Experiences in Chile

WINE AND FINE FOOD
Throughout your travels in Chile, you’ll enjoy an irresistible combination of mouth-watering seafood, fabulous produce from the fertile land and sophisticated cuisine, together with the perfect wine pairings to captivate your senses.

Discover the multi-layered flavors of Chilean cuisine; a rich mix of time-honored traditions and original ingredients with modern European trends and techniques. The Pacific coast is one of the country’s most fabled resources, providing an amazing variety of fish and seafood!

Take the opportunity to delve into Chile’s immense culinary landscape and savor its enormous variety, from hearty rustic fare to the most sophisticated gastronomic experiences imaginable.

Of course, no culinary journey would be complete without Chile’s wonderful wines; superlative whites, reds and sparkling wines of world-class quality. If you are a wine enthusiast, take a tasting tour through some of our splendid vineyards and learn more about the many varieties Chile proudly grows and exports across the globe.

INTERNATIONAL CUISINE
The thousands of restaurants, cafés and bars that have appeared throughout Chile, aim to serve flavors from different parts of the world and promise to throw a party for your senses. The traditions of immigrants that came in centuries past and chefs that travel the world looking for new culinary experiences breathe life into a diverse gastronomic fare, which is rich in colors and textures.

In Santiago, the options are endless and the intercultural mix can be felt in places that mix local food and international dishes. Visit the Bellavista, Lastarria and Italia districts to be surprised by the variety of food and preparations. If you have a bigger budget, treat yourself to one of the sophisticated restaurants of Nueva Costanera and Alonso de Córdoba.

Enjoy sweet and savory dishes or a delicious sweet and sour concoction throughout the country. Colorful walls that are home to fine restaurants, cafés, chocolate and pastry shops, welcome you to the English District in La Serena.

In Valparaiso you can look down at the port city from one of the hundreds of restaurants that offer simple or sophisticated culinary experiences. If you love wine, then pairing it will be a highlight when deciding what to eat. Listen to the advice from the experts!

Try the unique combination of Italian, Chilean and Mapuche flavors in Capitan Pastene, in the south, or be amazed by the German influence while trying delicious crafted beer and pasteries in cities like Valdivia, Osorno, Puerto Varas and Frutillar.

WINE TOURISM
Fertile valleys nestled between the mountains and the ocean are the perfect terroir for some of the best wines in the world. Experience new flavors, aromas and colors with a tasting glass in hand, as you enjoy the sights and sounds of these famous vineyards – a deep-rooted element in Chile’s culture and identity.

Meander through the terraced vines while you sample some of our celebrated white wines. Note the fresh influence of the Pacific Ocean in the elegant sauvignon blancs and chardonnays from the northern and central valleys.

Visit Casablanca and Valparaiso, one of the 10 Great Wine Capitals of the world. Serious gastronomes can experience exquisite food and wine pairings at the stately vineyards in the central region.

Tour underground cellars and old vineyard manors and discover how the experts elaborate the finest wines from sophisticated carménère – the ‘lost’ French variety – or the fuller-bodied cabernet sauvignon in the Colchagua, Maule and Maipo valleys.

For a truly unique experience, visit Chile between March and April when the grape harvest festivals take place throughout the country. What better way to enjoy at first-hand one of Chile’s deepest-rooted traditions?

TRADITIONAL CUISINE
Delectable ingredients, prepared using time-honored recipes and techniques, seasoned with our ancestral identity: these are the elements which merge in Chile’s unique culinary landscape. Let your senses guide you and enjoy sampling the intense flavors of Chile´s rich lands and seas.

Savor delicious quinoa-based dishes from the cultures and lands of the north, and marvel at the range of tropical fruits grown in hot, fertile valleys on the edge of the Atacama desert.

In the central heartlands, soak up the huaso (cowboy) atmosphere and rural traditions with classic empanadas and corn-based dishes, like pastel de choclo and humitas. In the summer, cool off with a delicious mote con huesillo; a cold, sweet concoction of wheat, dried peaches and syrupy fruit juice, perfect on baking hot days.

Superb fish and seafood are the main attraction, without a doubt, on Chile’s long coast. The variety is immense: seafood lovers will enjoy conger eel stew, razor clams a la parmesana (topped with a grilled parmesan crust), and scallops al pil pil (in a chilli-laced olive oil), to name but a few of our best-loved dishes.

