The Best 14 Things to Do & See in Chile

Chile is located on the western coast of the continent of South America and extends along the coast of the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered on the west and south by the Pacific Ocean, on the east by Argentina, and the north by Peru and Bolivia. The country enjoys geographical diversity. Santiago is the capital of Chile, and the most important cities in the country are:

• Santiago: This city is located on the Mapocho River and was founded by the Spanish conquistador Pedro de Valdivia in 1541. It overlooks the Andes Mountains and is Chile’s leading industrial centre.
• Valparaiso is one of the most important seaports on the South American Continent and the legislative capital of Chile.
• Concepcion: The city is located near the Biobio River. It is the third-largest city in Chile and is a commercial and industrial centre in the country.

The Inca people were the first to live in Chile and were the original Indians of America. However, after being discovered by the Spaniards, Chile’s inhabitants have continued to speak Spanish to this day.

Chile also has many terrains, including mountains, plains, lakes, volcanoes, small islands, bays, etc. For example, there are:

• Andes Mountains: One of the most famous mountain ranges in South America and the world. They are also considered a natural border that separates Chile from the rest of the surrounding countries, such as Argentina and Bolivia, and their height is about 5490 metres above sea level.
• Atacama Desert: This is one of Chile’s most prominent tourist destinations. It can be reached from Antofagasta, one of the largest cities in northern Chile. The desert has an arid climate, and natural monuments can be seen there. There are also ancient historical fortresses such as Kuwitour Fort. 

History

Since ancient times, Chile has been divided into two parts. The northern part was ruled by the Incas, and the southern part was ruled by the Orocanos. 

The Spaniards were the first European peoples to visit Chile in search of gold and silver. Still, these goals changed to launching a war against Chile in 1540 by Pedro de Valdivia, and this made it easier for the Spaniards to establish many activities like agriculture after that. Finally, Chile gained its independence in 1818.

Culture in Chile

The homogeneity between Chilean citizens and immigrants has led to the flourishing of many cultures. Chilean culture developed through the fusion of the native Chilean culture with European culture, especially Spanish culture.

The Quica is Chile’s national dance, which emerged in the 1970s and 1980s. It symbolises the country’s cultural pride and is also famous for the popular Tunada music.

Weather in Chile

Chile is characterised by a diverse climate, as it extends along the coastline. Summer begins in December and ends in February, and winter starts in June and ends in August.

Sometimes, it is difficult to predict the temperatures in Chile, where the temperature in the dry Atacama Desert can reach between -2 and 32 C°. The climate is generally cold from May to August in the centre of the country. The temperature is usually high in the south, and the extreme south of the country has a high precipitation rate.

The Best Time to Visit Chile

If you are a beach lover, the best time to visit Chile is from January to March. When you get there, make sure to head to the northern beaches, such as Arica, La Serena, Coquimbo, and others. In the south, there is Pucon Beach, which also attracts many tourists due to its geographical location near the beaches of Santiago, the capital of Chile.

And if you love snow and skiing, the best months for this are between June and August, and it is preferable to avoid the southern regions of the country during winter due to the fluctuations of the climate there that including strong winds and icy waterways.

Where to Go in Chile

Chile is a famous tourist destination in South America. Part of it is located in Antarctica, and because of its diverse climate, it is considered an adventure once you travel there.

Among the most important areas that attract tourists are the Cocamo River, the Yatagonia plateau, and many islands, such as Robinson Crusoe Island, as well as lakes, waterfalls, and parks.

The capital, Santiago, is one of the main tourist destinations, as it contains a central market, an underground cultural centre, La Munyada Palace, and the city of Valparaiso, which is considered a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Santiago

Santiago is one of the most popular cities in Chile, and it is also the capital. It is known as the financial, cultural, and entertainment capital, and it has many top attractions, such as shopping centres, museums, and galleries.

The city of Santiago was built in 1541. It is where tourists start their journey in Chile before going to other places. Among the attractions that you can visit is La Moneda Palace Cultural Centre, a state-of-the-art cultural centre occupying part of the beautiful La Moneda Palace.

Another place to visit in Santiago is the Museum of Pre-Columbian Art. It includes many collections related to the country’s native people. Also, the Chilean National Museum of Fine Arts was built in the 1880s and displays many works of Chilean artists, including paintings and sculptures.

There is also the Santiago Metropolitan Park, a large green space that you will love visiting. Here, you will find the Chilean National Zoo, a botanical garden, and a funicular railway. San Cristobal Hill is a famous spot in Santiago that gives you a great view from the top of the area beside the hill, including a 22-metre-tall statue of the Virgin Mary.

Valparaiso

Valparaiso is considered the third-largest city in Chile. It is located about 112 km northwest of Santiago and is well-known for its beautiful beaches, architecture, and many old cobbled streets.

There are many attractions to visit in this beautiful city, such as the Naval Maritime Museum, which contains collections from the War of the Pacific of 1879 between Chile and allied Bolivia and Peru.

The Lord Cochrane’s Museum is another attraction that you can visit. It is located in an old colonial home that was built in 1842.

Easter Island and Rapa Nui National Park

Easter Island was first visited by Europeans in 1722. It was named after the first European Dutch Explorer who had set his eyes on it, and Polynesians inhabited the island for many years. On this island, you can find 887 statues known as Moai built by the island’s early Rapa Nui population, and Rapa Nui National Park now protects them.

