Chile Travel Guide

Stretching 2,700 miles (4,300km) along the Pacific Coast of South America, the distinctive ribbon of land that is Chile is only 109 miles (175km) wide on average. This unique shape gives Chile a widely varied climate and terrain, and contributes much to the incredible natural diversity that makes the country so attractive to tourists.

Ranging from the hot and dry Atacama Desert in the north all the way to the cold and windy Tierra del Fuego on the doorstep of Antarctica at the southern tip of the continent, Chile's landscapes include dense jungles, towering mountain peaks, mammoth glaciers, rolling winelands, picturesque fjords and pristine beaches.

All this natural splendour makes Chile one of the most celebrated travel destinations in the world among outdoor enthusiasts and, to complete its touristic offering, the country also boasts cosmopolitan cities, fascinating traditional cultural enclaves, and a well-oiled infrastructure that sets it apart from much of South America for ease of travel. Vibrant cities such as Santiago and Valparaíso offer stately mansions and historical monuments, world-famous street art, buzzing nightlife and interesting museums, while more remote areas, such as Isla Grande de Chiloe and San Pedro de Atacama promise a taste of older, more traditional Chilean culture.

The most intrepid explorers can earn their stripes by venturing far out to sea to Easter Island to see the famous and enigmatic statues that have puzzled archaeologists for centuries, or head into the vast nature reserves of Chilean Patagonia to experience one of the most remote and pristine wildernesses left on earth.

A holiday in Chile promises excitement and enjoyment for all types of travellers, and an unforgettable South American adventure.

Best time to visit Chile

Chile's climate varies dramatically from north to south, with stark changes in temperature from summer to winter. While the summer months in Chile (December to February) are the warmest, the season can be very windy, especially in the southern part of the country. The best time to visit much of Chile is in the shoulder seasons, including October and November, and March and April, but this is not true of Patagonia, which is definitely best experienced in the warmer summer months. The cold winters are the worst time to visit, unless travellers are planning a skiing holiday.

What to see in Chile

-See the giant and mysterious statues of Easter Island.

-Visit the Magdalena Island Penguin Reserve in Chilean Patagonia.

-Spot rare indigenous animals in Parque Nacional Chiloe.

-Watch the El Tatio Geysers shoot clouds of steam into the air in the northern desert.

What to do in Chile

-Stroll through the busy markets and stately buildings of Santiago.

-Take a cruise along the fjords of Chile's Lake District.

-Sample local vintages on a tour of Chilean wine country.

-Relax in the resort town of Pucon on Lake Villarrica.

Getting to Chile

Getting to Chile from the US is simple, as there are direct flights to Santiago from many US cities. There are only occasional direct flights to Chile from the UK, but there are indirect flights available from a few major airports.

Read

Daughter of Fortune by Isabel Allende and Tierra del Fuego by Francisco Coloane.

Listen

Vicente Bianchi Alarcon

Watch

Post Mortem (2010), The Motorcycle Diaries (2004).

Drink

Carmenere (Chilean red wine) and Pisco.

Eat

Freshly caught Chilean sea bass and seafood stew.

What to buy

Lapis Lazuli jewellery, alpaca shawls and leather goods.

What to pack

Warm layers, including a waterproof jacket for sudden showers.

Did you know?

-Along the mountainous region of Chile there are more than 1,300 volcanoes, a number of them still active.

-Chile is one of only two countries in South America that doesn't border Brazil.

-Chile is the world's 38th largest country; it is nearly twice the size of Japan

-Catholicism is the primary religion in Chile.

A final word

Chile's wildly diverse landscape contains many adventures for intrepid travellers and its stability and economic prosperity make it a great introduction to South America for those less inclined to rough it on the tourist trail.