Though she loved all her adventures, Staci has a special place in her heart for Chile, where she traveled throughout the country and had one of the greatest experiences of her life. Follow Staci from bustling Santiago through the salt lagoons of San Pedro de Atacama and on to the glaciers at Torres del Paine with this one-of-a-kind Chile travel tale.

Full of crazy and unforeseen adventures, this Chile travel tale takes you all over the country. Let us start in Santiago, Chile’s capital, where Staci and her friends explored this cultural hub. Staci was in Santiago for almost a week and suggests that anyone visiting the city take a walk around the main center. She highly recommends going up Santa Lucia hill, which provides great views of the city set against a stunning mountain backdrop. She also took a trip to the laid back areas of Vina del Mar and Valparaiso. Overall, her time in Santiago was mostly spent mingling with the locals and truly getting a feel for the culture of this great city.

Onward to Torres del Paine in Chile’s Patagonia, where Staci and her friends journeyed on a 5-day trek to explore the beauty of the glaciers and valleys, which Staci described as absolutely amazing.. As she recounts the days of the trek her face lights up explaining how her hike allowed her to truly get a feel for the beauty of Chile’s diverse landscapes. Torres del Paine sits near the border of the Argentina and Chile making it easily accessible from Argentina and  can be complemented by a trip to El Calafate, Argentina.

Staci and friends on a 5-day trek through Torres del Paine

Staci continued on to the magnificent Atacama Desert region, where she spent her time making friends with the locals, something that is hard to do with only a few days in a city. They gave her some great tips about Chile travel, one of which led her to a local hot spot for swimming which was fully equipped with a slide! With some extra time in the itinerary  Staci and her friends rented bikes and rode to the salt lagoons where they enjoyed the entire afternoon floating in the lagoon and taking in the amazing views of the surrounding mountains and desert.

Atacama another beautiful Chile landscape.

Staci loved her time in Chile and wanted to give a couple of tips for exploring Chile, starting with a recommendation to visit the salt lagoons in San Pedro de Atacama and exploring the glaciers and towers in Torres del Paine, as they were the highlights of her trip. Another suggestion from our expert travel advisor is to set aside at least ten days for your Chile travel adventure, especially if you want to see what Staci describes as “the three most important zones of Chile”: Santiago and the surrounding area, the Lake District, and Patagonia.

Take a trip to Chile and explore the streets of Santiago, mingle with the locals, and get lost in the beauty of the country’s diverse landscapes. Start planning your Chile vacation by contacting one of our expert travel advisors today!

Santiago, with the gorgeous Andes Mountains as a backdrop, is a growing Chile travel destination.

From city tours of historical buildings to shopping to bohemian neighborhoods, Santiago’s many attractions are diverse enough to delight every taste. For culture-seeking travelers, the city boasts the premier collection of pre-Columbian art at the Museo Chile de Arte Precolombino. Another must-see for a deeper understanding of Chile under Pinochet is the Museo de la Memoria y Los Derechos Humanos, recently opened in 2010 and dedicated to preserving a visual memory of the violation of human rights committed by the government between 1973 and 1990.

With the scenic Andes Mountains nearby, cultural explorations can be nicely complemented with adventure travel, either at Cerro San Cristobal, the large urban park in the middle of Santiago; or a bit further afield, travelers can head to any of the world-class ski resorts located within an hour of Santiago (including El Colorado, Valle Nevado, and Portillo) or to Maipo Valley for trekking, horseback riding, rafting, canyoning, and ziplining amidst a pristine mountain landscape.

Valparaiso & Viña del Mar

Given their close proximity to the Chilean capital, the coastal towns of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar are excellent additions to any Santiago travel plan.

Valparaiso is comprised of an estimated 42 hills. Ascensores (funiculars) were built to ease access from the lower to the higher part of the city; 15 of these are still in operation.

