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Chile is filled with so many amazing highlights! After visiting on two separate occasions, I have to say, it’s got something for everyone. From the Andes Mountain Range to the Atacama Desert, there’s just simply so much to see and do in Chile!
With that said, there were a few experiences, places I visited, and things I did that became my highlights of Chile and left me wanting to return again soon.
Those experiences hit all the best things to see and do in Chile and touched on the culture, history, food and stunning landscapes.
Here are my 18 Chile highlights to add to your bucket list! These are my absolute favorite things to do in Chile (that I’m sure you’ll love too!)
1. Go Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is a true highlight in Chile. This stunning national park is filled with breathtaking views. Located in the very south of Chile near the town of Puerto Natales, the park is a hiker’s dream and people come from all over the world to visit.
I myself have been lucky enough to visit twice, hiking both the Torres del Paine W Trek and the big O Circuit. Of course, you don’t have to be an experienced hiker to enjoy the park and the most famous hike is the Las Torres Viewpoint which can be completed in one day.
Regardless of what hike you choose to do, Torres del Paine National Park is one of the best places to visit in Chile and something you just need to see for yourself!
2. Whitewater rafting in Futaleufu
Futaleufu is another beautiful place to visit in Chile and is located in the northern part of Chile’s Patagonia. However, the main difference between the south and the north of Patagonia is the dry desert environment disappears and lush green forests and stunning rivers take their place.
The rivers are famous for their blue and green colors created by melting glacier ice. But, another reason Futaleufu is so famous is that it’s rated the 3rd best place in the world to go whitewater rafting!
This made Futaleufu a must-visit for me and after hitting the class-5 rapids on a whitewater rafting tour, I can tell you that it’s amazing! The rapids are pretty crazy and I had a blast getting soaked as we bumped and bashed our way down the Vueltas River Canyon.
This is one adventure sport you just have to do in Chile if you’re looking for an adrenaline rush!
You can check prices and book here in advance for yourself!
3. Sail the fiords from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt
The most remote region of Patagonia is the highly inaccessible fiords on the coast of Chile. This area is visited by only a handful of people on the ferry from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales. this ferry is the only way you can experience this Chile highlight for yourself.
The trip takes 4 days and 3 nights aboard a ferry, and on the journey from Puerto Natales to Puerto Montt, you can enjoy breathtaking views the entire way.
Although not a luxury cruise, this also makes it more affordable in an expensive part of the world. Navimag is the company that operates the ferry and cruises run back and forth regularly.
This is a very unique thing to do in Chile and one experience not many travelers have!
4. Spend the night in a luxury hotel in Torres del Paine NP
We all know you can go hiking in Torres del Paine National Park. But what about the non-hikers? Well, Torres del Paine NP is filled with luxury hotels where you can enjoy breathtaking views, enjoy easy guided hikes, or even go horse riding.
These hotels in Torres del Paine National Park provide a great alternative to camping in the Torres. And despite my love for hiking, this is still one of my favorite things to do in Chile.
Of course, hotels in the park don’t come cheap and for a hotel with amazing views and a luxurious stay expect to pay around $300 USD per night. There are some budget hostels in the park too though and you can read all about them in my guide to the best Torres del Paine hotels.
Related Read: Check out the best tours in Torres del Paine National Park before you go!
5. Enjoy history and culture in Valparaiso
The historical city of Valparaiso is a must-visit in Chile. The city holds a lot of historical importance and the UNESCO World Heritage part of the city is simply beautiful! Located only a few hours from Santiago, you can actually visit Valparaiso on a day trip, or as I recommend, spend a few nights in one of the best hotels in Valparaiso.
In Valparaiso, you can learn about the history of the city on a guided walking tour, eat or learn how to cook amazing Chilean food, visit the Concon Sand Dunes, or simply experience the local culture. At night, you can also head out for some crazy Chilean nightlife and party the night away at trendy bars with live music. There are lots of fun things to do and see in Valparaiso!
Regardless of what you go to Valparaiso for, you’re sure to fall in love with this vibrant and colorful coastal town!
6. Eat amazing food in Santiago
Santiago is the capital of Chile and the country’s most important city. This makes it a mecca for Chilean cuisine and the best place in the country to sample food. You can literally find it all in Santiago!
