of Bolivia until 1879, when it was annexed by Chile in...

Rancagua

In 1814, the hills around Rancagua were the site of a battle in the War of Independence known as the Desastre de Rancagua (Disaster of Rancagua...

Talca

Straddling the banks of the Río Claro, Talca is not only Maule's most important industrial center; it is also one of the most appealing towns...

Frutillar

Halfway down the western edge of Lago Llanquihue lies the small town of Frutillar, a destination for European immigrants in the late 19th century...

Algarrobo

The largest town south of Valparaíso, Algarrobo has a winding coastline with several yellow-sand beaches and consequently attracts throngs of...

Pisco Elqui

This idyllic village of fewer than 600 residents has two pisco plants. Once known as La Unión, the town, perched on a sun-drenched hillside...

Calama

The discovery of vast deposits of copper in the area turned Calama into the quintessential mining town, and therein lies its interest. People...

Osorno

Although the least visited of the Lake District's four major cities, Osorno is one of the oldest in Chile, but the Mapuche prevented foreigners...

Maitencillo

This town is a string of cabanas, houses, and eateries spread along the 4-km (3-mile) Avenida del Mar. Two long beaches are separated by an...

Futaleufu

Near the town of Villa Lucia, Ruta 231 branches east from the Carretera Austral and winds around Lago Yelcho. About 159 km (99 miles) later...

Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

A top global destination for hikers and nature spotters, Torres del Paine National Park is, quite simply, outstanding. With breathtaking mountains...

Quellon

The Pan-American Highway, which begins in Alaska and stretches for most of the length of North and South America, ends without fanfare here...

The Southeastern Circuit

Most of the archaeological sites on the island line the southeastern coast. Driving along it, you pass many ahus, where moai once stood, most...

Chaiten

If you are traveling by ferry to and from Chiloé or Puerto Montt, you will likely pass through Chaitén. In May 2008, a volcano erupted near...

Concon

How to explain the lovely name Concón? One theory is that in the language of the Changos, co meant "water," and the duplication of the sound...

Ovalle

Ovalle always suffers in comparison to its fairer sister to the north, La Serena, as it has no beaches or breezes. However, it can be a good...

The Western Circuit

On the western tip of the island are the cave paintings of Ana Kai Tangata and the petroglyphs near the ceremonial village of Orongo. You'll...

Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos

In the middle of one of the largest salt flats in the world, crowds of pink flamingos flock to a couple pretty lagoons. While the flamingos...

San Fernando

San Fernando is surrounded by popular wineries, handsome hotels, colonial estancias, and beautiful nature spots. The city is a convenient stopping...

Curico

Founded in 1743, Curicó means "black water" in Mapudungún, the native Mapuche language. Today this agroindustrial center is the provincial capital...

Bahia Inglesa

Some of the most beautiful beaches in El Norte Chico are at Bahía Inglesa, which was originally known as Puerto del Inglés because of the number...

Lago General Carrera and Nearby

It takes a 280-km (174-mile) drive from Coyhaique along the rutted, mostly unpaved Carretera Austral to reach Lago General Carrera—a beautiful...

Lican Ray

In the Mapuche language, Lican Ray means "flower among the stones." This pleasant, unhurried little resort town of 2,169 inhabitants is on Lago...

Papudo

In a letter dated October 8, 1545, Spanish conquistador Pedro Valdivia wrote: "Of all the lands of the New World, the port of Papudo has a goodness...

Parque Pumalin

The world's largest privately owned nature preserve, the future Pumalín National Park (it will officially become a national park in April 2019...

Mamiña

An oasis cut from the brown desert, the tiny village of Mamiña has hundreds of hot springs. Renowned throughout Chile for their curative powers...

Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Aisen

The drive from Coyhaique to the town of Puerto Aysén and its port, Chacabuco, is beautiful. The mist hangs low over farmland, adding a dripping...

Cochamo

The small fishing villages of Cochamó are blessed with friendly people but little infrastructure. Only a few farms dot the countryside. In short...

Parque Nacional Vicente Perez Rosales

Chile’s oldest national park, with its spectacular Lago Todos Los Santos, forests, and Andean mountain backdrop, Vicente Perez Rosales is a...

