chile budget trip

The Cost of Travel in Chile: A Detailed Budget Breakdown

Long and narrow are two words that spring to mind when you think of Chile. Located along South America’s western edge, the Pacific follows the country down more than 6,000 kilometres of coastline.

We entered Chile overland from Bolivia after two fabulous nights touring the Uyuni Salt Flats. A land of varied climates and natural events, we thoroughly enjoyed our two weeks exploring the slender country of expansive desert, bustling cities and wine regions.

Our first stop? The Atacama Desert; a magical spot. From there, we made our way across to the coast, then downwards.

The eclectic scenery was one of the main things we loved about Chile – from biking through the Moon Valley and gazing up at the night sky in Vicuña to taking a local bus to the gloriously green Elqui Valley and the land of pisco.

As with the rest of our travels through South America, we got about by road, mostly using buses – they’re more like what we’d describe as coaches. Comfy, affordable and with reclining seats and air-con, they served us well. We mostly used Turbus and Pullman, with some offering a breakfast bag for overnight journeys.

Right, time to jump into our Chilean escapades.

After a tour-laden time in Bolivia, we were ready for a slightly more chilled time in Chile. We managed that balance well – still seeing tons and doing some excursions, but fewer multi-dayers.

Hot sunny days, sandy beaches, vibrant street art, beautiful landscapes and the opportunity to sample wine and an array of pisco sours describe our two weeks.

It’s also worth mentioning that we travelled to Chile in high season (December), bumping hotel costs up. Consider shoulder season (late September-November and March-May) as an alternative.

Same as my Bolivia budget guide , I’ll reference costs in US dollars (or the native currency), because most readers are from the States. The Chilean Peso (CLP) is the native currency – at the time of writing this, 1 USD is just under 900 CLPs.

And as always, just to confirm, I paid for everything myself, making this a comp- and press-free budget guide.

What’s Included in This Post

What does the budget breakdown you’re about to read cover? Places to stay, transportation, things to do, food, and miscellaneous costs.

Our time in Chile was fun yet relaxing, filled with an array of activities as well as downtime. We left wanting more which can only be a good sign. Continue reading for more details.

How to Save Money on the Cost of Accommodation in Chile

As always with travel, it’s possible to cut your accommodation costs down to zero if you have the time and patience to seek out an offer.

Housesitting  is a great option for  free  accommodation. This is where you’ll take care of somebody’s house while they’re away, and usually look after their pets, too. It’s best for long-term travellers or retirees as you can’t pick and choose dates and destinations, so you need to have a lot of flexibility as to where you go and at what time of year. If you  do  have that freedom, it’s a wonderful way to cut down your travel expenses, soak up some home comforts, and live like a local for a while. I have friends who have housesat in castles before! For free!  Trusted Housesitters  is the best site for getting started with housesitting, as they have the highest number of listings.

I’m suspecting, though, that for most of you, you’re not interested in the free accommodation and just want somewhere clean, safe, and affordable to rest your head each night. If that’s the case, there are several options available for you.

And, of course, there are always hotels, which will usually come in at around  $40-$100 a night  for a decent, clean, mid-range property in a central location. I always use  Booking , as they have the most accommodation options for the cheapest prices.

The Cost of Accommodation in Chile

As always, researching accommodation options paid off. Getting online and reading reviews served us well throughout our travels. We found some fab places to stay in Chile, from hotels and boutique hostels to cabanas. A tasty breakfast was included for the most part (always a bonus). Or, there was a kitchen for us to cheaply prepare our own.

So, here’s where we stayed in Chile:

Santiago: Safety in Santiago has, unfortunately, decreased post-protests-and-pandemic, so there aren’t as many neighbourhoods I’d recommend staying in. Providencia, however? It’s an oasis of safety and serenity — and I absolutely adored the guesthouse I chose to stay in. Casa La Barca is a wonderful property, with friendly staff, comfortable rooms, a gorgeous terrace, and one of the best breakfasts I had in the country. Located just a 10-minute walk from Barrio Italia, it was in a great location for exploring the city.

Valparaiso: We stayed at this contemporary Cerro Alegre apartment hotel with mountain views, a striking glass frontage, wood flooring, and a dinky balcony for admiring said vistas. Our super roomy space had a kitchen, sitting areas and high ceilings for a light and airy feel – we felt spoilt. Even more so when a first-rate breakfast was delivered to our room each morning. Centrally located a five-minute amble from Cerro Concepcion and with a host giving excellent restaurant recommendations, this was a real find.

San Pedro de Atacama: Located just a 10-minute walk from the centre of town and main plaza, this comfy and stylish hostel felt more like a guest house. Our spacious, colourful room was $71 per night and had a little sitting area, plus a table and chairs outside in the courtyard where we enjoyed a bottle of wine in the evening sun. An ample buffet breakfast, friendly staff, and free bikes rounded the picture off. The town of San Pedro de Atacama had a real tourist vibe to it, with terracotta buildings and mostly pedestrianised narrow roads. The varied surrounding landscape of desert, geysers, salt flats, volcanoes, and hot springs offered tours aplenty.

La Serena: This rustic colonial spot just a three-minute stroll from Plaza de Armas was coincidentally also $71 a night, and well worth it. A top breakfast buffet was included, our room was spotless, and amicable staff were on hand to answer questions. The stylishly decorated space featured wood floors, an outside area with garden and courtyard views, and a communal kitchen. We were just a half an hour walk from the beach and promenade, too. La Serena itself may not have had loads to offer in terms of things to do, but it was an excellent base for a trip to Mamalluca Observatory and Elqui. After a day trip one day to the latter, we changed our plans slightly and decided to go back and stay for a few nights to chill in the scenic valley.

Elqui Valley: We upped our budget to $91 a night for this peaceful lodge with a pool on the outskirts of Pisco Elqui. Charming, and again with lovely staff (there seems to be a theme), we were surrounded by lush greenery, mountain vistas and nature. This was our time to kick back, forget about wifi (it was patchy) and recharge. Offering a grocery delivery service, we were able to cook meals in our kitchen and didn’t need to leave the remote spot. Our spacious wooden chalet also boasted an alfresco terrace and a wood burner back indoors – not that we needed that.

The Cost of Transportation in Chile

Generally, we got a rough idea of prices by searching online, and then went directly to the bus terminal a day or two in advance to purchase tickets. More often than not they were cheaper there.

We found travelling by bus easy, comfortable and super affordable – we’d definitely recommend.

