Catedrales de Tara, Atacama, Photo: Diego Delso, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Find your Bliss in Chile
Chile, made simple: the driest desert on earth, Patagonian peaks, Pacific ports and Andean wine, without the worry
Chile is a ribbon of a country, more than four thousand kilometres long and rarely wider than a couple of hundred. In one trip you can stargaze in the Atacama, wander the painted hills of Valparaíso, taste Carménère under the Andes, paddle past volcanoes in the Lake District and hike to the granite towers of Torres del Paine. This guide takes the guesswork out of entry, money, safety, transport and costs, so you can plan with confidence.
Your trip, step by step
- Before you flyEntry rules, money, health and seasons, answered
- LandingSantiago's airport and your first hours in the capital, explained
- Your days in ChileDesert, coast, lakes and Patagonia, planned with care
- Home againDeparture tips so the last day is calm too
Where to go, eat and stay
- Plain answersClear, honest guidance on the questions first-timers actually ask.
- Official sourcesEntry, health and safety facts point you to the official pages to confirm.
- No price surprisesWe explain how money, tipping and park tickets work, so your budget holds.
- Free to useEvery guide and the trip planner are free.
Our promise
Chile should feel like a welcome, not a worry. We answer the questions before they start, so you arrive confident and ready to find your Bliss.
First trip to South America, or coming home to see family in Santiago, Concepción, Valparaíso or the south? This guide was written with you in mind.
How to use this guide
Four steps from first idea to a trip that feels easy.
- Choose your ChileThe capital, the port, the desert, the lakes or Patagonia: start with the destinations.
- Sort the essentialsEntry rules, money, insurance and the right season, checked against official sources.
- Pick your placesUse our places to visit list for picadas, wineries, viewpoints, hikes and stays in each area.
- Plan your routeUse the free trip planner to fit a very long country into a realistic route, with domestic flights where they save days.
Everything your Chile trip needs
Free tools and guides for every stage of the journey.
Destinations
Santiago, Valparaíso, San Pedro de Atacama, Torres del Paine and the Lake District, each explained in depth.
Explore destinationsPlaces to visit
More than a hundred restaurants, wineries, lagoons, trails, markets and stays, from classics to hidden corners.
See places to visitFlights and stays
Search flights into Santiago and onward, and stays in each area.
Plan travelPlaces finder
Restaurants, sights and stays mapped around each base.
Find placesFree trip planner
Tell us your dates and interests and build a route that fits.
Plan your trip
The classic Chile trip
Capital, coast, desert, then the far south
Most first trips start with a few days in Santiago and a day or two on the coast in Valparaíso, then fly north to San Pedro de Atacama for salt flats, geysers and some of the clearest night skies on earth. From there, fly south to Puerto Natales for Torres del Paine, or to Puerto Montt for the lakes and volcanoes around Puerto Varas.
- Cerro San Cristóbal and the cafés of Lastarria
- Funiculars and street art in Valparaíso
- Sunset over the Valle de la Luna
- The towers of Torres del Paine at dawn
Start with the destinations
See how the capital, the coast, the desert and Patagonia fit together.
Chile destinationsPlan with confidence
Your route, without the worry
Chile's length is the thing first-timers underestimate. The flight from the Atacama to Patagonia is longer than many international flights. Our free planner helps you build a realistic route, so you spend your days exploring rather than in transit.
- Realistic flight and bus times
- The right season for Patagonia and the desert
- Where to base yourself
Where to go in Chile
From the Atacama Desert to the ice fields of Patagonia, the places most travellers build their trip around.
Santiago Metropolitan Region
Santiago
A modern Andean capital of hilltop views, lively barrios, big markets and vineyards on the doorstep.
Read the guidePhoto: Falk2, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Valparaíso Region
Valparaíso
A UNESCO listed port city of steep hills, old funiculars, colourful houses and some of the best street art in South America.
Read the guidePhoto: CARLOS TEIXIDOR CADENAS, CC BY-SA 4.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Antofagasta Region
San Pedro de Atacama
An adobe oasis town in the driest non polar desert on earth, surrounded by salt flats, lagoons, geysers and volcanoes.
Read the guidePhoto: Luca Galuzzi (Lucag), CC BY-SA 2.5 , via Wikimedia Commons
Magallanes Region
Torres del Paine
Granite towers, turquoise lakes, glaciers and guanacos in Chile's most famous national park.
Read the guidePhoto: Pedro Szekely from Los Angeles, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
Araucanía and Los Lagos Regions
Lake District
Snow capped volcanoes over deep blue lakes, temperate rainforest, hot springs and German heritage towns.
Read the guidePhoto: Phil Whitehouse, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons
A note from our founder
A note from our founder
My first time visiting Kenya, I was genuinely surprised with how fast it began feeling like home. The people are so friendly, the food is delicious and familiar, and the accommodations are modern and upscale.
During my travels throughout the continent, I commonly hear tourists share stories about being scammed or taken advantage of, which is both frustrating and disheartening.
Living in Kenya for the last 2 years, I have had the great fortune to meet a network of wonderful Kenyans who have continuously help guide my family's journey. Their shared knowledge has not only greatly enhanced our overall experience here, but it has also saved us tons of time, energy, and resources.
With BlissPoint Travel, my hope is to build a global community that is willing to share useful, uncommon knowledge so that we can all blissfully enjoy the wonders our world has to offer.
Questions we hear most
Is Chile safe for tourists?
Chile is one of the more stable countries in South America, but street crime has risen in recent years. Pickpocketing, bag snatching and phone theft are the main risks in Santiago, Valparaíso and on buses. Keep valuables out of sight, use ride apps at night and read your government's current travel advice before you go.
Do I need a visa for Chile?
Many passport holders, including those from the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia, can visit for tourism without a visa, usually for up to 90 days, but rules vary by passport. Check the Chilean foreign ministry and immigration sites, or your nearest Chilean consulate, before you book.
How many days do I need in Chile?
Two weeks lets you see Santiago, Valparaíso, the Atacama and one southern region without rushing. Three weeks lets you add both Patagonia and the Lake District, or Easter Island. Fly between regions: the country is very long.
What is the best time to visit Chile?
Spring and autumn (roughly October to November and March to April) suit Santiago and wine country, the Atacama works all year, and Patagonia is best from about November to March. The ski season runs through the southern winter.
Can I use cards in Chile?
Yes. Cards and contactless payment are widely accepted, even for small purchases in cities. Carry some pesos for markets, small towns, bus terminals and tips, and expect a fee at most ATMs.
Can BlissPoint help me plan my trip?
Yes. Our free trip planner helps you shape a route around your dates and interests, and you can send us a question through the contact page. We are a travel guide, not a tour operator, so you book directly with airlines, hotels and operators.
Ready to plan your Chile trip?
Use the free trip planner to build a route around your dates, interests and budget.