Chile is a slender ribbon of land flanked by the South Pacific Ocean to the west, and surrounded by Peru, Bolivia and Argentina. The country is a mystifying amalgam of extraordinarily diverse scenery, vibrant cultures, and exciting cities. From the fjords and glaciers of Patagonia and Antarctica to the driest desert in the world at Atacama, volcanoes to tropical islands, Chile boasts nearly every landscape imaginable. One of the country’s defining characteristics is its warm culture, summarised in its motto of ‘buena onda’ (‘good vibes’). Rituals surrounding relaxation and connection - such as the ‘mate’ tea custom - are integral to Chilean culture, as well as a strong connection with food, music and dance. World-class cities like Santiago weave together 21st century global culture and time-honoured traditions, and provide everything from phenomenal restaurants and buzzing nightlife to gorgeous, trendy beaches. Wine lovers will also find worlds of taste to explore in the lush valleys of vineyards offering some of the best wine on earth.
The region of Central Chile contains the capital city of Santiago, with its pulsating energy and vibrant cultural scene, as well as some fantastic out-of-the-way destinations and some astounding natural sights. Pichilemu is one of the continent’s premiere surfing destinations, while the UNESCO-listed Valparaiso - with its gorgeous hillside setting, colourful buildings and historic harbour area - is one of Chile’s most popular places to visit. The region is also home to a number of fine ski resorts (such as Valle Nevado and Portillo), incredible walking and hiking trails in the waterfall-rich Radal Siete Tazas National Reserve, and some appealing coastal destinations, like Renaca, Vina del Mar and Cobquecura. Cobquecura also offers convenient access to the island of Loberia, which is famous for its impressive wildlife, including large numbers of sea lions and seals.
Located in Chile west of South America’s Andes Mountains, the Atacama Desert is a desolate wonderland of dramatic scenery and captivating attractions. Its remote landscapes range from the pale beauty of salt flats dotted with the ostentatious pinks of flamingos and the surreal, steamy landscape of the Tatio geysers at sunrise, to the bizarre rock formations of Moon Valley and the ancient archaeological sites of Tulor and Quitor Pukara. The region’s culture is unique and welcoming, and an abundance of small villages continue to practise timeless traditions among the often extreme, although highly photogenic, terrain. One of the favourite activities in the area is stargazing, as the desert is has the clearest skies in the entire southern hemisphere. The Atacama is also home to one of the most famous astronomical observatories in the northern half of Chile, the Atacama Large Millimeter Array.
