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    • Why go
    • Highlights
    • Explore regions
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    • Local food
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    • Best time to visit
    • Travel advice
    Chile
    Winky from Oxford, UK / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY 2.0

    Travel Guide Chile

    Chile stretches some 4,300 kilometers from the Atacama Desert to Patagonian glaciers, nestled between the Andes and the Pacific.

    by Felix Gillen

    Contents

    • Why go
    • Highlights
    • Explore regions
    • Round trips
    • Local food
    • Good to know
    • Best time to visit
    • Travel advice

    Why Go To Chile?

    Along a narrow strip between the Andes and the Pacific, very diverse landscapes are strung together: salt lakes and geysers in the Atacama Desert, wine valleys around Santiago, lakes and volcanoes in the south, and the granite peaks and glaciers of Patagonia. In between lie port cities like Valparaíso, the wooden churches of Chiloé, and hiking trails for all abilities.

    Where in Chile?

    Pick a region. The highlights, road trips and places below follow your choice.

    Santiago de Chile
    Highlight 1 of 8

    Santiago de Chile

    Santiago is the capital of Chile and lies in a wide basin at the foot of the Andes, whose snow-capped peaks tower over the city in winter.

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    Valparaíso
    Highlight 2 of 8

    Valparaíso

    Valparaíso is Chile's historic port city on the Pacific coast west of Santiago, stretching steeply up the hills from a narrow strip along the harbor.

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    San Pedro de Atacama Village
    Highlight 3 of 8

    San Pedro de Atacama Village

    San Pedro de Atacama is an adobe oasis village at approx. 2,450 meters in the Atacama Desert, northern Chile.

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    Pucón
    Highlight 4 of 8

    Pucón

    Pucón, a resort town on Lake Villarrica in northern Chile's Lake District, is overlooked by the cone of Villarrica volcano. From here, explore forest hot springs, the Araucaria forests of Huerquehue National Park, and the whitewater of the Río Trancura.

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    Puerto Varas
    Highlight 5 of 8

    Puerto Varas

    Puerto Varas is a small town on Lago Llanquihue in the south of the Chilean Lake District, characterized by wooden houses from the period of German immigration.

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    Chiloé Island (Isla Grande de Chiloé)
    Highlight 6 of 8

    Chiloé Island (Isla Grande de Chiloé)

    Chiloé is the large green island in the Pacific at the southern end of the Chilean Lake District, with its own architecture, cuisine, and mythology.

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    District Lago General Carrera
    Highlight 7 of 8

    District Lago General Carrera

    The Lago General Carrera is Chile's largest lake, located on the Carretera Austral in the heart of Patagonia.

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    National Park Torres del Paine
    Highlight 8 of 8

    National Park Torres del Paine

    Torres del Paine in southern Chile is one of Patagonia's most famous national parks: granite towers, glaciers, and turquoise lakes are concentrated here. You can hike multi-day treks like the W and O, or go on day hikes to viewpoints such as Base Torres.

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    More highlights in Chile

    Unique experiences that make Chile unforgettable.

    Punta Arenas

    Punta Arenas

    Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan is the largest city in southern Chile and a starting point for penguin tours, Tierra del Fuego, and Torres del Paine. City palaces, museums, and a cemetery with cypress-lined avenues tell of the wealth from the sheep farming era around 1900. The capital of the Magallanes Region is also an important port for ships heading to Antarctica.
    Colchagua-Tal

    Colchagua-Tal

    The Colchagua Valley southwest of Santiago is one of Chile's most renowned red wine regions, with estates that welcome almost all visitors for tours and tastings. Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon, and Syrah thrive in the warm valley floor around the main town of Santa Cruz and on the Apalta slopes, complemented by the Colchagua Museum and rural villages like Lolol.
    Elqui Valley (Valle del Elqui)

    Elqui Valley (Valle del Elqui)

    The Elqui Valley is a dry Andean valley in northern Chile, where Pisco is distilled and research observatories stand under one of the darkest night skies in the world. You come for the visitor observatories, the distilleries nestled between green vineyards and barren mountainsides, and for the traces of the poet Gabriela Mistral.The valley stretches eastward from La Serena on the Pacific coast into the precordillera of the Región de Coquimbo; Vicuña is its main town.
    Lagunas Altiplánicas

    Lagunas Altiplánicas

    The Lagunas Miscanti and Miñiques are two deep blue highland lakes at over 4,100 meters in the Altiplano of the Atacama Desert, in northern Chile. Against the backdrop of their namesake volcanoes, you'll see flamingos, taguas, and vicuñas here, and on the way there, the drive passes the Salar de Atacama and the red rocks of Piedras Rojas.

