Chile Travelers Recommend

Chile’s capital city, Santiago, feels a bit like a piece of Europe that has been dropped into South America. With neoclassical architecture, an efficient metro system, and plenty of nearby mountain resorts and wineries, it is also one of South America’s most glamorous and inviting cities. Here’s how to make the most of a three day visit.

Day 1: Explore the City

Get acquainted with Santiago on a sightseeing tour: Take a hop-on hop-off bus to see the city at your own pace, or opt for a guided tour and see all of the city’s main landmarks, such as the Plaza de Armas, La Moneda Palace, and San Cristóbal Hill, with an expert who can give you historic and cultural information. Alternatively, book a walking tour that takes you through the streets of a few different neighborhoods and into food markets; some tours also include lunch at a local restaurant. 

In the afternoon, make time for a visit to La Chascona, Nobel laureate Pablo Neruda’s Santiago home. The museum is located in the bohemian Bellavista district, so stick around afterward and soak up the local nightlife at the area’s bars, clubs, and music venues. If you don’t want to go it alone, opt for a small-group tour that includes drinks and snacks.

Day 2: Head to Wine Tasting or Skiing—or Both

On your second day, experience another side of Chile with a tour of some of the many wineries situated just outside the city. Sample top vintages from some of Chile’s most famous producers while soaking up the views in Chile’s rural countryside. 

If you’re  visiting during ski season (June through August), skip the wineries and hit the slopes. Portillo, one of Chile’s top ski resorts, is just a short trek from Santiago. Book a tour if you want to learn about the history of the mountain and the adventurers and explorers who first climbed the Andes. Ski rentals are available at the resort. Want to make the most out of the day? Join a tour that includes both skiing and wine tasting, and get the best of both experiences. 

Day 3: Head  for the Coast

On your final day, you can head for the coastal cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar. In the port city of Valparaiso, explore the rambling hillside streets by foot or funicular and check out the local street art. In the resort town of Viña del Mar, explore the historic buildings, visit the beach, and see the famed flower clock. Full-day guided tours that include both cities generally include round-trip transportation to give you as much time as possible to explore.

Alternatively, spend the last day of your trip taking a tour of Isla Negra. This charming beach-side village—the site of another of Neruda’s three Chilean homes—features eccentric architecture and a museum dedicated to Neruda’s life and works. Tours generally also stop at the village of Pomaire, which is known for fantastic pottery, before taking you back to Santiago where you can spend your last night toasting your trip in the city’s restaurants and bars.

With its colorful houses tumbling down the hillside to the port and its historic center designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site, Valparaiso is one of the most picturesque towns along Chile’s Pacific Coast. Here are your options for touring Valparaiso from Santiago. 

Group Tours

Full-day tours to Valparaiso are often combined with a visit to coastal cities such as the Garden City of Viña del Mar, a wine tour of the Emiliana vineyards, or a stop at nearby attractions like the ConCón sand dunes. Hotel pickup and round-trip transport is usually included, and some tours also include lunch. For a more personalized experience, choose a small-group tour with limited numbers.

Private Tours

Opting for a private tour means you’ll benefit from the undivided attention of your tour guide and have chance to customize your tour to your preferences. Private tours typically include round-trip transport from your Santiago city hotel and a walking tour of Valparaiso’s historic center, while possible extras include a Valparaiso harbor cruise, wine tasting in the Casablanca Valley, or a horseback riding excursion or surfing lesson on Concon beach.

Things to Know

• Valparaiso is located about 70 miles (115 kilometers) northwest of Santiago on Chile’s Pacific Coast.

• Full-day tours from Santiago typically last between eight and 10 hours and include hotel pickup and round-trip transport.

• Be sure to wear comfortable shoes to navigate Valparaiso’s hilly streets and cobblestones.

Chile is one of the world’s youngest but most prolific wine regions, known for full-bodied reds and bold flavors. Enhance your time in the country’s capital with guided tours to the region’s top wineries, where you can learn about the wine-making process and taste test several varietals. Here are some of the top wineries near Santiago.

Concha y Toro Winery

As one of South America’s largest wine producers, Concha y Toro is perhaps best-known for its award-winning cabernet sauvignon. Combine a visit to Concha y Toro Winery with stops at other wineries in the region, or opt for a cheese-and-wine tour. Whether you have a couple hours or a whole day, there are private and small-group options available.  

Santa Rita Winery

With its scenic location in the foothills of Alto Jahuel, Santa Rita Winery offers a great escape from the city center, though you can also combine a visit with a tour of the Chilean capital. Alternatively, lunch independently at Santa Rita’s on-site restaurant before exploring the vines and cellars on a private guided tour, or make a day of it in the Maipo Valley wine region on a full-day tour, which typically includes lunch, transport, and wine tastings.

Undurraga Winery

The storied history of Undurraga Winery dates back to the 19th century, and the popular vineyard is only a short drive from Santiago. In addition to tasting some of their excellent reds, such as malbec and cabernet sauvignon, learn about the soil and marvel over Mapuche carvings. Opt for a guided tour with round-trip transport or a small-group, half-day excursion.

Cousiño Macul

Cousiño Macul can be reached by Metro and a brief taxi ride from Santiago. The views over the vines with the Santiago skyline in the backdrop are impressive, while the 19th-century winemaking-tool exhibition is informative. You can experience Cousiño Macul alongside several other wineries on a full-day or half-day tour or as part of a weeklong, 2-country excursion.

Matetic Vineyard

Most Santiago-area wineries are found in the Maipo Valley, but the relatively young Matetic Vineyard is located in San Antonio Valley. It’s ideal if you want to see a different part of Chilean wine country, while the distinct climate helps produce elegant but intense wines. Full-day tours offer round-trip transport, or you can make Matetic Vineyard a stop on a wider exploration of the region.

