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| City of Puerto Varas |
The country offers visitors a wide range of places to explore and excellent infrastructure, including hotels and connectivity between regions. From the Atacama Desert in the far north to Patagonia at the southern tip of the Americas, and the vast expanse of the White Continent, Chile has much to offer. There's also the charming and enigmatic Easter Island with its Moai statues; the Chiloé Archipelago, rich in mythology, folklore, and culinary delights; the beautiful Lakes Region; and Central Chile with its valleys and winter resorts, among other attractions.
We must also mention Santiago, the country's capital and one of the largest cities in Latin America. It is an important commercial, financial, and business hub, a modern and historical city at the foot of the Andes mountains, with prominent winter resorts. Here are the places highlighted by British Airways:
1.- Atacama Desert
In addition to its geysers, salt flats, volcanoes, and lakes on the Andean plateau, Atacama is also one of South America’s most archaeologically rich regions. Likewise, astronomical tours are a great option, as the desert’s clear skies make it an ideal location for stargazing. In fact, Atacama is considered the best place on Earth to observe the night sky, and currently, about fifty operators offer tours focused on this subject.
2.- Visiting the Palafitos of Chiloé Island
The Chiloé Archipelago is a group of islands rich in traditions and mysteries. Among its many charms are the distinctive palafitos—stilt houses that rise above the water on wooden pillars. While not originally part of Chiloé's architectural heritage, these structures were adopted by some coastal towns in the Archipelago during the 19th-century trade expansion to better utilize the coastline. They continued to be built until the mid-20th century. Today, the palafitos, along with the Churches of Chiloé, are among the most iconic features of the main and surrounding islands.3.- Traveling to Patagonia
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| A view of Torres del Paine and Salto Chico Hotel |
Notable attractions in Chilean Patagonia include the Carretera Austral, an emerging tourist route spanning over 1,200 kilometers of asphalt and gravel, starting in Puerto Montt and ending in Villa O'Higgins. The Carretera Austral is considered one of the most scenic routes in the Americas, though travelers might encounter some challenges due to the region's developing tourism infrastructure. Key highlights along the route include Parque Nacional Pumalín Douglas Tompkins, Queulat National Park, the Puyuhuapi Fjord with its cozy accommodations amidst lush nature, the San Rafael Glacier, and the stunning mineral formations at General Carrera Lake, which is shared with Argentina. This lake, the second largest in South America, features the remarkable Marble Cathedral, Marble Chapel, and Marble Caves.
Further south lies Punta Arenas, known as the "capital of Patagonia." This city serves as the starting point for many tours exploring the southern cone of South America. Punta Arenas offers cultural and tourist experiences both within the city and in its surrounding natural attractions, including navigation through the Strait of Magellan and Southern Channels, excursions to the remarkable Tierra del Fuego Island, the Antarctic region, and Torres del Paine National Park.
4.- Chile's Ski Resorts
Due to its geographical location and the presence of the Andes Mountains spanning most of its length, Chile is ideally situated for skiing. Depending on the weather conditions each year, the ski season typically runs from June to September, with some resorts even equipped with snowmaking machines.Chile offers a wide range of ski destinations. Among the best-known and well-equipped resorts in Central Chile are Portillo, La Parva, El Colorado, Farellones, and Valle Nevado. In the south, Nevados de Chillán and the newly established Corralco Mountain and Ski Resort are particularly noteworthy.
The mountain-shaped hotel is covered in vegetation, constructed entirely of wood, and features a permanent waterfall outside. It offers an unparalleled connection with nature. 'La Montaña Mágica' is just one of several eco-friendly hotels in the Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve, a premier natural destination in southern Chile that attracts thousands of visitors each year seeking to escape the city and reconnect with the natural world.