    How to plan your trip to Chile

    From the guide to the road: here is what comes next.

    1. 1
      Sunrise over alpine peaks and a sea of clouds
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      Round trip

      12 days · 4 stops

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    2. 2

      Trip to Chile

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      • 1Santiago de Chile3 days
      • 2Valparaíso4 days
      • 3San Pedro de Atacama Village5 days
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      The planner sorts stops, days and budget. Plan together in real time.

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      Chile
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    Regions to Discover

    Explore the diverse regions of Chile.

    Atacama Desert

    Atacama Desert

    The Atacama in northern Chile is one of the driest deserts on Earth: salt flats, volcanoes, high-altitude lakes, and geyser fields at over 4,000 meters. Almost all visitors stay in the oasis San Pedro de Atacama and explore the region from there on day trips.
    Aysén (Región de Aysén)

    Aysén (Región de Aysén)

    Aysén is Chile's least populated region: The 2024 census counted around 100,000 inhabitants. Glaciers, fjords, coastal rainforest, and dry eastern steppe lie side-by-side here within just a few hundred kilometers. The Carretera Austral connects the few settlements and is the guiding thread for most travelers through the region.
    Elqui Valley (Valle del Elqui)

    Elqui Valley (Valle del Elqui)

    The Elqui Valley is a dry Andean valley in northern Chile, where Pisco is distilled and research observatories stand under one of the darkest night skies in the world. You come for the visitor observatories, the distilleries nestled between green vineyards and barren mountainsides, and for the traces of the poet Gabriela Mistral.The valley stretches eastward from La Serena on the Pacific coast into the precordillera of the Región de Coquimbo; Vicuña is its main town.
    Magellan and Chilean Antarctic (Magellan Region)

    Magellan and Chilean Antarctic (Magellan Region)

    The Región de Magallanes y Antártica Chilena encompasses the southernmost part of Chile, from the steppe around Punta Arenas to the granite towers of Torres del Paine and the fjords of Tierra del Fuego. Here you travel through vast, sparsely populated landscapes where wind and weather dictate the daily routine. Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales are the two starting points for almost all tours.
    Norte Grande (Altiplano)

    Norte Grande (Altiplano)

    Chile's far north connects the coastal cities of Arica and Iquique with the Altiplano in Arica y Parinacota and Tarapacá. Between the Pacific and the Bolivian border, the land rises from the desert to over 4,500 meters, with volcanoes, highland lagoons, Aymara villages, and the traces of the Saltpeter Era.
    Lake Region

    Lake Region

    The Chilean Lake District stretches from Lago Villarrica in La Araucanía through Los Ríos to Lago Llanquihue, Chiloé Island, and the start of the Carretera Austral in Los Lagos. Volcanoes like Villarrica and Osorno, temperate rainforest, wooden houses from the German immigration era, and the wooden churches of Chiloé define the region.
    Wine Regions of Central Chile

    Wine Regions of Central Chile

    Between the Andes and the Coastal Range, south and west of Santiago, are Chile's main wine valleys: Maipo, Casablanca, Cachapoal, Colchagua and Curicó. Many estates host tours and tastings, plus museums, village churches, and the rural Huaso culture.

    Recommended Itineraries

    Discover the best routes through Chile.

    Atacama & Highlands Intensive

    Atacama & Highlands Intensive

    You'll stay eight nights in San Pedro de Atacama and from there explore salt flats, geysers, the Valle de la Luna, and as a day trip the Lagunas Altiplánicas at over 4,000 meters. Finally, you fly from Calama to Santiago and continue to the Pacific coast to Valparaíso.

    12 Days
    Stops at a glance
    1. 1.San Pedro de Atacama Village
    2. 2.Valparaíso
    View Route Details →
    Leisurely Patagonia

    Leisurely Patagonia

    You start in Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan and, after two nights, travel about three hours by bus or rental car to Puerto Natales. From there, you can reach Torres del Paine National Park as a day trip, entirely without a multi-day trekking tour. You buy the park ticket online in advance via pasesparques.cl.

    6 Days
    2 stops
    Chile Lake Region & Volcanoes

    Chile Lake Region & Volcanoes

    Spend four nights in Pucón on Lake Villarrica with views of Villarrica Volcano. Afterwards, drive south via Ruta 5 to Puerto Varas on Lake Llanquihue; allow a full travel day for this journey. Hot springs, lakes, and Osorno Volcano are within day-trip reach from both locations.