MontGras Winery

Located in the Colchagua Valley, MontGras Winery is another of Chile’s considerably youthful wineries—it was founded by brothers Hernan and Eduardo Gras in 1993—and produces standout syrahs and carménères. Tours offer the opportunity to bottle, label, and take home your own personal bottle or give harvesting a go.

A 2-day trip to Santiago offers the chance to fully explore the cosmopolitan capital of Chile, visit a nearby winery, and delve deeper into the local culture. From visiting historic landmarks and bustling food markets to soaking up the vibrant nightlife, here’s how to spend two days in Santiago.

Day 1: The City by Night and Day

**Morning:**Spend your first hours in Santiago getting your bearings and doing some sightseeing. A bus or walking tour is a great way to familiarize yourself with the city and hit the highlights, while hop-on hop-off bus tours offer the flexibility of being able to customize your stops.

**Afternoon:**Spend the afternoon exploring one of the several wineries within easy reach of Santiago. Guided wine tours generally include transfers from your Santiago hotel and take you through vineyards and into wine cellars, and typically finish with an included glass of wine.

**Night:**Hit up the lively Bellavista neighborhood and spend your night drinking, dining, and dancing. A great way to get an insider’s perspective is by joining a small-group nightlife tour that hops between the best bars, nightclubs, and live music venues and includes drinks and snacks.

Day 2: Delve Deeper into Local Culture

**Morning:**Kick off your second day in Santiago by delving into its food culture. Joining a food walking tour allows you to eat your way around the city and immerse yourself in local life as you browse food markets, refuelling along the way with tastings of typical local dishes and pisco sours. Food tours typically end with lunch at a restaurant.

**Afternoon:**Visit the Santiago home of the beloved Chilean poet and Nobel laureate, Pablo Neruda. On the slopes of San Cristobal, La Chascona is filled with Neruda’s belongings, offering a fascinating insight into his life and legacy. As you stroll through the house your audio guide fills in the details.

**Night:**Round out your visit by immersing yourself in Chilean culture with a folklore and dinner show. Tours typically include a 3-course meal, which you enjoy while listening to folk songs and watching colorful traditional dances, which have originated from various different regions of Chile. Round-trip hotel transfers are generally included.

Santiago, the cosmopolitan capital of Chile, is often overlooked in favor of its flashier neighbor, Buenos Aires, but for no good reason; Santiago boasts fine wines, vibrant nightlife, and colorful neighborhoods that are made for exploring. Here’s how to spend one day in Santiago.

Morning: City Sightseeing

Kickstart your time in Santiago on a shared or private sightseeing tour; bus tours are ideal for time-pressed travelers as they cover more landmarks—such as the Plaza de Armas, Moneda Palace, and San Cristobal Hill—in less time, and provide crucial historical context. If you want to delve deeper into local life, embark on a walking tour that covers several neighborhoods and takes you to food markets frequented by locals. Alternatively, taking a hop-on hop-off bus tour has the added benefit of allowing you to set your own itinerary and pace.

Afternoon: Go Wine Tasting

Chile is renowned for its wine and, lucky for time-pressed travelers, some of the country’s best wineries are within easy reach of Santiago. Visiting Concha y Toro, Santa Rita, or Undurraga vineyards is possible on an afternoon; tours typically pick you up from your hotel around lunchtime and tend to include a winery tour, insight into history and production processes, a visit to the wine cellars, and a glass or three of wine, of course.

Night: Immerse Yourself in the Nightlife

Bellavista is one of Santiago’s most vibrant nightlife districts but, for new arrivals, it’s not always easy to pick the best places to drink, dance, and dine. Joining a nightlife tour gives you the inside scoop on the Bellavista district and saves you hours of prior research. Small-group tours typically cover several bars and nightclubs, and include popular drinks and bar snacks such as piscolas (pisco and cola) and sopaipillas con pebre (crunchy corn snacks). Some tours, which prove ideal for solo travelers, even include a salsa lesson.

In addition to having some of Chile’s best restaurants, wine bars, and tasting rooms, Santiago is just a short drive from several renowned wine-growing areas. Here’s info on the must-try varietals and wine tasting experiences near Chile’s capital.

Must-Try Varietals

Chile produces world-class wines thanks to its general climate, its microclimates, and the high mineral content of its soil. Recently Chile has been best known for carménère, the classic French grape varietal that was thought to have been lost to phylloxera in the mid-19th century but was rediscovered in a Chilean vineyard in the 1990s. Like its next-door neighbor Argentina, Chile produces notable malbecs, and on the white side is making quite a name for itself with its sauvignon blancs. Small-scale vineyards are currently becoming more popular, and certain producers are taking advantage of the area’s excellent terroir to grow lesser-known varietals like petit verdot.

Must-Do Experiences

• Combine a winery visit with outdoor adventures on a day trip to Valle Nevado and Aquitania. Spend time at one of the area’s most popular ski resorts before sipping your way through some notable wines.

• Visit four of the Casablanca Valley’s top producers and taste their distinctive wines.

• Pedal through the vineyards of the Maipo Valley on a winery bike tour.

• See the wine country from horseback on a full-day excursion that includes traditional Chilean meals and a stop at a local winery.

• Discover Chile’s winemaking heritage and sample a variety of local wines on a full-day tour of the Colchagua Valley.

The iconic moai statues that guard the island’s coastline are famous around the world and the focal point of one of the most fascinating UNESCO World Heritage Sites. The colossal stone figures are the work of the native Rapa Nui people. Here are a few statue sites you shouldn’t miss.

