Chile occupies just a small part of South America, but is large enough to provide ample amounts of entertainment options to locals and tourists alike. Having sunny beaches, mountains with great skiing, glaciers, and more, Chile is a popular tourist destination for millions of travelers each year.

In Chili’s capital city, Santiago, a person can ski in the Andes at day break, and then head over to Vina Del Mar for a bout of snorkeling and go swimming in the clear blue waters along the shore. If you were to go to Parque Metropolitano you could enjoy a wonderful botanical garden, a zoo, and a lovely view of the entire city. A wonderful tourist spot lay in the vicinity of the northern border with Peru in the city, Arica. It’s famed for its pristine beaches and the splendid San Marcos Cathedral. This is also a great spot for fishing enthusiasts. Interestingly, a person can visit salt marshes, and a unique and inviting landscape that even has volcanoes. All of this can be found in Alstiplano that along with various lakes resides at the top of a 12,000 ft plateau. This plateau is also the home of the Aymara Indians, an indigenous tribe. The unique alpaca and llama can be seen in this area in large numbers.

Lauca Nacional Park which is home of the UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve, is an attraction that should not be missed if visiting Chile. If you find yourself traveling southward and entering the Atacama Desert, you will be able to enjoy the Mamina host springs, and an oasis that can be found in Pica Valley. The main stopping point for most air services and the majority of the shipping routes through the area is the port of Antofagasta. From this port area, Chuquicamata is but a stones throw. This unique place is home to an opencast copper mine, that happens to be the worlds largest. An oasis town, San Pedro de Atacama is a wonderful stopping point, along with impressive geysers that can be found in El Tatio. Heading further towards the south, you will run into Coquimbo which is located in one of the better harbors along the coast and is neighbor to the Los Vilos bathing resort. Only nine miles to the north of Coquimbo is La Serena, which is the capital of the province. If you have an interest in colonial style Spanish architecture, you will certainly enjoy this small town. Because of its proximity to the Elqui River, day trips can be made to the Elqui Valley, which is a fruit rich farming area. If astronomy is your thing, be sure to stop by the Toloto Observatory, as it happens to be the larges in the southern hemisphere.

Valparaiso, the main port in the area, has a number of attractions that can be enjoyed. Only five miles away is Vina Del Mar, which is Chile’s main resort and the home of various seaside casinos and hotels. If a person wants to enjoy polo, a day at the races, and a variety of sports fields, they should certainly visit the Valparaiso Sporting Club. Valparaiso is connected to Santiago via a well put together rail and road system. At the top of the 860m Cerro San Cristobal, visitors can see the famous statue of the Virgin Mary, which watches over the city. Mary is not the only attraction however; a person can visit the local zoo, gardens, and restaurants alike.

The Pacific Islands, also known as the Juan Fernandez Islands can be found 650 kilometers to the west of Valparaiso. These islands are accessible by either boat or plane when coming from the mainland of Chili. The famous story Robinson Crusoe was based on the events of the shipwrecked Alexander Selkirk, who was stranded in the islands early in the 18th century. Another famous and unique spot in the Chilean pacific islands is Easter Island, which is famous for the Moai, which are giant stone statues that stand up to 9m tall. These enormous figures can be found throughout the island. How they came to be exactly is not fully understood. Other places that are certainly worth a visit are the Oronco rock carvings, the Rano Kao volcano crater, and the main museum which is located in Hanga Roa. Although it can be expensive, the preferred mode of transportation to the island is by air. Locals are there to meet each plane as it comes in, so if a person does not have a reservation at a hotel or guest house, they will still likely be able to find suitable accommodations.

A popular destination is the waterfalls at Laguna de Laja. Marking the start of the Lake District is Temuco, where Lake Villarica meets the Cinicira and Trancurea rivers, which are a source of wonderful views and great fishing. Puerto Montt, a scenic small town, is located at the southern end of the railway line and Pan American Highway. In the vicinity you can also find Angelmo, which is a small fishing port. Chiloe Island, which is well worth visiting, can be found on the way to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The reserve is located in Chilean Patagonia, and is said to be one of the more beautiful, remote, and undisturbed places on the planet.

In the area one can find churches, interesting wooden structures, and houses that rest on stilts. During the summer, Tierra del Fuego and Magallanes really should not be missed. One of the more popular hiking areas in Chili is the Lake District, which is located approximately 560 miles to the south of Santiago. There are many National parks located in this area. Winding their way through the beech forests and having great views of the volcano Villarica, the Lago Verde Trail, is not to be missed.