Chile: Top 20 attractions in the country of three continents

Torres del Paine National Park

On the territory of Chilean Patagonia, 140 km north of the city of Puerto Natales, there are picturesque valleys with fjords, lakes and oases. This is the Torres del Paine Reserve, meaning "Blue Towers".

The reserve is one of the most ecological places on earth with pristine nature and is protected by UNESCO.

It is pleasant to walk along the hiking trails of the park, along the mountainsides or forested areas. On the way you can meet unusual animals: guanaco, South African fox, small nandu. Hunting is prohibited here, and therefore the locals are not afraid of people at all and willingly pose for travelers coming here.

Robinson Crusoe Island

Robinson Crusoe Island is a magical place where coastal cliffs, calming waters and lush native vegetation create an oasis of beauty.

The island is widely known as a deserted island surrounded by the Pacific Ocean with an atmosphere of solitude. A variety of activities are available here, such as swimming in crystal clear waters or diving, exploring the marine life with the American Navy Seals. Sailing, kayaking and fishing are common activities here.

The island is also known for its hiking trails through pristine areas such as Puntas de Isla, Centinela Hill and Puerto Francisco.

Easter Island Statues

Chile has the amazing island of Rapa Nui in the South Pacific Ocean, 3,514 kilometers away from the mainland. Easter Island, as it is also known, is primarily known for its stone statues made of pressed volcanic ash.

They are displayed along the shore, eyes staring out into the ocean. The gaze of the statues is eerie, yet magical at the same time. It is still a mystery how the 10-meter-high idols got there. Research has shown that the statues were produced in quarries in the central part of the island. A trip to Easter Island is one of the most exciting adventures offered to travelers in Chile.

Andean Christ

The monument has been located on the territory separating Chile and Argentina for more than 100 years. Once upon a time a war almost broke out between these states, for a long time they could not define their borders.

The conflict ended with the inauguration of the majestic monument, which was attended by the inhabitants of the two countries and resulted in the signing of a peace agreement.

Valle de la Luna

Valle de la Luna or Moon Valley is a place in Atacami that can be confused with the surface of the moon. Many "lunar" movie episodes have been filmed there, because the valley is composed of 90% salt and carbonates, which creates an amazing, even bizarre picture.

Lunar Valley has many salt lakes that change color throughout the day. Every year during the rainy season, the valley blooms and red flowers sprout through the dry ground.

It is always beautiful here. But the valley looks especially beautiful before sunset, when the molten sun gilds the salt-covered peaks and weaves a fanciful lace of shadows. Viewing the valley of the moon is better from the observation deck. It offers a view of the plain, above which stands a sleeping volcano - the six-thousand-meter peak Likankabur.

The largest swimming pool in the world

Imagine a soccer field filled with water. Multiply by ten. You get the world's largest outdoor swimming pool.

San Alfonso del Mar is located 100 kilometers west of the Chilean capital Santiago. One kilometer in length, 77 thousand square meters of area - in a pool of this size you can not only swim, but also sail. What Chileans do: in San Alfonso del Mar anyone can rent a catamaran or a yacht and sail on the smooth, mirror-like water. Despite the fact that the water for the pool is taken from the Pacific Ocean, it is not salty and is so clear that the bottom is visible at any point.

Hand of the Desert

In Chile's Atacama Desert, 75 km south of the city of Antofagasta, there is a monument that the lone traveler least expects to find there. A monument to the despair and loneliness of man in the sands, the Desert Hand, was placed here in 1992 by sculptor Mario Irarazabal. It is as if the concrete giant was buried in the sand and this is the gesture that he will say goodbye to the world.

Going to see the sculpture (from Antofagasta tourist groups take here), do not forget that in the desert for several tens of kilometers around there are no McDonald's or toilets. The desert hand is the only reminder of human presence here.

Maipo Volcano

On the border between Chile and Argentina is the Maipo volcano, which is 5,000 meters high. Maipo is not the highest point in Chile, but it became popular due to its shape: the volcano has a conical and absolutely symmetrical volcanic form.

By the way, there are many picturesque places near Maipo. Thus, next to it there is the Diamond Crater, which was formed 500 thousand years ago and looks very much like a precious stone, to the west there are Laguna del Brillianti Lake and Maipo Canyon with the river of the same name.

City of Santiago

Santiago is the cultural, financial and business capital of Chile. It serves as the entertainment center of the country where you can take part in many interesting activities, visit museums and galleries, go shopping, enjoy food in the best restaurants and stay in the best hotels.

It is noteworthy that the old houses in Santiago, decorated in colonial style, harmonize with modern structures in the form of skyscrapers. And the background in the form of the majestic, snow-covered Andes is simply mesmerizing.

Sewell Township

The small mining town of Sewell was founded in 1904 to mine copper in the world's largest underground copper mine, El Teniente. The town was built at an elevation of over 2,000 feet on steep mountain slopes that could not be traversed by any form of transportation.

From the railroad station to the city led stairs, along which there were irregularly shaped platforms with decorative plantings of trees and shrubs that served as public spaces of the city. The houses in the town were built in the 19th century American style and painted in bright colors. No one lives in the town now, but thousands of tourists visit each year. Sewell is listed as a UNESCO heritage site.

Los Flamencos National Reserve

Another natural area that is notable for its cluster of flamingos and other rare birds. It is located 33 kilometers from the city of San Pedro de Atacama.

The reserve is so diverse in terms of climate and natural conditions, divided into 7 sectors. In each of them, interesting tourist routes have been developed for travelers.

There is everything here: deserts and hills, forests and lakes, rivers, salt marshes and wetlands. And even the remains of ancient pre-Columbian settlements, the age of which reaches three thousand years.

Magdalena Island

Chile owns many mini-islands and 28 fairly large islands. One of the most interesting is Magdalena Island.

The calling card of the island is not at all architectural constructions. Everything is much more interesting. It's home to 100,000 penguins. You can watch them freely. The island itself sits in the middle of the Strait of Magellan. During the penguins' stay on land, many tourists come to the island. There is also a lighthouse, and from here you can get a great view of the strait and the island itself.

Humberstone Ghost Town

In the north of Chile, in the middle of the desert, fifty kilometers from the nearest settlement is the abandoned town of Humberstone.

The town was founded at the end of the 19th century, when a deposit of saltpeter was found here. First a mining village, then a town with a theater, a church and a railway station, Humberstone quickly grew. And just as quickly emptied out when the saltpeter lode disappeared. Having lost their earnings, people gradually left the town, leaving behind their homes with their hard-won possessions. Even today, you can walk into any abandoned house and rummage through old chests, hoping to find a valuable souvenir.

Marble Caves

Chile's largest lake, General Carrera, is home to a unique natural wonder - a real Marble Cathedral. The name of this mineral rock comes from its internal shape, which from afar resembles the vault of a cathedral.

This beautiful creation of nature is located on the shores of the lake, and has been worked on for thousands of years by tireless waves, strong winds and rains. The work of the forces of nature appreciated by people, every year tens of thousands of tourists from many countries come here to see with their own eyes the beautiful marble massif.

The city of Valparaiso

This city is the main port of the country. In their reviews, many tourists note that the most vivid impressions remain from the acquaintance with the city, because it is the "keeper" of the spirit of antiquity.

Of the attractions in the city are preserved Sotomayor Square, a monument-mausoleum dedicated to Captain Arturo Prat. Attention is attracted by museums and the building of the Maritime Ministry. On the promenade of Muel Pratte you can buy souvenirs, grab a bite at a snack bar or have a full meal at one of the highly rated restaurants.