In the south of Chile, you’ll find hearty casseroles like the ever-popular cazuela, Mapuche catutos (from the Mapundung language, wheat-based bread), and tortillas de rescoldo, a traditional ash-baked bread. Chiloé’s most emblematic dish is curanto, a medley of seafood, meat and potatoes baked underground on hot stones. And if you’re heading for Patagonia, don’t miss the southern king crab and the famous Magellan lamb ‘al palo’ (a whole flame-roasted beast). Truly a feast for the senses!

ASTROTOURISM
Experience a journey to the stars in Chile! Observe constellations, planets, shooting stars and all manner of celestial bodies in the spectacular Chilean skies – the clearest in the entire southern hemisphere.

Chile enjoys more than 300 clear days per year and with little or no light pollution in the north, conditions are ideal for stargazing under open skies. For a truly close encounter with the planets, visit one of the many astronomical observatories open to visitors.

In La Serena, Elqui Valley, San Pedro de Atacama, Antofagasta and Iquique you’ll find agencies which can arrange transport and accommodation and provide observation equipment for travelers.

If you’re a real astronomy fanatic, don’t miss the chance to visit some of the world’s leading scientific observatories. At sites like ALMA, Tololo and Paranal, you can witness the state-of-the-art technology used to investigate the universe.

STARGAZING
In Chile, you’ll find the world’s clearest skies. Its nature, geography, climate and position in the world turn the skies of this country into a real window to the universe.

For a unique experience of connection with nature, visit the northern and the central parts of the country and enjoy the enormity of the universe away from the buzz of the big cities.

Places like San Pedro de Atacama, Elqui Valley and Cajón del Maipo with their almost non-existent light pollution, make these destinations the ideal spot to enjoy the quiet of the night.

Watch the stars, hunt for a shooting star and learn about the constellations and planets. Enjoy a nighttime excursion guided by experts in the middle of the world’s driest desert or accompanied by the sound of the water in some of the most fertile valleys in the country.

ASTRONOMICAL FACILITIES
If there’s a place in the world where you can actually reach out for the stars, it is Chile. Its privileged skies have caught the attention of scientists around the world that carry out important research daily.

The unique geographical and climatic conditions of the country have fostered the development of first-class astronomical projects. There are close to 40 international, university, public and private observatories in the country. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to see the instruments and learn more about the work of these professionals!

Be taken aback with ALMA, the largest astronomical project on the planet and visit its control room and laboratories. Its unique telescope, made up of an array of 66 high precision antennas, is located close to 5,000 meters above sea level near San Pedro de Atacama.

Important international observatories have also been built near cities like Antofagasta, La Serena and Coquimbo, which can be visited during the day. Book a visit and be amazed by the state-of-the-art technology used to study the universe.

NIGHTTIME VISITS
Enjoy the world’s clearest skies, which open before your eyes like a window to the universe, offering you the chance to live a unique experience.

These are places that will captivate the visitors with their own kind of magic, allowing them to come closer to space and closely observe the stars and planets that move around the galaxy.

Near Antofagasta and San Pedro de Atacama, the sky offers ideal observation conditions in the world’s driest desert. Meanwhile, the vast valleys of the central area, like Elqui Valley and Cajón del Maipo, have the advantage of scarce light pollution to better observe the universe in all its majesty.

Visit some of the many observatories that hold night tours to admire the universe through sophisticated instruments only found there and start getting deeper into the culture of the heavens. Discover firsthand the secrets of the universe that can only be seen at night!

BEACHES
Warm sunshine, sea and sand; what better ingredients for a fabulous holiday? You’ll discover idyllic beaches ideal for sunbathing, as well as more dramatic shores, many offering fantastic opportunities for water sports and nautical activities on over 4,000 kilometers of Chilean coast.

Visit the north to enjoy year-round sunshine and the warm waters of the Pacific Ocean. Ideal for stretching out on your towel and soaking up some rays.

Well-rested and looking for some city fun? Then head for the central heartland, whose lively cities boast splendid beaches and rolling surf. For a quieter and more intimate experience, explore the many smaller bays and coves, growing in popularity among surfers and food lovers for their exquisite fresh seafood.

In the south of Chile, there’s lots of fun to be had on the many lakeside beaches. Some have dark volcanic sand and dramatic forest backdrops. Enjoy their quiet waters, perfect for boat trips and other nautical pastimes like kayaking and sailing. One hundred percent natural relaxation!

Rapa Nui’s (Easter Island) outstanding beaches are among the best in the Pacific. Calm seas, the perfect temperature, swaying palm trees … all under the gaze of the enigmatic moai. Rapa Nui is a holidaymakers’ paradise.

