Chile stretches from the Atacama desert in the north down to the wind swept pampa of Cape Horn where the Pacific and Atlantic oceans meet. It is a country of stunning natural beauty and diversity, the only constant being the Andes mountain range which forms the Eastern border of the country.
Temperate rainforests, active volcanoes, crashing glaciers and white-water rivers make Chile one of the best backpacking and outdoor adventure destinations in the world.
Chile’s ethnic mix is primarily a fusion of European (mainly Spanish) and indigenous groups, and the culture and language reflects this blend. While Spanish is the universally spoken language, many words peculiar to Chile have clear indigenous roots. The proudest ethnic community in Chile are the Mapuche people who mainly live in the south of the country.
Although a long way from almost everywhere, Chile is one of those countries that are perfect for travellers who like to try something different, with the nation boasting a diverse landscape. I love the fact that when you visit, you can do everything here from hiking to skiing.
View my top tips with everything you need to know before going backpacking or travelling in Chile.
Chile Travel Booking Resources
These are my favourite companies to use when I travel.
• Find cheap flights with Skyscanner.
• Get the best deals on hotels on Booking.com.
Getting Around
Traveling around Chile is easy because there are so many different ways to get from one place to another. With so many roads connecting Chilean cites, you really can choose a method that is convenient and affordable to you.
One of the easiest ways to travel within Chile is by bus. There are many large bus companies that travel to the more populated and urban cities, and their buses are known as micros. These buses are white and green and stop at specific routes along the edge of Chile.
There are also smaller bus companies that go to remote towns. The prices for all buses are affordable and the seating is comfortable, but just make sure that you book bus tickets ahead of time if you plan on traveling on the weekend.
Local and international travel companies offer small group adventure tours of Chile taking you to all the best locations. I recommend G Adventures or Contiki – both have lots of amazing trips to choose from. You’ll travel in a group making friends from all over the world and having a lot of fun.
You can also take a train to get to a desired location, many only run from Santiago to Concepción or Temuco. Even though there are fewer trains than buses, these trains are much larger and more comfortable to ride in since most have a bar or restaurant.
Taxis are another great way to navigate the cities. You can either get a single taxi or a group taxi, which is known as a colectivo. Single taxis are usually black and the meters are posted where you can see them. Colectivos post their route destinations on their roofs and will usually pick up riders until the taxi is full.
Of course, as in any country, there are also rental car companies to choose from. You can usually rent a small car for about $30 a day. You can also rent a bike and ride through some of the amazing terrain in the country, but be careful to remember that it usually rains heavily in the months of August and September.
Top Things to Do in Chile
Explore the Capital
Santiago is the colourful capital of Chile, and an essential place to visit for any trip to Chile. Explore what the city has to offer, as it’s truly fascinating.
While on the surface Santiago looks like a bustling modern-day city, you can still see a traditional side of the country thanks to the old buildings dotted across the destination, along with stalls selling crafts.
Picking up a souvenir or two is a fantastic way to remember your trip, while you should also soak up the bustling nightlife, particularly in the districts of Las Condes and Bellavista. View more Santiago travel tips to maximise your time in this city.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is the capital of the Magallanes province. It is the southernmost city on Earth, overlooking the Straits of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego. Punta Arenas has been a major historic trade route for centuries, enjoying its first great roar during the California Gold Rush.
It lost its popularity after the opening of the Panama Canal, but achieved higher success early this century as the center of Chile’s international wool trade.
Today, Punto Arenas reflects a great mix of cultures, from English sheep ranchers to Portuguese sailors, and is the starting point for some of the world’s most scenic landscape: Tierra del Fuego, the Canal Beagle, Isla Navrino, Cape Horn and Antarctica.
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales, founded in 1911, is the capital of the Province of Ultima Esperanza.
