Top Things to Do on a Trip to Chile
In many ways, Chile doesn’t make an awful lot of sense. Where else would you find the world’s driest non-polar desert bookending a country with one of the world’s largest continental ice sheets? Or the highest peaks of the Andes Mountains set against the freezing waters of the Pacific Ocean?
It can feel at times like you cross international borders when you move between regions, since each area has its own unique character—but all still represent modern Chile. Planning a trip to this one-of-a-kind destination? Here’s a list of the top 10 things to do when you visit!
Trek through Parque Nacional Torres del Paine
Hike among precarious glaciers, milky blue lakes, elusive wildlife, and the iconic granite spires. With its soaring granite peaks and sparkling crystalline lakes with mirror-like reflections of jawdropping mountains—the sublime scenery of Parque Nacional Torres del Paine has become a symbol of Patagonia at its wildest and most beautiful. This national park has acquired global acclaim as one of South America’s best trekking destinations, particularly for its facilities, which range from basic campgrounds to luxury lodges.
Admire Chilote architecture
Take in the colorful Chilote architecture surrounding you, which has an interesting origin. In 1608 there was construction of at least 150 wooden churches, a fusion of European architectural styles and Chilote building techniques, heavily influenced by the islanders’ expertise with boatbuilding. Today about 60 remain, and 16 have been designated UNESCO World Heritage sites; though seeing all 16 in one trip is quite a task, so if you’re short on time, consider visiting a smaller list:
- Iglesia San Francisco de Castro
- Iglesia Santa María de Loreto de Achao
- Iglesia Nuestra Señora del Rosario de Chonchi
Fun fact: The most impressive feature of the churches is that they were built without nails, which were difficult to acquire at the time. With only wooden dowels and joints used for assembly, the remaining structures have survived the island’s wet climate and serious earthquakes—all without a single nail.
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Stargaze
With an average of 300 clear nights per year, the Valle de Elqui is one of the best places in the world for stargazing. The skies are clearer here than better-known spot San Pedro de Atacama. When planning your trip, note that September-May promises the clearest skies; most nights are cloudy during June-July, but these months are when the Milky Way is at its most prominent in the southern hemisphere’s night sky. Head to the Observatorio El Pangue to look through the largest public telescope in Chile, or Cerro Tololo Inter-American Observatory for a thorough scientific experience.
Take a road trip
Road-trip down the Carretera Austral through Chile’s wildest lands. On its 770-mile route from Puerto Montt south to Villa O’Higgins, the Carretera Austral travels through deep glacial valleys, impenetrable forest, and sheer cliffs. A journey on the Carretera Austral is equal to the destination, and you’ll have some of the best experiences that Northern Patagonia has to offer. From wildlife-watching, to day hikes and exploring small towns, experience the very best of Chile!
Go wildlife watching
Spot breath-taking and unique Chilean wildlife from every corner of the country’s desert, mountain, and ocean ecosystems. Bird-watchers will find over 430 species, 11 found nowhere else on earth, while the coasts teem with Magellanic and Humboldt penguin colonies, as well as elegant humpback and blue whales. The forests that cover much of the Lakes District and Patagonia are abundant in land mammals, including pumas, guanacos, and huemules.
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Venture to Cape Horn
Take an expedition cruise to mythical Cape Horn at the ends of the earth. Few parts of Patagonia feel as remote and inaccessible as the maze-like Chilean fjords. The stark, sub-Antarctic landscapes of Tierra del Fuego, the Beagle Channel, and Cape Horn are the most dramatic and unrivaled scenery on the continent. Those who explore these wild depths arrive by boat, mostly aboard adventure cruise ships. Voyages typically pass through the waters surrounding Parque Nacional Alberto de Agostini and cruise through famed Glacier Alley.
Wine-taste at Chile’s top vineyards
Just 40 minutes southeast of Valparaíso and an hour’s drive west of Santiago, Valle de Casablanca is Chile’s best-known white wine region. Lush low hills grow neat ridges of vines, and the valley is thick with fog in early morning. This unique climate allows chardonnay and sauvignon blanc to flourish, along with pinot noir, Syrah, gewürztraminer, and even cabernet franc and malbec. And if you have time, head further south and check out Valle de San Antonio, which boasts some of the country’s best wineries and restaurants.
Visit Rapa Nui
Set foot on Rapa Nui, and wander this Polynesian island that is like nowhere else on the planet. Thousands of kilometers west of the mainland, Rapa Nui is Chile’s most enigmatic island, known by many as “Easter Island.” The story of a civilization driven to the brink of extinction continues to attract visitors intrigued by the mystery that surrounds the 887 moai, the famed stone monoliths populating the coasts. Most of the statues are in Parque Nacional Rapa Nui, the island’s central attraction, but there are a wealth of other examples of this early culture in the town of Hanga Roa.
Explore charming city streets
Experience Chile’s rich cityscapes and get lost roaming the many chaotic streets, sprawling museums, and eclectic shops. Dine on Chilean specialties in cosmopolitan Santiago, from food trucks and wine bars to local bistros like Liguria. Or stroll through the streets of bohemian Valparaíso for magnificent views of the harbor, Viña del Mar, Reñaca, and beyond. Make sure to find a bar along the way and try any variety pisco, Chile’s smooth floral liquor—a bottle of which also makes the perfect gift or souvenir!
Try an adventure sport
Chile is the ideal destination for adventure activities. Get an adrenaline rush trying some out, from sandboarding in the Atacama Desert to trekking atop glaciers like Glaciar Grey. Chile has sports for every season, like surfing, skiing, kayaking, and scuba diving—even Volcano climbing and white-water rafting! But remember: if you’re from the northern hemisphere, the southern hemisphere has opposite seasons—so make sure to factor that into your outdoor sports plans!
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