Travel Tips
South America-is a continent located in the western hemisphere, mostly in the southern hemisphere, with a relatively small portion in the northern hemisphere. It may also be considered a subcontinent of the Americas, which is how it is viewed in the Spanish-speaking regions of the Americas. The reference to South America instead of other regions (like Latin America or the Southern Cone) has increased in the last decades due to changing geopolitical dynamics (in particular, the rise of Brazil).
It is bordered on the west by the Pacific Ocean and on the north and east by the Atlantic Ocean; North America and the Caribbean Sea lie to the northwest. It includes twelve sovereign states (Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Paraguay, Peru, Suriname, Uruguay, and Venezuela), a part of France (French Guiana), and a non-sovereign area (the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory though this is disputed by Argentina). In addition to this, the ABC islands of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Trinidad and Tobago, and Panama may also be considered part of South America.
Chile is a long, narrow country stretching along South America's western edge, with more than 6,000km of Pacific Ocean coastline. Santiago, its capital, sits in a valley surrounded by the Andes and Chilean Coast Range mountains. The city's palm-lined Plaza de Armas contains the neoclassical cathedral and the National History Museum. The massive Parque Metropolitano offers swimming pools, a botanical garden and zoo. Chile is one of the most slender countries in the world — just 150 miles across at its widest point — but don’t let its size fool you! From the snow-capped volcanoes of Patagonia and blistering heights of the Andes to world-class wineries and Maoi sculptures of Easter Island, there are a lot of wonderful things to see in Chile. It’s one of the most developed South American countries, its capital Santiago is a tech hub for the region. I only was able to spend a little time in the country but after looking at a map I realized I needed to come back — there’s just so much to see and do here! Not only is there lots to do, but the people are friendly, the food is delicious (so much wine!), and the is country budget friendly
Trip Planning: The planning stage of your trip can be instrumental in its success and an enjoyable part of the experience itself. You have a world of options...and plenty to consider.
Entry and Exit formalities: Visitors must hold a passport valid for at least six months & beyond at the time of entering the country. Some nationalities can obtain visa on arrival and for nationalities who requires visa please refer to the Chile consulate or embassy website: https://chile-uae.com/
Transportation: Figuring out how to get around is one of your biggest pre-trip decisions. Get our holiday expert best advice on deciding between your options. Based on your trip itinerary, our experts will help you choose wisely. You'll also find a wealth of practical travel tips.
Money: Use your money wisely. Know the best time to use cash or card — and how to avoid unnecessary fees either way — as well as tipping etiquette, and how shoppers can take advantage of VAT refunds.
Phones and Technology: Phones and other smart devices can be huge time-savers...or expensive distractions. Get our tips for making the best use of technology during your trip, and for calling home with or without your own phone.
Packing Light: On your trip you'll meet two kinds of travelers: those who pack light and those who wish they had.
Sleeping and Eating: Your hotel and restaurant choices can be a matter-of-face chore…or they can provide rich opportunities to connect with locals and their culture.
Health & Hygiene: Take comfort: Doctors, hospitals, launderettes, and bathrooms aren’t that different. Dealing with them can even be part of the fun of travel.
Sightseeing & Activities: Once you're on the ground, the real fun begins…but it pays to have a thoughtful plan. Our experts will help you get oriented to your surroundings, use your sightseeing hours wisely, and find your way off the beaten path.
Things do & see:
Santiago – Chile’s capital is a thriving city and home to a third of the country’s entire population. There are quite a few must-see attractions in the city, like the Parque Metropolitano, The Museum of Human Rights (free), and the Festival del Barrio Brasil. Barrio Bellas Artes, Barrio Brazil, Barrio Yungay, and the pedestrian streets of Agustinas and Huerfanos are all great places to spend time walking around. Most of the interesting places are easy to get to with the metro (Line 1 – red). This is a capital that should not be missed and turned out to be one of my favorite spots on my trip!
San Marcos Cathedral – The same architect who was responsible for the Eiffel Tower, Alexandre Gustav Eiffel, designed San Marcos Catherdral. The cathedral is found in Arica, Chile’s northernmost city, and was built to replace the original cathedral which was destroyed by an earthquake in 1888. This place is a beautiful and rare example of Gothic architecture in South America.
Wine tour – Chile’s vineyards have been producing world-class wine for over 400 years. There are plenty of tours available around the country as the vineyards stretch the entire length of the country. Most of the best wineries are located near to Santiago and are quite easily accessible, otherwise, ask your hostel for the best group tours in the area.
