Discover Chile: Nature, culture and wine

Chile offers travelers a range of options: the desert landscape of the Atacama, routes through Chilean Patagonia, UNESCO sites, coastal towns and wine culture. When looking for a hotel, you can start by choosing your destination based on what interests you most about the trip—such as landscapes, trekking, architecture, history or cuisine. The places and themes below offer specific ideas to help you decide.

Landscapes and routes in Chile

The Carretera Austral, also known as Ruta 7, is more than 1,200 kilometers long and runs through Chilean Patagonia. Along the route are native forests, glaciers, clear rivers and fjords; some sections are traveled by ferry. An off-road vehicle is recommended for the drive because of gravel sections and changeable weather. Ferries are required at key crossings, including Caleta La Arena and Puerto Yungay, to complete the journey. Factor ferry connections into your plans and check the schedules before setting out.

Torres del Paine also offers a variety of natural attractions: the national park covers 227,000 hectares and features rocky peaks, golden steppes and turquoise Lago Pehoé. Trekking routes there include Circuit W and Circuit O. The park is home to pumas, guanacos and condors. Chilean Patagonia is also characterized by glaciers, fjords, forests and mountains. Those looking for a different kind of landscape can visit the Atacama Desert in northern Chile. It is known for its salt flats and as a world-renowned destination for astrotourism.

Chiloé is home to Chiloé National Park and Parque Tantauco; the landscapes described there include evergreen forests and rugged coastlines. The Ruta de las Iglesias leads to wooden churches that have been declared UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Nature and culture are therefore both tangible themes to consider when planning a trip here.

World Heritage, architecture and history

Valparaíso is a UNESCO World Heritage port city known for its architecture, hills, historic funiculars and maritime tradition. The Reina Victoria and El Peral funiculars offer views of the bay. The city is also home to La Sebastiana, the house museum of poet Pablo Neruda. These places make Valparaíso a destination for travelers interested in urban history and architecture.

Chile’s World Heritage Sites also include the Humberstone and Santa Laura saltpeter works, which were added to the World Heritage List in 2005. Sewell Mining Town followed in 2006. The mining town is considered an outstanding example of company towns created to extract and process high-grade copper. Access to Sewell is controlled; visits are limited and take place only under the supervision of authorized operators. Check the visitor requirements in advance.

On Rapa Nui, the national park was added to the World Heritage List in 1995. This protected Chilean wildlife sanctuary is on Easter Island, covers approximately 40 percent of the island and encompasses a group of archaeological sites. Rapa Nui is home to the moai, the Rano Raraku quarry and the ceremonial site of Orongo. The Tapati Festival takes place in February. Anakena Beach is suitable for relaxation and diving—another aspect of the island beyond its archaeological and cultural sites.

Wine and cuisine as travel interests

In the Valle del Maipo, centuries-old wineries offer tours of cellars and vineyards. The offerings described include history, colonial architecture and wine tastings. The Ruta del Vino stretches from Casablanca to Maule through Chile’s central valleys. It combines wine pairings and insights into winemaking with walks through vineyards. If wine is important to your trip, these two described experiences can provide a practical starting point for choosing a destination.

Chilean cuisine encompasses the culinary traditions of the Mapuche, Aymara, Rapa Nui, Atacameño, Quechua, Colla, Diaguita, Chango, Kawésqar, Yagán and Selk’nam peoples. Restaurants and coastal coves throughout Chile also offer oysters, scallops, razor clams, sea urchins, jaibas, locos and piures. This variety offers another possible focus for your trip planning: you can decide how much weight to give culture, landscapes and cuisine based on what you want to discover, then look for a hotel for your trip.

Discover more destinations: Metropolitan Region, Valparaíso, Los Lagos Region, Bío-Bío, Magallanes and Chilean Antarctic Region, Los Ríos Region, Aisén Region, Maule Region, Antofagasta, Tarapacá Region, Libertador General Bernardo O’Higgins Region, Coquimbo Region, Araucanía Region, Fifteenth Region of Arica and Parinacota, Atacama Region, Arica and Parinacota Region.

For the broader travel overview: South America.