10 Most beautiful places in CHILE a Photo Guide

by | Sep 8, 2014 | Chile | 50 comments

The most beautiful and unique places in the Chile  espanol

CHILE most beautiful

 

What I like most about Chile is it’s natural beauty. Breathtaking landscapes and diversity that makes it a great destination for nature lovers. It’s geographical location makes Chile a country still not too explored.

Receiving about 3 million of tourists a year, (which 60% comes from neighboring countries); Chile is on the way to develop its tourism industry.

This makes Chile one of those places that keep an intact culture in a certain way (except in the capital, Santiago, which could be any generic US city).

You can meet friendly people and see the beauty and the variety of its landscapes, without the masses of people that characterize more touristic regions of South America.

Here are the most beautiful places in CHILE and my favorite places in the country, enjoy!

 

1. Isla de Pascua (Easter Island- Rapanui)

If you travel to Chile, can’t miss it. Even if it’s far away and tickets usually not cheap at all, it’s one of the most special places within the country.

With a totally different culture, it has a big Tahitian influence.

You’ll see the famous Moais, the huge statues characteristic of the island.

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2. Valparaiso

This city is UNESCO World Heritage Site and is called “The Jewel of the Pacific”.

Very close to Santiago, it’s great destination for a day or weekend trip.

It is a great place to explore walking and taking photos with great Restaurants and bars to enjoy the sunset with a view!

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3. Carretera Austral (Austral Road)

This road is located at the beginning of Chilean Patagonia, it’s also called Route 7.

The highway runs about 1,240 kilometers (770 mi) from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins.

Connecting rural areas and one of the most beautiful landscapes in the country.

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4. Caleta Tortel

It’s a small village located almost at the end of the Route 7, between the Northern and Southern Patagonian Ice Field.

Life goes slowly and next to the sea, has a characteristic and intricated wood walkways connecting houses.

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5. National Park Laguna San Rafael

The park was designated a World Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in 1979.

It covers an area of 17,420 km2 (6,726 sq mi) and includes the Northern Patagonian Ice Field.

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6. The Atacama Desert and San Pedro de Atacama 

Atacama Region is located up North from Santiago, with borders with Bolivia and Argentina, this area of the country hosts the Dryest Desert on Earth!

Isolated areas and villages located at very high altitude and natural beauty here is impressive and even sometimes when it rains you could experience one of the most magical things: the Flowering Desert! 
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7. Pucón and National Park Huerquehue

Pucón is located next to a lake and volcano, both name Villarrica. It’s a popular destination and It offers a variety of activities for visitors.

Water and extreme sports, hot springs and trekking circuits with stunning views. Close to Pucón, it’s the Huerquehue National Park where you can find beautiful lagoons and forests of Araucarias with thousands of years.

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8. The Chiloé Archipelago

Chiloé is mainly known for its distinctive cuisine, folklore, architecture and unique mythology. You can visit small islands and experience life between small boats that connects them.

You can visit small islands and experience life between small boats that connects them.

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9. Elqui Valley

Elqui Valley it is one of the most interesting areas of the country. Surrounded by mountains and with the

Surrounded by mountains and with the clearest skies in the world, this area host lots of astronomical observatories and natural places to visit.

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Very close to it, in La Serena, you will see part of the colonial historical buildings and in Coquimbo one of the two only Mosques in the whole country!

coquimbo Mosque in Coquimbo is a copy from the Koutuba in Morroco. A cultural and a prayer center located in the top of a hill looking all the city

10. Santiago

Being the Chilean main city, everything it is organized related to this big city.

With a special charm, many visitors love to stay long term there and enjoy the views from San Cristobal Hill or just to chill on its many restaurants and lovely coffee shops or bars.

Here is my Guide to visit Santiago and must visit places in the Chilean main city!

Ready for your Pinterest!

most beautiful places in chilerunning

*Mountains around Santiago

Perhaps one of the best things about Santiago it is the mountains surrounding the city. If you are a trekking lover this is your spot to be at. With so many hills to climb you can be there for months until you climb them all!

Here you can take a look the Best Trekking Guide in Santiago

And here you can find the best hotels in Chile

Booking.com

DISCLOSURE: If you book through the link I get a small commission at no extra cost for you. With this, you can help me to keep the blog alive!

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(Updated June 2017)

 

Have you ever been to Chile? Which is your favorite place in the country?

Gloria Apara

Gloria Apara

Writer | Digital Content Creator

I’m Gloria, the creator of Nomadic Chica, with a passion for Travel, Coffee, and Asian food.

Growing up in Santiago Chile and dreaming of travel and international exploration. I have set out my life to make my dreams come true.

Having traveled through Asia, Europe, and South America, for the last 20 years, I have a wealth of travel knowledge and experience to share. NomadicChica.com was created to inspire others to travel and empower solo female travels with knowledge.

50 Comments

  1. Sigh… I’m coming for three weeks near the end of the year. I thought this was plenty of time but I’m beginning to suspect by the end of it I’ll not feel it was enough…

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  2. the pictures are very beautiful indeed

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    • Nomadic Chica, thank you for all good stories and pics of Chile. I will consider writing a story on Chile in the Tourism Observer

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      • Hi Paul!
        That would be awesome! Chile is a fantastic destination! Let me know if you need any hints on this

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        • So we are one guy and two woman. We are in Chile in January for 10 nights. We want to do La Serena and Santiago. Can you give me two other spots that we should fly to from your list? Obviously a bit of a whirlwind. We are thinking 3 nights Santiago and 2 nights La Serena. Thanks

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  3. Great photos! Chile’s definitely on my bucket list.

