How to plan a trip to Chile

Chile’s unique geography, richly cultured cities (hello, Santiago!), rural villages, and opportunities to hike extraordinary landscapes make Chile a dream destination for adventure seekers, nature lovers, and culture enthusiasts alike. Given that range of possibilities, it can be pretty tricky to decide how to focus your vacation. So, here we present detail on how to plan your trip to Chile to make the process a little easier.

When to go to Chile

Keen to cover a lot of ground? Contact our local Chile travel experts — they can curate your perfect Chile itinerary for any duration, and any Chilean destination.

How many days to spend in Chile

While the answer to that question is entirely dependent on your wish-list and budget, on balance, we suggest looking to follow a 10 days in Chile itinerary.

In that timeframe, with planning and focus, you could cover a pretty big range of experiences, perhaps focussing on Santiago, Valparaíso and the wine valleys as one option, or the Atacama Desert, or Torres del Paine.

Alternatively, you could devote most of this vacation to Easter Island, which requires additional flights, so a minimum stay of three days is recommended. 

If you can, try to work to a 14 days in Chile itinerary, which will enable you to see more regions. For example, you could combine Santiago, Atacama and Patagonia. Or how about covering Santiago, Valparaíso, Easter Island and the wine country.

If you’re into active adventure and nature, consider devoting your trip to the best hikes in Chile, or exploring Chile’s best national parks.

Which areas of Chile to visit

Here’s where things get really interesting in your how to plan a trip to Chile journey  — researching and choosing which region/s to visit.

To help you hone in on exactly that, here’s an overview of place to have on your radar, while also considering the kind of Chile accommodation you're looking for.

Atacama Desert, Northern Chile

The driest non-polar desert in the world, the Atacama Desert is a surreal wonderland of Mars-like landscapes, salt flats, colorful lagoons, geysers and flamingo-filled lakes. 

Based around the town of San Pedro de Atacama, this region is also world-renowned for its spectacular stargazing opportunities, the Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers, and ancient archaeological sites. 

Into adventure? Here you can enjoy the likes of sandboarding hiking, and photography, while culture vultures will enjoy immersing themselves in indigenous cultures and traditional Andean customs. 

Central Chile: Santiago, Valparaíso and Wine Country

Blending coastal charm and world-class wine, Central Chile is ideal for travelers who are keen on culture.

For example, Santiago, the capital, offers museums and markets, with nearby Valparaíso showcasing vibrant street art, historic funiculars, and a bohemian vibe.

Meanwhile, the Maipo, Casablanca, and Colchagua Valleys are top destinations for wine tasting, especially Carménère and Sauvignon Blanc. 

In addition, Central Chile is also the gateway to the Andes, with winter skiing available near Santiago. 

Lake District 

Chile's Lake District (Región de Los Lagos) is a scenic region of snow-capped volcanoes, deep-blue lakes and verdant forests. 

Centered around towns like Puerto Varas, it offers plenty of outdoor adventures, including hiking, kayaking and rafting.

Reflecting Germanic influences in its architecture and cuisine as a result of 19th-century settlers, this region is also a family-friendly destination.

In addition, national parks like Vicente Pérez Rosales and Huerquehue are on hand to keep nature lovers very happy.

Chiloé Archipelago

The Chiloé Archipelago is a culturally rich region known for its mythology, UNESCO-designated colorful wooden churches, and distinct cuisine like curanto. 

Thanks to its rolling hills, misty coastlines and traditional stilt houses, it offers a stark — and captivating — contrast to mainland Chile, with a deep-rooted indigenous and Catholic heritage that permeates its festivals and folklore. 

As for where, exactly, to visit, note that towns like Castro and Ancud are hubs for exploring the nearby Chiloé National Park and wildlife, including penguins and marine birds. 

Patagonia, Southern Chile

Chilean Patagonia is an epic wilderness of glaciers, fjords, mountains and windswept plains. 

Home to the legendary Torres del Paine National Park, where travelers can hike the famous W or O circuits among dramatic peaks, turquoise lakes, and roaming guanacos, it’s a bucket-list destination for adventurers.

On that subject, note that Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas are launch points for exploring the Magellanic region and southern ice fields. 

Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Located over 3500 km west of mainland Chile in the Pacific Ocean, Easter Island — Rapa Nui — is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world.

Famous for its moai statues, which were carved by the Rapa Nui people between the 13th and 16th centuries, here you can look forward to exploring archaeological sites like Rano Raraku, Ahu Tongariki and Anakena Beach.