    9 Days
    2 stops
    Chile for Explorers

    Chile for Explorers

    After two nights in Valparaíso with its hills and historic lifts, you fly from Santiago to Puerto Montt and drive the short distance to Puerto Varas. There you spend four nights on Lago Llanquihue amidst volcanoes and national parks.

    7 Days
    2 stops

    What you eat in Chile

    Pastel de Choclo

    Pastel de Choclo

    Corn bake with meat filling

    Beneath a blanket of puréed sweetcorn lies Pino: seasoned ground beef with onions, plus a piece of chicken, olives, and half a hard-boiled egg. The casserole is served in the earthenware dish in which it was baked in the oven, complete with its caramelized sugar crust on top. Peak season is the Chilean summer, between December and March, when fresh corn is available in the markets.
    Empanada de Pino

    Empanada de Pino

    Baked pastry with minced meat

    The standard Chilean empanada is large, oven-baked, and filled with Pino: ground beef, plenty of onions, raisins, a black olive, and a piece of hard-boiled egg. It is eaten year-round, and in particularly large quantities during the Fiestas Patrias in September. Additionally, there are fried variations with cheese or seafood.
    Cazuela

    Cazuela

    Clear stew with meat and vegetables

    Ein Stück Rind oder Huhn zieht mit Kürbis, Kartoffel, Maiskolben und Reis in einer klaren Brühe, jeder Teller enthält von allem ein Stück. Die Cazuela ist typisches Mittagessen in einfachen Restaurants und wird im Winter besonders gern gegessen. Regional variiert die Einlage, an der Küste taucht sie auch mit Fisch auf.
    Curanto

    Curanto

    Earth oven dish from Chiloé

    Shellfish, meat, sausages, potatoes, and potato flatbreads are cooked in an earth pit over hot stones, covered with Nalca leaves. The dish originates from the Chiloé Archipelago and is a communal event there, lasting for hours. In restaurants, the pot version, Pulmay, is often served when an earth pit is not available.
    Caldillo de Congrio

    Caldillo de Congrio

    Soup from Red Sea Conger

    A hearty fish soup made from Congrio, onions, tomatoes, and potatoes, often with a dash of white wine. Pablo Neruda dedicated his "Oda al caldillo de congrio" to it in his Odas elementales, which made the dish famous far beyond Chile. It is served hot, frequently in clay bowls, in harbor pubs and market restaurants along the coast.
    Mote con Huesillo

    Mote con Huesillo

    Summer drink with wheat and dried peach

    Dried peaches are simmered in sugared, cinnamon water, with cooked wheat at the cup's base. Served ice-cold with a spoon, it's found in summer at street stalls in parks and squares. It's both a drink and a snack, significantly more filling than it appears.

    Good to Know

    Essential info for your trip planning.

    Land & People

    Stretching approximately 4,300 kilometers along South America's Pacific coast, Chile is on average only about 180…

    History & Society

    Chile's history is marked by the long resistance of the Mapuche against Spanish colonial rule, the nitrate wealth of…

    Food & Drink

    Chilean cuisine blends indigenous ingredients such as corn, potatoes, and beans with Spanish influences.

    Practical Info

    Entry and CustomsGerman citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays up to 90 days.

    Getting Around

    Arrival and Domestic FlightsInternational flights almost always land at Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez…

    RV Travel

    Explore Chile at your own pace with a motorhome or campervan, from the Atacama Desert to the Lake District and the…

    Traveling with Kids

    Planning and SuitabilityChile is a well-developed travel destination where families with children are generally welcome.

    Best Time to Visit

    When is the best time for your trip?