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  4. We’re going to Chile in 2 weeks! Unfortunately, we’ll see only Santiago, Valparaíso and Vina del Mar. Thanks for the post!

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  5. Hola Gloria! beautiful shots!! I hitchhiked all the way from Atacama to Caleta Tortel and I loved it… I felt in love with Lago General Carrera! 🙂 that was awesome.
    Keep it up!

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    • Hola Miguel! Wow! That trip must have been amazing! It’s one of my favorite areas in the country! Cheers!

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  6. My husband and I are considering Chile as our next vacation destination (February or March 2017). We love Latin American culture, exploring colonial cities, good good, some adventure, beautiful views, and good beaches. My main question is the best place to go to a beach? Is the water warm enough to go swimming? What would you recommend for a 2 week itinerary? Thank you!

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    • Hi Katrina,
      Certainly February is one of the best times to visit Chile. Unfortunately there’s not too many colonial sites to visit but nature is stunning here! For beach and sun you can go to Viña del Mar, La Serena, Iquique. If you want a lake area Pucon or Puerto Varas are my favorites. Consider the water will be cold in the central and Southern areas and it gets a bit warmer after La Serena in North (you just gave me an idea for a new article! Thank you) Let me know if you need any help 😉

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  7. nice view

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  8. Qué lindas fotos!!

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  9. We spent 2 weeks in Argentina and Uruguay a few months ago, but I think this might have convinved me to visit Chile next time in South America. 🙂

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  10. wow! Chile looks stunning! can’t wait to head there. we’ll have to get some tips from you when we do!

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  11. Chile looks like a country with so much geographical diversity, at first I was only excited about Patagonia, but after seeing these pictures, there are so many more places to visit on my Chile bucket list!

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    • Hi Darby! Many thanks for checking on this and I’m so glad you found out there’s a lot more to see in Chile than Patagonia (that it’s probably my favorite area of the country) of you can visit it soon!

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  12. Wow. I am speechless when seeing Your amazing photos!

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    • Thank you very much Matti! I’m happy you liked them!

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    • Hey Mike! Many thank’s for liking my work! Have you ever visited Chile?

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  13. What absolutely stunning pictures! Particularly like the funicular in Valpo and the Carrtera Austral shots. Beautiful! Having seen these am now even more excited to journey down south!

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    • Thank you so much John! I know you’ll enjoy Carretera Austral if you go there! Lot of small and lovely villages and lovely people too (+ stunning landscapes) Happy travels!

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  14. We have an operation in Chile, now I’m asking around. I want to visit Chile too. 🙂 Such a great place that wasn’t included in my list until now. 😀

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  15. I love this post much. Travel lover here. And the statues make me think of Night at The Museum! The dom dom dom talking statues.. XD

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  16. Chile is a gorgeous place. I do wish I get a chance to visit it someday 🙂

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    • You’ll love it @Khushboo! Hope you can visit too!

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  17. The Laguna San Rafael National Park is amazing!!!
    I wished you had more pictures from there.
    The ice crystals in the park in your pictures made it looked like something out from a fiction book.

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    • I’m working on a piece about just Patagonia @PingErRain 😉 It is an amazing place! Stunning colours!

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  18. Breathtaking photos! I especially like the national parks, I can imagine that being there must have been a sublime experience!

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  19. I really hope I can go to Rapa Nui, it just seems so remote. But that place is really a dream destination for me. How do you go there? By boat or by plane? – Fred

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    • Hi Fred! Rapa Nui it’s really beautiful and yes..it’s the island most apart from any continent. Normally commercial flights are going there and army boats too, but with them more difficult to get there. Some good offers sometimes with LAN, but average tickets are not so cheap.

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  20. I can totally see why these are your favorites! Your photos are amazing! I love the colours of the houses and the views, wow, just breathtaking!

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  21. lovely views , awesome pictures! +1 to my bucket list! hope it doesnt disappoint

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  22. I like to see Rapa Nui up close because it really looks beautiful and among the top wonders of the world. They also have other attractions in Chile.

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  23. never been to Chile before, from your photos it is interesting. will be in one of my wish list

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  24. Magnificent pictures! Thanks for sharing. 😀

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  25. Truly beautiful country with landscapes so amazing to savor the wonder of nature.. It’s indeed a must to visit this place.

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    • It is trully beautiful, specially south…my favorite, Fernando 😉

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  26. Wow! Just wow! Honestly, this is one of the best set of pictures I’ve seen for this year. You captured the life and colors of Chile. It’s mesmerizing!

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    • Thank you so much @iaminlander! Trying to show what my eyes see there, there’s so much beauty!

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  27. I love Valparaiso! Those colorful houses are so cute and picturesque! The northern patagonian ice field is also interesting!

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    • One of my favorite places to visit @phyliciamaria! Amazing nature and colours!

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  28. Thank you for the virtual tour! You’re right, Chile is not a popular place to visit during vacations or holidays and it is nice to know that Chile’s tourism is on its way to uplifting the country.

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    • Welcome Louise! There’s so much beauty to see!

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  29. If only I have the money and time right now, I would book a ticket to Chile. Amazing pictures! Thanks for sharing!

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    • Thank you Michael! I hope you can make it there soon! Thank’s for taking a look here!

      Reply

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Hi! I’m Gloria, a serious travel addicted from Chile, passionate about going out of my comfort zone, trying delicious food, beautiful destinations and Luxury Places.

I’m here to hopefully inspire you enough to make your own travel dreams true!

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