COASTAL BEACHES
Come and discover the tremendous variety of landscapes in the longest country in the world! You’ll find bracing seaside resorts where huge waves crash on to fine white or black sand beaches. As well as beautiful surroundings and lively seafront promenades, Chile’s many beaches are also have ideal conditions for numerous water sports.

The beaches of Arica and Iquique boast warm seas and a gentle swell, while the white sands and turquoise waters of La Virgen and Bahía Inglesa beaches have an almost Caribbean air.

Enjoy La Serena’s bustling beach scene or venture further afield to the surrounding areas where you’ll find amazing bio-diversity in countless small fishing villages, sheltered coves and protected marine reserves, like Punta de Choros and the Humboldt Penguin National Park.

Within easy reach of Santiago, visit Viña del Mar and enjoy the many daytime activities and lively nightlife on offer in this summer hotspot, or opt for one of the quieter, family-friendly beaches like Zapallar. If you are into surfing and water sports, you’ll enjoy the popular beaches of Pichilemu and Maitencillo, or choose to get away from it all in tranquil Matanzas, which combines great water sports facilities with genuine peace and quiet.

LAKESIDE BEACHES
The green and thick landscapes of the south of Chile are the perfect setting for lakes and lagoons that provide some of the most fun beaches in the country. Get on a jet-ski, in a kayak or just rest in this unique natural destination!

If you love fly fishing, visit Lanalhue Lake in the Arauco Territory or Panguipulli for an unforgettable experience surrounded by mountains and millenial forests. You can complement your trip with a wide range of water-based activities that you can do with your whole family.

Enjoy the different water sports you can try during the summer at Villarrica Lake. Also, take the opportunity to visit the long beach in Pucón, where you can clear your mind in a kayak or canoe.

Further south, by the shores of the Llanquihue Lake, whether close to Puerto Varas or Puerto Octay, you can also mix your well-deserved break on the beach with water-based activities. Behold the volcanoes in the area while you quickly paddle or silently row through the water!

CRUISES AND SAILING
Do you dream of a truly unique journey, enjoying spectacular scenery in comfort fit for a king? Then join a cruise ship to see some of Chile’s finest scenic attractions and revel in the singular delights of South America’s southernmost coastline.

Travel in style on one of the many international cruise ships that sail in Chilean waters and discover some of its fascinating port cities, including Valparaiso, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas.

You’ll be in thrall to the lush landscapes of Chile as your single-hull ship or catamaran navigates the lakes and lagoons. Cruise on the southern Llanquihue and Todos los Santos Lakes or sail close to the towering Grey Glacier in Patagonia.

Relax and have fun as you sail through the Patagonian channels, enjoying the dramatic views of southern Chile’s fjords and stunning remote landscapes. Or venture deeper on an expedition cruise to the southernmost tip of the continent, or as far as mythical Antarctica. Gasp in the glacial air as you finally come face-to-face with the famous white continent.

INTERNATIONAL CRUISES
Go on a cruise through the Pacific Ocean to reach the Chilean coasts. The amazing landscapes that starting points like Europe, the US and Australia offer, are only the beginning of what you’ll find when you disembark here in Chile.

The crew and passengers from different parts of the world reach one of the most picturesque and historic ports of South America: Valparaiso. Known as the “Jewel of the Pacific” and a declared World Heritage Site, this city invites you to discover a modern cultural scene mixed with its colorful 19th century architecture.

In the port of Coquimbo, visit the English District and Coquimbo’s Fort, or go on an adventure to discover the treasures of the area like the Elqui Valley and its world-class astronomical observatories.

The south of Chile will enchant you with the magical lands filled with fjords, channels and snow-capped volcanoes. Puerto Montt is a must when sailing through the southernmost waters in the world. You can’t miss the chance of visiting the heritage churches of Chiloé, fishing the crystal-clear waters that flow from glaciers and enjoying the delicious Chilean food before carrying on with your trip.

PATAGONIAN CRUISES
The world’s southernmost territory invites explorers to take an unforgettable voyage through the Patagonian fjords and channels.

Come aboard in Puerto Montt and see the millennial ice-floes of the San Rafael Lagoon, cross the Straits of Magellan from Punta Arenas to discover the mythical Tierra del Fuego, and explore the Beagle Channel before reaching Puerto Williams. You can choose to return via the magnificent Northern and Southern Ice Fields or cruise on to Antarctica.

Enjoy sailing on comfortable small vessels and luxury cruise ships into the territories of sea lions, penguins, dolphins, killer whales and other cetaceans. Your holiday becomes a real adventure as you step ashore in unique and unspoiled places with imposing icebergs as the backdrop.

