By Andy Noorlander
A
South America tour couldn't be considered complete without a stop through this skinniest of nations. With some of the world's most impressive white-capped peaks and the most daunting of deserts, Chile offers a wide range of attractions. If you are planning on checking out Chile, don't forget to pack for hot and cold and adjust your seasonal calendar for some of the Southern Hemisphere's most beautiful extremities.
Geography
Chile is famous for its long vertical shape, stretching thousands of miles from Arica in the north to its southern tip near Punta Arenas. Thanks to its multitude of latitudes, Chile's land spans from sub-tropical in the north to arctic in the south across vast arid plains and desert. The Andes range, second highest in the world, spans its eastern border with Argentina, while the Pacific Ocean flanks its enormous west coast.
Getting There
Flying is the most common way to reach Chile, with most visitors taking off from cities in North, Central and South America, Europe, Australia, and New Zealand and landing in its capital, Santiago. The country also shares open land borders in the north with Peru and Bolivia if you are willing to undertake an epic bus journey, and plenty of entry ports from Argentina, such as Los Libertadores between Mendoza and Santiago. No visa is required for citizens of most Western nations; a passport valid for at least six months from the date of entry is sufficient.
Weather & When to Go
Depending on the region you plan to visit, different times of year are optimal for travel. Summer (December to March) is the only time to visit many of the attractions in the far south such as Tierra del Fuego and Torres del Paine, since temperatures are especially low the rest of the year and access is blocked off by snow from about June to September. Skiiers, however, can disregard that advice, as winters in Chile make for perfect conditions on the slopes. The Atacama can get unbearably hot in summer (December to February), but that doesn't stop year-round tourism. As a whole, the country's high season is from December to March.
Activities and Attractions
Chile provides a long, thin adventure playground for those that love getting into the thick of nature. With the Andes only a stone's throw to the east no matter where you find yourself, skiing is always a nearby option. The country happens to contain top-ranked slopes like those at La Parva, Farellones-El Colorado and Valle Nevado, as well as ski resorts such as Portillo. Horse riding its hills, trekking its infamous desert, rafting its rivers, kayaking its fjords, climbing one of its many active volcanoes, fishing its streams or beach-hopping along its diverse coastline or flying out to view the archeological wonders of Easter Island are all popular Chilean retreats.
Costs
Chile is quite expensive compared to its neighbors. At the very least, travelers can survive in hostels and on cheap food for about U.S. $25 per day, while about $60 will afford you a nice hotel room and gourmet meals.
Safety Considerations
Since the departure of Augusto Pinochet and the end of his 17 years of dictatorial rule, Chile has become a stable country for travelers to visit. But like most large cities, Santiago sees its fair share of pickpocketing as well as violent crime. Take care not to flaunt any valuables, watch your belongings in public places and avoid traveling on the streets at night.
Resources
About the Author:
Andy has attended schools all over the world but is now on the leg last of her Bachelors Degree at Brigham Young University through Independent Study while living in China. She has studied Spanish, Finnish, and Mandarin and is majoring in English literature. She has been a writer fro Demand Studios for over a year.