Hanga Roa

Hugging the coast on the northwest side is the island’s capital of Hanga Roa. Of the 6,000 residents, about half are indigenous Rapa Nui and...

Dalcahue

Most days travelers in the laid-back port town of Dalcahue stop only long enough to board the ferry that deposits them 15 minutes later on Isla...

Parque Nacional Lauca

The Parque Nacional Lauca offers dramatic landscapes and eye-catching wildlife. Stunning volcanic landscapes and colorful desert scrubland are...

Chonchi

The colorful wooden houses of Chonchi are on a hillside so steep that it's known in Spanish as the Ciudad de los Tres Pisos (City of Three Stories...

Isla Quinchao

For many visitors, the elongated Isla Quinchao, the easiest to reach of the islands in the eastern archipelago, defines Chiloé. Populated by...

Zapallar

An aristocratic enclave for the past century, Zapallar doesn't promote itself as a vacation destination. In fact, it has traditionally been...

Quintay

Not too long ago, migrating sperm whales could still be seen from the beaches at Quintay, although they were all but exterminated by the whaling...

Puerto Puyuhuapi

This mossy fishing village of about 500 residents is one of the oldest along the Carretera Austral. It was founded in 1935 by German immigrants...

Parque Nacional Chiloe

The Parque Nacional Chiloé comprises a huge swath of Chiloé's Pacific coast. It’s a wonderful mix of broad beaches, rolling sand dunes, lush...

Parque Nacional Puyehue

One of Chile's most popular national parks, Parque Nacional Puyehue draws crowds who come to bask in its famed hot springs. Most never venture...

Juan Lopez

Those turned off by the hustle and bustle of Antofagasta will likely be charmed by Juan López, a hodgepodge of pastel-color fishing shacks and...

Ensenada

A drive along the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue to Ensenada takes you through the heart of Chile's murta -growing country. Queen Victoria...

Alto Maipo

Some of Chile's finest red wines hail from the Alto Maipo, the eastern sector of the Casablanca Valley. There are a number of wineries—old and...

Pisagua

Pisagua, one of the region's most prominent ports during the nitrate era, at one time sustained a population of more than 8,000 people. Many...

Parque Nacional Conguillio

One of southern Chile’s most beautiful and oldest tree species, the araucaria tree thrives in the native forest that blankets one of Chile’s...

Curacautin

The ancient homeland of the proud indigenous Pehuenche people, Curacautín province is one of the most spectacular places in southern Chile for...

Pica

From a distance, Pica appears to be a mirage. This oasis cut from the gray and brown sand of the Atacama Desert is known for its fruit—the limes...

Quemchi

On the protected interior of the Golfo de Ancud, Quemchi is a small, tranquil fishing village that makes for a good stopover when visiting churches...

Lago Vichuquen

An hour's drive from Curicó, this lake is a popular place for water sports such as sailing and water-skiing. The town itself, about 8 km (5...

Isla Negra

I needed a place to work," Chilean poet and Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda wrote in his memoirs. "I found a stone house facing the ocean, in a...

Parque Nacional Villarrica

Dominated by Villarrica Volcano, this park is on the outskirts of Pucón and has become Chile’s most popular place to climb a volcano, as well...

La Junta

If you’re traveling by car or jeep down Carretera Austral, this small town of approximately 1,200 residents is a good place to stop for gas...

Puerto Octay

The story goes that a German merchant named Ochs set up shop in this tidy community on the northern tip of Lago Llanquihue. A phrase uttered...

Quicavi

The center of all that is magical and mystical about Chiloé, Quicaví sits forlornly on the eastern coast of Isla Grande. Superstitious locals...

Queilen

This town named for the red cypress trees that dot the area sits on an elongated peninsula and, as such, is the only town on Isla Grande with...

Reserva Nacional Pampa del Tamarugal

This large forest in the middle of the desert is a unique sight. One of the highlights of the Reserva is the enormous geoglyphs that were created...

Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael

One of Chile's largest parks, extending 168 square km (65 square miles), Laguna San Rafael encompasses the length of Chile's vast northern Patagonia...

Parque Nacional Pan de Azucar

Some of the best coastal scenery in the country can be found at Parque Nacional Pan de Azúcar. Imposing cliffs give way to deserted white-sand...

