Destination guide
Chile
A country more than 4,000 km long and rarely wider than 200 km, running from the Atacama Desert to the glaciers of Patagonia.
- Capital
- Santiago
- Language
- Spanish
- Currency
- Chilean peso (CLP)
Regions to explore
Atacama Desert
Salt flats, geysers and some of the clearest night skies on Earth.
Santiago and Valparaíso
The capital, nearby vineyards and a hillside port city of painted houses.
Lake District
Snow-capped volcanoes, deep lakes, hot springs and forest hikes.
Patagonia
Torres del Paine, glaciers, fjords and the wind that shapes every plan.
Easter Island
Rapa Nui culture and the moai, a long flight out into the Pacific.
Chile in two weeks
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Days 1–3
Santiago and Valparaíso
Get over the flight, then take a day trip to the coast and ride the hillside lifts.
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Days 4–6
San Pedro de Atacama
Fly north for salt lagoons, a sunrise at the geysers and a night of stargazing.
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Days 7–9
Pucón and the lakes
Volcano views, hot springs and an easy base for forest hikes.
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Days 10–14
Torres del Paine
Finish with the W Trek. Our five-day plan covers bookings and weather.
Chile guides and stories
Before you go
When to go
Seasons are reversed from the northern hemisphere. Patagonia is best in the southern summer; the Atacama works for most of the year. Add your own month-by-month notes here.
Getting around
Long-distance buses are comfortable and frequent; domestic flights make sense for the far north and far south.
Money and costs
Add your own cost breakdown here, or link to a budget story.
Staying safe
Check your government’s current travel advice before you go, and add your own notes here.