Our journey breakdown goes like this:

• Overnight bus from San Pedro de Atacama to La Serena: 15,750 CLP / $20 per person
• Local (micro) bus from Coquimbo to La Serena: 500 CLP / $0.67 per person
• Return local bus from La Serena to Pisco Elqui x2: 12,000 CLP / $16 per person. The reason we did that return journey twice: once for the day trip and again when we stayed in the valley. We got ourselves back to La Serena as that was easier for onward travel to Valparaiso.
• Bus from La Serena to Valparaiso: 9,000 CLP / $12 per person
• Return local (micro) bus from Valparaiso to Viña del Mar: 1,500 CLP / $2 per person
• Bus from Valparaiso to Santiago: 2,250 CLP / $3 per person

OUR TOTAL COST OF TRANSPORTATION IN CHILE CAME TO $107.34. THAT’S AN AVERAGE OF $8.26 PER DAY, OR $4.15 EACH.

THE COST OF ACTIVITIES AND ENTRANCE FEES IN CHILE

Desert, wine regions, starry skies, verdant valleys and the towering Andes – what an amazing mixture of landscapes. Each place we went, we enjoyed some fantastic activities, from relaxing to energetic.

Carry on reading for a rundown:

Valle de Luna (Moon Valley) entrance fee, San Pedro de Atacama: 3,000 CLP / $4 per person . We used the free cycles from our hostel to bike out and self-guide to this otherworldly landscape of dunes, salt caves, craggy mountains and distinctive rock formations. We took a packed lunch and spent the day there, admiring the spectacular scenery. Tip: if you stay for sunset (which we did), be sure to leave before it gets dark (or make sure you have proper bike lights). We left it a bit late: there was no road lighting, which made for a slightly hairy ride back.

Pisco Mistral Distillery tour , Elqui Valley: 6,500 CLP / $8.50 per person. A picturesque place, super interesting, with tastings. If you fancy pushing the boat out a bit, the garden was a pretty spot for lunch or a drink.

Mamalluca Observatory night tour , La Serena: 25,000 CLP / $33.33 per person. This included transport to and from La Serena and a guided observation.  We spend an incredibly interesting few hours looking up at stars and planets. And, we got to take home amazing pics of the moon, taken from my iPhone up against the lens of the telescope. We’d planned a stargazing tour in San Pedro de Atacama, but unusually, the night we were due to go was cloudy, so it didn’t go ahead. We were so pleased we got another chance.

Museum of Memory and Human Rights , Santiago: 2,000 CLP / $2.50 per person for an English audio guide (recommended). Entrance was free. An enlightening and harrowing insight into Pinochet’s 17-year rule.

Teleférico to San Cristóbal , Santiago: 2,850 CLP / $4 per person return (more on weekends). Enjoy fab views of downtown Santiago from this vantage point.

The Little Wine Bus Maipo Valley tour , Santiago: $97 per person. A fun and affordable way to see the wine region, with a guide, breakfast, lunch, plenty of wine and return transport. Perhaps not for serious wine connoisseurs, but nevertheless an excellent day.

And don’t forget these free activities, too:

Walking along the beach at La Serena to the small beach town of Coquimbo. Keep an eye out for the sea lions – we saw a huge one. The walk was quite long (around 2 hours), so we bussed it back.

Beach chill time at Viña del Mar (a short bus ride from Valparaiso).

Wander the hilly streets of Valparaiso taking in the varied street art. We loved exploring the steep walkways and hilltop viewpoints.

OUR TOTAL COST OF ACTIVITIES IN CHILE CAME TO $298.67. THAT’S AN AVERAGE OF $22.98 PER DAY, OR $11.49 EACH.

THE COST OF FOOD IN CHILE

With excellent breakfasts included at most places we stayed or else a communal kitchen for whipping something up, we spent virtually nothing on the first meal of the day.

Food lovers that we are, we don’t go anywhere without trying regional dishes. Two we devoured time and again in Chile for lunch were:

Completo hot dog: Spanish for complete or total, these were sold everywhere, from street food vendors to bars. Definitely not the most healthy, but filling and budget-friendly ($2-3), they were loaded with smashed avocado, onion, diced tomato, sauerkraut, and tons of mayo. Almost too much – and I’m a mayonnaise fan. There was also an Italiano version without the sauerkraut and onion. Messy but tasty.

Empanadas: We love a filled pastry snack, so we were in our element. Fillings ranged from ‘pino’ (minced beef, onion, raisins, hard-boiled egg and olives) and cheese to prawn. Prices varied quite a bit, from $0.75 to $2.50. Yummy and satisfying.

We sometimes ate these for dinner, too. Otherwise, something local at a casual eatery. Fish was big in Chile, with dishes such as seafood soup (sopa de mariscos) very popular. We typically spent $5-$10 per person on dinner.

Average daily food cost: $11.69 per day, or $5.85 each

We drank plenty of water and beer, sampled some Chilean wine and had plenty of piscos sours! The Chilean variety differed from the Peruvian version – no egg white was used. My fave was a pineapple version in the Elqui Valley at El Durmiente Elquino.

Litre bottles of aqua were around a dollar, beers were $2-3 a pop (cheaper if we bought them from a supermarket), pisco sours ranged from $4-$6, and wine very much varied depending on where we bought it.

Must-try? Dive bar La Piojera in Santiago, where we’d read about an interesting-sounding drink called Terremoto (earthquake). At 3,000 CLP ($4) each, it consisted of fermented sweet white wine called Pipeño, pineapple ice-cream, and either grenadine or fernet (a herbal, aromatic spirit). An interesting combo to say the least. The bar had a great atmosphere, we chatted to locals, and left a few sheets to the wind.

Average daily drink cost: $18 per day, or $9.00 each

OUR TOTAL COST OF FOOD AND DRINK IN CHILE CAME TO $173. THAT’S AN AVERAGE OF $29.69 PER DAY, OR $14.86 EACH.

The Importance of Travel Insurance in C hile

And finally, I’m a firm believer that if you can’t afford  travel insurance , you can’t afford to travel, and this holds true for  every  country in the world.

Travel insurance will offer compensation if your flight gets cancelled, pay for you to replace your lost luggage, cover your medical bills if you get break a leg while hiking in Patagonia, and ensure you don’t face any emergency travel costs to get back home for a family emergency. Nobody likes to think about things going wrong on their trips, but travel insurance is a must in order to ensure you’re not out tens of thousands of dollars if the worst case scenario comes true.

I use and recommend  SafetyWing travel insurance  for visitors to Chile. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. If you’re on a long-term trip, you can pay monthly instead of up-front, and can cancel at any time. Finally, they’re cheaper than the competition, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

For a two weeker in Chile, you’ll spend $1.50 a day on insurance.

HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO TRAVEL IN CHILE?

Our daily spends per person:

• Accommodation: $39.60 per day
• Transport: $4.15 per day
• Activities: $11.49 per day
• Food and drink: $14.86 per day
• Miscellaneous: $1.50 per day

Grand total spent in Chile: $71.60 per person per day .

As we left the capital city of Santiago and headed east on a scenic bus journey into Argentina, we added Chile to our list of countries to revisit. The scenery we experienced was spectacular, and we knew there was still more to see…

HOW MUCH DID YOU THINK IT WOULD COST TO TRAVEL AROUND CHILE?