Some things you must try include Chilean beef, Chorrillana, Cerviche, and Patasca. These are all Chilean favorites from around the country and you will easily find all of these dishes to try in Santiago!
Of course, to wash it all down be sure to get a Pisco Sour. This famous cocktail is made with a spirit called Pisco. It is delicious and depending on who you ask, it’s either from Chile or Peru – they both claim its birthright! Regardless, it’s a must-try and a unique cocktail made with egg whites!
You can also make traditional dishes and learn about the local cusine through a cooking class or on a food tour through the city. For example, this specific cooking class starts at one of the best markets in the country, La Vega Central, to gather fresh ingredients. Next, you’ll be transported by your hosts to the cooking workshop where you will learn how to make a starter, main, and a dessert.
If you’d rather spend more time in the city I would recommend this half-day walking tour with lunch and coffee instead. You will walk around and learn about Santiago and walk past many street food vendors and markets which you can choose to purchase from separately in addition to the food already included.
Related Read: Have limited time? Find out what and ideal day in Santiago looks like here.
7. Take a cruise or kayak through the Marble Caves
When I first heard about the Marble Caves in Chile it was a little-known attraction that was extremely hard to get to by bus. But, knowing my love for off-the-beaten-path experiences, I went for it and actually had to hitchhike in Chile to get there.
However, I made it and I loved it! The Marble Caves are as the name suggests, caves made of marble. Carved by water, they form amazing shapes and the breathtaking colors of General Carrera Lake make it even more amazing.
The Marble Caves are located near the town of Puerto Rio Tranquillo. Although hard to get to by bus this destination is becoming more and more popular meaning it’s now easier to get to. From Rio Tranquillo, the best way to see the caves is on a small boat cruise that takes you into some of the caves.
There are also some locals who run a small group kayaking tour which will allow you to get very close to them. For just $55 USD a person it’s really a good deal for such a unique sight! It lasts about 3 hours and leaves from Puerto Río Tranquilo.
If the photo I took above hasn’t sold you on visiting one of my favorite Chile highlights, then I don’t know what will! This is easily one of the best things to do in Chile!
8. See King Penguins on Tierra del Fuego Island
King Penguins are the second largest penguins in the world and the only place you can see them (other than the sub-Antarctic islands) is on Tierra del Fuego Island in Chile.
Tierra del Fuego Island is located in the very south of Chile and the penguins are most commonly visited from Punta Arenas. From here, penguin tours run to the penguin colony where you can see the King Penguins from a viewing platform.
The colony here is home to 80 King penguins that come to this exact spot to raise their young. During my visit, I actually got to see two baby King Penguins!
This was the first time I’d ever seen penguins so large and it was really a dream come true on my Chile trip. If you do venture south near Punta Arenas, make sure to add this to your Chile bucket list! You can book your King Penguin tour in advance here.
9. Drink craft beer
What surprised me most about Chile was its amazing craft beer. For a self-confessed craft beer lover, it was such a welcoming surprise that had me sampling beers from around the country.
Some of the best places to try craft beer included Valparaiso, Puerto Natales, and Punta Arenas. In these cities and towns, the range of high-quality and delicious beers was endless and my favorites were definitely the Patagonia beers!
I guess it’s true what they say, it all starts with quality water and Patagonia is home to some of the cleanest on the planet!
A unique beer tour option from Valparaiso combines sightseeing, hiking, and beer samples all in one! Now you won’t have to worry about the extra calories because you can burn them off as you hike for views of the city and countryside.
Related Read: Make sure to check out our must do things in Punta Arenas guide if you are planning a visit to the city.
10. Visit the Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert in far north Chile is yet another example of Chile’s ever-changing landscapes. The Atacama also known as the “Valley of the Moon” (Valle de la Luna) is one of the driest places in the world and is a harsh but beautiful place to visit in Chile.
To explore the Atacama the most popular city (and easiest to visit) is San Pedro. From San Pedro, you can head off and explore some of the best things to do in the Atacama such as visiting the salt flats of the Atacama, El Tatio Geysers, and Valle de La Luna, visiting the UNESCO heritage site in the ghost town of Humberstone or going desert camping.
However, you don’t need to do a tour to enjoy the salt flats and if you love seeing the stars, then the Atacama Desert is an amazing place to see them with little to no light pollution.
If a visit to the Atacama isn’t high on your things to do in Chile list then it should be, this place is like another planet!
