South America is a fascinating continent rich in history, culture, and beautiful places.
One of the countries that makes up this amazing continent that seems to be getting a bit more attention of late is Chile.
This narrow slither of land along the western edge of the continent features some of its most diverse and dramatic scenery, and right now is one of the best times to explore it for yourself.
A Warmer Winter
Because Chile is in the southern hemisphere, it means it’s summer there while the U.S. endures winter.
Regions such as Patagonia, Rapa Nui, and the lakes and volcanoes of the south are best visited at this time of year, not only for the better weather, but because more tourist services such as campgrounds and activity organizers are open.
Chilean summer is not usually roasting hot but relatively mild, but the main benefit is that it is much drier between November and February compared to other times of year.
Fantastic Food And Wonderful Wine
Like many South American nations, Chile’s food is a delicious blend of traditional dishes and concepts brought to the country by European colonizers.
Perhaps most famous are Chilean empanadas, the corn-based dish humitas, and machas a la Parmensana, which is a clam topped with different cheeses.
If you know even a little bit about wine, you’ll know that Chile is a world-famous producer of it.
Chilean vineyards are known for mixing innovation with tradition and can be found largely in three main regions: the Colchagua Valley, the Maipo Valley, and the Elqui Valley.
You can stay at many of the wineries and some, such as Valparaiso, even have golf courses and wellness centers on site.
One Word: Patagonia
The trendy outdoor clothing brand that you are probably well familiar with got its name from this stunning region in the far south of Chile that it shares with next-door neighbor Argentina.
This is a magnificent landscape of stunning mountains, wide open valleys, unspoiled lakes, hot springs, and majestic fjords.
It’s an amazing destination for trekking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits, as well as learning more about the history of gaucho and their horses on the wide-open plains here.
This nature paradise is also home to glaciers and can be a point from which you can sail to Antarctica.
Your Money Goes A Long Way
Chile can be a very affordable place to enjoy an unforgettable adventure.
It’s not unreasonable to find accommodation in the $30 to $50 a night bracket and you can save even more money by enjoying the vibrant hostel scene in the country.
Food is relatively inexpensive and public transport is a real steal, with a transport ticket in the capital Santiago costing less than a dollar.
Chile uses the Chilean Peso, and one U.S. dollar equates to about 880 pesos, which can make working out conversions a little tricky.
Be sure to have a few key amounts learned to heart if you visit to avoid being ripped off.
Rated As One Of The World’s Best
Another string in Chile’s bow is that the country was named as one of Lonely Planet’s Best In Travel countries for 2024.
This honor is only bestowed upon 10 different countries each year, which shows just how much pulling power Chile has as a hot tourism destination.
As if that wasn’t enough, the Atacama desert, located in the north of the country, was named on the 2024 Cool List for Latin America by National Geographic.
This region is known for being an incredibly dry environment and home to an annual super bloom of wildflowers from September to November each year.
Generally Safe To Visit
Chile usually ranks well for safety when compared with other countries around the world.
The most recent Global Peace Index has Chile listed as the world’s 58th safest country, with Argentina (54th) and Uruguay (50th) the only South American countries ahead of it in the list.
Naturally, you should take the usual sensible precautions in larger cities, but if you are out in the countryside or visiting some of Chile’s amazing natural beauty, crime is not usually a major concern.
The U.S. Department of State rates Chile as Level 2 on its travel advisory scale, with the main concerns being crime in cities and some civil unrest.
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