Chile Travel Guide
Long and narrow, Chile is a geographical marvel and an icon of nature on a colossal scale. This South American gem is undeniably rich in spectacular sceneries, ranging from the moonscapes of the Atacama to the peaks and glaciers of the Patagonian Mountains. In its entirety, Chile is an artistic piece of pristine wilderness and nature, complete with scenic mountains and graceful glaciers which form a surreal but natural boundary with Bolivia and Argentina to its east. The sprawling Atacama Desert splits it from Peru on its southern border, while on its south, beyond the infamous Cape Horn, the land lies desolate with only an endless ocean and Antarctica to its name.
Whether you fancy scaling the summits of Torres del Paine, going on road trips on the infinite Carretera Austral or surfing the vicious waves of Punta de Lobos in Pichilemu, you will bear me witness that Chile is unquestionably deserving of its worldwide reputation as a distinguished tourist destination.
Weather
As a result of its exceedingly long coastline, Chile’s weather is very diverse and therefore hard to predict. However, one thing for sure, most parts of the country are seasonal throughout the year. Winter starts in June and ends in August while summer runs from December to February. Temperature ranges can also be hard to precisely pinpoint due to this variability. However, some locations record constant temperatures. For instance, there is the Atacama Desert on its north where temperatures can drop as low as -2 degrees Celsius and reach highs of 32 degrees Celsius. Central Chile has an Adriatic feel with a wet and cold season from May to August. During this period, the southern part of the country is normally dump and cool, while Easter Island records its own subtropical temperatures.
Best time to visit
If you are a beach goer, Antofagasta, Iquique, Arica, Coquimbo and La Serena are the prime beach hub spots for both local and international tourists on the north; while on the south, Pucón enjoys a high number of tourists from January to March. Valparaíso and Viña del Mar beaches experience lots of sunshine in summer due to their proximity to Santiago, making summer the ideal time to visit the place. If you love skiing, the ski season begins from June to August since Chile is located on the southern hemisphere.
If you are interested in visiting Patagonia, the summer window from December to March will be ideal since the place will be dry and warm enough to trek and conduct outdoor activities. It is never advisable to visit the southern part of the country between May to September. Most trails at this period are closed as a result of bad weather. However, northern destinations such as the Atacama Desert are open to visitors all year round.
Best tourist spots to visit
Chile is a location of environmental extremes with numerous backdrops. Therefore, brace yourself to see lots of open spaces such as the desolate Atacama Desert and the Patagonian glaciers. Even, within this emptiness, there is a lot to be seen. For instance, the Grey Glacier gigantic saw-toothed snout, the barren red rock plateau on the famous Valley of the Moon, A lake of icebergs the size of houses amidst several others. Below, is a list of some of the most popular tourist attractions in Chile.
The Atacama Desert
The unique landscape of the Atacama will sweep you away with its salt flats, stark vistas of volcanoes and aquamarine lakes. You will also get to visit places in this desert which have not seen rain in over 400 years.
Easter Island
This is an isolated island located in the Pacific Ocean. It is famous for its unique and striking stone statues. If you would like to experience and see historic stonework, Easter Island will come in handy.
Northern delights
In northern Chile, there are a plethora of attractions you can visits. The mining ghost town of Humberston is a perfect place to spend an afternoon or you can take some surfing lessons in Punta De Lobos.
Del Paine
The jagged and serrated peaks of the Torres Del Paine are a breathtaking sight to behold. There are two trekking circuits from which you can enjoy the backdrop of nature from a bird’s eye point of view.
Chile Shopping and nightlife
Chile is famous for products such as alpaca jumpers, vicuna rugs, hand-woven ponchos and copper work. Almost all small towns have open-air markets where these products can be bought at a fraction of the price when compared to Santiago. Gemstones such as agate, amethyst, and jade are also available for sale. You can also buy Chile’s iconic Lapis Lazuli Jewelry. If you are out for something more artistic, there are several boutique stores selling professionally crafted jewelry. Camping equipment is also available in bigger towns such as Santiago. However, be sure to confirm the availability before arriving there to avoid frustrations. If you are a big spender, you will quench your thirst in shopping malls such as Alto Las Condes and Parque Arauco in Santiago.
Nightlife in Chile
Though several hotels and restaurants offer entertainment to guests, there are also several nightclubs where you can go and party all night. The capital Santiago is especially lively during the weekends. Neighborhoods such as Bellavista and Pablo Neruda's will keep you entertained till dawn. The Barrio Brasil area also teams with several nightclubs.
Currency and language
Majority of Chileans speak Spanish though there are several other immigrant and indigenous languages. And since most of them speak Spanish, it is the official language of the country. Chileans have also developed their own Spanish dialect which is different from the main language but similar in pronunciation. Approximately 14 million people speak this language in the country. The Peso is the official Chilean currency. If you will be traveling there, it is advisable to have the local currency because residents reluctantly accept dollars. If not, you can use your debit or credit card to pay for hotels and food. ATMs are also available where you can withdraw the money in local currency.
Voltage type
In Chile, residents use type L and C power sockets while the standard voltage is 220 volts with a frequency of 50HZ.
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