Rano Raraku Rano Raraku is where it all began. This stone quarry is where most of the island’s statues were created from solidified volcanic ash before being placed around the island. The remains of nearly 400 incomplete moai still litter the site, which is also home to El Gigante, the largest known moai at 71 feet (21 meters) tall.

Anakena Beach This white-sand, palm-lined beach was where King Ariki Hotu Matu’a first landed on Easter Island. It soon became a spiritual center for the Rapa Nui people, and seven of their moai can be seen overlooking the beach.

Ahu Akivi The seven moai standing guard at Ahu Akivi are unique in that they’re the only statues on the island that face the ocean, even though their location is toward the island’s interior. Restored in the 1960s, these are also some of the most visited statues on the island.

Ahu Tongariki Situated on the southeastern coast, Ahu Tongariki is the island’s largest and most striking site, with 15 moai positioned on a 200-foot-long ceremonial platform set between Rano Raraku Volcano and the sea. Each statue is unique, and the largest stands more than 46 feet (14 meters) tall.

Tahai The Tahai ceremonial site includes a single moai with unique painted eyes and a pukao headdress, alongside a "family" of five moai. American archaeologist William Mulloy helped restore the site in 1974, and he’s now interred here. Visit at dusk when the moai are silhouetted in front of the setting sun.

The fishing port-turned-adventure capital of Puerto Natales serves as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park and as a jumping-off point for numerous adventures. Whether you plan to visit for a day or hike for a week, here is a rundown of tour options from this Patagonian outpost.

Full-Day Tours

Those pressed for time are in luck; it’s possible to experience some of the national park’s most iconic sites in as little as one day. Get an early start for a small-group hike to the base of the jagged Paine Towers, or for something more relaxed, opt for a tour of the park’s highlights, including Sofia Lagoon, Ballena Hill, Porteño Lake, Grey Glacier and the three peaks that give the park its name. Day hikes range from beginner to advanced, with the chance to tackle the slopes of Mount Almirante Nieto or soak up the views from Valle del Ascencio.

Multi-Day Tours

It’s hard to get a sense of the true grandeur of this UNESCO Biosphere Reserve without spending a few days exploring. Guided multi-day excursions into the park take visitors further off the beaten track to camp on the shores of the Serrano River, take a boat ride past Grey Glacier, and trek to some of the park’s most spectacular areas, including the base of Torres del Paine, Los Cuernos, and French Valley. Navigating the vast park with a guide ensures you won’t get lost.

Things to Know

• Puerto Natales is located in southern Chile, about three hours by bus from Punta Arenas (nearest major airport) and two hours to the park entrance.
• Day tours to the park can last upwards of 12 hours.
• Remember to wear sturdy hiking shoes and dress in warm layers, even in summer.
• Most tours include entrance fees and roundtrip transportation from your Puerto Natales Hotel; some also include lunch.

Three days in San Pedro de Atacama give you chance to explore the surrounding desert in a myriad of ways; see geysers, lunar landscapes, flamingos. You’ll also be able to soak up the town’s atmosphere and learn about its history. Here’s how.

Day 1: Head to Another Planet

San Pedro de Atacama is best-known as a base for adventures wanting to discover the surrounding desert, but the town itself offers plenty to see and do. Spend the morning exploring the historic center; tick off the centuries-old adobe church in the Plaza de Armas, the roof of which is made partially of dried cactus, and the R.P. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum, which exhibits more than 1,000 artefacts collected by a Belgian priest.

In the afternoon, take a trip to the Valley of the Moon (Valle de la Luna), where lunar landscapes have been shaped by wind and water over millions of years. Tours from San Pedro de Atacama typically also visit Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley) and are timed to coincide with sunset over the desert.

Day 2: Geysers, Hot Springs, and the Stars

Begin your second day bright and early with a pre-dawn tour of El Tatio, one of the biggest geothermal fields in the world. The trip north from San Pedro de Atacama takes around two hours, so letting someone else drive allows you to catch up on sleep in the vehicle. Watch the sunrise as dozens of steaming geysers burst into the air, then take a dip in a geothermal pool. Tours from San Pedro de Atacama typically include breakfast and some also add on a visit to the village of Machuca, where you’ll see grazing llamas and have chance sample goat’s cheese empanadas.

Spend your afternoon soaking in the thermal pools of Puritana Natural Springs; tours tend to include hotel transfers and admission tickets. In the evening, discover why the Atacama Desert is one of the world’s best places for stargazing on a night tour of South America’s largest astronomical observatory. 

Day 3: Salt Flats and Flamingos

Your third day begins with another early start, but it’s more than worth it to see the Atacama Salt Flats, one of the largest salt flats in the world. Highlights of typical full-day tours include seeing flocks of brightly colored flamingos at Chaxa Lagoon, part of Los Flamencos National Park, and exploring the high-altitude lakes of Miscanti and Miñique, which are framed by bright-white mineral deposits and yellow pampa grass. Tours tend to also visit the village of Socaire, where a traditional Chilean lunch made with regional produce is often included, and Toconao, where you can admire a 18th-century whitewashed church, see buildings made from volcanic stone, and browse craft shops for treasures made from alpaca wool and volcanic rock.

The port town of Puerto Natales lures visitors with its access to Torres del Paine National Park and majestic Patagonian glaciers. With three days in town, you can explore the historic town as well as the natural wonders on its doorstep. Here’s how to make the most of three days in Puerto Natales.