11. Eat Lamb al Asador
Lamb al Asador is a Patagonian roasted lamb dish that you’ll find all over the region. It involves slow-roasting a whole lamb over hot coals for 4 hours and it’s delicious.
To get the best Lamb al Asador and to be sure its authentic look for the lamb cooking in the window if restaurants. That way you’ll know what you’re getting is fresh and has been cooked right there in front of you.
As Lamb al Asador takes a while to cook you can’t find the dish during lunch and instead will need to wait until dinner to try this Patagonian treat.
If you love lamb then Lamb al Asador definitely will end up being one of your Chile or Patagonia highlights!
12. Wine tasting in Casablanca Valley
The Casablanca wine region in Chile is one of the country’s most famous and important. It’s located around 45 minutes outside of Santiago and just 20 minutes from Valparaiso. The climate here is cool and the soil is diverse from the materials from the mountains and rivers. In particular, Casablanca Valley is known to produce excellent Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay.
All this to say you should definitely make this Chile highlight part of your trip and you can make it happen on this small-group tour from Santiago! This 9-hour tour has a badge of excellence for a reason as you’ll get to visit 3 local wineries including an underground cellar and get to taste 14 different samples.
Another thing I find awesome about this tour, in particular, is that it finishes with the option to have lunch at the beautiful Tanino Restaurant. While this is a separate expense you will get to enjoy dishes paired perfectly with wines for a full gastronomic experience.
Related Read: Wine tasting is one of the best things to do in Mendoza, Argentina, too!
13. Visit archaeological sites at Easter Island
If you have never heard of Easter Island before it’s probably because this Chilean island is one of the most remote places in the world. It is located more than 3,541 kilometers (2,200 miles) away from mainland Chile in the middle of the Pacific Ocean.
Easter Island is covered with around 900 Moai statues which were carved by Polonysians who believed them to be charged with sacred magical spirits. Visitors have noted the island to give off spiritual or mysterious energy so if that’s not your thing maybe skip this Chile highlight but if you’re intrigued here’s what you should know.
Plan to spend 3-5 days here in addition to the rest of your Chilie plans. Flights only depart out of Santiago every Friday, Sunday, and Monday and you can expect a round trip ticket to cost between $300-$700 USD on average during low season and upwards of $1,300 USD in high season.
Once at the island there are a bunch of different day tours you can take or rent a car and self-drive everywhere! Either way, visiting Easter Island is sure one of the most unique Chile highlights on our list.
14. Discover Maipo Canyon
The Maipo Canyon (Cajón del Maipo) is located in the southeastern part of the Andes Mountains that is close to Santiago which makes for an easy day trip by car or via one of the many different Maipo Canyon tours. This scenic wine and empanada tour is one we would recommend if you’re not looking to hike but just enjoy being shuttled around to the best viewpoints and stopping for wine and snacking on empanadas.
Some of the most popular things to do inside Maipo Canyon are to hike the El Morado National Monument, walk along the Maipo River to El Yeso Dam, go horseback riding, camp underneath the stars, hike for a panoramic view of the San Jose volcano, or even bath in the thermal volcanic hot springs.
15. Sail through the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers
There are plenty of glaciers in Chile but two of the most impressive and popular are the Balmaceda and Serrano Glaciers in Patagonia. They are easily reachable on a boat cruise from Puerto Natales. On this specific tour here, you will not only sail to them but make a stop for a forest hike that will lead you out to the base of the glaciers. Your guide will even prepare whiskey served over glacial ice for you to warm up with.
Can you imagine the crisp breeze on your face and the views from the ship? I sure can!
16. Go whale watching
If you like to venture to remote places it doesn’t get much less populous than in the southernmost region of Chile. The practically untouched Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego is an ideal place for whale watching and spotting other marine animals. You can see humpback whales, sei whales, southern dolphins, oyster dolphins, Magellanic penguins, sea lions, petrels, and cormorants.
This tour from Punta Arenas Francisco Coloane Park takes you by car 50 km (31 mi) to board your boat which will sail for 10 hours. Yes, it will be a super long day and I wouldn’t advise this activity if you have issues with sea sickness. On the plus side, all of this time means you are highly likely to see whales and there are usually several spottings! Plus, when sea animals are spotted your captains make sure to spend a good amount of time with them.
