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Having the opportunity to visit Chile tops many nomads' and travelers' bucket lists.
Chile offers something for everyone, from ocean-front cities to dense forests, soaring
mountains, volcanoes, and even deserts.
Join me as we look at ten unique places to add to your itinerary for Chile.
Let's dive in!
Number ten.Chiloe Island.
Chile's mainland is full of craggy barren mountains, but Chiloe Island is quite the
opposite.
Filled with rolling hills and sparse landmarks, travelers find homes on stilts and are often
blanketed in thick fog produced by the lakes and ocean.
The island is also home to the only place in the world where Magellanic and Humboldt
penguins can be seen together.
Venturing to the northeastern portion of the island, you'll find Chepu, home to an underwater
forest.
An earthquake caused the area to sink and was subsequently flooded by a tsunami.
The water was trapped, allowing for eerie tours via kayak.
Number nine.
Iquique.
Trading an island for giant dunes, sandboarding might be your first activity in Iquique.
If boarding isn't in your skillset, you can also try fat tire biking along the dunes.
It's also a great base camp for exploring the Atacama Desert.
This unique dessert is the driest place in the world.
After having your fill of the desert, stroll the wooden boardwalk at sunset for spectacular
views.
And given the city's proximity to the ocean, visiting the local fish market is a must,
although this is best saved for early mornings when the freshest catches are available.
If you have leftovers to spare, you can share them with the sea lions that hang out at the
wharf's edge.
Local fishers throw them scraps all the time, so the area is always chaotic, but fun to
get in on the action!
You can also check out a life-size replica of the Corebeta Esmeralda, a ship that Peruvians
sank during the War of the Pacific.
Nearby, the Naval Museum of Iquique expands on the region's history with the War of the
Pacific and other battles waged on the Chilean seas.
Number eight.
Santiago.
As the largest city in Chile, Santiago offers endless fun, relaxation, and adventure opportunities.
Take in the sights of the city from Cerro San Cristobal, where you'll take a tram to
get to the top where you can appreciate the impressive views of Santiago.
Afterward, visit one of the famous vineyards such as Concha y Toro, Perez Cruz, or Odjfell.
More grounded exploration will showcase the fantastic street art, especially if you wander
Barrio Bellavista, a bohemian neighborhood that has coffee shops, eclectic shops, and
restaurants to enjoy.
For more natural vistas, visit a nearby canyon - Cajon del Maipo, where you can bathe in
turquoise hot springs while gazing at the Andes.
Another Andes mountain viewing spot can be found at the Inca Lagoon in Portillho, easily
accessible from Santiago on a day trip.
Cap off your trip with an exquisite dinner at Borago, Chile's most sought-after restaurant.
A Twelve multi-course menu will set you back about USD 150 per person, and wine pairings
are offered for another fee.
You'll get a genuinely artisanal experience, as the team milks the milk used in the establishment
and grow much of their products a short distance away; with that said, be prepared to taste
a lot of strange plate cold combinations with flowers and fruits.
Number seven.
Chilean Lake District.
Chile's Lake District spans two regions - La Araucania and Los Lagos and stretches from
the Pacific Ocean to the Andes.
Twelve major lakes lie within the area, and dozens more dot the landscape.
In contrast, six volcanoes jut out from the horizon in addition to the Andes mountains
that make up one perimeter of the area.
Most activities in this area are focused on outdoor enjoyment.
Multiple National Parks fall in the area, and the Huerquehue National Park even has
a wildlife reserve.
For something truly unique, head to Conaripe beach to enjoy black sand, finishing with
a trip to the local hot springs.
When you're ready for a bit more civilization, spend time in the city of rivers Valdivia,
where you can find German-inspired cuisine and architecture.
Number six.
Cape Horn.
The Cape Horn dates back to the early 17th Century.
The Dutch East India Company searched for an alternate route and found what was believed
to be the southernmost tip of the land.
Named Cape Horn, after a city in the Netherlands, this passage became a major shipping route.
Although Antarctica is less than 1000 kilometers away from the Cape Horn, wildly unpredictable
and turbulent weather kept the landmass undiscovered for another 200 years.
Even today's cruise ships often schedule two landing dates at the Cape Horn to increase
the chances of a successful landing for passengers.
Access isn't easy, but experiencing a place that most will never step foot on is well
worth the effort.
If you can make landfall, you can explore the area and see the famous lighthouse, the
home of the island's guardian, and a memorial statue for lost mariners designed to stand
up against 200-mile-per-hour winds.
Number five.
Chilean Fjords.
Chile's fjords reach the country's southernmost tip, making it a remote and must-see area
of Chile.
Cruises are the only way to reach the creaking glaciers and native marine life.
Penguins are relatively easy to view from cruise ships, as a colony of Magellanic penguins
has over 4000 members.
And you might hear the elephant seals before you see these enormous creatures that are
often flopped on their sides on a beach to digest and pass the time.
Fan-favorite orcas can be seen in December, and migrating humpback whales may greet you
with a breach between December and May.
The wildlife is a great bonus, but making an effort to visit the fjords is all about
the glaciers and landscape.
Glacier Alley is rife with ice avalanches and swaths of ice that interrupt the otherwise
mirror-like reflection in the water.
Number four.
Los Pinguinos Natural Monument.
If the penguin sightings along the Chilean Fjords don't satisfy your craving for wildlife,
look no further than Los Pinguinos Natural Monument.
Two islands, Magdalena and Marta, in the middle of the Strait of Magellan, make up the majority
of this monument.
Colonies of more than 60,000 breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins have taken over these
islands.
The island is uninhabited by humans but oft visited by tourists.
These penguins and their habitat are protected, and the islands have become critical habitats
for the species.
Number three.
The Atacama Desert.
I touched on the Atacama Desert earlier when Iquique made the list.
But there's enough to do here that justifies its own spot on the list.
We have already learned that this is the driest hot desert on earth.
But that's not all that's there - there's enough to keep travelers busy for days.
Driving, walking, or biking through the Moon Valley is aptly named, as you might feel like
you're on another planet.
There are dunes, caves, and other craggy outcroppings, and you have carte blanche to explore - just
be careful and mindful of your surroundings and abilities.
With such a vast, open area, it should be no surprise that stargazing here is second
to none.
You can go on your own or sign up for a stargazing tour to help you figure out what you're looking
at.
There are even several observatories in the area open to the public.
If you want to see something truly unique, head a few hours north of San Pedro de Atacama,
where geysers rocket water and steam into the air.
Number two.
Easter Island.
Easter Island and its famous stoic statues are factors in piquing interest in Chilean
tourism.
Located in the Pacific Ocean, a six-hour flight will gain you access to the island.
The island itself is volcanic, and the statues are carved from volcanic materials.
A famous underwater statue exists, but it is not one of the original statues, nor is
it made from the same material.
But it makes for a fun sight to see regardless!
The Rapa Nui, who first inhabited the island, carved and erected the statues, still live
on the island.
Population estimates place the group at around 7,000 individuals.
Number one.
Torres del Paine.
Torres del Paine is easily Chile's most famous national park.
The single most popular feature in this part is the three granite monoliths of Las Torres.
It's not the most accessible place to get to, but lodging once in the area is varied
- choose from campgrounds, hostels, and luxury hotels.
Once in the park, consider it your outdoor playground.
A catamaran trip will grant you access to Glacier Gray, a massive glacier fed by the
Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Hiking, mountain biking, and even horseback riding are available, so whatever your favorite
exploration method is, this park has you covered.
Which stop on my list sounds most exciting to you?
What South American country holds the most appeal for your to visit someday?
Let me know down in the comments!
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Until next time!