Valparaiso has a fascinating history and unique topography. From the sheltered half-circle bay, the city rises like a terraced amphitheater, climbing up steep hills and winding through twisting valleys. Its strategic location on the coast made this port town the principal commercial center in the South Pacific throughout the 19^th and early 20^th centuries. It was from Valparaiso that Chilean wheat was shipped to fuel the California Gold Rush in the 1850s.  Economic opportunity also attracted a significant number of British, German, and other European immigrants as well as Chilean mestizos from the interior of the country. Today, the topographical and mixed human heritage of Valparaiso is reflected in the English Tudor, German Fachwerkhaus, and American balloon frame houses and other buildings that cling to hillsides, seemingly on the verge of sliding into the sea.

Viña del Mar is located 10 minutes up the coast from Valparaiso. Its name derives from a vineyard established by a large landowner in the Spanish colonial era. Today, Viña boasts tranquil seaside relaxation on beautiful beaches such as Reñaca and Las Salinas. In February, Quinta Vergara, the large park in the middle of the city, is the site of the annual Viña del Mar International Song Festival, one of the largest music festivals in all of the Americas.  Other historical attractions include Wulff Castle and the Paseo Arabe.

A beautiful sunset at Reñaca Beach – a ideal complement to a busy Chile vacation in Santiago.

Santiago is also a central departure point for other Chile travel destinations, including San Pedro de Atacama, Easter Island, and Torres del Paine in Patagonia. Contact a travel expert at Chile For Less to start planning your dream Chile vacation.

Travel to Easter Island, originally named Rapu Nui, which can be found 2,300 miles (3,700km) off the coast of Chile in the South Pacific Ocean. Formed by a series of volcanic eruptions, Easter Island is only 14 miles long and 7 miles wide; however this small secluded island holds an immense history and great mystery.

The history of Easter Island is one of intrigue and devastation. Activity on the island dates back to around 300 A.D. Original settlers of Rapu Nui lived in peace on this small island; however scarcity of resources led islanders to a civil war in 1680 and diminished the island’s population. Upon arrival to the island in 1722, Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeveen renamed the island Easter Island because of the expedition’s arrival on Easter Sunday. The Dutch were the first European visitors to the island and marked the beginning of exploration by the outside world.

In 1770, an estimated 3,000 people inhabited the island. Only four years later, the island’s population was again found reduced to a mere 700 people, less than thirty of which were women. The population of the island began to rebuild itself, only to be devastated once again with the slave trade from Peru in 1862 as well as an array of diseases. By 1877, only 111 people were found on the island.

Despite its past the island has again rebuilt its population and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995, marking it a cultural and historical site which should be honored and preserved for future generations, and a unique destination on any trip to Chile.

Although the island has a somber yet interesting history its true appeal comes in the form of statues. Over 900 moai, a statue that is crafted from volcanic stone, cover the island. The moai were crafted by the original inhabitants of the island. Like a snowflake, each statue is unique and their purpose is still unknown.

Admire the mysterious and unique moai statues found all over Easter Island.

The statues are a great cultural mystery: they are speculated to represent ancestors who watch over the island. Scattered over the slopes of the island, the statues average 13 feet in height with an average weight of 13 tons and are a true symbol of the masterful craftsmanship of the island’s original inhabitants. The moai were also meant to sit on ahus, or shrines, which were raised off the ground and often held tombs beneath. The ahu can be seen mostly on the coast, moai occupy some of these, but years of war and natural disasters have left many empty. The mystery and beauty of the moai statues bring travelers from all over the world to Easter Island.

Those wanting to explore Easter Island’s history and mystery can take a guided tour of Easter Island on your trip to Chile to see some of the most impressive of Moai. Many visitors will stop at the Rano Raraku quarry, the birthplace of the moai, where these mysterious statues were created by hand. At the quarry visitors will see over 300 unfinished statues, all in different stages of completion. The Ahu Vaihu and Ahu Akahanga are sites in which travelers will be reminded of the island’s dark past as many moai are toppled like dominoes, a result of war and colonization. Another must-see is the Ahu Tahai where the ceremonial bases or ahus, were constructed. Travelers can investigate the island’s terrain independently and discover the deep history and story behind each moai.

