A land of many nature wonders, Chile is tucked comfortably between the Andean Mountains and Pacific Ocean. This hospitable South American country has excellent opportunities for outdoor activities like water sports, trekking, skiing, biking and more. The fascinating Chilean history and culture are worth exploring as well. Visitors to Chile are pampered with delicious food and excellent local wines.
The lively Chilean capital, Santiago is the center of culture and business in Chile with excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping. The modern Chilean ski resorts are within an hours drive from the city centre. One of the best areas for skiing in South America, El Colorado and the surrounding ski resorts of La Parva and Valle Nevado are located in the magnificent Andes close to Santiago and offer excellent opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports activities for the whole family.
Coastal city and the cultural capital of Chile, Valparaiso is the city of colorful houses, vibrant nightlife and unique cable cars which can take you up on the steep hills of Valparaiso. The neighboring city of Viña del Mar is a popular beach resort with white-sand beaches and turquoise sea.
Top destinations in Chile include also San Pedro de Atacama, a small town in the north, serving as a starting point to exploring the amazing landscapes of the Atacama Desert, and the popular Torres del Paine National Park in the south, both of which offer breathtaking and fascinating scenery for trekking. Another unique Chilean destination, Easter Island in the South Pacific Ocean is home to diverse landscape and rich Polynesian cultural heritage with the famous stone heads. The crystal clear waters around Easter Island offer also excellent opportunities for diving. Or if you are looking for sea kayaking, penguins or Antarctic cruises, Punta Arenas in the far south of Chile might be a perfect destination for you.
Visitor services. About 2 million foreign tourists visit Chile every year. There are good facilities for visitors with hotels and restaurants which suit every budget and taste.
Cultural cities, nature wonders and outdoor activities - Destinations in Chile
Chile is located in the Southwest of South America bordering the South Pacific Ocean. The country is diverse in landscape, consisting of the wide coast of the Pacific Ocean, low coastal mountains, world's driest desert Atacama in the north, a fertile central valley and rugged Andean Mountains in the east.The lively Chilean capital, Santiago is the center of culture and business in Chile with excellent opportunities for entertainment and shopping. The modern Chilean ski resorts are within an hours drive from the city centre. One of the best areas for skiing in South America, El Colorado and the surrounding ski resorts of La Parva and Valle Nevado are located in the magnificent Andes close to Santiago and offer excellent opportunities for skiing, snowboarding and other winter sports activities for the whole family.
Coastal city and the cultural capital of Chile, Valparaiso is the city of colorful houses, vibrant nightlife and unique cable cars which can take you up on the steep hills of Valparaiso. The neighboring city of Viña del Mar is a popular beach resort with white-sand beaches and turquoise sea.
Top destinations in Chile include also San Pedro de Atacama, a small town in the north, serving as a starting point to exploring the amazing landscapes of the Atacama Desert, and the popular Torres del Paine National Park in the south, both of which offer breathtaking and fascinating scenery for trekking. Another unique Chilean destination, Easter Island in the South Pacific Ocean is home to diverse landscape and rich Polynesian cultural heritage with the famous stone heads. The crystal clear waters around Easter Island offer also excellent opportunities for diving. Or if you are looking for sea kayaking, penguins or Antarctic cruises, Punta Arenas in the far south of Chile might be a perfect destination for you.
Practical information for your trip to Chile
Chile can be visited a year round, but due to the large geographic scale of the country, there is a great regional variation in temperatures. Chile has mainly temperate climate. Central Chile is best visited in spring from September to November or in autumn from February to April, while the southern parts are best visited in summer months from December to March. The weather in the northern desert areas of Chile is dry and warm around the year.Visitor services. About 2 million foreign tourists visit Chile every year. There are good facilities for visitors with hotels and restaurants which suit every budget and taste.
Photo: Rick McCharles, used under Creative Commons License (By 2.0)
Chilean cities have vibrant nightlife with bars, nightclubs and more.
Transportation. Most foreign visitors to Chile arrive in the Santiago Airport, which receives flights to Chile from all over the world. You can also travel to Chile by inexpensive buses from the neighboring countries. Chile has an excellent network of domestic flights, buses and trains. Cruising by boat around the many islands in the south is a popular attraction in Chile.
Safety. Chile is a quite safe destination. However, it is advisable to keep an eye on your belongings as pickpocketing and robberies can occur in the biggest cities and in tourist resorts. As volcanic eruptions are common in Chile, you should follow the advice given by the local authorities. Although officially Spanish-speaking, many people in Chile speak also some English.
History and culture of Chile
Northern Chile was once an important part of the Inca Empire, while the central and southern country was dominated by the Mapuche Indigenous people. Chile was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century, and colonial and European influences can still be seen in the Chilean culture today. Chile declared its independence in 1810, after which it received a lot of immigration from Europe, continuing well until the 20th century. After a period of military rule in the 1970s and 1980s, Chile has now returned to parliamentary democracy. The national dance cueca and song tonada can be heard in many places in Chile and during the colorful and traditional Chilean festivals.hint See also these nearby destinations: Valparaiso & Vina del Mar, Santiago
