The best places to visit in Chile, from urban glam to natural highs
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Loading... - Gracie Johnson
- 05 Jan 2022
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Yet, this thin South American country also boasts vibrant cities, enigmatic islands and rolling vinelands dotted with world-class wineries. Below, we look at the 10 spots you won’t want to miss.
San Pedro de Atacama: best place to access the Atacama desert
When the green oasis of San Pedro appears on the otherwise barren horizon of the Atacama Desert it feels, at first, almost like a mirage. Then, as you begin to navigate the narrow streets of this small adobe village, you realize that those spindly chañar trees hide the kind of resort town travelers dream about, catering as much to well-heeled jetsetters as it does to scruffy backpackers.
Just beyond San Pedro are lunar-like valleys, snow-capped volcanoes, soaring sand dunes, ancient rock art, steamy hot springs and flamingo-filled lagoons. You could spend an entire week here and never run out of activities. Those who like to tick off superlatives can’t miss the world’s loftiest geysers and largest ground-based astronomy facility.
Rapa Nui (Easter Island): best place to learn about Polynesian culture
This tiny volcanic outcrop in the middle of the vast Pacific has an outsized reputation around the world thanks to the 887 monolithic human statues (known as moai) that guard its azure shores. The mystery of how the ancient Rapa Nui people were able to build and move such massive structures has fascinated travelers for decades.
Yet, the island is more than just an open-air archeology museum. You can spend an evening listening to Polynesian music at a local dance show, snooze under the palm trees at Anakena Beach and dine on tuna ceviche at the restaurants in Hanga Roa – all of which are perfectly aligned for tangerine sunsets over the Pacific.
Santiago: best place to go to a party
Chile’s frenetic capital is a cultural powerhouse whose historic center is filled with world-class museums, stately theaters and palm-lined plazas. Key neighborhoods for travelers include Barrio Yungay (for street art), Barrio Italia (for shopping), Lastarria (for strolling), Providencia (for sleeping) and Vitacura (for dining). Come nightfall, neighborhoods like Bellavista and Barrio Brasil explode with energy as Chileans party until sunrise at clubs blasting everything from Latin trap to K-pop, EDM and Reggaeton.
Santiago makes a great base as there’s plenty to do within an hour of city limits. You can raft whitewater in Cajón del Maipo, swirl Cabernet in the Maipo Valley or snowboard at some of the biggest (and best!) ski resorts in the Southern Hemisphere.
Pucón: best place to hike and ski a volcano
When it comes to adventure-filled outdoor fun, few places can match Chile's breadth of options – this woodsy resort village in Chile’s Lake District is one of South America’s most alluring adventure hubs. Those with a head for heights can strap on crampons and climb to the top of an active volcano or strap on boots and ski back down it. Abandon urban stresses and hike until you're amid ancient araucaria trees on an Andean hilltop or bathe in a hot spring tucked into a temperate rainforest. Hire a kayak and paddle yourself across an emerald lake to a remote cabin or raft down raging whitewater towards a craft brewery. Located in the spiritual heartland of the Mapuche, it’s also the best place to learn about the culture of Chile’s largest Indigenous group.
Valparaíso: best place for sweeping views and street art
This scrappy seaport west of Santiago has a way of capturing travelers’ hearts (and upending onward travel plans). Maybe it’s the sweeping views you get from hotels and hostels that cling off the edge of the city’s 42 hills? Perhaps it’s the narrow lanes of Unesco-listed architecture, which are covered in prismatic street art? Or could it be the 100-year-old funiculars, which transport visitors up into the clouds? Whatever the reason, Valparaíso has an unkempt charm that can become oddly addicting. Read More…