Watch the sunset over the moai during your trip to Easter Island.

An island larger in history and culture than in actual size, Easter Island is a history lover’s paradise. A trip to Easter Island is a great complement to any Chile vacation. Read about the top 5 must-see Chile destinations, to make your stay unforgettable and start planning your trip to Chile today.

The ski season lasts roughly from June to October and there is a plethora of fantastic resorts to choose from for your ski adventures. Only a few miles from Santiago, the cosmopolitan capital of Chile, are several excellent ski resorts, equipped with modern equipment and boasting incredible slopes and trails to suit amateurs and seasoned skiers alike.

The largest ski resort in the Southern Hemisphere, and beautifully located in the heart of the Andes, Valle Nevado is arguably one of the best winter resorts in the world. Situated at a dizzying height of over 9,840 feet (3,000 meters), the resort boasts an ideal climate for skiing, with fresh snow all throughout the season. Inspired by some of the best French resorts in the Alps, Valle Nevado features modern infrastructure, over 23,000 acres of skiable domain, and several hotels, restaurants, and ski schools.

True adventurers can also take advantage of the resort’s heli-port. An impressive Bell 407 helicopter transports skiers up to the most remote spots in the heart of the Andes. Here virgin powder and magnificent landscapes await the most audacious.

Another of Chile’s best ski resort is Portillo, also easily accessible from Santiago. Located in the Valparaiso region about 101 miles (164 kilometers) from the capital, the Portillo Ski Resort towers at over 9,186 feet (2,800 meters) right next to the awe-inspiring Aconcagua, the highest mountain in the Western Hemisphere. This is Chile’s oldest ski resort. It is probably also its most famous, and thousands of skiers from all over the world travel to Portillo to enjoy the scenery, the thrill of skiing down the slopes of the Andes, and the elegant atmosphere.

Boasting slopes of every difficulty level to suit novices, amateurs, and professionals alike, the beautiful Termas de Chillan Ski & Spa Resort is located about 50 miles (80 kilometers) from the city of Chillan south of Santiago. The ski center is situated at 5,000 feet (1,524 meters) and boasts pristine forest and beautiful landscapes all around.

The resort is ranked among the best in the country and is home to South America’s longest run, Las Tres Marias, which stretches over 8 miles (13 kilometers). It’s also a perfect place for those who like to complement their ski vacation with relaxation and pampering, as the site boasts natural hot springs and spas. The springs, featuring 9 pools open year round, are renowned for their therapeutic properties.

El Colorado Ski Resort, rightly named after the United States’ best ski region, is one of the most accessible skiing spots, only 31 miles (50 kilometers) from Santiago. With its singular corn-shape peak, El Colorado provides great opportunities to ski in the region around Santiago, and is also connected to the larger Valle Nevado Ski Resort in. It is located at over 8,850 feet (2,700) meters and boasts an ideal climate with fresh powder and sun throughout the ski season.

These are only a few of the ski resorts available in Chile, not to mention throughout South America, so don’t wait until the season is over, hop on your skis and start your adventurous Chile vacation.

For specific questions about skiing in Chile or in South America in general, please contact one of our expert Chile travel advisors.

Just like most countries in the world, the majority of countries in Latin America require travelers to have a passport valid up until at least 6 months after they enter the country. So before you even start booking your trip to South America, make sure you have a passport and that it is valid for this duration of time. It can take up to 6 weeks to get a new passport, so don’t wait until the last minute (although there are some emergency procedures for specific cases).

Now, for country specific regulations:

Peru

Nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union do not need a visa to visit Peru. Touristic stays of up to 183 days are allowed in Peru. You will generally be given a 90-day stamp upon arrival at the international airport, but if you wish to stay longer and travel in the country, you can just ask the immigration officer for a 6-month stamp.