With its population at 15,500, the city has grown in recent years to meet the growing tourist demand generated by nearby Torres del Paine National Park, Bernando O’Higgins National Park, and the Cueva del Milodon (Milodon Cave). Downtown offers a bustling lifestyle with a casino, museum, restaurants, cafes, boutiques, and adventure travel agencies filling the streets.
From the gentle slope where Puerto Natales is situated, one can see Cordillera de Riesco, Maciso Paine, and the glaciers of Campo de Hielo Sur. Come see for yourself why this province’s name translates to “It Completes Hope”.
You could help a local community with your native language skills, and enjoy the experience of living and getting paid for volun-teaching in this magnificent region of the world.
Lose Yourself in the Mysteries of Easter Island
Few islands have baffled historians and archaeologists quite like that of Easter Island. Located some 2300 miles off the Chilean coast, the island is sprinkled with nearly 1000 statues depicting large heads, called Moai.
The early inhabitants settled around 1200 AD, creating a thriving community with the resources the island provided. The population dropped during the 1700’s due to disease and emigration, and today is home to some 3000 people.
A visit to the unique Easter Island is definitely one of the top travel experiences to have in South America!
Go on an Adventure in Patagonia
There are few top travel experiences for adventure lovers better than Patagonia. Sprawling across Argentina and Chile, Patagonia is a slice of nature’s heaven.
Crystal lakes, dramatic mountain peaks and crashing glaciers, the region attracts adventure seekers from all over the world. From Torres del Paine National Park to the giant Perito Moreno Glacier, visitors can also step onto the ends of the earth in Ushuaia, the southernmost tip of South America.
View my Patagonia travel guide for more recommendations.
Explore the World’s Driest Desert in Atacama
Imagine walking through an area that eerily resembles the surface of the moon. The Atacama Desert stretches over 1000 kilometres across Chile and receives less than 1 mm of rain per year. As a result it is without cities and is a wonderfully off the beaten track destination to visit. Experience high altitude geysers, watch the sunset over moon valley or spot flamingos in lagoon Chaxa.
Vineyards and Volcanoes
The landscape of Chile is truly varied, and the fact you can see both vineyards and volcanoes in one trip is testament to this. Rent a car or book a tour and drive to some of the best wineries in Colchagua, before taking time to explore the Pacific coast and the forests on the slopes of the Andes. Rafting on the Trancura River and hiking up the Osorno Volcano are two other highlights of this trip.
Ski in the Andes
While Chile’s coastline boasts an array of beaches you can relax on, it is also home to some fantastic ski resorts. If you’re a fan of winter sports, you might be used to heading to the slopes sometime between November and March. However, the ski season in Chile is actually from June to September.
I think this is a fantastic twist, especially as a lot of professionals come here to train ahead of winter competitions – who knows who you might spot! One of the best places to ski in Chile is at Chillan, which is located in what is referred to as the Chillean Lake District.
With 10,000 hectares of terrain to show off your skills on, you’re certainly spoilt for choice and can find a new spot to ski in every day.
Another, located west of Santiago is the highly rated Valle Nevado Ski Resort.
Hike the Torres del Paine Circuit
Easily one of the best destinations for anyone seeking adventure or nature is the fantastic Torres del Paine circuit, which allows you to soak up stunning views of the national park, including the spectacular sunrises. Should you visit in summer, you’ll benefit from 17 hours of daylight, and when the sun comes up the sky turns a fantastic purple then red.
A typical itinerary will see you walk through beech forests, but remember to glance back as you make your way across the landscape, as you’ll spot lovely views of Glacier Dickson. At some point during your trip, you’ll cross the highest point of the Torres del Paine circuit.
This is known as Paso John Gardner and stands 1,210 m high. Other highlights include walking past flower-filled meadows, dazzling icefields and stunning lakes – such as Nordenskjold, as well as the body of water that lies at the bottom of the national park’s towers of rock.
Chile Travel Tips
Safety
Chile is possibly one of the safest countries to explore with backpacking South America.
Language
My top tip – learn basic Spanish before arriving! You’ll struggle to find people speaking English.