Top 7 Travel Guide Chile

Although other countries in South America get more praise or attention, there is a lot to be said for making a stop-off in Chile if you are touring this continent. Even though it may be one of the smaller nations in South America, there are plenty of great attractions and destinations to check out when it comes to making the most of your holiday time.

Cerro San Cristóbal

You may not have a hill marked out as being one of your must-see destinations on holiday but the Cerro San Cristóbal is not just any hill in Santiago. This hill affords stunning views of the city and if the weather is clear, you can see the Andes. A notable reason to reach the summit is the 72 feet Virgin Mary statue that can be found alongside a church at the peak. There is also the largest public park in the city, the Parque Metropolitano, and this hosts a zoo, a botanical garden and swimming pools.

Los Pingüinos Natural Monument

If you love penguins, you’ll find that the Los Pingüinos Natural Monument, located in the south of Chile is the ideal destination for you. There are more 120,000 penguins to be found here and the penguins return to the island in September or October to find a mate. Watch your timing though because the birds head off to the sea around March.

Chiloé Island

While this island stands apart from Chile, it is a great place to visit for a fine range of architecture and culture that is closely associated with the country. The island welcomed an influx of Spanish travellers back in the 16th century and there are still a great range of Christian artefacts in the area. The island shows a unique blend of Catholicism and beliefs that are indigenous to the Chilean people.

San Rafael Glacier

This glacier is located within Laguna San Rafael National Park and it can only be accessed by plane or by boat. The journey to the glacier is an adventure in itself, with a wide range of stunning views. There are some narrow channels to be navigated on your way to the glacier, and it is not for the fainthearted. This is why you will want to arrange travel insurance prior to visiting Chile, just in case! The glacier extends to close to 9 miles from the source point.

Torres del Paine

This is a national park located in the southern reaches of Patagonian Chile and there are many stunning sights to be found in the area. There are glaciers, lakes and mountains which will provide you with a lot of tremendous views and memories that will last for a long time. You should look out for the towers of Paine, three peaks that have been created through the force of glacial ice.

Lauca National Park

Found in the north of the country, the Lauca National Park is a hugely popular and important tourist attraction in Chile. The Lago Chungara is just one of the most important reasons to head to this area as this is one of the biggest lakes in the entire world. There is also a dormant volcano, the Volcan Parinacota.

Easter Island

Given that Easter Island is officially regarded as Chilean territory, it can be included in your must see sights for a tour of Chile. It is an extremely isolated island in the Pacific Ocean but the statues are known all over the world. There is an increasing number of tourist reasons to visit the island including surfing and diving but it is the majesty of the massive heads that will ensure Easter Island is a place worth visiting when you have the chance.

photo credit: francisco_osorio via photopin cc