Geysers del Tatio

Witnessing the fumaroles at daybreak here is one of the best experiences Chile has to offer. The geysers pump out boiling water throughout the...

Chacabuco

There are many ghost towns left from the nitrate boom in the early 20th century, and Chacabuco is one of them, although this deserted town has...

Gigante de Atacama

Although there are more than 5,000 geoglyphs in the Atacama, this one is the most iconic. The Gigante de Atacama is an 86-meter depiction of...

Parque Nacional Bosques de Fray Jorge

Seemingly defying the logic of El Norte Chico’s otherwise barren landscapes, Parque Nacional Fray Jorge is a lush cloud forest formed by a unique...

Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja

...

Huilo Huilo

At this private nature reserve, which spans nearly 120,000 hectares (300,000 acres), you find some of the last and best stands of Chile’s native...

Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas

This 100-km (62-mile) reserve is filled with vicuñas that graze in the high plains near the blue alpine lakes. There are also volcanoes in the...

Parque Nacional Queulat

Many tourists mistakenly neglect to stop at this vastly underrated park, yet it is a good place to camp and hike. If you do make time for a...

Salar de Surire

From a distance, Surire looks like a giant white lake, but as you approach you’ll see the small white crystals of salt that define this intriguing...

Chepu

This is a stop for hardcore nature lovers. Here at a confluence of three rivers, the Chepu River valley forms before merging finally into the...

Isla Lemuy

Though easily reached by a 15-minute ferry ride from Chonchi, Isla Lemuy feels miles away from anything. It's the third largest of Chiloé's...

Parque Nacional Huerquehue

Unless you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, this 124-square-km (48-square-mile) park is accessible only in summer (even then, a jeep isn't a...

Colbun

...

Reñaca

Thousands of Chileans flock to Reñaca every summer for one, and only one, reason—the crashing waves. You need merely contemplate this wide stretch...

Santiago

Santiago, Chile’s capital city, nestled between the Andes and the coastal range, has long been overlooked in favor of older, bigger or more...

Valparaiso

Valparaíso's dramatic topography—45 cerros, or hills, overlooking the ocean—requires the use of winding pathways and wooden ascensores ...

Valdivia

One of Chile’s most scenic cities, it gracefully combines Chilean wood-shingle construction with the architectural style of the well-to-do German...

La Serena

Steeped in history, Chile’s second-oldest city, La Serena, wears two distinct faces today. On one hand, it charms visitors with its European...

Pucon

The resort town of Pucón, on the southern shore of Lago Villarrica, attracts Chileans young and old. By day, there are loads of outdoor activities...

Temuco

This northern gateway to the Lake District acquired a bit of pop-culture cachet as the setting for a scene in The Motorcycle Diaries, a film...

Viña del Mar

Viña del Mar has high-rise apartment buildings that tower above its excellent shoreline, and the wide boulevards are lined with palms, lush...

Puerto Varas

A fast-growing resort town on the edge of Lake Llanquihue, Puerto Varas is renowned for its view of both the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes. Stunning...

Coyhaique

The hub of the Aysén region in Patagonia, this is a city in contrast, with modernity mixing with a traditionally slower rhythm in the shadow...

Castro

Founded in 1567, Castro is Chile's third-oldest city. Its history has been one of destruction, with three fires and three earthquakes laying...

San Pedro de Atacama

It is not an exaggeration to call San Pedro de Atacama a once-in-a-lifetime destination, as after all, there’s nowhere else quite like the Atacama...

Puerto Montt

For most of its history, windy Puerto Montt was the end of the line for just about everyone traveling in the Lake District. Now the Carretera...

Iquique

Iquique is the capital of Chile's northernmost region, but it wasn't always so important. For hundreds of years it was a tiny fishing community...

Arica

Arica boasts that it is "the land of the eternal spring," but its temperate climate and beaches are not the only reason to visit this small...

Puerto Natales

While known for being a rather unimpressive town on its own, the proximity of Puerto Natales to Parque Nacional Torres del Paine and Parque...

Santa Cruz

This once sleepy village has become the height of rural chic in recent years, due, in large part, to the booming Colchagua Valley wine industry...

Ancud

The village of Chacao (where your ferry arrives) was actually the site of one of the first Spanish shipyards in the Americas, but it was moved...

