Let's find trips that move you!
Travelstride climate
"Oh the places you'll go."
Dr. Seuss
The diverse landscape of Chile in South America

Best Things to Do in Chile

Iconic Attractions & Hidden Gem Travel Experiences

Chile

Chile is a country nearly 3,000 miles in length, and as a result is blessed with a diverse geography and a rich culture. Stunning coastlines, the Andes, Easter Island, and the driest desert on the planet are all within Chile.

Top Chile Experiences

Riding a cable car to reach the summit of Cerro San Cristobal hill

Seeing the largest penguin colonies in Los Pinguinos Natural Monument

Walking the cobblestone alleyways of Valparaiso and looking at its colorful houses

Taking a boat ride to view the San Rafael Glacier located within the Laguna San Rafael National Park

Looking at the sand dunes of Valle de la Luna

Trekking in Torres del Paine national park

Visiting Lauca National Park to see the Lago Chungara lake and dormant volcanoes: Volcan Parinacoa and Volcan Pomerape

Sand boarding in the Atacama desert

Exploring Pablo Neruda’s imaginative and whimsical homes

Meandering the open air art alleys of Valparaiso

Star gazing in the Elqui Valley

Spotting all kinds of diverse wildlife on nature excursions

Unlock Community Benefits

Travel better together
Travel better together
  • Save favorite trips and itineraries
  • Get insider insights
  • Receive personalized recommendations
    ...and much more

Things to do in Chile - Expert’s guide

1. Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park in Chile

It’s little wonder Patagonia is known as “The End of the Earth.” Here, at the southern end of Chile, the incredible Torres del Paine National Park showcases 598,338 acres of granite pillars, azure blue lakes and verdant valleys. Hike the French Valley between 10,000-foot Paine Grande and Torres del Paine and Los Cuernos mountains. Peer - if you dare - into the deep crevasses of Grey Glacier. Make like a gaucho and horseback ride through the park, covering more territory than on foot and perhaps visiting a working estancia.

2. Perito Moreno Glacier

Bright blue ice of Perito Moreno glacier Chile National Park

A glacier to beat all glaciers, Perito Moreno in Los Glaciares National Park is the one to visit if you’ve only the time for one in your life. We dare you to look away from the mesmerizing white and cold blues of this expansive ice field, all told, covering approximately 121 square miles.

Feel the bracing cold breath of the glacier as you view it from a platform at a safe distance, overlooking Lake Argentino. Wait a bit and you may just be lucky enough to witness calving ice chunks, shaking you to the very core with their mighty roar and resulting splash into the water.

3. Easter Island

Sunny day in Easter Island Chile

Far, far from home, you’ll come face to face with the mystical moai of Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui. Tour Anakena to see examples of unrestored religious platforms, including Akahanga, where the famous king Hotu Matua is said to be buried.

In Rano Raraku, photograph some of the nearly 900 stone statues - there are 397 of them still lying or standing on the slopes of an extinct volcano. Learn about the ceremonial village of Orongo, site of the island’s “birdman cult” and linked to the god Makemake back in the 18th and 19th centuries - look for the birdman petroglyphs.

4. Santiago

Downtown Santiago top city in Chile

Santiago is a boon for museum-lovers, art aficionados and finicky foodies. One can spend days strolling through its many distinct neighborhoods, breaking for alfresco picnics in one of the verdant hillside parks (including the renowned Cerro San Cristobal, in view of the striking Andes).

Check out the exuberant bohemian district, Barrio Bellavista, where Chilean artists and intellectuals live and play. The hum of art and music vibrating from open galleries and bars is palpable as you saunter down the rows of venues, looking for your next drink, and the next dance.

5. Valparaiso

City of Valparaiso in Chile

The quirky port town of Valparaiso is comprised of steeps hills jutting almost immediately from the shoreline. Many brightly colored boxy houses are stacked one on top of the other, lackadaisically, all along the hills, tilting so perilously on stilts, like a child’s imaginative diorama.

Here, high up on a ridge overlooking the entire town and the endless stretch of the Pacific Ocean, is where Chilean Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda’s house sits. Making your way back down the steep streets, you are surrounded by brilliant murals, taking up entire walls. Each turn, another piece of art made for and by the public.

6. Atacama Desert

Two trekkers hiking sand dunes of Atacama Desert in Chile

The driest desert on Earth, the Atacama is lunar-like and definitely parched - it hasn’t seen rain for three centuries. Within this stark landscape, you’ll explore by foot, on bike or by vehicle, marvel at the southern constellations in the clearest night sky you may ever witness and, in stunning contrast to its arid areas, find yourself at the base of a lush river canyon, blessed by flash rainstorms.

7. Lauca National Park

Running through the Chilean altiplano, Lauca National Park was declared a Global Biosphere Reserve due to its rich diversity of flora and fauna. Look for more than 130 different bird species and don’t miss one of the highest lakes in the world - Lake Chungará, at the base of the Payachata twin volcanoes.

