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Travel advice for Chile
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Chile
Book your individual trip, stress-free with local travel experts
written by Sarah Gilbert
updated 6.11.2020
When it comes to beach destinations, Chile might not instantly spring to mind. But this long, skinny country has a coastline that stretches for more than 4,270 kilometres. And along this impressive length of Pacific Ocean shore, there's no end of visit-worthy stretches of sand. Read on for our pick of the best beaches in Chile.
11 days / from4896 USD
Luxurious Chile - Atacama Desert & Easter Island
Explore two of Chile's extraordinary highlights: the Atacama desert with its salt flats and lagoons and Easter Island. The island is famous for its stone monoliths and source of mystery for many. Your stay will be complemented in the best hotels, making this trip even more special.
customize ⤍10 days / from3700 USD
Chile Explored: From Santiago to Torres del Paine
The vast expanse of Patagonia is home to extreme landscapes, from jagged mountains, stark glaciers, clear blue lakes, and grassy fields. You will find them all in Torres del Paine, a huge contrast to the start of the trip in the historical, bustling city of Santiago.
customize ⤍14 days / from3800 USD
Self-Drive Santiago, Wines & Lakes
Discover the beauty of Chile independently in your own rental car. Start in Santiago before heading to Pucon, Huilo Huilo and Puerto Varas. As you'll be in your own car, you can plan each day at your liking - hikes, relaxing or cultural exploration? Decide spontaneously.
customize ⤍13 days / from1729 USD
From Chile to Argentina, across the Andean Lakes
Travel from Chile to Argentina across the stunning Andean Lakes, also known as the Lakes District. Beginning in Santiago, you will travel to Puerto Varas, in Chile, and then across the lakes to Bariloche, Argentina, taking in the stunning mountain scenery, before ending your trip in Buenos Aires.
customize ⤍16 days / from3885 USD
Andean Triangle - Chile, Bolivia and Argentina
Start your South American adventure in Santiago de Chile before exploring the wonders of the Atacama desert. A short hop across the border and you'll find yourself in the middle of the Bolivian salt flat. Afterwards, you'll continue to Argentina with Salta and Buenos Aires.
customize ⤍13 days / from3742 USD
Wild Patagonia
Argentina has lots to offer its visitors: a glacier the size of a city, sizzling tango, fashionable barrios, artisan towns, ranches with horses and gauchos and wild untamed natural beauty. From Buenos Aires to Patagonia, you’ll get to see it all in this adventure-laden vacation.
customize ⤍14 days / from2271 USD
Multi-country adventures from salt flats to the Andes
South America is full of wonders and this trip packs Argentina, Chile and Bolivia into 2 weeks. Bustling Buenos Aires, beautiful valleys around Salta, the surreal looking surroundings of San Pedro de Atacama, the salt flat of Uyuni as well as Lake Titicaca are all part of this itinerary.
customize ⤍10 days / from1870 USD
South American Wines Trail
All wine lovers unite! Start your tour in Buenos Aires before heading to the wine region of Mendoza. Sample some of Argentina's finest wines and enjoy the beautiful scenery. Afterwards, continue to Santiago de Chile with a day trip to Valparaiso.
customize ⤍13 days / from2600 USD
Argentina and Chile: Dazzling Cities and Magical Landscapes
Santiago is an emerging city, whilst Buenos Aires has long been a busy metropolis. Both offer historical buildings to admire, a local gastronomy scene to savour and sensuous dances to learn. Not to mention the mountainous terrain and desert landscapes outside the cities waiting to be explored.
customize ⤍14 days / from7857 USD
Southern Argentina & Antarctica
Explore the Antarctica on an intimate cruise from Ushuaia, the southernmost city in the world. Start in Buenos Aires before spending a few nights in El Calafate and Ushuaia to then board your cruise. 4 nights in the Antarctic are the highlight of your trip before heading to Chile's capital Santiago.
customize ⤍13 days / from1468 USD
Argentina and Chile - Wine Country Explored
Get a taste of the wines of Argentina and Chile on this tour of the country's best bodegas. Sway to the rhythm of tango in Buenos Aires before you head to high altitude towns and absorb stunning mountain scenery. Then it's across the border into Chile to sample Santiago's historic delights.