The island also offers opportunities for volanco hiking, horseback riding, snorkelling and cultural immersion with Polynesian traditions.

Access is via flights from Santiago, which take around 5.5 hours.

How to get around Chile

Being a long, narrow country spanning over 4200 km from north to south, with widely varied topography, getting around Chile requires strategic planning.

That said, you have a choice of public transport, self-driving, and booking organized tours, depending on the region and type of experiences you want. Here’s an overview:

Public Transport

• Intercity Buses are affordable, comfortable, and punctual, and the most common way to travel long distances, with services ranging from standard to semi-cama (reclining seats) and cama (fully reclining).
• Local buses and shared taxis (colectivos) operate within cities and towns.
• Santiago has a modern metro system (Metro de Santiago), while other cities rely on buses and colectivos.

Driving 

• Self-driving is ideal for exploring regions like the Atacama Desert, Lake District, Carretera Austral, and parts of Patagonia.
• Roads are generally in good condition in central Chile, though rural and southern areas may require 4WD to tackle unpaved or rugged roads.
• Car rentals are widely available in cities and airports, but fuel stations can be sparse in remote areas.

Guided tours

• Day tours and multi-day packages are popular in tourist regions like San Pedro de Atacama, Torres del Paine, and Easter Island.
• Tours offer convenience and access to hard-to-reach destinations, with knowledgeable guides and transport included.

For more transport context, read up on getting to Chile, and getting around Chile.

How to stay connected in Chile

Staying connected in Chile is relatively easy, especially in urban and tourist-friendly areas. 

Wi-fi is widely available in hotels, hostels, cafés, restaurants, and public space like airports and bus terminals.

You can purchase a prepaid SIM card at airports, convenience stores, or mobile shops with just your passport. Plans are affordable and usually include data, local calls, and texts. 

Note that while coverage is excellent in cities, it’s often limited in remote regions like Patagonia or the Atacama.

How to budget for Chile

Chile offers a wide range of travel experiences to suit different budgets — from affordable ways to go backpacking in South America, to high-end adventure travel. 

Prices also vary depending on the region (e.g., Patagonia is pricier than Santiago), season and travel style. 

On a budget? You could look to plan a trip with expenses of $40–$80 a day, staying in hostels, self-catering, and booking long-distance buses.

If you’re working to a mid-range budget, expect to pay $90-$180 a day for comfortable travel — staying in local boutique hotels or B&Bs, with occasional splurges on fancier dining and guided tours.

At the other end of the scale, you’re looking at $200-$500+ a day for luxury travel experiences i.e. staying in high-end hotels and lodges, fine dining with wine pairings, taking private transfers, and booking private excursions.

What to pack for Chile

Chile’s vast length and diverse geography mean you'll likely encounter multiple climates on a vacation that covers different regions — from desert heat to Andean cold.

As a result, layering is key when it comes to packing clothes. Think moisture-wicking T-shirts and thermal tops for cold regions, a fleece or insulated jacket for warmth, and a waterproof windbreaker or rain jacket.

You’ll also want comfortable pants for hiking, and durable hiking shoes or boots, sandals or sneakers.

A sun hat and/or wool hat is a good idea for sun protection and high-altitude cold, and having gloves and a scarf is essential in Patagonia and high Andean regions.

Heading to Easter Island? Think light clothing, sun protection and reef shoes.

Beyond clothing considerations, hikers will also want a daypack, dry bag and water bottle.

And don’t forget taking some first aid basics, and altitude sickness tablets for the Andes.

Things to know before you go

Here are some additional Chile travel tips to help you plan your trip.

Visa requirements

• Most travelers from the US, EU, UK, Canada, Australia and many other countries don’t need a visa for stays up to 90 days.
• A passport valid for at least 6 months is required upon entry.
• On arrival, you'll receive a PDI tourist card (Tarjeta de Turismo); keep it for departure.

Health and safety

• No mandatory vaccines are required for entry
• Tap water is generally safe to drink in major cities but may cause mild stomach upset for some travelers.
• Travel insurance is highly recommended

Money 

• Local currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP)
• Credit cards are widely accepted in cities; carry cash for rural areas.

Ready to start planning your own trip to Chile? Check out the best places to visit in Chile as you plan your itinerary.

Not keen on planning/? Simply contact our local Chile travel experts to have them devise your ideal Chile itinerary