Day 1: City Sights

Get a feel for the town of Puerto Natales with a stroll through the Plaza de Armas and down to the waterfront. Stop in at the Municipal History Museum (Museo Historico Municipal) to learn about life in the region prior to the arrival of the Europeans, then head just north of the town center to see the surreal Hand Monument (Monumento del Mano), a sculpture of a human hand reaching out of the ground. Keep going about an hour’s walk north to the historic town of Puerto Bories, where a preserved, century-old cold-storage plant and workers’ homes offer a glimpse into the area’s pioneer past. Alternatively, opt for a small-group bike tour to the picturesque waterfront, the historic Braun and Blanchard Old Pier, and the Ether Aike craft village, a great place to shop for artisan souvenirs.

Day 2: Torres del Paine National Park

Dedicate your second day to one of the most beautiful attractions in South America: the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve of Torres del Paine National Park, with diverse landscapes including glaciers, lakes, forests, the snow-capped Andes, and the granite pillars of Torres del Paine. Leave early in the morning to see the park’s highlights—including Milodon Cave, Nordenskjold Lake, and Grey Glacier—on a full-day coach tour. Active travelers can instead choose a full-day hiking tour to the base of the Torres del Paine pillars. The trail can be challenging, with a 12-mile (19-kilometer) hike through a valley, crossing streams and traversing woodlands before climbing a moraine to the towers, but you are rewarded with incredible views (and, typically, a boxed lunch).

Day 3: Glorious Glaciers

Board a boat early in the morning and embark on a cruise through Last Hope Fjord (Fjord Ultima Esperanza) toward the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers. Tours take visitors to the best viewing points to soak up the ethereal majesty of the glaciers and soak in the sights of a winter wonderland studded with waterfalls and splintering snow-capped peaks. Tours typically allow guests to disembark and hike through the rugged splendor of Bernardo O’Higgins National Park. Most also include lunch, and some have an onboard bar to serve glacier-chilled cocktails. Back in town in the evening, take your pick of the restaurants clustered around Plaza de Armas—seafood is a local specialty—and enjoy a nightcap at one of the town’s drinking holes, which include a microbrewery and gin/whisky distillery with on-site bars.

Known for being the southernmost city in Chile, Punta Arenas attracts plenty of travelers en route to the icy shores of Antarctica. And while most cruise through this port town without spending so much as a night, it’s worth bunkering down in this bustling hub for at least three days of exploring. 

Day 1: History

Kick off the morning with a visit to the iconic Plaza Munoz Gamero, where locals and travelers gather to kiss the feet of the statue of Magellan in hopes of changing their fortune. Wander the stalls of handcrafted goods made by local artisans before heading to nearby Magallanes Regional Museum. This immaculately restored private residence showcases how wealthy pioneers lived. Explore the well-kept rooms that display not only personal items from the Braun Menendez 

family, but historic artifacts, photos and maps as well. Round out the day with a stop at Punta Arenas Municipal Cemetery, where a state-of-the-art electronic database can lead visitors straight to the burial plots of influential colonizers. 

Day 2: Out Into the Waters

After delving into the history of Punta Arenas, head further into the waters. Take a journey through the Strait of Magellan to see one of the most unforgiving passages early explorers struggled to navigate. Travelers looking to avoid such treacherous waters can instead head to Magdalena Island, where friendly penguins wander the coast. The two-hour journey from Punta Arenas takes visitors along scenic coast, and after disembarking from the ship, it’s possible to explore the rocky coasts, trek through well-marked paths, climb to the top of a lighthouse and even get up close to with some of the tens of thousands of penguins that call Magdalena Island home. 

Day 3: Adventure on Two Wheels

Start your day with breakfast on the Punta Arenas waterfront before meeting one of our Viator guides for a two-hour electric bike tour through some of the area’s most popular sites. Visit a replica of the first ship to navigate around the world at the Nao Victoria Museum and then cruise through the natural landscape of Tres Puentes Wetland, an area some of the country’s most rare birds call home. With an expert guide and an extra small group, travelers are sure to learn plenty about history and culture while exploring the incredible geography. 

Overview

Located along the Strait of Magellan, Chile’s southernmost city is not only the gateway to Antarctica, it’s also the starting point for exploring the wild landscapes of Patagonia. Here are your options for Patagonia tours from Punta Arenas.  

Highlights

• Cruise out to Magdalena and Marta islands on a half- or full-day tour and spot penguins, sea lions, and elephant seals. 

• Set sail on a multi-day cruise around the fjords, glaciers, and mountains of Tierra del Fuego. 

• Cross the remote Beagle Channel from Ushuaia in Argentina to Punta Arenas on an epic 5-day cruise. 

• Enjoy the stunning scenery of Tierra del Fuego, including the Pia Glacier, Ainsworth Bay, and Cape Horn. 

• Visit Puerto Natales, the Serrano Glacier, and Torres del Paine National Park—a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve—on a 4-day tour from Punta Arenas. 

• Marvel at the natural wonders of the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers on a cruise around the Última Esperanza Fjord. 

• Hike through the wild landscapes of Torres del Paine National Park.  

Things to Know

• Punta Arenas is located in the southern Patagonia region of Chile, about 155 miles (250 kilometers) south of Puerto Natales, a journey of about three hours by road. 

• Regular flights run to Punta Arenas from Santiago, Chile, and Buenos Aires and Ushuaia in Argentina. 

• Day tours from Punta Arenas typically last between four and 12 hours. Be sure to pack sturdy walking shoes and all-weather clothing—the weather can change quickly in Patagonia, even in the summer months. 

• Multi-day tours and cruises typically include hotel or on-board accommodation, meals, and all activities. 

• Most day tours include hotel pickup and a stop at a restaurant where you can purchase lunch.