customize ⤍11 days / from15375 USD
Classic Antarctica from Chile
Start and end your trip in Chile and discover the Antarctica on an intimate, Boutique-style expedition boat. Cruise the Drake Passage, visit Cape Horn and fly back to Punta Arenas before returning to the capital Santiago.
customize ⤍This northern nature reserve straddles the border of Antofagasta and the Atacama desert and features no less than 100,000 acres of beach. Four campsites offer the incredible experience of sleeping under the stars on impeccably white sand which is reason enough to place it high on your bucket list of beaches in Chile. Spread over more than 400 square kilometres, the park is home to a wealth of wildlife. Prepare to see guanacos (wild cousins of llama), foxes, otters and pelicans. Take a boat trip from the fishing village of La Caleta around the Isla Pan de Azúcar to see hundreds of Humboldt penguins.
Viña del Mar is one of the most upscale beach resorts in Chile. What's more, it has some of the best beaches in Chile near Santiago. This is where wealthy Santiaguinos come to relax. The main beaches are Playa las Salinas and Playa Reñaca. Playa las Salinas is a good choice for beach-goers with children. The beach is protected from the wind and strong currents by rocky headlands. While the waters are a bit rougher, you'll find more of a buzz at Playa Reñaca. Backed by exclusive apartment buildings, there's more than a touch of glamour to the cafes and boutiques on its promenade. Try to visit in February (that's high summer in this corner of the world) to catch the city's International Song Festival. This popular event is the longest-running music festival in the whole of Latin America.
While the majority of the coastline around the mystical and remote Easter Island is rocky, Playa Anakena is all soft white coral sands. Its calm waters make for ideal swimming conditions. Remember to bring a bathing suit, or you'll regret it! Framed by swaying coconut palms, it's hard to imagine a more beautiful setting for the island's iconic moai statues, the enigmatic figures carved by the Rapa Nui people. What's more, with traces of human settlement dating from as early as 1200 CE, Anakena is thought to be the oldest inhabited place on the island. More modern signs of life include a handy car park right at the entrance of the beach. You'll also find small kitchens serving local specialities such as tuna empanadas and po’e, a traditional dish made with pumpkin and flour.
Surrounded by the bone dry and desolate Atacama Desert, Bahía Ingles (English Bay) is right up there with the most striking beaches in Chile. It takes its name from the 17th century British pirates who sheltered here. No doubt they were drawn to it by the same features that make it popular today: its long stretch of white sand and warm waters. Those who want to do more than lounge on the sand can take part in all manner of water sports, from sailing and windsurfing to kitesurfing and kayaking. A little further to the south, Playa La Virgen is well worth a look too. Named for a Virgin Mary-shaped rock formation, locals believe the rock protects the area.
While the city of La Serena is technically a couple of kilometres from the coast, it's well known as a beach city par excellence. Named for its landmark lighthouse, Playa El Faro is the closest beach to town, and it's so big that even on hectic summer weekends you stand a good chance of claiming an isolated spot to lay your towel. Those with more time to adventure should head to the tiny island of Isla Damas to spend the day at Playa Las Tijeras. It's one of three islands that make up the Humboldt Penguin National Reserve and a day on the sand will be nicely complemented by a boat trip to spot these charming creatures.
Chile is one of the most geographically diverse countries on earth. If you're dreaming of visiting the beach and beyond, don't miss our guide to the best things to do in Chile.
Pucón's black volcanic beaches are scattered around the vast glacier lake of Villarrica. The most notable is Playa Grande which is overlooked by the snow-dusted cone of a still-active volcano. It's one of the most striking beaches in Chile. The beach walking distance from Pucón town and can get very busy in the summer. On the other hand, its accessible location means a beach day can be matched with dinner in town and a spot of shopping for indigenous Mapuche crafts. Pucón is Chile's adventure playground so consider taking a few days here to explore the region with guided hikes, mountain biking and rafting.
Discover the best beaches in Chile for yourself with Rough Guides' tailor-made travel service and enjoy a fully personalised trip planned by a local expert.
Top image: Anakena Beach © Karol Kozlowski / Shutterstock
written by Sarah Gilbert
updated 6.11.2020
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