17. Climb Villarrica Volcano
In the center of Chile’s Lake District is the small town of Pucon which sits right on Lago Villarrica and showcases the Villarrica Volcano in the landscape. Visiting this town in and of itself can make for an awesome Chile highlight!
It’s a beautiful place to swim, kayak, and SUP in the summer and there are lots of accommodations options in Pucon too so you could even spend a night or two here! But as you read from the title the main draw is the mighty Villarrica Volcano, one of the most active volcanoes in South America.
Many of the local tour companies don’t hike up Villarrica but hike up neighboring volcanoes instead for a view of it which to me is a bit disappointing. However, what’s cool is that you can book a tour with Terra Volcano Pucon and you will trek directly up Villarrica! They are the way to go for an epic experience!
You’ll also have the option to ski down the volcano if you have experience skiing. Provided on the tour are safety gear, boots, cold weather clothing, a helmet, and a gas mask. If you plan on skiing be sure to let them know upon booking.
18. Visit the Magellanic penguin colony in Punta Arenas
Magellanic penguins are the most common penguin in Patagonia and Chile. In fact, in Patagonia, there are almost more Magellanic penguins than people!
The Magellanic Penguins live in large colonies and on Magdalena Island near Punta Arenas you can see up to 120,000 of them! That’s one small island filled with a lot of penguins and there are so many you are pretty much guaranteed to see them.
From Punta Arenas, you can join an organized tour to the island on a fast boat, or you can just take the public slow ferry. The slow ferry takes a few hours to reach to island whereas the fast boats take only 45 minutes. Once on the island, you can walk around and spot lots of Magellanic Penguins before returning back to Punta Arenas.
If you love wildlife then this is one of the best things to do in Chile!
Getting Around Chile
1. Rental car or campervan
The easiest way to explore Chile is to rent a car or campervan. With limited buses in some areas and so much to explore on the side of the main highways, having the freedom of a rental car is amazing. On my second trip to Chile, I did a rental car and loved it! But the best part?
I got it so cheap it worked out better than taking the bus! Between 4 of us, it only cost us $40 USD per day to have the car!
The best place to find a cheap rental car in Chile is on DiscoverCars.com. Here you can search every car company and view the cheapest prices available. For campervans use Motorhome Republic. They’re another search engine for finding campervans and motorhomes! We’ve taken multiple road trips with vehicles from Motorhome Republic, so read our review here!
If you’d like more info you can read a separate guide we wrote specifically about renting a car in Patagonia.
2. Bus
As I said before, I did take buses on my first trip to Chile. Although not the most ideal way to travel, it’s still okay and it’s getting easier. Using websites like Bus Bud means you can pre-purchase tickets online and plan the route you want to go in advance.
For more common shuttle routes going to and from major cities in South America, you can look into Bookaway who offers affordable one-way and round-trip bus and train tickets.
3. Hitchhiking
Hitching hiking is super popular in Chile, especially in Patagonia. I hitchhiked lots during my trip to Patagonia in 2016 and loved it. We met so many amazing locals and other travelers along the way. Of course, you do still have to be careful and I wouldn’t recommend hitchhiking alone.
If you’re curious you can read about our first experience hitchhiking in Chile here... needless to say we learned a few things.
Don’t Forget Travel Insurance!
If you’re looking to save money on travel insurance, we currently use and recommend SafetyWing. We’ve been using their coverage since 2018 and they’ve had our backs when we needed emergency flights and got sick overseas.
SafetyWing is one of the cheapest providers out there and covers everything from medical costs to lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency flights. A huge difference we’ve found between them and other companies is that they let you take out a policy AFTER leaving your home country. We’ve also found it handy that it’s a monthly payment rather than a lump sum, and you can get a refund for unused time.
SafetyWing has helped us out in some scary situations before and their affordable coverage has given us peace of mind. You can read our honest review of SafetyWing for all the pros and cons.
Thanks for reading!
Thanks so much for reading our blog. I really hope it’s helped you plan your trip to Chile and you now have a load of Chile highlights to cross off your bucket list!
If you have any questions please leave them below in the comment section. If not. we’d still love to hear any comments you have about Chile or this blog!
If you liked this blog then be sure to check out all of our Chile blogs and Patagonia blogs here. Otherwise, check out some of our favorite blogs below:
Torres del Paine Camping Guide
Amazing things to do in Patagonia