With two days in San Pedro de Atacama, you’ll be able to take several trips to surrounding attractions and see natural phenomenon that the desert town is famed for. Here’s how to make the most of 48 hours.

Day 1: Geysers and Lunar Landscapes

**Morning:**Seeing El Tatio, one of the world’s largest geyser fields, at its best requires a very early start, so book a tour with hotel pickup and catch up on sleep during the journey here. The spectacle of watching steam shoot into the air during sunrise is worth it.

**Afternoon:**In the mid-afternoon, after having a stroll around the town, head into the desert on a tour of Moon Valley and Death Valley. The lunar landscape—shaped by wind and water over millions of years—is most striking around sunset, when the sand glows a burning red.

**Night:**See a different kind of lunar landscape on a stargazing tour. Visit the biggest astronomical observatory in South America and see the moon’s craters, planets, and stars through state-of-the-art telescopes in the company of an astronomer. Atacama is one of the best places in the world to go stargazing. 

Day 2: Rainbows and Hot Springs

**Morning:**Kick off your second day with a trip to Rainbow Valley, so named for its red, beige, green, and white tones, which are created by clays, minerals, and salts. Tours typically  guide you around its mineral-rich hills and reveal prehistoric rock art.

**Afternoon:**After a couple of days of adventure, take some time out to relax. Head out on a tour to Puritana Natural Springs where you can soak in eight thermal pools that are naturally heated to a temperature of 92°F (33.5°C).

**Night:**The nightlife in San Pedro de Atacama is muted to say the least, and it’s no wonder given the early-morning departure time of most tours. Nevertheless, there’s a popular bar called Chelacabur on Caracoles Boulevard. There, you can toast your trip and then find a bite to eat at one of the nearby restaurants.

South America may pride itself in its dedication to sports such as futbol, but the region is also home to some of the world’s best skiing and snowboarding sites. American travelers looking for the perfect powder just need to head south, where it’s easy to enjoy the sun and the snow.

La Parva

Considered one of Chile’s most picturesque ski resorts, La Parva and its trails are ideal for all ski levels. From the first-time slopester to the well-weathered veteran, 14 lifts and 30 runs mean there’s options for everyone at this venue about 25 miles outside Santiago.

Valle Nevado

This popular destination boasts 11 lifts and more than 100 runs—making it one of Chile’s biggest ski resorts. Travelers can carve down the slopes amid incredible mountain scenery at this destination that sees more than 300 inches of snow each year.

El Colorado

Stationed some 22 miles outside of Santiago, well-groomed mountainsides cater to skiers and boarders of every level. With its unique terrain park, 19 lifts and more than 100 runs, El Colorado is the perfect place for winter sports lovers. The site offers up eight jumps and 40 boxes and rails for snowboarders to perfect their freestyle skills. 

Portillo

Located two hours from Santiago, it is Chile’s oldest–and perhaps most famous–ski resort, having opened in 1949. It is renowned for its beauty, as well as its world-class facilities. People go to Portillo year-round to see famous Inca Lake, and the western hemisphere’s highest mountain, Aconcagua, sits nearby.

Las Leñas and Los Penitentes

Both of these Argentinian ski resorts are accessible from the adventure activity hub of Mendoza. While both resorts do cater for beginner and intermediate skiers, Las Leñas in particular is renowned for its extreme ski runs, with its double-black diamond chutes frequented by thrill seeking skiers and snowboarders, cat skiing and heli-skiing tours available and elevation reaching up to 3,340 meters.

Cerro Castor

Argentina’s southernmost city, Ushuaia, is best known for glacial hiking and Patagonia to Antarctic cruises, but if you fancy hitting the slopes when you’re down south, there’s Cerro Castor. Castor is the country’s newest ski resort, and thanks to its icy climate, boasts the longest ski season in South America. Head to the ski school for instruction and rentals for skiing, snowboarding and snow-blading.

Cerro Catedral

Just a 20-minute drive from Bariloche, Cerro Catedral is the largest resort in the area, having once been two separate resorts. The spot now boasts almost 3,000 acres of skiable terrain.

As the capital of Chile’s Lake District, the port city of Puerto Montt serves as the gateway to Patagonia’s lakes and mountains, and functions as a major transport hub. If you’re spending a day here rather than just passing through, here’s how to make the most of 24 hours.

Morning: Explore the City

Though most travelers blitz through Puerto Montt on their way to the Andes mountains, the laid-back, working-class city merits exploration. Get your bearings and learn more about Puerto Montt’s history and culture on a morning sightseeing tour that takes you along Costanera Avenue, which runs along the seashore to the Pelluco district and is home to beaches and a yacht club. Tours typically visit Chinquihue and the craft village of Angelmó, where you can browse for knitwear and woolen goods, and sample freshly-caught seafood.

Afternoon: Osorno Volcano or Frutillar

Even with just an afternoon to spare, you’ll have time to visit the snow-capped Osorno volcano, which is considered the starting point of Chilean Patagonia. Tours tend to provide stress-free pickup and drop-off from your hotel in Puerto Montt, and save you the hassle of driving to Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park. There, you’ll have ample opportunity to enjoy panoramic views of Petrohué Lake and the Petrohué Falls as you follow a trail or take a chairlift up the 8,700-foot (2,650-meter) volcano. Alternatively, spend the afternoon in the charming town of Frutillar, which resembles a German Alpine village; it’s just a 30-minute drive from Puerto Montt.