Vicuña

As you head into the Elqui Valley, the first town you come to is Vicuña, famous as the birthplace of one of Chile's most important literary...

Villarrica

Villarrica was founded in 1552, but the Mapuche wars prevented extensive settlement of the area until the early 20th century. Founded by the...

Copiapo

Copiapó was officially founded in 1744 by Don Francisco Cortés, who called it Villa San Francisco de La Selva. Originally a tambo, or resting...

Rancagua

In 1814, the hills around Rancagua were the site of a battle in the War of Independence known as the Desastre de Rancagua (Disaster of Rancagua...

Antofagasta

Antofagasta is the most important—and the richest—city in El Norte Grande. It was part of Bolivia until 1879, when it was annexed by Chile in...

Frutillar

Halfway down the western edge of Lago Llanquihue lies the small town of Frutillar, a destination for European immigrants in the late 19th century...

Talca

Straddling the banks of the Río Claro, Talca is not only Maule's most important industrial center; it is also one of the most appealing towns...

Algarrobo

The largest town south of Valparaíso, Algarrobo has a winding coastline with several yellow-sand beaches and consequently attracts throngs of...

Pisco Elqui

This idyllic village of fewer than 600 residents has two pisco plants. Once known as La Unión, the town, perched on a sun-drenched hillside...

Calama

The discovery of vast deposits of copper in the area turned Calama into the quintessential mining town, and therein lies its interest. People...

Maitencillo

This town is a string of cabanas, houses, and eateries spread along the 4-km (3-mile) Avenida del Mar. Two long beaches are separated by an...

Osorno

Although the least visited of the Lake District's four major cities, Osorno is one of the oldest in Chile, but the Mapuche prevented foreigners...

Futaleufu

Near the town of Villa Lucia, Ruta 231 branches east from the Carretera Austral and winds around Lago Yelcho. About 159 km (99 miles) later...

Quellon

The Pan-American Highway, which begins in Alaska and stretches for most of the length of North and South America, ends without fanfare here...

Chaiten

If you are traveling by ferry to and from Chiloé or Puerto Montt, you will likely pass through Chaitén. In May 2008, a volcano erupted near...

Concon

How to explain the lovely name Concón? One theory is that in the language of the Changos, co meant "water," and the duplication of the sound...

Ovalle

Ovalle always suffers in comparison to its fairer sister to the north, La Serena, as it has no beaches or breezes. However, it can be a good...

San Fernando

San Fernando is surrounded by popular wineries, handsome hotels, colonial estancias, and beautiful nature spots. The city is a convenient stopping...

Curico

Founded in 1743, Curicó means "black water" in Mapudungún, the native Mapuche language. Today this agroindustrial center is the provincial capital...

Bahia Inglesa

Some of the most beautiful beaches in El Norte Chico are at Bahía Inglesa, which was originally known as Puerto del Inglés because of the number...

Lago General Carrera and Nearby

It takes a 280-km (174-mile) drive from Coyhaique along the rutted, mostly unpaved Carretera Austral to reach Lago General Carrera—a beautiful...

Lican Ray

In the Mapuche language, Lican Ray means "flower among the stones." This pleasant, unhurried little resort town of 2,169 inhabitants is on Lago...

Cochamo

The small fishing villages of Cochamó are blessed with friendly people but little infrastructure. Only a few farms dot the countryside. In short...

Hanga Roa

Hugging the coast on the northwest side is the island’s capital of Hanga Roa. Of the 6,000 residents, about half are indigenous Rapa Nui and...

Puerto Chacabuco and Puerto Aisen

The drive from Coyhaique to the town of Puerto Aysén and its port, Chacabuco, is beautiful. The mist hangs low over farmland, adding a dripping...

Mamiña

An oasis cut from the brown desert, the tiny village of Mamiña has hundreds of hot springs. Renowned throughout Chile for their curative powers...

Papudo

In a letter dated October 8, 1545, Spanish conquistador Pedro Valdivia wrote: "Of all the lands of the New World, the port of Papudo has a goodness...

Zapallar

An aristocratic enclave for the past century, Zapallar doesn't promote itself as a vacation destination. In fact, it has traditionally been...

