Best of Chile

Impossibly long and shockingly diverse, Chile is a country that rewards ambition and endurance. No other country holds this particular sequence of deserts, forests, volcanoes, glaciers, and wine-producing valleys along a single, continuous spine. Even conjuring up your high school español requires acrobatics: the Spanish spoken in Chile is like nothing you’ll have heard before — owing partly to the nation’s geographic isolation and to traces of the Mapudungun language surviving colonization.

CHILE HIGHLIGHTS

Although many travelers feel compelled to cover everything in one fell swoop, Fernwayer approaches Chile through depth rather than chasing distance. Instead of racing between extremes, we invite you to slow the journey down, focusing on the people who shape each destination. To our Experience Makers, these powerful landscapes are the backdrop, not the whole story. What lingers are shared meals and dialogues rooted in honoring ancestral knowledge while accepting progression. This is a country best understood not by how much ground you cover, but by how you connect and, at times, disconnect.

OUR CHILE DESTINATIONS

CHILE, CITY BY CITY

FERNWAYER'S THINGS TO DO IN CHILE

Fernwayer introduces Chile’s popular destinations of Valparaíso, Santiago, and San Pedro de Atacama with experiences that go beyond surface-level. Explore creativity in Valparaíso, the Cultural Capital, and see how this Pacific seaport kindles poetry and protest. Find yourself at the junction of old and new in Santiago, a much-misunderstood city in the belly of the Andes. Experience the harsh, surreal beauty of the world’s driest non-polar desert with local artists, naturalists, and scientists — those who can translate its language. 

Santiago

What to do in Santiago?

First-timers can take in the highlights with our A Historian's Santiago experience, which juxtaposes loftier landmarks with lesser-known corners. Those seeking a different perspective can explore the city with an architect; Schematic of East Santiago reveals a more modern side to the capital. Memories as Murals in Yungay explores politics and protest through street art in the prettiest urban barrio, whereas Monumental Mosaics goes even further off-piste to study the relationship between art and community. For those who prefer to know exactly where their meal comes from, A Taste of Chile takes you on a journey from market to private residence, where you’ll don an apron and learn the secrets of a local chef.

See all Santiago's Experiences

How long should I stay in Santiago?

We recommend spending two full days in Santiago. Staying for three to five days allows time for deeper exploration and a day trip or two.

Valparaíso

What to do in Valparaíso?

To start, slip into your flattest pair of shoes and have a local show you around the tiny alleyways of Cerro Concepción and Cerro Alegre. Combining art and food, our Stories Made of Color & Flavor experience is designed for the first-time visitor. If you feel inspired to tread beyond the painted streets, the architect-hosted The Horn of Valparaíso covers harder-to-access vantage points that show how the city was built. Chilean cuisine is less about the ingredients and more about the company, which is why The Art of Asado Chileno is our top pick for epicurean adventurers. And, in a city where creativity pours out of every crevice, Where Art Works welcomes you into the fold of a multidisciplinary workshop and gallery. Let the sunset reconcile you with the power of nature on the photo safari, Salt and Sand at Golden Hour.

See all Valparaiso Experiences

How long should I stay in Valparaíso?

Many travelers visit Valparaíso on a day trip from Santiago. We recommend spending at least two nights in Valparaíso, or the nearby Viña del Mar. These seaside resorts are a base for exploring the Pacific coast and the Casablanca Wine Valley. 

San Pedro de Atacama

What to do in San Pedro de Atacama?

San Pedro de Atacama is the gateway to the wonders of the Atacama Desert. You’ll want to find accommodation locally and use the abode town as a base for visiting the surrounding mountains, valleys, and lakes. Spend the day capturing images of flamingoes wading into salty lagoons alongside a professional photographer, Eyes of the Desert. Connect with Indigenous ways of life through the meaningful excursion, The Cradle of the Atacameños. Birds of the Desert is an opportunity to get to know the resident bird species with a conservationist. As night settles, share sunset with an astronomer on We Are All Stardust. Or settle down for a cozy — and educational — starwatching session, Under The Desert Night Sky.

See all Atacama Experiences

How long should I stay in San Pedro de Atacama?

We advise spending five full days in San Pedro de Atacama. It can take two to three days to acclimatize to the town and lower-elevation valleys before venturing to higher regions, like the geysers and the altiplano lakes. Distances are vast and recovery is key, which demands more time.

THE CHILE LOOKBOOK: CURATED ITINERARIES

Plan your tour of Chile with Fernwayer's Journeys − curated itineraries that blend high-end guided experiences with opportunities to explore independently. Take inspiration from our expertly designed trips and book your favorite experiences directly from the itineraries. By downloading the Fernwayer iOS app, you can save and modify each itinerary to your needs.

WHEN TO GO

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What is the best time of year to visit Chile? This is subjective and will depend on the regions you intend to visit and whether you plan to visit the Atacama Desert and Chilean Patagonia in the same trip. As a general rule of thumb, the spring months of October and November or early fall (March) are the best time for a mixed itinerary across multiple regions. The winter months (June-August) are pleasant on the central coast and in the northern regions; you’ll see snow on the Andes from Santiago during this time and find the best stargazing conditions in the Atacama. Chilean Patagonia is only accessible to hikers between October and late May; January and February are the busiest (and warmest) months in all tourist regions. 

How many days do you need for a trip to Chile? Chile is a long country with vast distances. If you wish to visit the principal regions: the Atacama Desert, Patagonia, the Lake District, and the Central Valley, you will need to plan for two weeks. You’ll need additional days if you wish to add Easter Island (Rapa Nui) to your itinerary. Our advice? If you have 10 days or less, choose fewer destinations and really see them. Chile is not easy to condense. 