The airport in Lima—so far the only international airport in Peru—charges an international tax of approximately $30 USD upon departure from the country. However, most international airlines now include this fee in the flight ticket, but if it is not included when you purchase your flight, you’ll be required to pay it before you leave.

Argentina

Nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union do not require a visa to visit Argentina, and touristic stays of up to 3 months are allowed in Argentina. Touristic stamps are valid for several entries in the country within their period of validity, making it easier to travel cross country on your Argentina vacation. But, be aware that all citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia will be charged a reciprocity fee upon entry in Argentina. As of 2011, the tax amounts to $100 USD for Australians, $70 USD for Canadians, and $140 USD for Americans.

Brazil

Citizens of the United States, Canada, and Australia must have a visa to visit Brazil. Make sure to contact the Brazilian embassy or consulate in your home country in order to obtain your visa prior to travel. Check out the list of Brazilian embassies and consulates in the world and find the one closest to your home. Procedures take approximately 2-3 weeks, so it is important to submit your visa application about 4-6 weeks before your intended travel date. But don’t do it too early either because your visa is only valid 90 days after its issuance.

US citizens need to fill in an e-application form, print it, and make an appointment with the Brazilian embassy using the online scheduling system. You’ll need to bring the form with a passport, picture, and travel documents. Find here the online application form for Brazil visas. Disregard the security warning that will pop up when you click on the link as this is a secure site and the error message only comes from the Brazil channel which is not automatically recognized by international internet browsers yet.

Nationals of the United States will need to pay a $140 USD reciprocity fee to enter Brazil; the fee is $65 USD for Canadians. Citizens of European Union countries are exempts from any visa requirements and entrance fees.

Chile

Nationals of the United States, Canada, Australia, and the European Union do not need a visa for touristic stays up to 3 months in Chile. However, if you are from the USA, Canada, or Australia, you will need to pay a reciprocity fee of respectively $131, $132, and $61 USD.

For more information about visa and passport requirements and to start planning your exciting trip to South America, contact one of our expert travel advisors.

Semana Santa starts on Palm Sunday, and lasts throughout the week. The most important celebrations are held on Maundy Thursday and Good Friday, culminating on Easter Sunday. Each day during Holy Week, processions and religious gatherings fill the streets of virtually every city in Chile. Thousands of people walk down the streets of Chile’s cities and villages carrying statues, crosses and candles, while priests bless the crowds with incense. On Palm Sunday you will also see parishioners bringing their bottles of water to church to have them blessed by the priest.

Chile has a unique tradition, called Cuasimodo, which extends Easter celebrations a week beyond the traditional Holy Week. Also known as Correr a Cristo, or Run to the Christ, this tradition derives from colonial times when parish priests would spend the Sunday after Easter visiting the sick people who could not attend church or regular Easter celebrations. The priests were usually accompanied by huasos, or cowboys, who protected the holy men from bandits. This day is celebrated nowadays mainly in Santiago by a Mass followed by a procession that includes the parish priest drawn in a carriage. Horses, carts, and bicycles mounted with people wearing the traditional huaso costume accompany the carriage along with a large number of crowds through the streets in Santiago.

Semana Santa celebrations in Chile generally include the re-enactment of the Passion Play, starting with the Last Supper and continuing on to the Betrayal, the Judgment, the Procession of the 12 Stations of the Cross, and the Crucifixion, before ending with the triumphant Resurrection of Christ. Though festivities take place throughout Chile, the most important are held in the regions of Pucon and Viña del Mar, where teeming fervent crowds gather to celebrate this religious event.

One of the main traditions of Semana Santa in Chile is the burning of Judas. A puppet representing Judas is carried around the streets for several days and coins are deposited inside. When the puppet is burned, children split the coins that falls from its insides.