It is located about 3,500 km away from Chile, which doesn’t prevent it from being one of the top attractions in the country. Also, you can find collections at Ahu Tongariki, where 15 of them have been re-erected on the island’s largest Moai platform.

When you are in Rapa Nui, you will find the best beach in the country, Anakena. It has white coral sand that is perfect for hiking.

Torres Del Paine National Park

It is one of the most famous and influential natural places in Chile. It is located about 100 km north of Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia and includes many natural landmarks, like rivers, mountains, and lakes.

One of the activities that you can try there is hiking on many marked trails. You will also find shelters if you want to stay for the night to continue this long trip later, and there are also guides if you need them for this trip. 

The most important part of the park is the Cordillera del Paine, an area that marks the transmission from the steppe to the forests of the north. In the park, you can see a beautiful view of the three 2850-metre-tall peaks of the Paine Massif.

Lauca National Park

Lauca National Park is another famous park in Chile. It is located in the north of the country, about 140 km from the city of Arica. The park covers an area of 1,300 km2 and includes high plains, mountains, and large volcanoes.

When you visit the park, you can go hiking and explore many archaeological sites, old colonial churches, and buildings left by European settlers. It is also a perfect place for bird lovers, where you can find 140 species, such as crested ducks, Chilean flamingos, and much more.

Pumalin Park

Pumalin Park is one of the most important preservation areas in Chile. It is located on 988,000 acres from the Andes to the Pacific. The park includes the country’s most beautiful forests, and it is untouched by humans.

The park contains the oldest tree species, providing visitors with a wilderness experience. The US-based Conservation Land Trust owns the park. Pumalin Park is a beautiful place to discover with its trails, facilities, and much more, and there are cabins to stay in that overlook beautiful views that you will love.

Vicente Perez Rosales National Park

Vicente Perez Rosales National Park is the first known national park in Chile. It is in the middle of the Chilean Lake District, and you can reach it from Puerto Montt. 

One of the park’s lovely attractions is Petrohue Falls, where the water settles into a crystal lake from which you can watch birds and fish.

The Chilean Lake District

The Chilean Lake District, which extends 330 km from Temuco to Puerto Montt, is similar to the alpine region of Europe. It is a beautiful place to discover with its farmland, snow-capped volcanoes, forests, and deep lakes.

Many activities can be done in the area, like hiking, biking, volcano climbing, kayaking, horse riding, and skiing. The area was connected to the Europeans when farmers arrived from Switzerland, Austria, and Germany, and they brought their culture from there, which can be seen in the architecture of many towns, such as Osorno and Valdivia. 

Valle Nevado (Snowy Valley)

Many people don’t know that Chile is one of South America’s best places for skiing. Valle Nevado is located in the El Plomo foothills of the Andes, and there is transportation from Santiago, the capital city of Chile, to the valley.

The valley is 3,000 metres above sea level and an excellent spot for skiers. In fact, many tourists come to the valley from all over the world. It features 37 trails and 11 lifts. Also, it includes hotels, eight restaurants, a ski shop, and a snow school.

Los Pinguinos Natural Monument

Another famous natural monument in Chile is Los Pinguinos. It is 35 km northeast of Punta Arenas city and combines the Magdalena and Marta Islands. Pinguinos means penguins in Spanish. The place is a large home to penguin colonies, with about 60,000 penguins found there. In addition to penguins, it is also home to sea lions and seals.

Cape Horn

Cape Horn is known as the last place before reaching the Antarctic continent; its coastline is not safe. It was an important trade route in the past, but now, after the establishment of the Panama Canal, it is less important than before.

You can go to Cape Horn by helicopter from Puerto Toro; it might be expensive but worth it. another way to go there is by sailboat, which is sometimes rough. The best way to reach there might be by taking the cruise ships that pass by Cape Horn while going to Antarctica, and you can stop there for an hour.

Valle de la Luna and the Atacama Dessert

The Valle de la Luna, also called the Valley of the Moon, is located in the northern part of Chile. It is 13 km away from San Pedro de Atacama and near the border of Bolivia. There, you can find bike trails and bus tours available and drive a car, too. It is one of the most famous attractions in Chile.

Its dry lake characterises it, and it is considered one of the driest places on earth. Furthermore, it is where the world’s oldest mummies were discovered.

Cochamo Valley

Cochamo Valley is a beautiful place to discover. It is located in the Los Lagos region and named after the Cochamo River. It is also famous for hikers and rock climbers. Here, you can find 1,000 metres of granite walls and plenty of hiking trails that will lead you to a magnificent view.

One of the famous trails there is the Cowboy Trail, which has been renowned for more than 100 years. The trip takes about 6 hours, starting from Cochamo Village.

Mylodon Cave Natural Monument

Mylodon Cave Natural Monument is a lovely place for nature lovers. It is located in the middle of the Patagonia area near Puerto Natales and features several caves you would love to see. The star of the show is a famous cave called Cueva del Milodón, which was discovered in 1851. The place also has human bones and ancient animals.

The cave is about 200 metres deep, and trails lead to the top, where you can enjoy a fantastic view.