Lauren juliff.

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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Awesome guide. Hopefully planning on seeing Chile soon.. thought it might cost too much, as it has a reputation for being the most expensive place in Latin America, but it doesn’t seem so bad from your figures.

Thanks for this incredibly useful article! I am planning my next adventure to Argentina, Chile, and Peru and your breakdowns have been so helpful. You need to put one together for Argentina! Anyway, I was wondering how difficult it is to get to the southern reaches of Chile? Obviously we could fly there, but that would be quite expensive, and then the buses would take so long. But is it worth it? I don’t want to miss out on Patagonia! But also, with limited time, I don’t want to spend all of it travelling. What do you think? Save the south of Chile for another trip or make the effort to get down there?

This is such a useful look at your money spent! I’m not surprised that Patagonia is a more expensive place to visit, but I’m sure the views were worth the extra spent!

Another fantastic budget breakdown, Lauren! I’m going to be spending the next three months trekking through Chile and this really helped to give me an accurate picture of how much things are going to cost while I’m there.

Very accurate, Laureen, very accurate. Usually I read stuff that is outdated or a surfacy. I currently live in Santiago and I agree with almost everything, with the exception of the “Museum of Memory” which is just left wing propaganda. The Allende government was asked to resign by a legitimately elected Congress in 1973. They broke all known laws of the era. Pinochet had to act, unfortunately.

As a chilean myself, I have to tell you this is false information. Allende was overthrown by a coup d’état and Pinochet was a bloodthirsty dictator. The Museum of Memory is an amazing opportunity to know this sad part of our history

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How to Travel Chile on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide

By: Author Kay Rodriguez

Posted on Last updated: April 17, 2023

Chile is a country full of mountains, deserts, coastlines, and everything in between.

It's a country that, in my opinion, belongs on everyone's bucket list, whether it's to explore the otherworldly landscapes of the Atacama Desert, sip wine in the valleys, road trip the Carretera Austral, or hike the mountain trails of the W Trek in Torres del Paine National Park . 

I firmly believe there's something in Chile for everyone.

However, Chile isn't exactly the cheapest place to visit in South America, especially when compared to the northern neighbors of Peru and Bolivia.

While you can easily get by on less than $40-50 a day in most other South American countries, backpacking in Chile can cost almost as much as in Europe or North America. 

After three visits to Chile, I've learned the best ways to cut my costs while traveling in this vast country.

Read on to learn my favorite tips and tricks to travel to Chile on a budget!

Table of Contents

1. Take a shuttle or bus from the airports to your hotels

2. organize a bike instead of booking a tour , 3. negotiate necessary guided tours as a package, 4. purchase chilean wines by the bottle instead of doing wine tastings, 5. choose chilean “street eats” rather than sit-down restaurants, 6. use public transportation as much as possible (it's easier than you think), 7. book any flights at least one month in advance, 7 genius hacks for traveling chile on a budget.

As you travel around Chile, you'll realize that transportation is one of the most significant and unnecessary money drains.

From the moment you land in the airport, you'll be bombarded with taxi drivers vying for your hard-earned dollars.

And it might be tempting to go with one of them to guarantee you'll have your ride and won't have to wait for anyone.

But here's the hard part: Should you use the taxi driver with the official uniform? With the lanyard and ID? Or the one with the yellow cab that's clearly marked? My answer: NONE of them. 

I know this because I've fallen for it. When I followed one of these aggressive taxi drivers to his car, he told me that the ride to Santiago would cost 70,000 CLP. That's over $100.

I demanded he let me out of the car, and instead, I took a private shuttle, which cost me 7,000 CLP ($10) — 10% of the original cost to get to the exact. Same. Place.

Private Airport Shared Shuttles

Whenever I arrive in Santiago (or any airport in Chile), I inquire about costs at the shuttle stands FIRST.

Usually, I take TransVIP when they're available; their shuttles run anywhere from 5,000-10,000 CLP ($7.50-$10) per person and will take you wherever you need to go.

Airport Express Buses

An even cheaper alternative to private shuttles is the airport express buses.

These are the cheapest, most budget-friendly way to get to and from the airport, and they're pretty easy to navigate since they go back and forth from the city's main bus stations.

You can pick up one of these buses outside the Arrivals gate and take it to either Alameda Central Station or Pajaritos Station.

From there, you can take the metro to any destination in the Santiago downtown area (where you can find most of the main things to do in Santiago ) and beyond.

When I was traveling around Chile, most recently, I saw a ton of people on bikes.

In the wine valleys, in Santiago, in Atacama, and in Patagonia , tourists were on bikes all over the place!

Intrigued, I resolved to find out the deal about renting bikes in Chile.

When I finally approached a couple at a Casablanca Valley wine tasting about their choice to use bikes (while drinking wine, too), they said it was easily the cheapest way to get around.

They'd rented bikes in the Casablanca city center and used them to hop from vineyard to vineyard.

This also helped them sober up more quickly and reduce their wine intake (so they could try a wider variety!).

I found similar trends in the Atacama Desert, where people were using bikes to get to major attractions like the Valle de la Luna (Moon Valley), Valle de la Muerte (Death Valley), and Pukara de Quitor (incredible desert ruins).

Opting for a bike rental instead of a guided tour with an air-conditioned bus is another way to travel Chile on a budget.

How to Rent a Bike in Chile

Most cities and towns have at least one bike shop that rents bikes by the hour or day. However, these places sometimes aren't the most obviously marked.

I'd recommend inquiring about bike rental shops at your hostel, a tourist information kiosk, or a souvenir/tourist-oriented restaurant.

In Spanish, here's how to ask about bike rentals: “Donde puedo alquilar una bicicleta?”

Most people should be able to point you in the right direction to the nearest bike rental shop.

Make sure to check the bicycle before agreeing to anything — check that it works, make a note of any cosmetic damages, and make sure you understand the payment structure (by the hour, by day, etc.). 

Chile is known for its remote landscapes and fantastic adventure activities.

Therefore, you'll probably run into instances where taking a tour is the only way to see or do something on your Chile bucket list.

Car rentals are expensive, and the roads can often be confusing to navigate, so a tour is often the most practical option.

If you absolutely cannot get to places without a tour, try to organize them all together with one provider.

This way, you can ask for any discounts that the operator may provide for booking multiple tours.

You may be surprised by how often this happens.

Many tour operators, especially in main tourist areas like the Atacama Desert , will offer a discount if you book multiple tours with them.

They want to incentivize people to book more tours with them and are happy to do so by offering a discount (sometimes 10% or more) off multiple tours.

When I went to San Pedro de Atacama , I booked all of my tours with one operator.

They had a “standard package,” but the tours on it didn't interest me as much as some of the other options.

So, I asked them if they'd be willing to honor their tour discounts for a custom-made package.