What is the best way to travel between Chilean cities? Buses, private drivers, and rental cars are best for regional connections. Buses in Chile are comfortable and allow you to soak up the scenery but distances can be tough. For the most part, roads are in excellent condition which makes driving safe and smooth and allows for flexibility. We do not recommend self-driving in the Atacama Desert or Patagonia, where a lack of cell service adds risk to these remote areas. For larger distances to remote areas (such as Punta Arenas and Calama), you will need to travel by plane.

What should I pack for Chile? Chile’s climate variation and fluctuating weather patterns make layers essential, and natural fibers are best. Mornings and evenings tend to be cool, but afternoons are hot in the central and northern regions. Southern Chile experiences year-round rain and fierce summer winds. Santiago is exceptionally hot and dry during summer, whereas Valparaíso experiences cool evenings even during January and February, due to the Pacific. Beyond Santiago, Chileans dress casually. Consider a smarter evening option for fine dining, but don’t feel anxious about wearing your hiking apparel at restaurants in rural areas. Avoid wearing anything too flashy in Santiago and Valparaíso, as it may catch the eye of a ladrón (Chile’s highly skilled thieves).

Can I use my credit card everywhere in Chile, or do I need cash? Debit/credit card payments are preferred virtually everywhere in Chile. Even street vendors often have portable machines. You will need to specify whether you are paying by tarjeta de debito (debit card) or tarjeta de credito (credit card) in most places. You will also be asked if you want to pay “sin cuotas” or “con cuotas” when paying with a credit card. Always say, “sin cuotas”; otherwise, they will divide your payments into monthly segments and charge interest. Do carry Chilean Pesos for smaller purchases, ideally in the smaller denominations (notes of 1,000, 5,000, and 10,000 CLP). Businesses rarely have change for 20,000 CLP notes.

What are the must-try foods in Chile? While on the coast, seafood is king. Look for ceviche (not a Chilean dish, but prepared with Chilean fish), Machas a la Parmesana (baked Chilean clams), Chupe de Mariscos (seafood chowder), Caldillo de Congrio (fish soup), and Locos con Mayonesa (abalone with any Chilean’s preferred condiment). Chorrillana is the signature local dish to try in Valparaíso: French fries topped with strips of beef, chunks of sausages, caramelized onions, and fried eggs. As you venture further north, alpaca becomes a typical option while lamb is available only in the south. Completos (Chilean hot dogs topped with avocado and mayonnaise), empanadas (stuffed pastries), and gigantic Chilean sandwiches (filled with an assortment of meat, avocado, and mayonnaise) are available everywhere. Inland and mountainous areas are more primitive, with simple dishes of grilled red meat and chicken with potatoes or rice. Chileans do not eat dinner; they eat a large lunch and an evening once (pronounced “on-say”). This light meal of sandwiches, pastries, confectionery, and tea is widely available in cafes.

Is Chile safe for tourists? On the whole, Chile is a safe destination for travelers. Rural areas, in particular, have a track record for safety. Non-violent crime, such as petty theft and pickpocketing, is on the rise in cities — travelers heading to Valparaíso, Santiago, and other large cities should take additional care of their belongings. We recommend carrying a small, discreet bag when walking around cities. Chile’s countryside regions are incredibly safe, with theft being rare. Travel advisories relating to the ongoing conflict between the Mapuche people and the Chilean government in Araucanía and Bío Bío should be considered, although this situation should not deter you from traveling. 

Do I need to speak Spanish to travel in Chile? Any knowledge of Castilian Spanish will be useful: approximately 10 percent of the Chilean population speaks English. Major hotels in tourist-facing cities employ English-speaking staff, and there are usually a few English-speaking staff members at restaurants and museums. Bear in mind, the Spanish spoken in Chile differs from that spoken in Spain, Mexico, and other Latin American countries — even native Spanish speakers encounter “lost in translation” moments in Chile. Chileans speak at the speed of lightning and punctuate their dialogue with Chilenismos (Chilean slang). Adding “po” for emphasis and rounding off most nouns with “ito/ita” is typical. 

Do I need a visa to travel to Chile? Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the European Union do not need a visa to enter Chile for tourism stays of up to 90 days. A slip of paper (much like a store receipt) is issued upon arrival, which must be surrendered upon departure. If you rent a car, the rental agency will ask to see this piece of paper. Take care not to lose it; doing so means you would need to visit a PDI (Policía de Investigaciones de Chile) office for a replacement before departure.

Should I worry about earthquakes? Chile’s position on the Pacific Ring of Fire means that earthquakes are common throughout the country. Most are classified as temblors (small earthquakes, up to a magnitude of 7.5 on the Richter scale), with terremotos (big earthquakes, those exceeding a magnitude of 7.5) being rare. As Chile is subject to the same robust building codes as Japan, quakes are buffered and the risk of damage is incredibly low — you might even sleep through them. 

How can I stay connected? Although Wi-Fi is readily available, having access to cell data is essential for getting around Chile. Most restaurants only carry QR code menus and you are likely to depend heavily on Uber for getting around cities. The easiest option is to install an e-SIM ahead of travel. Otherwise, you can purchase a prepaid chip from Entel, Movistar, WOM, or Claro. These phone companies have stores in Santiago, Viña del Mar, Valparaíso, and other larger cities. You will need your passport to complete the purchase, and you will likely need a translation app on your phone as staff are not guaranteed to speak English.