5.- The colorful houses of Valparaiso
Valparaíso, located 119 km from the capital Santiago, is Chile's main commercial port and the second largest city in the country. One of the most striking features that attracts visitors is the colorful houses, which seem to cling to the intricate hills that define the city's geography. Each hill has its own unique name. The city's funiculars, which have been used by residents since 1883 and were introduced by European immigrants, are also notable. Nearby Valparaíso, you can visit the beautiful city of Viña del Mar, the primary tourist center of Central Chile.6.- It is the narrowest country in the World
Chile is the narrowest country in the world relative to its length, with a maximum width of 445 km and an average width of 177 km. Despite this narrowness, it is also one of the longest countries on Earth. Excluding its Antarctic territory, which it claims sovereignty over, Chile extends 4,270 km in length.7.- You can spot a Puma when visiting Torres del Paine
If you visit Torres del Paine, a national park of exceptional scenic beauty in Patagonia, you might spot a puma. The population of this protected species in the park is approximately 50 individuals. If you’re lucky, you could see them in their natural habitat. The pumas in this region are among the largest of their kind.8.- Stay at " La Montaña Mágica" Eco- Lodge
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| Montaña Magica Eco Lodge Huilo Huilo Biological Reserve |
9.- Discover "The End of the World" by visiting Cape Horn
Cabo de Hornos (Cape Horn) is the name of the southernmost headland of Hornos Island, which belongs to the Tierra del Fuego archipelago. It is traditionally considered the southernmost point of the Americas.10.- "Reaching the Stars" by visiting the Observatories in Atacama
The Atacama Desert skies are renowned for their exceptional clarity due to minimal light pollution and almost year-round clear conditions, making them the cleanest in the world. Consequently, Chile’s desert is home to 40% of the world’s largest telescopes, and today, astronomical tours are among the many exciting tourist activities available in northern Chile.11.- Rafting in "Cajón del Maipo"
Known as one of the best rivers in Chile for rafting and located just an hour east of Santiago, navigating the Maipo River is one of the most incredible and entertaining experiences you can have in central Chile. With sections of Class II, III, and IV rapids, the Maipo River offers several companies that provide services to enjoy this thrilling adventure against a truly unforgettable backdrop at the foothills of the Andes.12.- Visiting Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
In addition to Patagonia, southern, central, and northern Chile, Easter Island completes the country's tourism offering. Although it is geographically part of Polynesia, it is administratively under the jurisdiction of Chile's Valparaíso Region, classified as a "Special Territory." Due to its remote location, traveling to Rapa Nui, one of the most mysterious places on the planet, is like a dream that may only be fulfilled once in a lifetime.13.- You can visit the largest Glacier in South America
Unlike most ice masses around the world, Pio XI Glacier, also known as Brüggen Glacier, has experienced significant growth in recent decades. Its approximate surface area is 1,300 square kilometers, with a length of 64 kilometers, a front measuring 6 kilometers, and ice towers reaching heights of over 75 meters. Pio XI is one of 48 glaciers originating from the Southern Patagonian Ice Field, a massive glacial expanse stretching 350 kilometers long located in the Patagonian Andes. About 85% of this ice field belongs to Chile, with the remainder in Argentina.14.- The ghost mining town of Humberstone
Humberstone is an old mining town in the Atacama Desert, named after James Humberstone, a British chemical engineer who emigrated to South America in 1875 and made his fortune from saltpeter. Today, far from its flourishing past between the late 1800s and the early decades of the 1900s, the town that once housed more than 3,700 people is now a ghostly legend. It is considered one of the ten most haunted places on the planet, which has led tourist agencies to offer various tours through its dusty streets and corners. Humberstone, along with the neighboring Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, is a National Monument of Chile and was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2005.15.- A swimming pool of colossal dimensions
In the commune of Algarrobo, within the San Alfonso del Mar Hotel Complex on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, you can visit the world’s largest swimming pool, recognized by the Guinness World Records. To give you an idea, this is an artificial lagoon over one kilometer in length, covering an area of approximately 8 hectares, with a volume of more than 250,000 cubic meters of seawater. That’s equivalent to about 6,000 standard swimming pools.16.- Trekking around Villarrica Volcano
In Winter, its snowy slopes are an invitation to visit the Ski Center, although guided trekking around Villarrica Volcano is available all year round, starting from the tourist agencies of Pucón and Villarrica. This trekking is one of the main adventure activities for tourist since it is said that Villarrica is the most spectacular volcano of Northern Patagonia, besides being one of the most active in South America and the World. At the summit of 2847 meters you can enjoy a panoramic view of the lakes and other mountains of the region.17.- Taking a bike tour through the Carretera Austral
The Carretera Austral is one of the most spectacular roads in South America, offering an ideal setting for adventure tourism as it winds through some of Patagonia’s most captivating landscapes. Although the route is quite challenging (mostly gravel), an increasing number of travelers are choosing to explore it by bicycle.18.- A Paradise for Surfing Lovers
Pichilemu was once a little-known town, but it is now becoming one of the top tourist destinations in Central Chile. While it has many attractions, its most outstanding feature is its beaches, which are now renowned worldwide for being among the best for surfing. Located on the coast of O'Higgins, the Sixth Region of Chile, Pichilemu is 227 km southwest of Santiago. For those looking to surf, the best spot in Pichilemu is Punta de Lobos, 6 km to the south, where waves reaching up to 8 meters have turned this location into a dream beach for wave and adrenaline enthusiasts.19.- The peculiar houses of poet Pablo Neruda
Pablo Neruda, one of Chile’s two Nobel laureates in literature, had three residences: "La Chascona" in Santiago, "La Sebastiana" in Valparaíso, and the third, which is now his mausoleum, in the village of Isla Negra. These homes, now museums open to the public without prior booking, are like Neruda’s poems, but without words. They are filled with stories, souvenirs, documents, secrets, and magic that will surprise and amaze visitors.20.- A Tour around Cerro Santa Lucia
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| Image: decoterra.cl |
21.- Chilean Cuisine
Until a few decades ago, Chile's gastronomy was rather modest in variety, especially in restaurants. However, with the country's economic growth, the number of high-quality restaurants has increased significantly, and the quality and variety of food have reached remarkable levels. The Barrio Bellavista, one of Santiago's bohemian centers, stands out for offering some of the best dining options in the Chilean capital. While there are certainly many notable restaurants in this neighborhood and in Santiago as a whole, The Telegraph highlights "Peumayen Ancestral Food" for its menu that features original products and techniques from the main cultures of pre-Hispanic Chile.
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