Having traveled a good bit throughout Chile while visiting and working there, I’d like to share a “best of” Chile itinerary. This itinerary of what to see in Chile is geared to those with enough time to do more than a couple of days’ worth of exploring (but not boundless time either….). I elaborate on some of the places mentioned here in other posts in this blog. Therefore, I will not repeat all that content here (true, for example, for the Atacama and Patagonia bits). Now, admittedly, I did not get to see some places I hear are worth exploring, like Valdivia but I did see a good bit!
My time in Chile – or why I can offer a best of Chile itinerary
As background, I spent three months working in Chile in the early post-dictatorship days of the early 1990s, During that stint, I got to travel north AND south of Santiago during my spare time. From the beaches of La Serena to the island and volcano beauties of the area around Puerto Montt and Chiloé.
Then in 2010 I got to return to Chile to work for a year. On that year I ventured further north than I had before to the Atacama Desert. And, equally, further south to Patagonia, in an ever-expanding coverage of my experience of the natural beauty of this South American country. And, it goes without saying, a lot had changed in the country in the time between 1990/91 and 2010!
Not only was it almost twenty years in between (with a major set of economic booms with the liberalized economic model implemented in the 1980s), but also a real evolution. From a timid way of living (from needing to mind curfews and the like during part of that period) to a more free and lively society reveling in the democratic and economic success that is Chile – the Switzerland of South America (or is Switzerland the Chile of Europe perhaps??).
The Valle de la Luna is one of the key sights in the Atacama Desert
The diversity of Chile’s lands
Chile offers a wide range of scenery as it runs a long way in the latitude dimension. Therefore, the climates along the country vary significantly – a climate zone for every preference! The presence of the Andes clearly has a major effect in the climate. It also provides a great backdrop to many of the places you should visit and experience in the country. Heck, sometimes the Andes are not just the backdrop but part of what you will explore! The terrain in Chile varies from coastal plains or cliffs (lush to arid) to the big wall that are the Andes. Fjords, hot deserts, glaciers and islands complete the diversity of landscapes that make up Chile.
View from la Cueva del Milodón in Patagonia
A trip to Chile typically starts of in Santiago (SCL), its capital. However, one can enter the country over land from any of the neighboring countries (that would be Perú, Bolivia or Argentina) in places like the Atacama Desert, Pucón, the lake district, or Patagonia. In terms of flying, from the U.S., a flight to Santiago can be from 9 hours upwards. From Buenos Aires, a little over 2 hours to fly in. And from Europe, well, longer.
In the Atacama Desert, near the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon)
My best of Chile itinerary
If you really want to see the range of what Chile has to offer, a good itinerary would include these 7 destinations:
– San Pedro de Atacama and nearby sites of interest like salt lakes, geysers, and moon-like landscapes (4-7 days); a two-hour flight from Santiago plus an hour ride by bus or car
– Pucón and the Villarica area (3-4 days) with volcanoes, fast rivers, lakes and lots of green; I did it on a long 10-11 hour drive – LONG!
– Patagonia/Tierra del Fuego including Torres del Paine National Park, fjords, islands, glaciers, penguins and the like (5-10 days); a direct flight from Santiago would be about 4 hours nonstop; though there are flight that stop in Puerto Montt (without changing planes) that split the flight in half
– Santiago (a city is a city is a city but I find it worth exploring) (2-4 days) with its diversity of food, neighborhoods, nature
– Valparaíso – check out its “elevators” or foniculares and add on nearby Viña del Mar and nearby beaches – though having grown up in the tropics, they don’t rank up there in my book!) (2 days tops, 1 day is doable); a little over an hour drive from Santiago – easy
– Puerto Montt, the Lake District, perhaps even doing the crossing of the lakes to South America’s best known ski resort town in Argentina: San Carlos de Bariloche, and crossing over to the island Chiloé (4-8 days); Puerto Montt is a 2 hour and change flight from Santiago; from Bariloche, one can either turn around and go back to Puerto Montt or fly to Buenos Aires
– Mendoza (OK, this is Argentina but it is almost on Chile and easier to get to from Santiago than from anywhere else!) – wine country is just less than 40 mins away by plane and dirt cheap if you buy the plane ticket from WITHIN Chile (2-3 days). Mendoza is also the gateway for Mount Aconcagua, the tallest mountain outside of the Himalayas, I believe.
A typical house in Puerto Natales, the closest town to Torres del Paine
Readers, please feel free to add to the list, comment on the destinations mentioned, or provide other perspectives. Make your suggestions to expand this best of Chile itinerary. I, by no means, saw EVERYTHING Chile has to offer and wish I could say I did. I’d enjoy receiving more reasons to go back!