8. Colchagua Valley

Oenophiles won’t want to miss the Colchagua Valley, one of the most important in Chile for its high-quality wine production. The “wine route” makes its way through the region, landing one at numerous vineyards, wineries and farms. One of the most emblematic vineyards in the area is Santa Cruz. For fine dining and amazing wine tasting, this is your place.

9. Pucón

There aren’t many outdoor enthusiasts who wouldn’t also call themselves foodies. After all, with days full of fresh air and miles of trekking or paddling, appetites soar. Here in Pucón, savor your mouth-watering meal with a side of stunning landscapes and plot your next day’s adventures, whether rafting, canopying or canyoning. Restaurants, markets

10. Vina del Mar

Vina del Mar seaside town in Chile

With more than 2,500 miles of coastline, there had to be a beach town in Chile as endearing at Vina del Mar, the “Garden City.” Modern architecture abuts white-sand beaches and grassy green parks. Historic castles and mansions evoke images of yesteryear’s wealthy families - today they are elegant museums and community centers. Stroll the promenade and cath an multi-colored sunset before dipping into a cosmopolitan restaurant for haute cuisine.

How well do you know the world?
Play the game
Compare your travel trivia knowledge with friends. How many can you get right in 1 minute?

Top Chile Tours See all

Want a tailor-made trip instead?

Travel better together
Your trip, your way, planned by an expert:
  • You choose budget, destinations, activities, transport & lodging type
  • Expert designs the itinerary for you, and once approved, takes care of logistics

Chile Tours Reviews & Ratings

Write a review
Excellent
1,424
Great
367
Average
35
Disappointing
8
Terrible
13
Malcolm
·
2024-03-17
Written on
Central American Highlights
Lucia Buttaro
·
2024-03-14
Written on
Wonders of Patagonia by Trafalgar
Wonders of Patagonia
The last portion of the trip left us “hanging”… we never got to experience Santiago , other than the airport where we were dropped off and waited for hours to catch our flight back home
Show more
Andrew
·
2024-03-12
Written on
Central American Highlights
Fantastic tour covering five countries. Definitely “full on” with long journeys but amazing scenery and experiences. Miguel (tour guide) was awesome - friendly, knowledgable, and an expert at whisking us through the borders. Confident he would have coped with any crises with a smile. Highlights for me were Nicaragua (Granada, Leon, Cerro ***** volcano hike), Copan, and Antigua de Guatemala.
Show more
Trusted Customer
·
2024-03-08
Written on
Wonders of Patagonia by Trafalgar
Wonders of Patagonia
Good itinerary. Excellent local guide. Hotel in Torres del Paine was lovely and great service. Itinerary details can be improved when there are no activity planned so one can plan the free time in advance. Calafate afternoon was free and should have been communicated earlier.
Show more
Trusted Customer
·
2024-03-07
Written on
Wonders of Patagonia by Trafalgar
Wonders of Patagonia
This was a great way to become familiar with a large region and its history. Definitely have some places to which we want to return and spend more time!
Show more
Trusted Customer
·
2024-02-15
Written on
Cycle Nicaragua to the Panama Canal

Travelstride featured in

The Newyork Times
AFAR
Chicago Tribune
Travel Pulse
Los Angeles Times
Frommers

Practicalities & Logistics

Why Travelstride

Find your perfect trip
A vast selection of trips on every continent, for every style. Thousands of itineraries from hundreds of trusted travel companies.
Save time
Use simple search and comparison tools to easily find the best trip. Don't sweat the logistics -- travel providers plan for you.
Save money
Book directly with the operator. Find inclusive packages for the best value and get access to amazing deals.
Travel confidently
Read unbiased user reviews, pick the company that fits your style, and connect with them directly. No worries, just memories.
×
×
×
Sign in to Save Trips
Welcome back! We're so happy to see you. ? Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Join
  • Bookmark trips you like
  • Share with your travel companions
  • Track price changes
  • Access private discounts on trips you save
×
Sign in to see your results

TripFinder is a member-only feature. Don’t worry, it’s free!

With a membership you:

  • Save up to $700 per person!*
  • Access private deals and offers
  • See personalized trip recommendations
  • Save favorite trips
*See Member Savings Program details
×
Activate your free Travelstride membership

Just use the email address and password provided in the email we sent.

? Forgot Password?

With your free membership you:

  • Save up to $700 per person!*
  • Access private deals and offers
  • See personalized trip recommendations
  • Save favorite trips
*See Member Savings Program details
×
To Follow, sign in or sign up (it's free) ? Forgot Password?
Don't have an account? Join
member benefits

By signing in, you agree to our Privacy Policy and Terms of Use

First name is required!
Last name is required!
First name is not valid!
Last name is not valid!
This is not an email address!
Email address is required!
This email is already registered!
Please enter valid email address
Password is required!
Enter a valid password!
Please enter 6 or more characters!
Please enter 32 or less characters!
Passwords are not the same!
Terms and Conditions are required!
Email or Password is wrong!
Please select the captcha checkbox!
Please select the valid captcha!
Something went wrong! Try again later!