They happily obliged.

You won't know if you don't ask, so approach them with a list of tours you want to do and see what they're willing to offer.

Additionally, in the case of the Atacama and similar situations, don't book anything until you've compared prices across at least two to three tour operators.

If wine tours are something you're looking for during your trip, consider this: most wine tours near Santiago cost $100+ per person per day, and many of them don't even include the price of the tastings!

For travelers on a budget, this can break the bank fast.

Even if you DIY your wine tour by going on buses, each tasting costs $15-25 per person.

By the time you've visited two to three wineries, you've already spent what feels like a fortune.

But that doesn't mean you should give up on trying to drink wine in Chile.

Instead, organize a wine tasting with travel companions or friends from your hostel.

Visit a local wine shop and buy your Chilean wine by the bottle.

Bottles usually run between 4,000-10,000 CLP ($7-15). Grab two or three bottles and split them!

This way, you'll only try the kinds of wine you like (reds, whites, blends, etc.), and you can split it with friends to reduce the costs.

Doing this, even if you split five bottles (one typical wine tasting) between five people, you'll each be paying about $10 per person, and you can customize your wine selection based on your tastes. Win/win, I'd say.

Related: Flying from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama

While Chilean food often gets overshadowed by its northern neighbor, Peru, there are many great dishes and flavors to discover here.

However, you might find that when you look at menus for Chilean restaurants, prices can be over $20 per dish. Ouch.

However, you don't need to pay an arm and a leg to try Chilean food.

Instead, go for some of these famous street eats that you can get to-go or for low prices in local restaurants and bars:

Empanadas de Pino – Empanadas are one of Chile's favorite street foods, and their traditional recipe is called “de pino.”

Empanadas de pino includes beef, onion, raisins, olives, and a hard-boiled egg (yes, an entire hard-boiled egg inside of this delicious meat concoction. Seriously.).

Chorrillana – Think Canadian poutine, but with a Chilean twist. Chorrillana is the ultimate Chilean bar food and consists of crispy french friends topped with meat, onions, and fried eggs.

At some places, they have other varieties, like vegetarian, fish, chicken, and more.

Mote con huesillo – A cross between a dessert and a beverage, mote con huesillo is a Chilean summer favorite.

It's a glass with cooked barley, a dehydrated peach, and peach juice served cold with a spoon (to eat the grains).

You can find this on every street corner of Santiago during the warmer months of the year.

Completos – Every country seems to have its spin on the hot dog, and Chile is no exception.

Chilean completos are like a “choose your own adventure” situation, topped with your choice of ketchup, mustard, mashed avocados, mayonnaise, and hot sauce.

Ceviche & mariscada – In the seaside areas of Chile, you can often find street vendors in the fish markets (like in Valparaiso's Caleta Portales) selling freshly made ceviche and mariscada, a ceviche-like concoction made from mussels and shellfish.

Citrus-filled and delicious, it's a fabulous and cheap treat after a day at the beach!

Public transport runs smoothly and is easy to navigate in Chile.

In Santiago , the capital city, buses and metro run regularly, connecting the airport, the central bus stations, and the downtown areas.

Most other larger cities have some kind of bus system at a minimum.

Public Transportation in Santiago

To use the metro system in Santiago, you'll need to buy a BIP card at any one of the stations.

The BIP card costs a one-time fee of 1,550 CLP ($2.34), and you can refill it based on the number of rides you want to take.

Rides vary in cost depending on the time of day but typically hover around 800 CLP ($1.20) each way.

Taking Buses Between Cities in Chile

For travel from east to west or over shorter distances, bus travel is a comfortable and easy option for getting around Chile.

While I wouldn't recommend bus travel across the entire country (a big country and north to south distances can be super long), getting around by bus is very straightforward.

To buy a bus ticket, show up at your local bus terminal and check the bus schedules.

From there, you can book your ticket directly at the kiosk of the company running the bus you'd like to take.

Related: Scenic Bus Ride from Mendoza to Santiago

Since Chile is such a long country, you'll want to fly to get from destination to destination.

Most of the incredible places to visit in Chile are pretty far away from each other, so getting around can take a super long time if you don't fly.

There has been a considerable growth in budget flights available from Santiago to practically anywhere else you'd like to go in recent years.

SKY Airlines and JetSMART are two airlines that have joined the ranks of LATAM in transporting people around the country at very low prices.

But there's a caveat: you must book your flights far in advance.

I've seen flights on SKY Airlines as low as $10 each way. Yes, that's ten dollars. However, those were for flights about one and a half to two months out.

Two weeks before departure, those same flights cost over $100 each way.

You can save massive amounts of money on flights by booking as far in advance as possible.

There you have it, my best tips for how to travel Chile on a budget. Share your budget-busting tips in the comments below!

Kay Rodriguez is the travel writer and photographer behind Jetfarer , an adventure travel blog for time-strapped travelers. When she's not hiking a mountain or diving into the ocean, you can find her sipping wine and reading a book while listening to Icelandic music on repeat. You can check out Kay's adventures on Instagram , Facebook , and Pinterest .

Planning a trip? Go Backpacking recommends:

• G Adventures for small group tours.
• Hostelworld for booking hostels.

james barry

Thursday 25th of April 2019

When I was reading this I realize that this is the best blog as compare to others. Its really appreciated.

Hi James, thanks for the kind words!

Philip S Shear

Wednesday 24th of April 2019

Some really useful information. I missed Chile when I spent 8 months in Latin America a few years ago because winter was setting in by the time I was in Peru. I have been thinking about a return trip for a while. Thank you and bookmarking.

Glad you found it helpful Phil. I've been, but I hadn't thought of some of Kay's tips while I was there. I'm sure it would've saved $$$

One thing I knew enough to do was to spend the money to fly from Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama. The bus is 24 hours, and a friend later did it and said it was extremely long and boring :)

Atlas Obsession

Chile Travel Budget Breakdown: How Much Does it Cost?

If you’re planning a trip to Chile, you may be wondering how much you should budget. How much are hotels? What should you expect to pay for tours? How much should you budget for food? This article will answer all of those questions so you can create a realistic Chile travel budget.

Table of Contents

About My Travel Style

Before we get started, I want to give a little insight to my travel style. I think this is important as travel styles can vary wildly. Your travel style will dramatically affect your budget. My hope is that you can take my travel style as a base and adjust your budget accordingly.

I traveled to Chile in October 2023 and spent nine days (eight nights) exploring the country. I arrived in Santiago , spent some time in Viña del Mar , and finished in Puerto Varas . During that time, I traveled solo so all costs were up to me. While I could have saved money by staying in hostels, I prefer private rooms. Every night, I had a private room (and private bathroom). I did some self exploring, but I also took a handful of tours to visit places that would be difficult to see on my own.

This article will use US Dollars (USD) as a base. Chile uses the Chilean Peso (CLP), but I always find it easier to generate a travel budget with my own currency.