Pin these images to your travel board, create your own Chile itinerary, and then head to Chile!
You’ve got a great list. I haven’t been to the extreme ends of Chile yet (Atacama or the Torres) but really enjoyed everything in between.
You’re right about the entry fee, see here for details:
http://www.joeskitchen.com/chile/2010/02/03/truth-about-chile-reciprocity-fee/
What do you think about Easter Island? Not as easy to get to but probably a worthy addition to the list.
Great, point on Easter Island. I didn’t trek out there for a few reasons (time and cost required for the amount to see was one – I elected Patagonia and Atacama because the trade-off was better for me with those). But I hear it is worthwhile to see!
So helpful! Good point about Santiago… it’s hard to get that much out of a city if we’re pressed on time. I’m thinking we focus more on Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego and I didn’t even think about getting to Mendoza from Chile!
Glad it helped! I think it is truly a phenomenal place to explore with so many options and diverse landscapes!
Hello Guys,
Question for you……
Here is my itinerary for my Chile stay from 01/17 – 01/27
I am 31, traveling solo, male, single, love to see culture and experience Chile just like a local. How does my itinerary look? Any suggestions?
also, I am thinking of going to La Serena and Algarrobo chile. What are your thoughts?
Any places that I MUST go to being my age etc?
brentwoodblindco@gmail.com
any and all replies would be greatly appreciated. thx
Day 1 – Discovery the City of Santiago Driving and Walking
Day 2 – Drive North east Santiago all the way to Portillo Ski Resort.
Day 3 – Drive North by the panamerican high way to Colchagua – Zapallar, Lunch in Restauran Chiringuito or Coirones
Day 4 – Drive west of Santiago to Valparaiso and Viña del Mar Valparaiso for a night or two, maybe??
Day 5 – go South of Santiago all the way to Colchagua Valley for wineries
Day 7 – Driving west of Colchagua valley and check out ” Pichilemu”. not sure if I should stay a night??
Day 7 – Drive to Maipo Cañon Valley South East of Santiago to National Park El Morado. Staying one night
Day 8 – not sure
Late wake up, drive back to Santiago, stop in the town San Jose de Maipo to you have lunch and relax
Hi, let me ask you first, are you seeking to stay in that region only? Some of the best sights in Chile at that time of the year are further south (a 2hr plane ride away or 8-10 hr drive). Places like Temuco, Pucon, Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas and the island of Chiloé. You could spend 3-4 days down in the Puerto Montt/Puerto Varas area if you could afford traveling down there. It is breathtaking.
Now, if you stay in the area you mention, your itinerary sounds good. Not sure that I would modify much. Zapallar is a good beach area. 1-2 nights between Viña, Valparaíso and Zapallar is a good amount of time. Beware, January is HIGH season in Viña and beaches north of it like Zapallar. Traffic jams in Viña are HORRIBLE so plan enough time. The very short map distances take 5 times longer than you think to work through! (personal experience!) Also, it may be more expensive at that time of the year. Lots of Chilean, Argentine and maybe Brazilian tourists at that time.
In Santiago, which I know a little better, I would say Barrio Bellavista would offer good hangouts for someone in your age range and, at least, people watching. Though tourists go there, you also see lots of locals too (beware of pickpockets!). Though there could be many other places that would work, depending on your interests. In Santiago, I would also say go to Los Dominicos to see an old style mission, now a market of artisans and other craft makers with lots of good stuff (not just touristy crafts).
I can offer more specific suggestions if you have particular questions.
Beware of not bringing any nuts, fruits, etc. in any luggage you bring. The fines are STEEP! Also, before you get to immigration line, go to the visa line that US citizens (assuming you are from the US) need to go to in order to purchase the pricey Chilean visa. Only after you have it would you get in the immigration line (they will turn you away and you would have to re-do the immigration line if you don’t have the visa!).
Enjoy Chile!
Other comments as I re-read your post…
La Serena is a good beach area. If you are a beach person, it may be worth the drive north. If you are not, it is a longer detour from the area of the country where Santiago is and I would suggest headed south instead for more magnificent landscapes. HOWEVER, if you are looking more for younger crowds and meeting people your age, that may be more of a scene. I haven’t been to La Serena in MANY years but my recollection of it is that it was a place to be as a 20-something year old (my age then).
Maipo Canyon is scenic. You can ride horses, etc. along the area. Again, it may depend on your priorities & interests. I am strongly biased to natural scenery, etc and though the Maipo is nice, again, heading south like to Pucon or Pto Montt will give you more memorable images of Chile.