    March
    April
    October
    November
    14–17°C·15–40 mm(little rain)
    Diese Monate bieten oft ein ausgewogenes Klima für die meisten Regionen Chiles. Der Herbst (März, April) bringt angenehme Temperaturen in Zentralchile und der Süden ist noch gut zugänglich. Der Frühling (Oktober, November) bietet ähnliche Vorteile mit aufblühender Natur und guten Bedingungen, bevor die Hochsaison beginnt und die Preise steigen.
    Chile erstreckt sich über 4.300 km entlang der Anden und der Pazifikküste, was zu extrem vielfältigen Klimazonen führt. Die oben genannten monatlichen Daten stellen einen generalisierten Durchschnitt dar, der tendenziell die Verhältnisse in Zentralchile (Santiago, Valparaíso) widerspiegelt, dem bevölkerungsreichsten und oft auch einem der Hauptreisegebiete.Norden (Atacama-Wüste): Extrem trockenes Wüstenklima mit sehr geringem oder gar keinem Niederschlag. Tagsüber heiß (bis 30°C+), nachts kühl bis kalt (oft unter 10°C), besonders in höheren Lagen. Küstenstädte wie Arica und Iquique sind milder und nebliger durch den Humboldt-Strom. Ideale Reisezeit ganzjährig, um die trockene Landschaft und den Sternenhimmel zu erleben, wobei die Monate März bis November angenehmer sein können als der Hochsommer.Zentralchile (Santiago, Valparaíso, Weinregionen): Mediterranes Klima mit warmen, trockenen Sommern (Dezember-Februar, oft über 30°C in Santiago) und milden, feuchten Wintern (Juni-August, Tageshöchstwerte um 10-15°C). Die Temperaturen sind gemäßigt, und die Sonne scheint häufig.Süden (Seenregion, Patagonien, Feuerland): Gemäßigtes, ozeanisches Klima mit kühleren Temperaturen, starken Winden und deutlich höheren Niederschlägen, die zum Süden hin zunehmen. Im Sommer (Dezember-März) liegen die Temperaturen in Patagonien typischerweise zwischen 10-20°C, im Winter (Juni-August) oft unter 5°C, mit viel Schnee. Die beste Reisezeit für Patagonien ist der Sommer der Südhalbkugel (Dezember-März), wenn die Temperaturen am mildesten und die Tage am längsten sind, um Wanderungen und Erkundungen zu ermöglichen. Außerhalb dieser Monate sind viele touristische Einrichtungen geschlossen oder nur eingeschränkt verfügbar.Andenregionen: Gebirgsklima mit kälteren Temperaturen und Schnee in den höheren Lagen, besonders im Winter, was Skisport ermöglicht (Juni-September).Aufgrund dieser extremen Unterschiede ist es entscheidend, die spezifische Region und die geplanten Aktivitäten bei der Reiseplanung zu berücksichtigen. Das Wetter in Patagonien kann auch im Sommer sehr unbeständig sein und schnelle Wechsel mit sich bringen.

    Seasons

    Jan
    Feb
    Mar
    Apr
    May
    Jun
    Jul
    Aug
    Sep
    Oct
    Nov
    Dec
    Hauptsaison (Sommer)
    Übergangssaison (Herbst)
    Nebensaison (Winter)
    Übergangssaison (Frühling)
    Best Time to Visit
    ▶Show detailed monthly data
    MonthTemp (°C)Rain (mm)Sun (h)
    January20.01510.0
    February19.0109.5
    March17.0258.0
    April14.0407.0
    May11.0706.0
    June9.0905.0
    July8.0805.0
    August9.0606.0
    September12.0407.0
    October15.0258.5
    November17.0159.5
    December19.01010.0

    Travel advice

    Safety, entry requirements and health: the official, up-to-date advice for Chile is published by the UK government on GOV.UK.

    Go to GOV.UK

    Sources & method

    • Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Unsplash, Pexels. Each photo carries its credit.
    • The content is based on web research from public, traceable sources. How the content is made · The role of AI
    Felix at Kuirau Park in Rotorua, New Zealand

    Who's behind Fernweh?

    Hi, I'm Felix.

    I love to travel, and I love planning even more. Fernweh.guide is my attempt at building a really good online travel guide.

    About Fernweh

    All places in Chile

    • Arica
    • Atacama Desert
    • Aysén (Región de Aysén)
    • Barrio Lastarria
    • Bellavista
    • Casablanca-Tal
    • Chiloé Island (Isla Grande de Chiloé)
    • Colchagua-Tal
    • Coyhaique
    • District Lago General Carrera
    • Elqui Valley (Valle del Elqui)
    • Frutillar
    • Geysers del Tatio Area
    • Historic Center
    • Iquique
    • Lagunas Altiplánicas
    • Lake Region
    • Magellan and Chilean Antarctic (Magellan Region)
    • Maipo Vale
    • Montegrande
    • National Park Torres del Paine
    • National Park Vicente Pérez Rosales
    • Norte Grande (Altiplano)
    • Parque Nacional Lauca
    • Pisco Elqui
    • Providencia
    • Pucón
    • Puerto Aisén
    • Puerto Natales
    • Puerto Varas
    • Punta Arenas
    • Putre
    • Salar de Atacama
    • Salar de Surire
    • San Pedro de Atacama Village
    • Santiago de Chile
    • Tierra del Fuego (Chilean part)
    • Valle de la Luna
    • Valparaíso
    • Vicuña
    • Wine Regions of Central Chile

    More about Chile

    • Best Time to Visit Chile
    • Chile with Kids