How Much Did I Spend in Chile?

Excluding my international flights, I spent $857.59 USD across my nine days in Chile. That works out to about $95 USD per day. Let’s look at how that breaks down.

A Further Breakdown

Sure, numbers are fine, but lets break down my Chile travel budget further by giving more detail for each category. I’ll also give some ideas for ways you can adjust the budget, either to save money or to travel more luxuriously.

I spent $360 on hotels for eight nights in Chile. While $360 may seem like a lot of money at first glance, that’s a bargain when you’re used to hotel prices in the United States. So what did $360 really get me?

In Santiago, I stayed at a big name hotel chain. I searched on booking.com for hotels in my budget and there weren’t a lot of options. But, I found a Best Western that averaged $56 per night. Since I’ve stayed in so many Best Western hotels in the last few years, I have status with the hotel chain and it was a no brainer for me to stay there, even if it was slightly over my budget.

In Viña del Mar, I found a hotel for $36 per night. The room was small and basic, but had a private bathroom and a good location. The only downside is that there was no one on staff who spoke English, so I had to use a mixture of my broken Spanish and Google Translate to get by. For that price, it was worth it.

In Puerto Varas, I was right in the middle. I spent $46 per night on a private room in a hostel.

Adjustments to the Travel Budget

If you are comfortable with hostel dorm beds, the amount spent on accommodation will drastically decrease. Personally, I value my own comfort and privacy, so dorm rooms aren’t necessarily an option for me. But for those who don’t mind, you could get away with a budget of $15 to $20 USD per night.

For more luxurious travelers, you’ll find nicer hotels in every city. If you have the budget, don’t feel like you need to limit yourself. The really nice hotels do exist and the sky is the limit.

The bottom line: for basic travelers, I’d suggest about $50 USD per night for a private room. You may find options less than that, but this can be a good starting point for your Chile travel budget.

Intercity Transport

This budget includes my bus journey from Santiago to Viña del Mar (and back), my flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt, and my shuttle from the Puerto Montt airport to Puerto Varas (and back). So while $126 may look high, I got a lot out of that.

The bus from Santiago to Viña del Mar cost me about $6 USD (technically 6,000 CLP), each way. I did not book in advance (there was no need) and just bought it from a counter in the bus station.

My shuttle from the Puerto Montt airport to Puerto Varas (and back) was a fixed price. There is no city bus connecting Puerto Varas to the Puerto Montt airport, but there is a fixed price of 22,000 CLP, or about $22, for the journey. This was a private transfer that I arranged through my hostel, but any taxi from the airport would give you the same price.

Finally, there’s my flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt. I booked early, but still paid $61 for the flight on Sky Airlines. This included the cost of the flight as well as the cost of my carry on bag.

The biggest adjustment to this budget is from Santiago to Puerto Varas. For budget travelers, you can take an overnight bus from Santiago to Puerto Varas. This will cost less than the flight, plus you’ll save the cost of a hotel night.

And if you’re really trying to squeeze every last penny out of your budget, you can save a little bit of money in Puerto Montt. Instead of taking a shuttle/taxi directly to your hotel in Puerto Varas, you could take a bus from the airport to Puerto Montt and then another bus from Puerto Montt to Puerto Varas. There are no direct buses between the Puerto Montt airport and Puerto Varas. While using local buses can definitely save a few dollars, I think the convenience was worth the extra cost.

Subway/City Buses

For my transportation within cities, I stuck to buses and the metro in Santiago. Admittedly, most of this cost came from Viña del Mar.

In Santiago, the metro is cheap and convenient. I spent $14 on the subway across my 48 hours in Santiago. This includes the cost of the Bip! card (a 2,000 CLP, or $2 USD cost), plus the cost of the actual metro rides.

In Viña del Mar, this number increases. I attempted to visit La Campana National Park , which requires taking the train all the way to Limache. Then, I had to transfer to a local bus for the rest of the journey. I also visited Valparaíso from Viña del Mar via train, and headed north to the Concón Dunes via local bus. All of these journeys cost $14, but it should have been less. Something got messed up with my Bip! card in Limache and I’m pretty sure I ended up paying more than I should have (although it was only a few extra dollars).

In Puerto Varas, I never felt the need to use the local buses, so I didn’t have any costs here.

Aside from my card issues in Limache, there really isn’t much to do to save money. This averaged just $3 per day during my trip, or $5.60 for the days I actually used public transportation, so I don’t think this is a budget breaker. The only way to save money is to limit your journeys on public transportation. That said, I don’t think this area of your Chile travel budget will be a deal breaker.

This is the one area where I spent more than normal while traveling. I averaged nearly $22 per day on food. This number could have been lower, but I had extra pesos that I needed to use up.

My travel philosophy is to eat one big meal out per day. For breakfast, I will either eat included breakfast at the hotel or will get some basic groceries (fruit and cereal). I’ll then eat my big meal for lunch. If I was still hungry for dinner, I would grab snacks from the grocery store. Oh, and I had a scoop of ice cream every day.

In Santiago, my food costs were normal (for me) and I averaged about $13 per day. In Viña del Mar and Puerto Varas, I treated myself and my food costs jumped to $25 per day. That said, I was very happy with nearly meal I ate in these cities. And sometimes, you just have to treat yourself.

The high food costs came from treating myself to nice lunches nearly everyday. They were delicious and filled me up, but it was definitely more expensive than it needed to be.

I believe my food costs in Santiago for more in line with my typical travel style. So for the average person, I’d recommend budgeting $15 to $20 USD per day. This assumes that you’ll either have breakfast included at your hotel or will be doing grocery store breakfasts. It also allows one good meal per day (although it doesn’t have to be fancy) as well as a little bit extra for some snacks late in the day. And for your good meal, make it lunch. You’ll find lunch specials in every city in Chile which will definitely help your travel budget.

Activity costs vary dramatically based on what you do.

In Santiago, I spent money on the cable car to San Cristobal. It cost me about $5 USD and it was the only activity I spent money on in both Santiago and Viña del Mar. If you’re self exploring, you’ll find plenty of free, or cheap, activities. Your budget can be very low here.

So how did I get to $146 when I only spent $5 in Santiago? The answer is simple: guided tours.

I took three tours during my time in Chile so I could visit places that were very difficult, or even impossible, to do on my own. Of these three tours, I did one in Santiago (to El Cajon del Maipo ) and two in Puerto Varas (to Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls and to Chiloé Island ). On average, each tour cost about $35 at the time of booking.

However, that wasn’t the final price. For both of my tours in Puerto Varas, I had to pay additional fees. For the Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls, I paid an extra 13,000 CLP ($13 USD) in fees (7,000 for a national park entrance fee and another 6,000 to our boat captain). Then on Chiloé Island, I had to pay an additional 9,000 CLP ($9 USD) for our tour at Piñuhuil.