Quintay

Not too long ago, migrating sperm whales could still be seen from the beaches at Quintay, although they were all but exterminated by the whaling...

Puerto Puyuhuapi

This mossy fishing village of about 500 residents is one of the oldest along the Carretera Austral. It was founded in 1935 by German immigrants...

Chonchi

The colorful wooden houses of Chonchi are on a hillside so steep that it's known in Spanish as the Ciudad de los Tres Pisos (City of Three Stories...

Dalcahue

Most days travelers in the laid-back port town of Dalcahue stop only long enough to board the ferry that deposits them 15 minutes later on Isla...

Alto Maipo

Some of Chile's finest red wines hail from the Alto Maipo, the eastern sector of the Casablanca Valley. There are a number of wineries—old and...

Ensenada

A drive along the southern shore of Lago Llanquihue to Ensenada takes you through the heart of Chile's murta -growing country. Queen Victoria...

Juan Lopez

Those turned off by the hustle and bustle of Antofagasta will likely be charmed by Juan López, a hodgepodge of pastel-color fishing shacks and...

Lago Vichuquen

An hour's drive from Curicó, this lake is a popular place for water sports such as sailing and water-skiing. The town itself, about 8 km (5...

Curacautin

The ancient homeland of the proud indigenous Pehuenche people, Curacautín province is one of the most spectacular places in southern Chile for...

Quemchi

On the protected interior of the Golfo de Ancud, Quemchi is a small, tranquil fishing village that makes for a good stopover when visiting churches...

Pica

From a distance, Pica appears to be a mirage. This oasis cut from the gray and brown sand of the Atacama Desert is known for its fruit—the limes...

Pisagua

Pisagua, one of the region's most prominent ports during the nitrate era, at one time sustained a population of more than 8,000 people. Many...

Puerto Octay

The story goes that a German merchant named Ochs set up shop in this tidy community on the northern tip of Lago Llanquihue. A phrase uttered...

La Junta

If you’re traveling by car or jeep down Carretera Austral, this small town of approximately 1,200 residents is a good place to stop for gas...

Chacabuco

There are many ghost towns left from the nitrate boom in the early 20th century, and Chacabuco is one of them, although this deserted town has...

Geysers del Tatio

Witnessing the fumaroles at daybreak here is one of the best experiences Chile has to offer. The geysers pump out boiling water throughout the...

Queilen

This town named for the red cypress trees that dot the area sits on an elongated peninsula and, as such, is the only town on Isla Grande with...

Quicavi

The center of all that is magical and mystical about Chiloé, Quicaví sits forlornly on the eastern coast of Isla Grande. Superstitious locals...

Chepu

This is a stop for hardcore nature lovers. Here at a confluence of three rivers, the Chepu River valley forms before merging finally into the...

Huilo Huilo

At this private nature reserve, which spans nearly 120,000 hectares (300,000 acres), you find some of the last and best stands of Chile’s native...

Salar de Surire

From a distance, Surire looks like a giant white lake, but as you approach you’ll see the small white crystals of salt that define this intriguing...

Gigante de Atacama

Although there are more than 5,000 geoglyphs in the Atacama, this one is the most iconic. The Gigante de Atacama is an 86-meter depiction of...

Colbun

...

Reñaca

Thousands of Chileans flock to Reñaca every summer for one, and only one, reason—the crashing waves. You need merely contemplate this wide stretch...

The Lake District

As you travel the winding roads of the Lake District, the snowcapped shoulders of volcanoes emerge, mysteriously disappear, then materialize...

El Norte Grande

The Norte Grande is as vast as it is remote, but don’t be fooled by this seemingly empty landscape: the Atacama Desert is filled with natural...

The Central Coast

Most people head to the Central Coast for a single reason: the beaches. And while yes, many are drawn here by the rough grandeur of the windswept...

El Norte Chico

Between the fertile central valley to the south and the vast expanse of the Atacama Desert to the north, El Norte Chico—or Chile’s Little North...

Chiloe

Steeped in magic, shrouded in mist, the 41-island archipelago of Chiloé is that proverbial world apart, isolated not so much by distance from...

Southern Chilean Patagonia

There's no doubt about it that Patagonia is striking in its beauty—the constantly changing sky throws a different light on the landscape from...