Night: Dine in Town

Seafood is ubiquitous in Puerto Montt, which is considered Chile's seafood capital. Dedicate your final evening to sample some Chilean fruits of the sea, which include abalone, sea urchin, or barnacle. Head for the Fish Market of Angelmó, located at the end of Avenida Angelmó, for the freshest and best seafood in town. Otherwise, you can find plenty of restaurants in the city center, particularly around Rengifo. Stick around the area for a nightcap: there’s a good selection of bars on Rengifo, particularly those concentrated between the streets of Baquedano and Salvador Allende. 

At less than 20 miles (30 km) long, getting around the sights of Rapa Nui couldn’t be easier, but with so many sights and so much history to unravel, you’d regret rushing your visit. Three days in Easter Island is ideal, giving you ample opportunity to check out all the main attractions and time left over to explore off the beaten path. 

Day 1: Discover the Cult of the Birdman

Once you’ve settled into your accommodation in Hanga Roa, the island’s only substantial town, get your bearings with a wander around the town center and soak up the scenery around the fishing harbor before heading south to Ana Kai Tangata cave. The imposing black-rock cavern is best known for its colorful Manutara bird paintings, and this will be your first introduction to the bizarre Birdman ceremony once celebrated by the native Polynesian islanders. Next up is the coastal village of Orongo, the ceremonial home of the Cult of the Birdman, perched on the edge of the magnificent Ranu Kau volcano and offering spectacular views out to sea. 

Day 2: Meet the Moai

There are 887 gigantic statues, or moai, dotted around the island, some reaching up to 46 feet (14 meters) tall and weighing over 30 tons. Viewing the enigmatic artworks will likely be the highlight of your trip. Check out some of the most unique sites–the Tahai complex, where you’ll see the only statue on the island with painted eyes; the red stone quarry of Puna Pau, where the moai’s “pukao” headdresses were sculpted; and the seven moai of Ahu Akivi, the only moai that face the ocean—then spend the afternoon swimming and snorkeling on the idyllic beach of Anakena.

Day 3: The Star Attraction

Make an early start and arrive at the famous Ahu Tongariki in time to watch the sunrise—a dramatic photo opportunity with its 15 gigantic moai silhouetted against the rising sun. This is the biggest and most renowned of all Easter Island’s moai sites, with the ceremonial platform stretching 650 feet (200 meters) along the seafront. Next pay a visit to the vast quarry of Rano Raraku, where the huge moai stones were carved and hundreds still remain, including the largest moai ever made. Then head to the nearby temple of Akahanga, the burial site of the island’s founder, King Hotu Matu’a.

Most travelers blow through the port town of Puerto Natales on their way to Torres del Paine National Park, but with two days to spare, you can kick back in town for a little while rather than simply rushing through. Here’s what to do with 48 hours in Puerto Natales.

Day 1: Dive Into the Town’s History

**Morning:**Start your day with a wander around town, through the main plaza, and down to the waterfront. About an hour’s walk north is the historic town of Puerto Bories, which offers a glimpse into the area’s pioneer past with a preserved, century-old cold-storage plant and workers’ homes. For a different perspective, visit the Municipal History Museum (Museo Historico Municipal) to learn about life in the region prior to the Europeans’ arrival.

**Afternoon:**Pedal through colorful streets on a bicycle tour this afternoon. These tours typically visit the historic Braun and Blanchard Old Pier for views of the channel and snow-capped mountains just beyond, as well as the Ether Aike craft village to shop for artisan souvenirs.

**Night:**You’ll have an early start in the morning, so tuck into an early seafood dinner at one of the restaurants clustered around the Plaza de Armas.

Day 2: Hit Torres del Paine

**Morning:**Journey into the stunning natural spectacle that is Torres del Paine National Park. One-day-tour options include traveling around the park’s Patagonian landscapes, studded with glaciers, lagoons, and snow-capped mountains, by coach or on a more challenging hiking excursion. Tours typically include lunch—in a restaurant for those traveling by coach, boxed for hikers.

**Afternoon:**If you have the time—and energy—after your epic excursion, take a casual stroll 10 minutes north of Puerto Natales’ town center to one of its more unusual, but photogenic, attractions: the Hand Monument (Monumento del Mano), a stone sculpture portraying the five fingers of an enormous human hand protruding from the ground.

**Night:**Conclude your visit to Puerto Natales with a taste of its drinks scene at the Baguales microbrewery or the Last Hope gin and whiskey distillery. Both have on-site bars, so you can while away your evening trying some local products and making new friends.

The Chilean port city of Valparaíso is most famous for its topography; vintage funiculars rattle up and down hills covered in brightly-painted houses. From street art to wine tasting, here’s how to spend 48 hours in Valpo.

Day 1: Soak Up the Sights and Culture

**Morning:**Start your day with a walking or bus tour of the city’s main sights; tours typically cover Plaza Sotomayor, the Chilean Armada, and Valparaíso’s funiculars and hillside neighborhoods, and provide lesser-known information about each. 

**Afternoon:**Pay an afternoon visit to the La Sebastiana, the former home of Nobel Laureate Pablo Neruda. Due to its location atop Cerro Bellavista, the museum offers sweeping views of the city and harbor. Buy your admission ticket in advance to skip the line and explore at your own pace. 

**Night:**Experience Valparaiso’s nightlife on a bar-hopping tour that introduces you to typical Chilean tipples and the city’s burgeoning craft beer scene. Afterward, take advantage of your proximity to the ocean by enjoying a seafood dinner; top restaurants include El Perall and Spice Cocina del Mar in Cerro Alegre.

Day 2: Vino and Viña del Mar

**Morning:**Spend your second day on an excursion to the wineries of Casablanca Valley. Most tours visit up to three vineyards for tours and tastings. You’ll get insights into the wine-making process, sample wines, and not have to worry about driving afterward.

