13 Places You Have to See in Chile

Chile is another amazing South American country that surprised me in many ways. Before I visited Chile I did not have any expectations, but then as soon as I saw these incredible landscapes and experienced the exciting city life, I was blown away and fell in love with this country.

The amazing Atacama Desert, the stunning glaciers of Torres del Paine or the fantastic street art of Valparaiso are just a few things that you should definitely see when visiting Chile.

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Here is my personal list of places that you have to see in Chile:

1. Torres del Paine

Where to start?

Puerto Natales is the gateway town to see the Torres del Paine national park. From here the busses leave, to take you around the park for a day trip. You can also do the W-Trek or O-Trek by yourself and camp in the park. Just make sure that you have enough clothes with you in case you intend to do the trek in winter.

Where to stay in Puerto Natales?

These are some of the best Hostels in Puerto Natales the gateway town to Torres del Paine:

The Singing Lamb Backpackers

Price: Dormitory €20.80 Twin Private €75.64

Very friendly and helpful staff and just a few minutes from the city centre. Very cosy place with a laidback atmosphere.

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El Patagonico

Price: Dormitory €17.88

Very clean place and close to some supermarkets. The place has a well equipped kitchen and is in easy walking distance of the town centre. The owner and staff are very friendly and helpful and you can even rent equipment here.

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2. Valparaiso

Things to do in Valparaiso

• Take a free walking Tour
• Explore the city by yourself and admire the great street art
• Watch the sea lions
• Make a daytrip to Vina del Mar
• Make a tour with a boat
• Visit the market on Avenida Argentina
• Hang out at the beach
• Connect with the locals and enjoy some art on the weekend evenings in the streets
• Do some bar hopping

Where to stay in Valparaiso?

These are some of the best Hostels in Valparaiso:

Hostal Po

Price: Dormitory €14.30 Private Double Bedroom €32.89

Great place in a great location with very friendly staff, very nice terrace and good breakfast. Rather a place for people who like socialising.

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Escarabajo Hostel

Price: Dormitory €11.90 Private Double Bedroom €39.10

The staff here is incredibly friendly and helpful in general the atmosphere at this hostel is great.

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Do you want to know why I fell in love with this city? Check out this post

 

3. Santiago

 

Things to do in Santiago de Chile

• Stroll the Barrio Bellavista
• Enjoy the view from Cerro San Cristobal
• Visit La Chascona (Pablo Neruda’s House)
• Walk through the city centre around Plaza de Armas
• Enjoy the view from Cerro Santa Lucia
• Eat the cheapest Sushi you will ever get in front of the university in Barrio Brasil
• Watch some street artists in Barrio Brasil on the weekend and have some drinks
• Visit a museum
• Visit the Mercado central
• Go to the Parque de las Sculpturas
• Dance the night away

Where to stay in Santiago?

These are some of the best Hostels in Santiago de Chile:

H Rado Hostel

Price: Dormitory €19.85 Private Double Bedroom €52.95

Great atmosphere and super friendly staff. Close to the metro station, bars and restaurants. This hostel is located in the party area so rather something for the party crowd.

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Ventana Sur Hostal

Price: Dormitory €15.16 Single Private Bedroom €27.17

This place is amazing very laidback but still a great mix between quiet and sociable. Great location in Barrio Italia close to bars and restaurants.

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Do you want to know how I experienced Santiago? Check this post

4. San Pedro de Atacama (Atacama Desert)

Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama

• Visit El Tatio Geysers
• Make a trip to Salar de Atacama
• Make a bike trip to Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna) and the Death Valley (Valle de la Muerte)
• Go Sandboarding
• Visit the altiplano lagoons like the Laguna Miscanti, Miñiques and Chaxa
• Visit the the salty Laguna Cejar and take a swim
• Visit Pukara de Quito
• Watch the stars
• Eat in one of the many nice restaurants

Where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama?

These are some of the best Hostels in San Pedro de Atacama:

Mamatierra Hostel

Price: Dormitory €24.58 Twin Private Bedroom €56.73

Very nice and clean hostel close to the city centre with breakfast included. The facilities are very clean and the staff is very friendly and helpful.

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La Casa de Matilde

Price: Dormitory €17.16

Very nice and clean hostel close to the boarder with hot showers.

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Want to read more about San Pedro? Read this article

5. Chiloe

Things to do in Chiloe

• Visit the National Park (It is amazing)
• Visit the Palafittes (Wooden houses that sit on a kind of pier with thick stilts.
• Visit the museum
• Do the Church Route
• Go and see the penguins (depending on the season)
• Become fascinated by the mythology of the island
• Eat cake at Cafe Blanco

Where to stay on Chiloe?