Easter Island – Easter Island is the most isolated inhabited island on earth. The island lies 2,200 miles off the coast of western Chile and is famous for its Moai sculptures (the big faces dotted all over the island). However, there is so much more to the island, including thousands of archaeological sites, volcanic craters, pristine beaches, and excellent diving. I suggest staying for more than a day to really soak up the majesty of this little-visited UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Colorful Valparaiso – In 2002, Valaparaiso was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This city is a mesh of bohemian bars and Victorian architecture along a coastline of sheer cliffs. The laid-back atmosphere and beauty of the area have inspired generations of writers and poets, including the Nobel Peace-winning poet Pablo Neruda
Torres del Paine National Park – The 450,000 acres of this national park were designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1978. Torres del Paine lies between the Andes and Patagonian steppe and is made up of snow-clad mountains, glacier lakes, and some of the best hiking tours that Chile has to offer. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful and desolate regions on the planet.
San Pedro de Atacama – Located in Chile’s Norte Chico northern region, San Pedro de Atacama is one of Chile’s hottest tourist towns. Literally. The town is found in the driest desert in the world (it reportedly hasn’t seen rain since 1870), but the rock formations here are stunning, and it’s the perfect place to stargaze.
Hike a volcano – Chile is home to the world’s tallest active volcano, Ojos del Salado, which lies in the Andes on the border with Argentina. Villarica and Osorno are also popular with visitors and both lie close to lakes. Most volcanoes have thermal spas at the base of them for you to relax in. Experienced hikers can do the trip unsupported.
Valle de la Muerte – Also known as “Death Valley”, this is an awesome place to go on a hike, go horseback riding, or even sand boarding. There are guided moonlight walks as well.
Moon Valley National Park – This is an interesting area with stones and sand formations that have developed an extraordinary texture due to thousands of years of winds and flooding. The rock formations look a lot like the surface of the moon, giving rise to the park’s name.
El Tatio geysers – A very popular tourist spot, these geysers are incredibly beautiful and well worth visiting. You have to get up around 4am in order to catch the tour, but it is worth it. Remember to take a swimsuit as there are many thermal pools that you can dip into.
“Meteorite” Pit – This vertical pit is carved into the salty walled hillside of the northeast end of Cordillera de la Sal. The cave runs 10 miles deep and was originally said to be created by a meteorite impact. However, it was actually carved by an ancient river.
Museo de Bellas Artes – This museum is the second best in all of Chile. It is home to a wide display of fine art, including sculptures, photography, paintings, and new media. The building is somewhat small but the architecture is equally as impressive as the collection within.
Viña del Mar – Considered a Chilean Miami, this city next to Valparaiso serves as a hot spot for casinos, upscale cafes, and seaside restaurants. Even if you don’t have money to burn, it’s a great place to spend an afternoon wandering down the beach promenade, taking in the sights and smells of the ocean. There’s plenty of people watching to be done here, and a variety of food to keep you satisfied while doing so.
Tour Pablo Neruda’s homes – One of the world’s most famous poets used to call Chile home, but yet he couldn’t seem to decide on just one residence. With homes in Valparaiso, Santiago, and Isla Negra, this Chilean icon stuffed a lifetime of knick-knacks, literature, and interesting maritime architectural pieces into his three pads. All of them are open to the public. Even if you’re not a huge fan of his work, his homes alone are an interesting glimpse into Chilean culture.
Get off the beaten path – Some lesser-known treasures are Frutillar (a beautiful lakeside community in southern Chile’s Los Lagos Region), Lonquimay (another gorgeous lakeside town in the Malleco Province of southern Chile’s Araucanía Region), and Coyhaique (a less pricey Northern Patagonia city that’s a hub for great nature adventures).
Swim in the world’s largest pool – The Crystal Lagoon is located at the San Alfonso del Mar resort and is the size of twenty Olympic swimming pools. It’s the biggest recreational swimming pool in the world, requiring 66 million gallons of water.
Departure Dates
DEPARTURE DATES FROM JANUARY - DECEMBER 2021
Month Arrival Departure
January Jan 16th Jan 23th
February Feb 06th Feb 13th
March Mar13th Mar 20th
April Apr 10th Apr 17th
May May 08th May 15th
June Jun 05th Jun 12th
July Jul 03th Jul 10th
July Jul 24th Jul 31th
August Aug 14th Aug 21th
September Sep 11th Sep 18th
October Oct 09th Oct 16th
November Nov 06th Nov 13th
November Nov 20th Nov 27th
December Dec 04th Dec 11th
December Dec 18th Dec 25th
