10 best places to visit in Chile: Incredible tourist attraction sites to visit

10 best places to visit in Chile: Incredible tourist attraction sites to visit

The Republic of Chile in western South America stretches along a narrow strip of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean of the South West of South America. Considering its diverse flora and fauna, which are the top places to visit in Chile?

From left to right: Moais on Easter Island, a kite with Chile flag, colourful buildings in Valparaiso
Moais on Easter Island (L), a kite with the Chile flag, and colourful buildings in Valparaiso. Photo: David Rius & Núria Tuca, Larisa Blinova, John W Banagan (modified by author)
Source: Getty Images

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Chile is a beautiful destination that has dramatic landscapes. The country is a top tourist destination offering a mix of landscapes, culture, food and people. Because of its many tourist attractions destinations, Chile relies heavily on tourism as one of its primary sources of income.

This article about Chile's best places to visit considers tourist attractions, cultural experiences, affordability, and safety. The list uses data from various travel websites, such as Trip Advisor.

Best places to visit in Chile

Where do people go when they visit Chile? Popular attractions include the Valle de la Luna, famous for its desolate moonscape; the vast Atacama Desert, known as the driest non-polar desert on Earth; and Easter Island, renowned for its statues. Here are some of the best tourist attractions in Chile you should visit.

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Top attraction sitesLocation
Torres del Paine National ParkMagallanes Region
SantiagoSantiago
Patagonia National ParkCochrane, Aysén, Chile
The Atacama DesertPacific coast of South America
Easter IslandSoutheastern Pacific Ocean
Chiloé ArchipelagoLos Lagos Region
ValparaisoCentral Chile's west coast
Chilean Tierra del FuegoSouthern Patagonia
Maipo ValleyNorth of Rapel Valley
The Chilean Lake DistrictAndean foothills

1. Torres del Paine National Park

Mountains and a river at the Torres del Paine National Park
A picture of the Torres del Paine National Park in Chile's Magallanes Region in southern Chile, northwest of Punta Arenas. Photo: Juan Barretto
Source: Getty Images

What is Chile's number one tourist destination? Torres del Paine National Park, in a remote part of Chile's Patagonia, in the Magallanes Region, is among the most visited destinations in the country.

Torres del Paine is renowned for its hikes and the 31-mile W Trek. According to Known Adventures, visitors can enjoy trekking, spotting pumas, or kayaking on the Azur waters. Between September and November, spring is one of the best times to visit the park.

2. Santiago

Clean wide city skyline of Santiago de Chile
The skyline of Santiago City shows the modern financial district of El Bosque along the Mapocho River border to the Andes mountain range. Photo: Germán Vogel
Source: Getty Images

Santiago, the capital city, is among the best cities to visit in Chile. It is between the snow-capped Andes Mountains in the country's central valley. Visitors can trek in the Andes, climb Santa Lucia Hill, or eat seafood at the primary market.

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The city experiences a moderate climate with mild temperatures year-round. Consider spring and fall for plenty of sunshine, thinner crowds, and affordable flight options (from the US). If visiting the wine country, consider the dry months from September to February (spring and summer).

3. Patagonia National Park (Chile)

Lago Verde, Sector Jeinimeni, Patagonia National Park
The Lago Verde, Sector Jeinimeni, in the Patagonia National Park. Photo: wikipedia.com, @Jaymenna78734
Source: UGC

Patagonia National Park emerged from the former Tamango and Jeinimeni Reserves merger. The park lies in the southernmost region of Chile between Lago Jeinimeni National Reserve and Lago Cochrane National Reserve.

The park has a diverse grassland ecosystem, riparian forests, and wetlands. It is also home to various unique wildlife, including penguin colonies and whales. The best time to visit Patagonia National Park is the summer season, between November and March.

4. The Atacama Desert

The sun sets on the Valle de la Luna in the Atacama Desert
A captured sunset on the Valle de la Luna in the Atacama Desert, near San Pedro de Atacama, Chile. Photo: John Moore
Source: Getty Images

Chile's Atacama Desert is world-renowned. It's a flat desert along South America's Pacific coast, up in northern Chile. This desert's claim to fame is that it's the world's driest place that's not near the poles. It's also the top spot for sodium nitrate.

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The Valley of the Moon and salt evaporation ponds are some of the region's top sights. You can visit throughout the year, but the dry season, from May to September, offers the best weather.

5. Easter Island

Moais seen on the outer slopes of Rano Raraku volcanic crater
Moais on the outer slopes of the Rano Raraku volcanic crater on Easter Island in eastern French Polynesia. Photo: John Milner
Source: Getty Images

Easter Island is among the top Chile tourist attractions. It's located in the southeastern Pacific Ocean and is very isolated. The island is famous for about 1,000 giant statues known as moai.

