Chile was one of my early destinations, and despite twenty years passing and traveling to another hundred countries since then, it still remains one of my favorites. As the longest country in the world, Chile has incredibly diverse terrain, from Patagonia’s cold southern mountains to beaches, 6,000-meter peaks in the Andes, and the Atacama, the driest desert in the world. When I return, I’d love to do some serious mountaineering, visit the deserts of the north, and return to some of the early places that helped me fall in love with traveling.
Visit Santiago
Santiago is Chile’s capital and largest city, located in the country’s central valley near the Andes. The city combines modern high-rise districts with historic neighborhoods, public parks, churches, museums, and an extensive metro system. Among its central landmarks is Santa Lucía Hill, a historic site with gardens, monuments, and views across the city.
Visit Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar is a coastal city on the Pacific Ocean, located northwest of Santiago and adjacent to Valparaíso. It is one of Chile’s best-known seaside destinations, with sandy beaches, a waterfront lined with hotels and apartments, restaurants, nightlife, and distinctive architecture throughout the city.
Visit Chilean Patagonia
Chilean Patagonia covers a vast region of southern Chile characterized by mountains, glaciers, fjords, forests, lakes, and open grasslands. Torres del Paine National Park is one of the region’s best-known destinations, with hiking routes through landscapes of granite peaks, turquoise lakes, rivers, and glaciers. Wildlife in the region includes guanacos, foxes, condors, and numerous other bird species.