So, after all of that, what is my advice for your Chile travel budget? For days when you are self exploring, $5 USD per day is a good starting point. For guided tours, I’d recommend budgeting about $45 per person, per tour. Your tour may be less than this, but this helps to budget for some of those extra add ons (that are mandatory).

The biggest budget breaker were the guided tours. But even still, I’d recommend them, especially if you pair them with very low costs on activities elsewhere in your itinerary. As a solo traveler, I found the guided tours to be comparable with the cost of doing it solo.

That said, if you’re traveling with at least one other person, it may be more cost effective to rent a car rather than paying for multiple people to take the tour. The larger the group, the larger the savings.

Miscellaneous

This category is so small, it barely counts. But I did spend $1.20 on a sim card, so I’m including it in my total for my Chile travel budget.

A Reminder About Inflation

Naturally, prices tend to go up as time goes on. All of these numbers were from my trip in October 2023.

Final Thoughts

I hope this post gave you some insight into how much a trip to Chile should cost. While it may be more expensive than some of its South American neighbors, I found Chile to be a very affordable destination. While I certainly didn’t live my most luxurious life, I wasn’t a broke backpacker either. For $100 per day, I had a great balance.

Continue Your Adventure

Santiago : So many trips to Chile start or end in its capital city, so it seems a shame to not spend at least one day exploring Santiago . Or if you have more than one day in Santiago, consider a visit to El Cajon del Maipo .

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar : Two cities that routinely get added to Chilean Itineraries are Valparaíso and Viña del Mar . They are great but don’t miss out on some of the region’s day trips , including a visit to La Campana National Park .

Puerto Varas : Visit the charming town of Puerto Varas , but also take advantage of some of the day trips, including the Osorno Volcano and Petrohué Falls and a visit to the island of Chiloé .

Chile Itinerary : For first time visitors, I recommend my 9 Day Chile Itinerary . Visit the capital city of Santiago, the beaches in Viña del Mar, and head south to Puerto Varas.

Chile Travel Guide : Check out my Chile Travel Guide for everything you need to start planning your trip, including itineraries, city guides, travel tips , and a detailed budget .

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Chile Travel Guide

Last Updated: September 3, 2024

Chile is one of the most slender and longest countries in the world — it’s just 150 miles across at its widest point! From the snow-capped volcanoes of Patagonia and blistering heights of the Andes to world-class wineries and Maoi sculptures of Easter Island , there are a lot of wonderful things to see in Chile.

Traveling to Chile was one of the best experiences I’ve had in South America. It just constantly blew me away. It’s one of the most developed South American countries (the capital, Santiago, is a tech hub for the region), the people were awesome, the food was incredible, and the scenery made me feel in awe of nature.

Not only is there lots to do but the country is budget-friendly, which really rounds it out as a must-see destination.

Use this travel guide to Chile to plan your visit, save money, and make the most out of your trip!

Table of Contents

• Things to See and Do
• How to Stay Safe
• Where to Stay
• Typical Costs
• Suggested Budget
• Money-Saving Tips
• How to Get Around
• Best Places to Book Your Trip
• Related Blogs on Chile

Click Here for City Guides

Top 5 things to see and do in chile.

1. See Easter Island

Easter Island, located 3,540 kilometers (2,200 miles) off the coast of Chile, is the most isolated inhabited island on earth and home to the Rapa Nui Polynesian indigenous people that have lived there since 300 CE. Named after explorer Jacob Roggeveen’s ‘discovery’ of the island on Easter Sunday in 1722, this protected UNESCO World Heritage Site is famous for its Moai sculptures (the iconic big faces dotted all over the island). However, there is so much more to the island, including thousands of archaeological sites, volcanic craters and tunnels, pristine beaches, and excellent diving. To explore this magical place, hike around the dramatic cliffs and extinct volcanoes around the Moai archeological sites or around the spectacular Rano Kau crater and the Ana O Keke Cave. Or go sun yourself on Anakena’s beautiful white coral sand beach or Ovahe, a secluded pink sand beach hidden in a little cove with sparkling turquoise waters.

2. Discover Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine lies between the Andes and Patagonian steppe and is made up of snow-clad mountains, glacier lakes, and some of the best hiking in Chile. It also happens to be one of the most beautiful and desolate regions on the planet. There is no end to the scenic views here, including the three rugged, towering peaks of Central, Monzino, and Dagostini as well as the Southern Ice Fields. Be sure to wander around the enchanting Sarmiento Lake and see the Amarga Lagoon and the giant Salto Grande Waterfall. Admission is 29,250 CLP for up to three days for foreigners.

3. Explore Santiago

Chile’s capital is a thriving city and home to a third of the country’s entire population. Founded in 1541, this vibrant capital offers gorgeous panoramas, great restaurants, tasty locally-produced wine, and of course, Barrio Bellavista’s nightlife. There are quite a few must-see attractions in the city: Parque Metropolitano (a large urban park) as well as Cerro San Cristóbal, where you can hike around taking in beautiful views of the city, shouldn’t be missed. The Museum of Human Rights is also a must-visit site, as it chronicles the dark years of Pinochet when thousands of people ‘disappeared’ at the hands of his violent regime.

4. Marvel at San Pedro de Atacama

Located in Chile’s Norte Chico northern region, San Pedro de Atacama is one of Chile’s hottest tourist towns. Literally. Sitting at 2,400 meters (7,874 feet), the ancient town is in the driest desert in the world (it reportedly hasn’t seen rain since 1870). But the rock formations here are stunning, and it’s the perfect place to stargaze. This little town with adobe houses and dirt streets only has 5,000 inhabitants but plenty of tourists visit up to explore the stunning valley landscapes, the Atacama Salt Flats, and the Chaxa and Miniques Lagoons. Don’t miss the famous beautiful jagged geological formations of Valle de la Luna and Valle de la Muerte valleys that can be reached by bicycle from town.

5. Visit colorful Valparaiso

Nicknamed the “Jewel of South America,” this colorful city near Santiago is a mesh of bohemian bars and Victorian architecture along a coastline of sheer cliffs. The laid-back atmosphere and beauty of the area have inspired generations of writers and poets, including poet Pablo Neruda. Be sure to bring your camera because the whole city is painted in vibrant Insta-worthy colors. Take the Ascensor Reina Victoria funicular up to the Concepcion neighborhood and have a cocktail on the hilltop overlooking the city as you try some of the delicious local seafood dishes. Also, be sure to check out two of Chile’s top beaches nearby, the upscale Viña del Mar and the super cool Reñaca.

Other Things to See and Do in Chile

1. see the san marcos cathedral.

The same architect who was responsible for the Eiffel Tower, Alexandre Gustav Eiffel, designed San Marcos Cathedral. The cathedral is in Arica, Chile’s northernmost city, and was built to replace the original cathedral destroyed by an earthquake in 1868. The new cathedral was commissioned in 1876 and is a rare example of Gothic architecture in South America.