These are some of the best Hostels on Chiloe:

13 Lunas Hostel

Price: Dormitory €16.45 Double Private Bedroom €40.04

Very clean Hostel near the bus station with a laidback atmosphere and a ping pong table. Well equipped kitchen and helpful staff.

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Chiloe Austral Hostel & Tours

Price: Dormitory €15.96

Very clean hostel in a great area. The owner is helpful and friendly.

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Do you want to know why Chiloe gave me the creeps? Check this post here

6. The Lake District

Things to Do in the Lake District

• Go hiking
• Climb up one of the many volcanos
• Visit a national park
• Chill at a lake
• Visit one of the many thermal springs
• In winter go skiing or snowboarding
• Eat cake (kuchen)
• Eat seafood

Places to Visit in the Lake District

• Parque nacional Conguilli
• Villarrica
• Pucon
• Valdivia
• Lago Llanquihue
• Ojo de Caburgua
• Laguna Azul

Where to stay in the Lake District?

These are some of the best Hostels in the Lake District:

Pucon

Hostal Emalafquen

Price: Standard Twin Private €33.09

Very clean and comfy hostel close to the bus station. The owner is incredibly nice.

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Villarrica

Bed and Breakfast Omi Kika

Price: Standard Double Room €40.04

This place is in a very nice location right at the water.

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You want to read more about the Lake District? Check out my post

7. Valle de Elqui

Things to do in Valle de Elqui

• Go hiking
• Visit a vineyard and taste some wine
• Enjoy the view
• Go camping

Where to stay?

You can stay in La Serena as Valle de Elqui is not far from there and you can reach the valley easily by bus from the city

 

8. La Serena

Things to do in La Serena

• Go to the Faro Monumental
• Go to the beach
• Visit the El Parque Jardin del Corazon (Japanese botanical garden)
• Visit the artisanal market La Recova
• Make a daytrip to the National Humboldt Penguin Reserve
• Go to a Pisco tasting
• Make a daytrip to Valle de Elqui
• Visit the Observatorio Turístico Collowara

Where to stay in La Serena?

These are some of the best Hostels in La Serena:

Hostal El Arbol

Price: Dormitory €12.16 Standard Twin Private Bedroom €42.90

The hostel is in a great location. it is in walking distance to the main square, the beach and a mall. Very clean and spacious rooms and the staff is very friendly and helpful.

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Hostel Cosmo Elqui Stage

Price: Dormitory €12.87 Double Private Bedroom €54.34

Very nice hostel with a great atmosphere, clean facilities and hot water showers.

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Do you want to read more about La Serena and Valle de Elqui? Have a look at this post

 

9. Futalefu

Things to do in Futalefu

• Go hiking
• Go swimming in a lake
• Go camping
• Go rafting
• Enjoy the view

Where to stay in Futalefu?

Hostal Las Natalias

Price: Dormitory €19.00

Very quiet place with very friendly and helpful owners. This place is great if you are looking something peaceful where you can connect with nature.

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10. El Chaiten

Things to do in Chaiten

• Visit the Parque Pumalín
• Go hiking
• Hang at the beach
• Visit the hot springs Termas de Amarillo

Where to stay in Chaiten?

Posada de Expediciones Kahuel

Price: Triple Room €90.00

Plenty of space and nice facilities. Owners are friendly and helpful

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11. The Easter Islands

Things to do on the Easter Island

• See The Moais at Rano Raraku National Park
• Relax at Anakena Beach
• See The Ancient Petroglyphs at Papa Vaka
• Bike around the island
• Hike up the Terevaka
• Watch a dance show at Vaitemiki
• See the Turtles in Hanga Roa Harbour

Where to stay on the Easter island?

Vaianny Guest House

Price: Dormitory €33.09 Standard Single Private €42.55

This hostel is very well located, clean and comfortable. The owner is very friendly and helpful.

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12. Valdivia

 

Actually Valdivia belongs to the Lake District that I have already mentioned before but as there are a lot of things to do and see I wanted to mention it again separatly.

Things to in Valdivia

• Stroll the river and watch the sea lions
• Visit the botanical garden of the Universidad Austral
• Buy fresh Salmon from the riverside market Feria Fluvial and watch the sea lions get their share from the fishermen
• Eat Eel
• Visit the Parque Nacional Alerce Costero near Corral
• Go for a boat ride
• Visit the Museo Histórico y Antropológico
• Visit the brewery Kunstmann and have a beer
• Try Crudo (Raw meat on bread with onions sour cream and lemon)
• Visit Niebla a small town 15 from Valdivia
• Stroll through the Parque Saval

Where to stay in Valdivia?

This is the best Hostel in Valdivia:

Airesbuenos Hostel & Permaculture

Price: Dormitory €18.59

Very nice and cosy hostel with clean facilities. It is not far from the city centre and offers a great breakfast.

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13. National Park Laguna San Rafael

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