Chile is a largely underrated South American country that should be added to everyone's radar sooner rather than later. For those who are headed to South America, Chile might not yet be on the radar, but we're here to convince you otherwise. Here are 10 perfect reasons to visit Chile in 2023.
10 The Glaciers In The South
Patagonia splits its home with Argentina and Chile. While the entire region is one of the most scenic places in South America, Chile's Torres del Paine National Park is one of the best sites to behold. Boasting snow-capped mountains, Patagonian fjords, and bright blue glacial lakes, Chilean Patagonia is perfect for nature lovers who are looking for a good hike in one of the most picturesque places on the planet.
9 The Atacama Desert In The North
Vastly different from the icy glaciers in the south is the driest place on planet earth: The Atacama Desert. Best explored by car, the Atacama Desert is an outdoor lover's paradise, where activities like floating in salty waters and sleeping under the stars are common among visitors. The nearest airport is Calama, and those who have extra time should look into taking a trip to nearby Bolivia to see the Uyuni Salt Flats.
8 The Proximity To Antarctica
For those looking to go to the "end of the world," aka the seventh continent, aka Antarctica, there will be two options for places to depart: Ushuaia, Argentina, or Punta Arenas, Chile. If one is going to venture all the way to Antarctica, one might as well make a pitstop to break up the long trip in nearby Chile. Punta Arenas, like Ushuaia, is also known as "the city at the end of the world" and is worth spending a few days exploring before heading off to Antarctica.
7 The Wine
Some countries just make better vino than others, and Chile nearly tops that list. Chile is the fifth-largest wine exporter in the world. Chilean wine can be broken down into five regions: Atacama, Coquimbo, Aconcagua, Central Valley, and Southern Chile.
Carmenere is a common Chilean grape varietal, producing a medium-body red wine that makes for some delectable sipping.
6 The Fresh Seafood
While all of the Chilean cuisines is worthy of being mentioned, the seafood particularly stands out. Since Chile has such a large coastline, it is no wonder that seafood is so popular here. Chilean sea bass is recognized globally as being one of the richest and most buttery varieties of fish, so one can only imagine how delicious it is in Chile. Aside from sea bass, many Chilean menus consist of razor clams, abalone, King Crab, and seafood stews, to name a few.
5 The Bustling Capital Of Santiago
When flying into Chile, it's likely that travelers will land in Santiago. While many visitors choose to skip Santiago and head out elsewhere, Santiago deserves to be explored, even if only for a day. Must-see sights include Santa Lucía Hill, Plaza Des Armas, Barro Italia, and Plaza de La Constitucíon.
4 The Colorful Charm
Chile, like many other Latin American cities, is extremely colorful. Head out to the bright city of Valparaiso, just a little over an hour from Santiago, to take in some of the incredible street art. The capital of Santiago is also a sight to behold, with plenty of yellow architecture lined throughout the city. Of course, the natural color of the glaciers down south are not to be missed either.
3 The Scenic Road Trips
Chile is full of adventures, and a road trip is one of the best ones to be had. With Chile being the longest country in the entire world, it's safe to say a Chilean road trip is going to be filled with ever-changing scenery. Renting a car and exploring this large country at one's own pace is a great way to choose which destinations are worthy of visiting while getting a few scenic surprises along the way.
2 The Andes Mountains
The Andes Mountains are the world's longest-running mountain range, and with Chile being as narrow as it is, the Andes dramatically cut right through the country. Even in big cities such as Santiago, the Andes make a grand appearance in the distance, providing the ultimate viewpoints. Enjoy a hike in the Andes or one of the many natural hot springs nearby.
1 It's The Narrowest And Longest Country In The Entire World!
Who can say they've been to the narrowest and longest country in the world? Travelers who go to Chile can! At its widest point, Chile is only 217 miles wide. Chile extends approximately 2700 miles from where it meets Peru, also making it the longest country on earth. This, as mentioned above, means that the geographical climate in Chile spans from icy glaciers in the south to dry deserts in the north. It's a fantastic country for those looking to see a little bit of everything.