2. Get tipsy on a wine tour

Chile’s vineyards have been producing world-class wine for over 400 years. There are plenty of tours available around the country as vineyards stretch the entire length of Chile. I think the best wineries are located near Santiago. Expect to pay around 15,000-20,000 CLP for a basic tour, though fancier tours at more prestigious vineyards can easily be over 55,000-100,000 CLP per person. Most tours last 4-8 hours.

3. Hike a volcano

Chile is home to the world’s tallest active volcano, Ojos del Salado, which lies in the Andes near the Argentine border. Villarica and Osorno are also popular volcanoes (and both lie close to lakes). Most volcanoes in the country have thermal spas at their base too. Experienced hikers can do the trip on their own, though there are plenty of guided tours available for travelers looking for a group tour. Most multi-day tours span 10-14 days and cost millions of pesos. For day trips like the Cajon de Maipo, Osorno Volcano, Termas Colina, and Petrohue Falls, expect to pay 32,000-56,000 CLP per person.

4. Valle de la Muerte

Also known as “Death Valley,” this is an astounding place to hike, go horseback riding, or even go sandboarding. Located in the northeast of the country near San Pedro de Atacama, there are also guided moonlight walks that take you out over the rocky martian landscape. You can rent a sandboard for around 8,300 CLP or go on a sandboard tour for 23,000 CLP per person which includes transportation. There are even tours that sandboard at midnight, using spotlights to light the way (they have a DJ too!). If you’re looking to hike, check out the Corniza Trail. It’s a 7-hour loop that’s relatively easy (many families do it).

5. Santuario de la Naturaleza Valle de la Luna

Also located near San Pedro de Atacama, the “Valley of the Moon” is an otherworldly landscape that is home to stones and sand formations that have developed an extraordinary texture due to thousands of years of winds and flooding. The rock formations look like the surface of the moon, hence the park’s name. It’s a great place to go hiking — just don’t forget to bring water as it can get quite warm. Tours are available for around 26,000 CLP per person.

6. See the El Tatio geysers

A popular tourist attraction, these geysers are incredibly beautiful and well worth a visit as they make up the largest geyser field in the Southern Hemisphere (and they are the third largest in the world). You have to get up around 4am as all the tour companies aim to get you there by sunrise and it’s a 90-minute drive from San Pedro de Atacama. But it’s worth the effort! Bring a swimsuit as there are thermal pools nearby. Tours cost around 33,000-38,000 CLP. You can visit without a tour (admission is 15,000 CLP) but you’ll need to rent your own vehicle to get there.

7. Museo de Bellas Artes

This museum is one of the best in the country. Located in Santiago, it’s home to a wide display of fine art, sculptures, photography, paintings, and digital media. Built in 1910, the building is somewhat small but the architecture is equally as impressive as the collection within (it was built in the Beaux-arts style and has a very Parisian feel to it). Admission is free.

8. Mingle among the wealthy in Viña del Mar

Considered a Chilean Miami, this city next to Valparaiso serves as a hotspot for casinos, upscale cafes, and seaside restaurants. Even if you don’t have money to burn, it’s an interesting place to spend an afternoon people-watching as you wander the beach promenade. You’ll find lots of world-class restaurants here. If you’ve got some money to burn, stay a night!

9. Tour Pablo Neruda’s homes

One of the world’s most famous poets used to call Chile home. With homes in Valparaiso, Santiago, and Isla Negra, this Chilean icon stuffed a lifetime of knick-knacks, literature, and interesting maritime architectural pieces into his three abodes. All of them are open to the public. Even if you’re not a huge fan of his work, his homes alone are an interesting glimpse into Chilean culture as Neruda is a cultural icon and one of the most famous poets of the 20th century. Admission to each home costs around 7,000 CLP and includes an audio-guide system in multiple languages.

10. Get off the beaten path

Some lesser-known treasures worth visiting in Chile are Frutillar (a beautiful lakeside community in southern Chile’s Los Lagos Region), Lonquimay (another gorgeous lakeside town in the Malleco Province of southern Chile’s Araucanía Region), Caleta Tortel (a rugged seaside town with wooden walkways instead of streets in the heart of Patagonia) and Coyhaique (a less pricey Northern Patagonia city that’s a hub for great nature adventures). If you’re looking to beat the crowds, be sure to visit some of these lesser-known destinations.

11. Swim in the world’s largest pool

If you’re looking for some luxury, head to the Crystal Lagoon, home to the world’s largest swimming pool. It’s located at the San Alfonso del Mar resort in Algarrobo, just west of Santiago. The pool is the size of twenty Olympic swimming pools and is the biggest recreational swimming pool in the world, requiring 66 million gallons of water just to fill it! A 1-2 bedroom apartment rental here costs 70,000-120,000 CLP per night.

How to Stay Safe in Chile

Chile is considered a safe destination and generally ranks as one of the safest on the continent. That said, crimes still do occur so you’ll want to take some precautions during your trip. The most common crimes in Chile are petty theft and bag snatching. Since these are crimes of opportunity, you’ll always want to make sure your possessions are secure. Be extra vigilant when riding the bus and when you’re in areas popular with tourists.

When taking the bus (especially the night bus) make sure you don’t have any valuables in your checked bag. Additionally, keep any valuables secure and out of reach from any would-be pickpockets.

If you’re enjoying the nightlife of Santiago, keep an eye on your drink as drink-spiking can occur.

Be sure to read about the common travel scams to avoid here .

Earthquakes are also common enough in Chile that you’ll want to make sure you are prepared should one occur. Know where your emergency exits are in your accommodation as well as any local evacuation locations for major emergencies. If you have a map downloaded on your phone, save the location of the nearest hospital and airport as well, just in case.

If you need emergency services, dial 113 for assistance.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Where to Stay in Chile

Hostels can be found in all the major destinations across Chile. Here are my recommended places to stay if you’re on a budget:

• Chili Kiwi Lakefront (Pucon)
• Hostal Forestal (Santiago)
• Poker Hostel (Santiago)
• Hostal Po (Valparaiso)
• Hostal Rural (San Pedro de Atacama)
• Kona Tau (Easter Island)

Chile Travel Costs

Accommodation

• Hostel dorms – 9,800 CLP per night
• Hostel private rooms – 22,000-30,000 CLP per night
• Budget hotels – 25,000-55,000 CLP per night
• Airbnb private rooms – 16,000 CLP per night
• Airbnb apartments – 45,000-60,000 CLP per night
• Campsite – 5,300-35,000 CLP per night
• Set-menu lunch – 7,000 CLP
• Sit-down restaurants – 35,000 CLP
• Fast food (think McDonald’s) – 6,000 CLP
• Beer – 3,000 CLP
• Cappuccino/latte – 2,300 CLP
• Bottled water – 850 CLP
• Groceries for a week – 25,000 CLP

Note: As everything must be shipped south, food prices in Patagonia are about 30% higher than elsewhere in the country.