You can visit this island for its spiritual vibes, view the moai, or check out historical spots and more. The prime time to travel to Easter Island falls between April and November. During these months, the island enjoys moderate temperatures and little humidity.

6. Chiloé Archipelago

The wooden churches of the Chiloe Archipelago
The wooden churches of the Chiloe Archipelago in the Los Lagos Region, Region X, Chiloe Province, Chile. Photo: Jon G. Fuller
Source: Getty Images

The Chiloé Archipelago is a cluster of about forty islands near Chile's shoreline. Stretched across the Pacific, this archipelago dwells in the Los Lagos Region of southern Chile. Inside Chile, its fame derives from its unique folklore, enticing mythology, potatoes, tasty cuisine, and distinct architecture.

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Visitors can explore several attractions, such as the churches and Chiloé National Park, or dive into the rich food and culture. The splendid summer months from December to March are the ideal time to visit Chiloé Island and marvel at its natural charm.

7. Valparaiso

An ariel view of view of Valparaíso, Chile
Valparaíso is a historic city and port northwest of Santiago, Chile. Photo: John W Banagan
Source: Getty Images

Port city Valparaíso is on Chile's coast. It has steep hills, colourful places, fun rides and art. Valparaíso is in central Chile's west by the ocean, about 120 km from Santiago, the capital. You can see Museo de Historia Natural de Valparaíso, Valpo Street Art Tours, Valparaiso Cultural Park and other cool things here.

8. Chilean Tierra del Fuego, Southern Patagonia

A female hiker rests on the bench on the shore of Lake Acigami
A female hiker rests on a bench on the shore of Lake Acigami, known as Lago Roca (Argentina) or Lago Errazuriz (Chile), Tierra del Fuego National Park, Patagonia. Photo: Paul Biris
Source: Getty Images

Tierra del Fuego, a group of islands, has wild views. It is in Chile and Argentina, off South America's end, past the Strait of Magellan. Also known as the Land of Fire, it has unique wildlife, including South America's only King Penguin group.

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Tierra del Fuego is among the most famous places in Chile. It has iconic views, wild animals, and historical sites. The best time to visit is in summer, from late November to early March.

9. Maipo Valley

Grapes in a vineyard
A grape vineyard in the Talagante region in Maipo Valley, Chile. Photo: Edwin Remsberg
Source: Getty Images

Fancy a good wine? Consider Maipo Valley. Known for its vineyards and delectable wines, it is close to Santiago and extends towards the Andes and the coast. Wineries such as Concha y Toro and Cousiño Macul are a must-go. Late February to April, the harvest time, is ideal for a visit.

10. The Chilean Lake District

The Osorno volcano and Llanquihue Lake
A view of the Osorno volcano and Llanquihue Lake, Parque Nacional Vicente Pérez Rosales, Lake District, Puerto Varas, Chile. Photo: Sabine Hortebusch
Source: Getty Images

Chile's southern area, the Lake District, rests in the Andes Mountains base. It has icy lakes, frosted peaks, lush rainforests, and warm springs. Fun activities include bike rides on mountains, canoeing on water surfaces, treks, and snow sports.

Latin Routes suggests that the region is livable the whole year. However, the months from November to March provide more heat.

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What is the most beautiful part of Chile?

Depending on your preference, there are many beautiful places you can visit. These include national parks, valleys, towns, and lakes. Notable destinations include the Torres del Paine National Park, Easter Island, Valparaiso, and Chiloe Islands.

Is it expensive to visit Chile?

Yes, it is. Chile is generally expensive compared to other countries in South America. According to Trip, visitors can expect to spend around $660 to $1,498 for a two or three-night day trip to Chile.

If you are looking for places to visit in Chile, the above should be your top choice. Chile is a beautiful country with landscapes ranging from the high mountains of Torres del Paine to the low, flat plains of the Atacama Desert.

Yen.com.gh recently published a list of the top places to go with friends on a budget. There are numerous locations you and your friends can visit on a budget.

The list of places to go with friends on a budget is extensive, from malls to cinemas and parks. But aside from these places, which other venues can you visit on a budget?

Source: YEN.com.gh

Authors:
Chris Ndetei avatar

Chris Ndetei (Lifestyle writer) Christopher Ndetei is a junior reporter writer who joined the Yen team in May 2021. He graduated from the Machakos Technical College in 2009 with a diploma in ICT. Chris has over two years of experience in content creation and more than ten working in the hospitality industry. He covers lifestyle/entertainment, focusing on biographies, life hacks, gaming and guides. In 2023, Christopher finished the AFP course on Digital Investigation Techniques. You can reach him at chrisndetei@gmail.com