**Afternoon:**Spend your afternoon in Viña del Mar, Valparaíso’s breezy neighbor. Tours provide an easy way to explore the must-see sights, which include the Flower Clock (Reloj de Flores) and the Fonck Museum, whose garden is home to an original Moai statue from Easter Island. 

**Night:**Conclude your visit to Valparaíso by gazing at the star-studded night sky in La Campana Ocoa National Park. Tours typically take you directly to the park to view the stars and planets through powerful telescopes. Afterward, return to Cerro Alegre for a bite to eat at the retro Cafe Vinilo.

Travelers come from around the globe to see the mysterious stone moai of Easter Island. After marveling at the stone giants, don’t miss the opportunity to sample some traditional Rapa Nui cuisine. Here are some of Easter Island’s most characteristic dishes and must-have food experiences.

Must-Try Dishes

With a location 2,182 miles (3,512 kilometers) off the coast of Chile, it should come as no surprise that seafood features prominently in the culinary landscape of Easter Island, especially mahi mahi, tuna, swordfish, lobster, and shrimp. Among the most traditional dishes is umu rapa nui, a preparation where fish, chicken, and meat are wrapped in plantain leaves and cooked in a covered hole in the ground filled with hot stones. The dish is served with typical vegetables from the island, including sweet potatoes, taro, and tapioca.

Seafood lovers shouldn’t miss tunu ahí, fresh fish cooked on hot stones next to the sea, or ceviche, an island staple made with raw fish and coconut milk. For a quick meal on the go, grab a couple of tuna patties, Easter Island–style empanadas stuffed with fresh tuna, cheese, and tomato. Many meals come with a side of po’e, a sweet and spongy cake made with pumpkin flour and plantain.

Must-Do Experiences

• Sample regional specialties and learn about Rapa Nui culture during a Polynesian dinner and show.

• Sit down for a barbecue lunch on the grasslands of Easter Island as you fuel up for an exploration of the island’s stone sculptures.

• Eat like the Rapa Nui people with food cooked umu -style underground.

• Grab a few fried pastries to take along on a hike through the island’s varied landscapes.

Three days give you plenty of time to discover Valparaíso’s main attractions and explore the surrounding region. From architecture and street art to wineries and coastal mansions, here’s how to make the most of 72 hours in Valparaiso. 

Day 1: Discover the Historic City

Get acquainted with the history, street art, and culture of Valparaíso on a bus or walking tour. Tours transport you between major sights with ease, and typically include a ride on one of the city’s famed funiculars. Some tours also visit La Sebastiana, the former home of the Nobel Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda, which now functions as a museum and is packed full of his personal belongings. If your sightseeing tour doesn’t include a visit, buy your admission ticket online to skip lines on the day.

In the evening, soak up the port city’s lively nightlife scene. Sip a classic pisco sour and sample more brews on a bar-hopping tour.

Day 2: Discover Wine Country

Chilean wine is globally renowned. Sip vintage varietals straight from the source on a day trip to Casablanca Valley or Maipo Valley. Most tours visit up to three vineyards, where you learn about the wine-making process and enjoy a few tastings. Taking a tour lets you avoid the hassle of driving, leaving you free to indulge in great wine. Some guided tours also include lunch for a great-value package. 

If you’d rather stay in the city, take a cooking class. Cooking classes in Valparaíso typically include a visit to a local market and reveal the secrets behind Chilean dishes such as ceviche and charquican. It’s a great way to get a taste of Chile’s culinary heritage.

Day 3: Explore Isla Negra

Having already seen La Sebastiana, check off another of Neruda’s three homes on a trip to Isla Negra. Located on the coast—not an island like its name implies—the house was built to resemble a boat. Inside, admire Neruda’s collection of maritime paraphernalia, which includes ship figureheads, ships inside bottles, and shells. Some tours of Isla Negra also visit the artisans’ village of Pomaire—a great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts—which can be tricky to get to independently.

Afterward, spend your final evening in the bars and restaurants of Valpo, or make the short trip to the neighboring town of Viña del Mar, home to Tierra del Fuego seafood restaurant, which serves large portions of fresh seafood on Playa Acapulco beach.

Gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, Puerto Natales functions as a pit stop for many travelers procuring provisions before heading into the park. There’s plenty to do in town, however, so it’s worth setting aside a day to explore. Here are a few ways to make the most of one day in the Patagonian town of Puerto Natales.

Morning: Start with a History Lesson

With just one day to spare, most visitors would head straight into Torres del Paine National Park, but, if you have a day to explore the town, start with a visit to the Municipal History Museum (Museo Historico Municipal). There you can learn about life in the region prior to the arrival of the Europeans via displays, photos, and archaeological artifacts such as canoes and weapons. Afterward, walk 10 minutes north to one of the town’s most unusual attractions. The Hand Monument (Monumento del Mano) is a stone sculpture portraying the five fingers of an enormous human hand protruding out of the ground.

Afternoon: Pedal Around the Port Town

In the afternoon, embark on a small-group bike tour and pedal through colorful streets. Bicycle tours typically last a few hours and take visitors to the picturesque waterfront and the historic Braun and Blanchard Old Pier, which was set on fire by revolting workers around 1920. You’ll be able to spot some of the many birds that now inhabit the disused pier while taking in views of the channel and snow-capped mountains just beyond. Some bike tours also visit the Ether Aike craft village, a great place to shop for artisan souvenirs.