If you plan on attending the beautiful and moving celebrations of Holy Week in Chile, you should be aware that prices tend to increase during this period. This is also a time when most Chileans retreat to their homes to spend time with their families, attend church, and participate in the numerous religious processions. Therefore, you can expect to find many bars, restaurants, and shops closed from Maundy Thursday to the Monday following Easter Sunday. Santiago is usually deserted, but this can be a great time to wander around the city’s lovely barrios and explore its colorful streets in total peace.

Semana Santa is also celebrated with great pomp in other Latin American countries, particularly in Ecuador and Peru. Read our blog post about Semana Santa in Ayacucho, Peru, to learn more about the colorful celebrations of Holy Week.

To plan your trip to Chile and participate in the grandiose festivities of Semana Santa, and to learn more about Chile travel opportunities, contact one of our expert travel advisors.

Yet Aleksandar Jankovic, one of our hard-working Latin America For Less travel advisors, came close to successful replication with the above photo, which made him a winner in our 2011 Latin America For Less Photo Contest.

The kaleidoscopic cotton candy sky melts over the horizon and across the ground, swirling around flamingos and disappearing only when confronted by the distant but looming Andean mountain range. The Atacama salt flat, Salar de Atacama, stretches over 1,860 square miles, making it the second largest salt flat in the world, and one of the most bizarrely beautiful areas of the 40,600-square mile northern Chilean desert.

“The landscape in the Atacama is like nothing I’d ever seen before,” says Aleks, who snapped the photo during a break from his studies back in 2007.  His comment rings with authority, as Aleksandar is no stranger to deserts. A native of Serbia, Aleks spent four years studying international tourism management in Qatar, a sandy country roughly the size of Connecticut and home to the renowned UNESCO Khor Al-Adaid natural reserve. “The desert in Qatar has nothing on the Atacama,” he declares.

The Atacama Desert is known for being extremely dry and arid—some parts of the desert have never felt recorded rainfall—and its high altitude and regularly clear skies makes it one of the best places in the world for astronomy studies.

This particular photo opportunity came at the end of a guided desert tour, just as the sun was starting to set.

“It was a unique day because there were clouds, and that made all the difference,” Aleks says. “My camera isn’t that great, but every picture was turning out amazing. I didn’t use any special effects or anything; it was pretty unreal.”

Aleks has been part of the Latin America For Less team for six months and says he loves his job because of the clients. “Every day is something different: a new question, a new client, a new destination. It is never boring.”

He recommends that those interested in traveling to Chile schedule at least 10 days, if possible, in order to fully appreciate the diversity the country has to offer. “If you go to Chile, you have to see: Santiago, Patagonia, and the Atacama Desert. These are must sees.”

After the Atacama Desert, Aleks thinks the Colca Canyon in Peru also has great natural beauty, and highly recommends the destination.

He also carries a flame for Buenos Aires, Argentina, which he has visited twice and is where he hopes to live one day.

To make your own magical memories of the Atacama Desert, contact Aleks or any of our other expert travel advisors and ask about our San Pedro de Atacama tour.

Located a mere 450 miles (725 km) from the southern tip of the world, Eolo Lodge is a drop of refinement clinging to the wild, rugged steppe of Argentina’s Patagonia. The 17 room estancia-style lodge is fitted with a whitewashed exterior that matches the distant ice capped peaks, but blazes defiantly against the 9,885 acres (4,000 hectares) of burnished La Anita Valley landscape. Large windows offer astonishing views of the desolate landscape, but to truly appreciate the sweeping isolation, hop on a horse, gallop across the void and experience a real Patagonia travel adventure.

Argentina, El Calafate: Eolo

2. Peru, Puno: Casa Andina Isla Suasi

Isla Suasi, a private island ringed by the pristine waters of Lake Titicaca, tempts visitors with its stunning scenery, lulling isolation, and five star eco-resort. Casa Andina Private Collection Isla Suasi, the only accommodation on this serene island, is an indulgent treat of rustic luxury, outdoor adventure, and culinary delight. Its 24 rooms contain cloud-like beds, wood burning fireplaces, and panoramic lake views. Cozy up under the covers, meanderer the cobblestone courtyards, or explore the rugged island outskirts; wherever you go, the view will follow. Explore this spectacular region in style on your Lake Titicaca tour.

