Chile is a country with a unique climate and nature.
One of the longest countries in the word is stretching from south to north along the entire South American continent.
Chile has magnificent winter and beach resorts.
In Chile, every tourist will find something to suit their taste.
Someone comes to go skiing, others go to Easter Island to plunge into the mysterious atmosphere of the island, and the rest enjoys enchanting views or sips one of the most delicious wines.
Here you can also go mountaineering, trekking or downhill skiing.
Chile offers hotels with the best service.
The season of skiing opens in June and lasts until October while all the ski resorts in Europe are closed.
Right now you are going to discover 10 must-dos in the top 10 cities in Chile.
Contents
- Canopy Tour in Maipo Gorge, Santiago
- Mountaineering in San Pedro de Atacama
- Skiing and Thermal Springs in Villarrica, Pucon
- Touching the Clouds in Valparaiso
- Visiting Multicolored Water Houses in Castro
- Walking and Swimming in Vina del Mar
- Easter Island Travel
- Kayaking and Fishing in Puerto Varas
- See Penguins in Punta Arenas
- Surfing in Pichilemu
- Chile Safety Overview
Canopy Tour in Maipo Gorge, Santiago
The Maipo gorge is 60 kilometers away from the center of Santiago city.
A turbulent river which flows there is brown in some places due to clay.
Having reached the natural attraction, you can go rafting or mountain biking or horseback riding.
You are allowed to choose a route that has the appropriate length and complexity.
You will also have the opportunity to make a breathtaking canopy tour at a height of 30 to 50 meters.
Mountaineering in San Pedro de Atacama
The town is located 2438 m above sea level in the largest oasis of the Atacama Desert.
This is the only village in the aridest region of the world which is surrounded by volcanoes, bizarre rock formations, unique salt lakes, and salt swamps.
The high-altitude lagoons are home for flocks of flamingos.
There is no public transport in the village so the locals and guests use cars and bicycles.
Here you can go on a guided mountain climbing at different levels of difficulty.
The simplest and most popular peaks for climbing are Cerro Toko (5,604 m) and Lascar Volcano (5510 m).
The most difficult are the peaks of Cerro Pili (6064 m) and Sayrekabur (5971 m).
Skiing and Thermal Springs in Villarrica, Pucon
Pucon lies on the shores of Lake Villarrica.
It is surrounded by national parks, thermal springs, as well as a savage river with rapids.
Last but not least, there is the Villarrica volcano, which is probably the biggest attraction.
The ski center is located in a national park on the slopes of the volcano Villarrica, in the lake region of Chile, 12 km from Pucon and about an hour from Temuco.
The slopes of the volcano offer natural cliffs, jumps, and halfpipe for experienced skiers and riders.
Amazingly beautiful landscapes, swimming at the end of the day in natural hot springs is something every skier can only dream of.
Touching the Clouds in Valparaiso
The most attractive thing in Valparaiso is city elevators.
Since 1916, 15 lifts have been operating there.
Conception was the very first elevator that began to transport people to the tops of the hills surrounding the city.
Today, most of the lifts would lead you to the observation platforms.
One of the coolest is Diego Portales which towers over the largest street market of the city.
Take a lift Baron to reach the observation deck which is not far from an interesting religious monument – the Church of St. Francis.
It was built in the first half of the 19th century.
Located on a hilltop, the church is perfectly visible from the coast, and therefore, it served as a guideline for sailors for many years.
Visiting Multicolored Water Houses in Castro
Castro is the capital of the Chiloe island.
The business card of this city is the floating houses of fishermen.
The Islanders keep the traditions of their ancestors.
They continue to live in the houses where the modern conveniences are completely absent.
A similar construction of the dwelling was common in many coastal cities of Chile in the 19th century.
Bright, multi-colored wooden houses look very picturesque.
They stand in dense rows on the water, pleasing the eye with their folklore elegance.
The blue, yellow and pink color of the piles is also a tribute to the tradition established in Chiloe.
Everything must be in harmony with nature.
Walking and Swimming in Vina del Mar
If you go for a dream swimming in the Pacific Ocean, remember than Vine del Mar is not a paradise.
It has cold water and large waves.
The Peruvian current carries cold currents from Antarctica along the coast of South America.
During the warmest time, the water temperature does not exceed +17°C.
For a beach holiday, the most comfortable period is from January to February.
Instead, you can walk around Vine del Mar, visit parks, museums, or go on excursions.
Take advantage of the local colorful attraction – brightly painted horse-drawn carts, which vividly offer their services to travelers, without failing to ply the streets of the city.
Easter Island Travel
The Rapa Nui Island appeared about 3 million years ago as a result of the eruption of an underwater volcano.
This triangular piece of land with an area of 163.6 km² was lost in the South Pacific at a distance of more than 3,500 kilometers from the coast of Chile.
First of all, this place is famous for the stone statues of moai.
The desert landscape with herds of wild horses only emphasizes their strangeness and incredible size.
The ghosts of history and the remoteness of the island create a special, unearthly atmosphere.
Go for the beautiful beaches, unforgettable surfing, world-class diving and island residents eager to preserve their Polynesian heritage.
Certainly worth a trip here.
Kayaking and Fishing in Puerto Varas
Puerto Varas is called the “City of Roses”.
It was founded by German immigrants in 1853 who settled on the shores of the lake as part of a government colonization project.
Puerto Varas is a popular tourist destination with a wide choice of hotels and hostels.
There are a casino, a beach and a stunning view of the lake as well as the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes.
You are invited to a number of outdoor sports events like kayaking, fishing, and trekking.
In winter, a ski center operates on the slopes of the Osorno Volcano.
Puerto Varas is a good base for excursions to nearby natural attractions and a starting point for bus crossings across the Andes.
See Penguins in Punta Arenas
The breathtaking panorama opens from the hill of La Cruz to the city, the strait and the northern part of Tierra del Fuego.
Not far from the city, there are the famous Great Waterfalls and penguin colonies in Otway.
You can go to the Milodon Cave where the remains of prehistoric animals had been discovered.
Surfing in Pichilemu
This piece of the coast is famous as a surfing site.
You can find waves for both beginners and advanced surfers.
There are opportunities for kitesurfing, bodyboarding, and windsurfing.
Terrazas beach is the best for these sports, but Punta de Lobos is the coolest one.
This is where the Big Wave Surf Contest takes place.
Walking around the city in the evening, pay attention to the famous three-story casino building and Ross Park.
Chile Safety Overview
READ THE FULL REPORT: Chile Safety Review
Safety Index:
- OVERALL RISK: LOW
- TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
- PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
- NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
- MUGGING RISK: MEDIUM
- TERRORISM RISK: LOW
- SCAMS RISK: LOW
- WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