Night: Enjoy a Leisurely Dinner

As you might expect of a town with such heavy tourist traffic, Puerto Natales has plenty of restaurants to suit a variety of tastes. Most are clustered around the Plaza de Armas Arturo Prat, the town’s main square. Seafood is plentiful, with specialties including king crab prepared in a variety of ways. You’ll also find restaurants serving pizza, burgers, vegetarian dishes, and even Afro-Chilean cuisine. Nightlife is typically subdued—most visitors leave early in the morning on tours—but Puerto Natales does have a couple of pubs, as well as a microbrewery and a gin/whisky distillery with on-site bars.

Polynesian explorers likely settled on Easter Island between AD 300 and 1200, and the people of Rapa Nui have a cultural and spiritual heritage that extends beyond the enigmatic moai that keep watch over the island. Here’s what you need to know about experiencing Rapa Nui culture on Easter Island.

• Tour some of the island’s many ceremonial sites, including Ahu Akahanga, with an archaeologist guide.
• To learn more about the significance of the moai to the Rapa Nui people, visit the rock quarry near Rano Raraku Volcano where the monolithic sculptures were created.
• Experience traditional Rapa Nui chanting, music, and dance—including a dance lesson—during an evening folkloric performance and umu pae firepit dinner.
• Gaze at the stars from traditional observatory sites to see stars and constellations that were of interest to Polynesian navigators.
• See the sights of Hanga Roa, the island’s capital, during a sightseeing tour, with a stop at the Father Sebastian Englert Anthropological Museum.
• Shop for indigenous crafts at the open-air artisan market, where around 40 vendors sell goods from grass-hut stalls.

At the southern terminus of the Panamerican Highway, a fantastic, glacier-carved realm of natural beauty begins. This is the gateway to Antarctica, guarded by sharp-toothed granite peaks and snow-capped volcanoes rising above a carpet of wildflowers and crystal clear lakes. The wave-crashed inlets along the wild Pacific shore become islands as you head south, toward Tierra del Fuego, and the penguin colonies along the Straits of Magellan.

Patagonia’s rugged wonders and wildlife remain pristine because this is a difficult place for humans to survive. Even in the summer months – November through March – most travelers to the ends of the Earth will want to base themselves in the region’s two major cities. Puerto Montt is more accessible, at the terminus of the Panamerican freeway, clinging colorfully to picturesque Reloncaví Sound in the waterfall-streaked Los Lagos (Lakes) Region. Punta Arenas, the largest city on the Straits of Magellan and gateway to Antarctica, is much more remote – you’ll fly here or take a remarkable ferry trip. This pretty town offers access to several almost untouched natural treasures, including Otway Sound’s famous penguin colony.

Day 1: Puerto Montt and The Lakes Region

Begin you visit in Puerto Montt, a pretty town with proudly Germanic roots and deep natural port at the foot of the Andes. Ferries head out to several destinations, including day trips to Isla Grande de Chiloé, Chile’s "big island", known for its spectacular vistas and tasty seafood. Or, head inland, to the Puerto Varas, with epic views of Esmeralda (Todos Santos) Lake and climbable Osorno Volcano; or Frutillar, a classic Chilean-German fishing village.

Day 2: Exploring Wild Patagonia

One of the most exciting treks from Puerto Montt is the 11-hour day trip to Petrohué National Park, which takes in the park, Lake Esmeralda, and Lake Llanquihue, all surrounded by fantastic volcanoes. Shorter treks focus mostly on Petrohué Waterfalls, cascading across ancient lava flows. While you could spend a week exploring Puerto Montt, if you’re in a hurry, grab a two-hour flight or scenic tourist ferry to Punta Arenas, one of the southernmost cities in the world.

Day 3: On the Edge of Antarctica

While modern Punta Arenas is a city with all the modern conveniences, it rises from the center of a truly wild region, overlooking the Straits of Magellan. To the north, close to Puerto Natales, are the serrated granite peaks of Torres del Paine National Park and UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, with incredible hiking opportunities and, for the truly adventurous, some of the roughest and most rewarding rock climbs in the world. After this epic and active escape, however, be sure to visit the Penguin Sanctuary and Otway Sound, a half-day trip into the famed sanctuary for fussy, flirty Magellan penguins, who nest here between November and March.

Poet, diplomat, and politician, Pablo Neruda left a mark on his native Chile that transcends even his Nobel Prize-winning books of poetry. Visitors will quickly discover just how revered its national poet is to this day and can gain deeper insight by following in his footsteps to his three homes. Here’s what you need to know.

La Sebastiana

In Valparaiso, you can explore Neruda’s home, known as La Sebastiana. Set at the top of a steep hill in the Bellavista neighborhood, the house is filled with the many quirky tchotchkes Neruda acquired in his lifetime and offers sweeping views of the colorful streets and busy port below. Guided tours of Valparaiso (private and group) typically include tickets to La Sebastiana and audio tours in English provide even more political and historical context.

Isla Negra

One hour south of Valparaiso, visitors can also check out the Isla Negra Museum House, said to be the favorite of the Chilean poet’s former homes, where he and his third wife, Matilde Urrutia are both buried. Appropriate to its coastal Pacific setting and Neruda’s passion for all things maritime, the house is filled with ship figureheads, maps, shells, and ships in bottles. Guided tours from Valparaiso often combine the museum with visits to small nearby towns such as Pomaire.

La Chascona

Neruda’s third house, which he named for Urrutia’s wild, curly hair, is located in Santiago’s Barrio Bellavista. In keeping with the maritime theme of all his houses, La Chascona’s dining room resembles a ship’s cabin and the living room a lighthouse. The house, which also serves as headquarters of the Pablo Neruda Foundation, contains a painting of Urrutia by the famed Mexican artist Diego Rivera. It is possible to visit all three houses in a single day on a tour that includes admission, audio guides, and all transport.