Choose from a range of exciting excursions and activities, see the many glaciers, archipelagos, channels and fjords in the best possible surroundings, and enjoy superb food and onboard service.

SAILING ON THE LAKES
Visit the south of Chile sailing on its lakes. A freshwater journey that will allow you to see the abundant vegetation, beautiful scenic views and endemic species present in every one of these places.

Close to Puerto Varas, visit the mythical Llanquihue Lake, the third largest in Latin America. Get on an old wooden boat to see its shores, small settlements and salmon farms.

Are you in the mood for a fascinating trip? Then head to the Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park and visit the Todos Los Santos Lake, which will captivate you with its turquoise waters and the abundant nature of the area. Sail on a catamaran right in the middle of the Andes until reaching the eco-friendly town of Peulla, where you can go cable riding, horseback riding and fishing.

At the Torres del Paine National Park, sail on the waters of the Grey Lake and visit the mythical glacier of the same name. This trip, ideal to crown your stay at this Biosphere Reserve, will surprise you with one of a kind landscapes that include ice floes, exuberant vegetation and amazing mountains.

HOT SPRINGS AND WELL-BEING
Picture yourself floating in clear, natural hot springs, listening to soft rainfall on the lush forest all around you.

This is the scene that awaits you in Chile. There are more than 270 hot springs throughout Chile, many located in rich, verdant landscapes or nestling at the foot of snow-capped mountains,. Unwind in water at a temperature of over 30°C and achieve maximum relaxation with a hot stone massage!

If you want to wind down and enjoy a truly blissful break, then head for one of Chile’s many well-being centers. Gently heal your body and restore your inner balance with treatments like reflexology, herbal baths, biomagnetism and reiki. Center yourself with meditation, revitalize with yoga classes or opt for the rejuvenating practices of Chinese traditional medicine.

SPA AND RELAXATION
Thinking about absolute relaxation and peace and quiet for your vacaction? Chile and its natural therapies are your ideal destination. Give in and experience something different and enjoy the bliss of a massage and a chocolate bath with sea salts.

Connect with your inner self, meditate and try crystal therapy and biomagnetism at the mystical Elqui Valley. In this area, you can also enjoy moonlight bathing under one of the world’s clearest skies.

Just a few kilometers from Chile’s capital, you can feel the peace and quiet of Cajón del Maipo. Yoga classes, massage therapies and medicinal treatments will leave your mind, body and soul in seventh heaven.

Close your eyes, lie down and let the massages with grape seed and emu oil release your stress. The Curicó Valley does not only invite you to try their delicious wine, but also to bathe in it and get the anti-oxidizing benefits directly on your skin.

In the south, four hands will massage you with strawberry myrtle cream, a must for tourists. Destinations like Pucón and Villarrica offer chocolate facials that bring life to your face. To crown this off, take a walk along the beach and breathe in the ocean sea breeze: this unwinding alternative is well worth it, and even better with your family.

HOT SPRINGS
Forget about work and all your obligations. Just relax and let yourself go at the many natural hot springs scattered throughout Chile. These instant ‘fountains of youth’ have a multitude of both physical and beauty benefits.

In the north of Chile, copy Cleopatra’s beauty regime and plaster your body with mud. Enjoy amazing views of the Altiplano as you soak in the outdoor pools near Arica.

If you need to completely recharge your batteries, the magnesium-rich hot springs close to San Pedro de Atacama will leave you feeling thoroughly relaxed.

In the central region, there are many heavenly hot springs and spas (many of which also boast first-rate restaurants and hotel facilities).

Is your body crying out for a stress cure in calm, green surroundings? You’ll find hundreds of pools in the many southern hot springs. Some are simple outdoor ponds, while others offer luxurious facilities in which to enjoy their warm waters, relaxing massages and other complementary therapies to round off your wellbeing experience.

SPORTS
The achievements and values of our sportsmen and women passionately unite everyone throughout the country.

Stories of effort and sacrifice that turn men and women into heroes. That inspires us all. They have brought recognition to all corners of the country.

In Chile, soccer is fundamental. There are ambassadors inside and outside the most important leagues in the world. Ivan Zamorano and Marcelo Salas led to “La Roja” of Alexis Sanchez and Arturo Vidal, the national team that made us Champions of America.

Tennis has also been a source of joy. We reached number one with the serves of Marcelo Rios and were Olympic champions twice with Fernando González and Nicolás Massú.

Our land offers us thousands of kilometers of coast, with waves that turned Ramón Navarro into a surfing icon and wild landscapes to live challenging adventures. We constantly have to outdo ourselves with dedication and perserverance.