Chile is stunning all year round, from the desert north to the central coast (including Valparaíso) to the lake-filled south. In between, beaches, volcanoes, glaciers, islands and wooded waterfalls round out the experience for nature-lovers, hikers, cyclists, skiers, and of course, photographers. Below are photos of some of Chile’s most eye-catching places from north to south, and Easter Island.
North
Pictured above are the geysers at El Tatio, which bubble up from the earth at over 4000 meters every day at dawn. To see the geysers, altiplanic lakes and other attractions close to San Pedro de Atacama, try a four-day tour to the geysers and salt flats.
The night sky in the north of Chile is one of the clearest in the world, and from La Serena up north, there are many observatories that offer nighttime tours, or for those who want to see how the observatories work, tours in and around the massive telescopes, like those pictured here at the European Southern Observatory at Paranal.
Central
Cerro San Cristobal is the hill that overlooks much of Santiago. It acts as the city’s most central park, and has a zoo, swimming pools, several gardens, areas for exercise, picnics and a few places to drink mote con huesillo, a local sweet drink. There is also a chapel and a large marble statue of the Virgin Mary at the top.
Pichilemu is one of the most famous surfing beaches in Chile, and hosts a big wave competition when the conditions are right, which can include up to 50-foot waves at the break at Punta de Lobos. Most of the year the water is much calmer though, and Pichilemu is a peaceful beach town with good accommodations just a couple of hours from Santiago.
Valparaiso is the colorful port city just an hour and a half from Santiago, where colorful houses rise on hills outside of the “plan” (grid part of the city), and elevators carry visitors (and locals) up and down. This is where Pablo Neruda’s house “La Sebastiana” is located. There are views of the city and port below from the hills at Bellavista, Alegre and Concepción as well.
South
The Osorno volcano is visible from the lakeside city of Puerto Varas, and the lakeside town of Frutillar, both in the lakes region in central-southern Chile. Both towns are German-influenced, which is visible in both the food and architecture. The volcano is snow-covered all year round, and can be summited by experienced climbers.
Chiloé is the large island about 2/3 of the way down Chile’s coast. It is famous for its wooden churches, stilted houses called palafitos and its unique gastronomy. Visitors also find it very peaceful outside of the more populous cities of Castro and Chiloé.
The Capillas del Marmol, which are a limestone cavern formation on the Lago General Carrera, can be accessed from the tiny town of Puerto Tranquilo on the Carretera Austral (Southern Highway). You can take motorboat or kayak trips out to the caverns, which are also visible from the shore.
Torres del Paine is Chile’s most-visited national park, and with reason. It is hundreds of acres of Patagonian steppe, punctuated by giant granite spires and craggy peaks. Above are the towers themselves, accessible on a long day hike from the towers/hosteria side of the park.
This rainbow at Torres del Paine arcs over one of the areas many glacier-fed turquoise lakes. For a visit to glaciers, lakes parks and other attractions in the south, try a four-day tour in Chilean Patagonia, including Torres del Paine.
Easter Island
Easter Island is Chile’s piece of Polynesia, and is most known for its large-headed statues, called moai. Pictured is one of the most-visited ahus (ceremonial platforms) at Tongariki, at sunrise, when it is most often visited.
12 of the Most Beautiful Places in Chile from Chile Things to Do