What are the best places to visit in Chile?

Answer 1

An absolute must is the Torres del Paine national park in the south - you will need a sleeping bag and a tent. Best to go in December when days are longest so you have more flexibility through daylight hours to do about 6 hours hiking a day (trust me, it's worth it!). Don't bother getting the boat from Puerto Montt to Punta Arenas, it's overpriced as the natural beauty is far from overwhelming and it's basically a floating party. I really liked Chiloe, if you're interested in local culture - the houses on stilts are mad, and it has its own "feel". The lake district is gorgeous, and you should definitely visit the Argentine side too if you have time. In the north, Parque Nacional Lauca is pretty - llamas, mountains, lakes and some flamingos, but go up gradually, I got altitude sickness.

Valparaiso has colourful buildings and funicular lifts - and also the beach (but there are better beaches elsewhere in S America if you're going to other countries)

You must eat pastel de choclo (I still miss it, but I'm going back to Chile this autumn).

To be honest, all of what I'm saying is obvious if you get a Lonely Planet!

Answer 2

Also go to the north part of Chile... see the desert and all that like the moon valley and San Pedro de Atacama..

Answer 3

If you go to Chile, don't miss Santiago (the capital), Valparaíso, Viña del Mar.