The Southern Coast

The sliver of land known as the Southern Coast stretches for more than 1,000 km (620 miles), from the southernmost part of the Lakes District...

The Central Valley

The Central Valley is the most abundant valley in Chile, not just for fruit and grape production, but also for its wealth of opportunities for...

Side Trips from Santiago

For more than a few travelers, Santiago's main attraction is its proximity to the continent's best skiing. The snowcapped mountains to the east...

The Southeastern Circuit

Most of the archaeological sites on the island line the southeastern coast. Driving along it, you pass many ahus, where moai once stood, most...

The Western Circuit

On the western tip of the island are the cave paintings of Ana Kai Tangata and the petroglyphs near the ceremonial village of Orongo. You'll...

Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

A top global destination for hikers and nature spotters, Torres del Paine National Park is, quite simply, outstanding. With breathtaking mountains...

Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos

In the middle of one of the largest salt flats in the world, crowds of pink flamingos flock to a couple pretty lagoons. While the flamingos...

Parque Nacional Vicente Perez Rosales

Chile’s oldest national park, with its spectacular Lago Todos Los Santos, forests, and Andean mountain backdrop, Vicente Perez Rosales is a...

Parque Pumalin

The world's largest privately owned nature preserve, the future Pumalín National Park (it will officially become a national park in April 2019...

Parque Nacional Lauca

The Parque Nacional Lauca offers dramatic landscapes and eye-catching wildlife. Stunning volcanic landscapes and colorful desert scrubland are...

Parque Nacional Chiloe

The Parque Nacional Chiloé comprises a huge swath of Chiloé's Pacific coast. It’s a wonderful mix of broad beaches, rolling sand dunes, lush...

Parque Nacional Puyehue

One of Chile's most popular national parks, Parque Nacional Puyehue draws crowds who come to bask in its famed hot springs. Most never venture...

Parque Nacional Villarrica

Dominated by Villarrica Volcano, this park is on the outskirts of Pucón and has become Chile’s most popular place to climb a volcano, as well...

Parque Nacional Conguillio

One of southern Chile’s most beautiful and oldest tree species, the araucaria tree thrives in the native forest that blankets one of Chile’s...

Parque Nacional Laguna San Rafael

One of Chile's largest parks, extending 168 square km (65 square miles), Laguna San Rafael encompasses the length of Chile's vast northern Patagonia...

Parque Nacional Pan de Azucar

Some of the best coastal scenery in the country can be found at Parque Nacional Pan de Azúcar. Imposing cliffs give way to deserted white-sand...

Reserva Nacional Pampa del Tamarugal

This large forest in the middle of the desert is a unique sight. One of the highlights of the Reserva is the enormous geoglyphs that were created...

Parque Nacional Laguna del Laja

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Parque Nacional Queulat

Many tourists mistakenly neglect to stop at this vastly underrated park, yet it is a good place to camp and hike. If you do make time for a...

Parque Nacional Huerquehue

Unless you have a four-wheel-drive vehicle, this 124-square-km (48-square-mile) park is accessible only in summer (even then, a jeep isn't a...

Parque Nacional Bosques de Fray Jorge

Seemingly defying the logic of El Norte Chico’s otherwise barren landscapes, Parque Nacional Fray Jorge is a lush cloud forest formed by a unique...

Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas

This 100-km (62-mile) reserve is filled with vicuñas that graze in the high plains near the blue alpine lakes. There are also volcanoes in the...

All Destinations
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Alto Maipo

Chiloe

Easter Island

El Norte Chico

El Norte Grande

Santiago

Side Trips from Santiago

Southern Chilean Patagonia

The Central Coast

The Central Valley

The Lake District

The Southern Coast

Alto Maipo

El Norte Chico

Side Trips from Santiago

The Central Valley

Chiloe

El Norte Grande

Southern Chilean Patagonia

The Lake District

Easter Island

Santiago

The Central Coast

The Southern Coast

Alto Maipo

Easter Island

El Norte Grande

Side Trips from Santiago

The Central Coast

The Lake District

Chiloe

El Norte Chico

Santiago

Southern Chilean Patagonia

The Central Valley

The Southern Coast

SEE ALL

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Fodor's Essential Chile
Written by local experts, Fodor's travel guides have been offering advice and...

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