Peru, Puno: Casa Andina Isla Suasi

3. Chile, San Pedro de Atacama: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge

The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth, but don’t let that stop you from visiting Alto Atacama Desert Lodge, because its barren, rain-deprived landscape is one of the most stunning and humbling places in the world. The Lodge is so skillfully designed that it seems to merge with the rust-colored Salt Mountain Range, concealing the hotel’s interior modern luxury.

Chile, San Pedro de Atacama: Alto Atacama Lodge

4. Ecuador, Baños: Luna Runtun

No place is better for soaking up the scenery in Baños, Ecuador, than Hotel Luna Runtun. The picturesque mountaintop cottage complex faces the mighty Tungurahua Volcano and the verdant Llanganates National Park. Lavish pools and spas carved into the cliff overlook the town below, creating the elevated aura of a Mount Olympus playground with Greek god guests lounging in luxury. Enhance your Ecuador vacation with a stay at this excellent hotel.

Ecuador, Baños: Luna Runtun

5. Brazil, Ilha Grande: Pousada Naturalia

Surrounded by lush rainforest and lapping azul waters, a stay at Pousada Naturalia Hotel is like accepting a hug from Mother Nature. Bask on your balcony or lounge in your hammock and remind yourself that the tranquil island’s scenery isn’t a postcard, it’s real.

Brazil, Ilha Grande: Pousada Naturalia

6. Peru, Machu Picchu: Sanctuary Lodge

Machu Picchu. Need we say more? One of the 7 New Wonders of the World, Machu Picchu is the most spectacular historical destination in South America. Secluded and separated from modern development by a laborious trek and imposing mountain peaks, the site remains as impressive now as it was decades ago. Only one hotel, the Machu Picchu Sanctuary Lodge, neighbors the citadel. Several rooms have mountain views and show a sliver of the site, but the real attraction is the ability to linger at the ruins before, and long after, everyone else is gone.

Peru, Machu Picchu: Sanctuary Lodge

7. Costa Rica, Arenal: Arenal Observatory Lodge

Experience a bedroom eruption like none other at Arenal Observatory Lodge, one of the most luxurious Arenal hotels. Here guests can lounge in bed and admire the active Arenal Volcano, just two miles from the hotel, as it seeps glowing lava and puffs black smoke.  Now that’s hot.

Costa Rica, Arenal: Arenal Observatory Lodge

8. Peru, Puno: Libertador Lake Titicaca

Watch the sun creep over the horizon and crawl across the calm waters of the highest navigable lake in the world, turning the already vibrantly-colored waters into a sparkling sapphire sea. Hotel Libertador rests on the shore of Isla Esteves on Lake Titicaca. Its 123 rooms are all luxurious with elegant décor, but no man-made design can compare to the natural display flaunted just outside the panoramic windows.

Peru, Puno: Libertador Lake Titicaca

9. Argentina, Iguazú Falls: Sheraton

Guests at the Sheraton Iguazú Resort can marvel at the mighty Iguazú Falls, hear its roaring torrent, and almost taste the spray, all without leaving their room. Tucked inside the Iguazú National Park, this large and luxurious hotel is only a mile from the waterfalls and walking distance from all of the park’s exciting attractions.

Argentina, Iguazú Falls: Sheraton

10. Peru, Colca Canyon: Colca Lodge

At Colca Lodge, a glance out your window is a time machine back to ancient times. Situated in a river valley ringed by pre-Inca agricultural terraces, this luxurious nature-inspired lodge is an ideal place to experience an exciting Colca Canyon tour. Relax in natural hot springs and admire how the hotel’s adobe walls, thatched roofs, and stone pathways harmonize with the agrarian landscape.

Peru, Colca Canyon: Colca Lodge

For help planning a Latin America vacation to one of these spectacular locations, contact a Latin America For Less travel advisor.