Traveling to Chile for the First Time: Everything You Need to Know

Traveling to Chile for the first time is an opportunity to discover a country of great contrasts. Within the same territory, you’ll find deserts, coastal cities surrounded by forests, vineyards, lakes, volcanoes, glaciers, and national parks that captivate everyone. 

Chile stretches over 4,000 kilometers from north to south. That’s why it’s important to plan the destinations you want to visit carefully. If you’re planning your first trip to Chile, this guide will help you choose destinations, plan your itinerary, and make the most of every day.

1. What Should You Know Before Traveling to Chile for the First Time?

Before traveling to Chile for the first time, keep the following helpful tips in mind:

1. Travel requirements for Chile based on your nationality. Entry requirements may vary depending on your country of origin.

2. Purchase travel insurance with international medical coverage. 

3. Always carry a digital copy of your important documents.

4. The official currency is the Chilean peso. Bank cards are accepted in cities and tourist areas. However, you should still carry cash for other types of businesses. 

5. Chile also has different time zones (mainland Chile, the Magallanes Region, and Rapa Nui) and great geographical diversity. Therefore, it’s a good idea to plan each leg of your trip before you set out. 

2. Santiago: The Best Starting Point for Exploring Chile

Santiago is the capital and one of the main gateways to the country. Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport handles international flights. For first-time visitors to Chile, Santiago offers an excellent introduction to the country’s culture and cuisine.

You can explore the city’s most iconic and well-known landmarks: the Plaza de Armas, the Metropolitan Cathedral, and La Moneda Palace. You can also take a stroll through the Lastarria and Bellavista neighborhoods. The Sky Costanera offers a spectacular view of Santiago and the Andes, and you can go shopping there if that’s what you’re looking for. Another option is to climb Cerro San Cristóbal to enjoy a panoramic view.

3. Valparaíso and Viña del Mar: Heritage and Coastline

From Santiago, you can take a day trip to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar. Both cities are located approximately 120 kilometers from the capital.

The drive takes about an hour and a half, depending on traffic. Valparaíso is known for its hills and historic funiculars. Its historic center is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In a single day, you can explore Plaza Sotomayor, Muelle Prat, and the Alegre and Concepción hills. Viña del Mar offers a different experience, with beaches and an extensive coastline. If you’re looking for things to do in Chile for the first time, combining both cities allows you to experience heritage, culture, and the coast all in one trip.

VisitChile offers a tour to Valparaíso and Viña del Mar from Santiago, a convenient option for international travelers on a tight schedule.

4. San Pedro de Atacama: Discover Chile’s Desert

San Pedro de Atacama is one of Chile’stop tourist destinations and one of the most iconic destinations in the north. Its landscapes offer the chance to see volcanoes, salt flats, lagoons, rock formations, and some of the clearest skies on the planet. To get there from Santiago, the fastest option is to take a flight to Calama. From the airport, you can continue by road to San Pedro de Atacama.

Must-see attractions include the Valley of the Moon, the Altiplanic Lagoons, Piedras Rojas, and the Tatio Geysers. You can also visit the Atacama Salt Flat and spot flamingos and other species in its lagoons. At night, you can participate in astro-tourism activities and gaze at the desert sky. If you’re interested in this destination, check out our Tour to San Pedro de Atacama.

5. Patagonia and Torres del Paine: Nature in Its Purest Form

If you have a few more days, add Patagonia to your itinerary. Torres del Paine is one of Chile’s most important natural destinations.

To get there from Santiago, you can take a flight to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales. From these cities, there are ground transportation options to the national park. In Torres del Paine, you can go hiking, take a boat ride past glaciers, and visit lakes, mountains, and scenic overlooks.

If you’re short on time, there are day trips available. Travelers who enjoy hiking can spend several days exploring the trails. A great option for first-time visitors to Chile is to combine the northern and southern parts of the country. VisitChile offers a tour of Patagonia; check out our Tours to Torres del Paine.

6. How many days do you need to travel to Chile?

There’s no single answer to how many days you should spend in Chile. It all depends on the destinations you want to visit and the pace of your trip.

With five or six days, you can focus on Santiago, Valparaíso, and San Pedro de Atacama. This option lets you explore cities, the coast, and the desert without spending too much time traveling.

With eight days, you can add Easter Island to your itinerary. With nine or ten days, you can combine San Pedro de Atacama and Torres del Paine. However, you’ll need to take flights to minimize travel time. If you have two weeks, you can extend your trip to the Los Lagos Region, Patagonia, or Easter Island.

For a first trip to Chile, it’s best to focus on two or three regions. Trying to cover the entire country in just a few days can turn the trip into a series of endless transfers.

7. Best Time to Travel to Chile and What to Pack

The best time to travel to Chile depends mainly on the destinations included in your itinerary.

To visit Santiago, Valparaíso, and the vineyards of the central region, spring and fall offer pleasant temperatures. To explore Patagonia and Torres del Paine, the spring and summer months offer the best conditions for outdoor activities. San Pedro de Atacama can be visited year-round. Therefore, knowing what to pack for Chile will depend on the regions you want to visit. 

8. How to Get Around Chile on Your First Trip

Transportation in Chile is a key consideration due to the country’s vast size. Domestic flights are the most efficient way to travel from Santiago to more remote destinations. From the capital, you can fly to Calama, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, and other cities.

Intercity buses are another option for medium-distance travel. There are services connecting Santiago to Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, and other cities across different regions. If you prefer comfort, organized tours can include transportation, lodging, and excursions.

VisitChile offers various multi-destination itineraries for those looking to travel through Chile without having to arrange each leg of the trip individually. When planning your trip to Chile, always consider the distances between destinations. 

Final Tips for Traveling to Chile for the First Time

If you’re planning your first trip to Chile, book domestic flights and accommodations in advance. Also, check the requirements for traveling to Chile before purchasing your tickets. Consider the climate of each region and pack accordingly based on the activities you’ll be doing.

Chile offers tremendous diversity within a single country. You can combine cities, culture, nature, cuisine, and adventure during your first trip.