The Republic of Chile boasts some of the most diverse landscapes. It was off travelers' radars for a long time, and it has only recently started attracting them in hordes. The country offers varied opportunities to those who visit it. From nature lovers to adventure seekers, everyone gets a slice of the pie. There are myriad tourist attractions in Chile, and it is slowly climbing up the charts of some of the most visited places on Earth. However, before we embark on an epic journey, a quick reminder is to get your visa and passport in order since those are the most important travel documents you would require to enter the country. You can acquire all information regarding the visa process in our website's "Services" section by choosing the country of resident and country of travel.
Let us begin our journey to one of the most exotic destinations on the blue planet.
Where is Chile?
Before we get to know the tourist attractions in Chile, let us get geography to understand how to travel to Chile. It is a country in western South America. It occupies a long, narrow strip of land between the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west. Chile covers an area of 756,096 square kilometers (291,930 sq mi), with 17.5 million as of 2017. It is also the southernmost country globally, with Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, Argentina to the east, and the Drake Passage to the far south. It is the closest to Antarctica. Juan Fernandez, Isla Salas y Gomez, Desventuradas, and Easter Island in Oceania are all controlled by Chile. The capital city is Santiago, and the national language of this beautiful country is Spanish.
Is Chile safe for tourists?
Is Chile safe for tourists is one of the pertinent questions that travelers often ask. The short answer to this is yes. Chile has one of the lowest rates of crime in South America, along with Bolivia. Travelers also experience some of the best-behaved locals on the continent, and the usual response towards guests is warm.
Holiday destinations in Chile
Holiday destinations in Chile are a dime a dozen, and we would take a sneak peek into what the country offers.
Torres Del Paine National Park
.jpg)
When people ask what is famous in Chile, this is the first destination that comes into mind. It is situated 100 kilometers north of Puerto Natales in southern Patagonia. The national park includes stunning mountain ranges, glaciers, innumerable lakes, and rivers. It is indeed one of the best destinations in Chile.
Valle de la Luna and the Atacama Desert
One of the best destinations in Chile, Valle de la Luna means the valley of the moon, and it lies 13 kilometres west of San Pedro de Atacama towards the north end of the country, bordering Bolivia. It is rugged and inhospitable terrain with bike and walking trails. There are regular tours that take place. The Valle de la Luna is at the heart of the Atacama Desert. The remoteness of the places has not been able to suppress the beauty of the landscape. There are numerous cavers covered in pictographs illustrating the early rise of mankind.
Easter Island and Rapa Nui National Park
Polynesians have inhabited easter Island for thousands of years. The stone sculptors, 887 of which have been identified and protected by the Rapa Nui National Park and declared as UNESCO World Heritage Site, is one of the best answers to what is famous in Chile. It is also one of the best destinations in Chile. Anyone who travels to Chile will be setting foot on this mystical island to get a glimpse of what the past looked like. Anakena, one of the best beaches in the country, can be found here too.
Santiago
The capital city is one of the best travel destinations in Chile. It is also amongst the most popular destinations in Chile. It is a mix of tradition and modernity and hence is not just the administrative and financial center of the nation but also its cultural and entertainment hub. The city has some of the best museums, art galleries, shopping malls, and eateries in the continent to boast of. Being the capital city, Santiago is the transportation hub of the country. The Museum of Pre-Columbian Art and Museum of Memory and Human Rights are some of the best travel destinations in Chile. The Santiago Metropolitan Park is also amongst the more popular travel destinations in Chile. Also, when you travel to Chile and head towards Santiago, do not forget to take the aerial tramway to San Cristobal Hill. The stunning view all around is simply hard to miss.
The Lake District
You travel to Chile and do not visit the lake district is akin to blasphemy. Stretching for more than 330 kilometers from Temuco to Puerto Montt, the lake district has a close resemblance to the European Alpine region. The Andean foothills are marked with numerous farmlands, and it is by a fair margin one of the best destinations in Chile.
Valparaiso
This is the third-largest city and one of the most popular destinations in Chile. The city is famous for its heritage as well as its world-class beaches. The Naval and Maritime Museum is an added attraction since Valparaiso has a rich maritime history. The Lord Cochrane's Museum is another no-to-miss destination in the country. The city attracts a lot of revelers to its beaches overlooking the vast ocean.
Lauca National Park
It is situated in the north of the country and is one of the best destinations in Chile. It covers approximately 1300 square kilometers. The Lauca National Park covers a vast range of mountains and volcanoes, and that makes it one of the most popular destinations in Chile. When you travel to Chile, Lauca National Park will have to be on the list of places to visit. The national park is also home to a few archaeological sites.
Pumalin Park
Another Park, which is amongst the best destinations in Chile, the Pumalin Park, covers all of 988000 acres of verdant land and stretches from the Andes to the Pacific. The land is devoid of much development and is sparsely populated too. Flora and fauna existing here are of particular interest to ecologists, who visit here often.
Los Pinguinos Natural Monument
This natural monument is one of the most popular destinations in Chile. It is also a glaring example of how successful conservation efforts look like when stakeholders come together with the best intentions. It is located on the Southern tip of the island and includes the Magdalena and Marta islands. It is also one of Chile's largest colonies for penguins and has almost 60000 pairs of Magellan penguins. There are many seals and sea lions.
Iquique
If you are the adventurous one and wish to take your surfboard out, then this is the place. Iquique is a coastal town situated in the Playa Cavancha. There are options for paragliding too, and tourists from across the world throng here to enjoy the vast expanse of the ocean and the mesmerizing weather. The gorgeous view of the Chilean coastline can be viewed from atop the cliff too. Your travel to Chile will be incomplete without a visit to the warm waters of Iquique.
San Pedro de Atacama
We did talk about the Valle de la Luna. San Pedro is a small tourist town located bang in the middle of it. Tourists throng to this place to experience the rugged, otherworldly charms of the valley. Minimal light pollution means that it is also one of the best places to gaze at the stars and witness the universe pass by. The lagoon close by is ideal for a quick dip and hence do not forget to carry your swimwear.
Chile Visa
The ideal place to know more about Chile Visa is at Travelers are advised to learn the recent travel advisories and updates provided by the Consulate of Chile through the "Services" section mentioned above. The passport needs to be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry into the country.
Final Words
Rewarded with a wide range of natural wonders and breath-taking landscapes, Chile is an enigma waiting to be explored. With the winters gradually settling in, it is time to start making plans for this wonderland.