Chile Suggested Budgets

How much does it cost to visit Chile? That depends on a few different factors, specifically, what you plan on doing while you’re here as well as your travel style.

Backpacker – 36,000 CLP Per Day

On a backpacking budget, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook your own meals, use public transportation to get around, and visit a few museums. If you plan on drinking, you’ll need to add 5,000-8,000 CLP per day.

Midrange – 105,000 CLP Per Day

On a mid-range budget, you can stay in a private Airbnb room, take buses between destinations, eat out at street stalls and cheap restaurants, take the occasional taxi, enjoy some drinks, and do some paid excursions like guided hikes and wine tours.

Upscale – 205,000 CLP Per Day

On this budget, you can stay in a hotel, rent a car to get around, do more guided tours, drink as much as you want, and eat out at nice restaurants. This is just the ground floor for luxury, though. The sky is the limit!

Chile Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Chile can be an expensive place to visit, especially if you’re doing a lot of tours and activities. The size of the country also means you can end up spending a lot on transportation. Here are some tips to help you save during your visit:

Bring a water bottle – LifeStraw is a reusable water bottle with a built-in filter that you can use instead of buying single-use plastic bottles. It removes bacteria, parasites, micro plastics, and other contaminants so it’s perfect for cities as well as if you’re out hiking in nature.

Buy wine at the supermarkets – Surprisingly, buying wine from vineyards can be more expensive than in the supermarkets. Buy from the supermarkets if you’re on a tight budget.

Take the bus – Bus service is inexpensive and efficient here. Night buses are comfortable and a good way to save on a night’s accommodation (they often have lie flat beds).

Buy food from La Vega Market – La Vega Market in Santiago sells everything you could possibly need and all sorts of local ingredients from Chile and Peru. Shop here for your veggies, fruits, and to get an authentic experience.

Eat at the local fish markets – In the coastal cities, the local fish markets are usually the best place for a seafood meal. Though the restaurants look cheap and thrown together, they’re delicious!

Shop around – Haggling is not common and vendors stick to their guns even when called out for price discrimination. So, if you’re quoted an inflated price for being a tourist it’s best to just move around and find alternatives where the prices are already set and visible. Otherwise, you’ll just be wasting your time and energy.

Ride in a micro or colectivo – Regular buses are for intercity transportation. “Micros” are intracity, and “colectivos” are taxis that drive a specific route once they get four people in the car, and charge a very low rate. If you want to go somewhere, chances are there’s a micro or colectivo that can get you close — just ask a local and they’ll know where to point you.

Stay with a local – Chile doesn’t have a huge Couchsurfing community, but you can still give it a shot and try to find a host (and get a local friend and a free place to stay). Just be sure to send your requests early!

Take a free walking tour – There are some great options available when it comes to free walking tours in Santiago, such as Tours 4 Tips or Free Tour Santiago . If you want to explore the city while learning about its history, architecture, and people then be sure to take a free tour. Just remember to tip at the end!

Stay at a Hola Hostel – Hola Hostels is a network of hostels predominantly in South and Central America. They offer 10% off to their members, as well as other local discounts for food and activities. Joining is free, and their hostels are also committed to environmentally sustainable practices.

Travel in the shoulder season – Prices in the country are cheaper outside of the high season (which is November-March). This includes admission to parks like Torres del Paine, which charge double during the busy summer months. Beat the crowds and save some money by skipping the high season.

How to Get Around in Chile

Public transportation – Public transportation, especially in Santiago, is reliable and affordable. In Santiago, you need to purchase a refillable bus pass (BIP Card) for your journeys as individual tickets are no longer available. The card costs around 1,550 CLP with the average ride costing around 700 CLP (prices vary depending on the time of day). BIP cards need a minimum initial credit of 1,000 CLP. You have to pay for your card and top-ups in cash; non-Chilean credit cards are not accepted.

Bus – For intercity travel, buses are the cheapest way to get around — and they are nice too! Reclining seats are common and many even recline almost all the way down. Additionally, some night buses even have a curtain between the seats so you can have a little privacy from your neighbor. The best companies to use are Turbus and Pullman.

Expect to pay at least 38,000 CLP per person from Santiago to Antofagasta. From Santiago to Valparaiso, bus tickets cost around 6,000–10,000 CLP each way. For something like the cross-country journey from Santiago to Punta Arenas, expect to pay at least 60,000 CLP for the 40-hour bus ride (this is an incredibly long distance so you have to change at Osorno or choose flying).

Train – Traveling by train in Chile is virtually non-existent. Much of the tracks have been left to decay beyond repair outside the central region of the country. Trains link Santiago with Curico, Talca, Linares, and Chillan with air-conditioned cars but that’s the extent of Chile’s train infrastructure. You can visit trencentral.cl for the available routes and prices.

Flying – Flying around the country is surprisingly affordable. Expect to pay around 28,000-35,000 CLP for the two-hour flight from Santiago to Antofagasta. Prices are similar for trips from Santiago to:

• La Serena (one hour)
• Calama (two hours)
• Arica (two hours forty-five minutes)
• Concepcion (one hour)
• Puerto Montt (one hour forty minutes)

For a flight between Santiago and Puerto Natales, expect to pay around 40,000-55,000 CLP. Round-trip flights from Santiago to the remote Easter Island cost around 240,000-300,000 CLP.

Car rental – Driving in Chile is much easier (and safer) than driving in other South American countries. Many of the highways are well-maintained thanks to their liberal use of toll roads. While driving in Santiago can be a little chaotic, once you get out of the city things generally become much easier. Expect to pay around 178,000 CLP for a one-week rental. Drivers need to be at least 21 years old.

For the best car rental prices, use Discover Cars .

Hitchhiking – Hitchhiking in Chile is generally quite safe for foreigners. Avoid hitchhiking on rural roads, where there is much less traffic. If you do plan on hitchhiking regularly, bring a tent with you in case you don’t find a ride. It’s relatively easy to wild camp in Chile, and often you can ask at gas stations or police stations to pitch behind their building. Check Hitchwiki for more information.

When to Go to Chile

Since Chile is in the southern hemisphere, the summer months are December, January, and February. With landscapes ranging from desert to tundra, the weather and temperatures can vary tremendously here. Expect daily highs around 28-30°C (82-86°F) in Santiago, while the highs in Torres del Paine are closer to 13°C (55°F).

Winter is not a particularly great time to visit as the temperatures can drop below freezing, with snowfall common in certain regions. Daily lows reach -15 °C (5 F), making it rather unpleasant to be out and about during the day. Unsurprisingly, you can see why most travelers visit during the summer.

Fortunately, the shoulder season is also a fantastic time to visit Chile as you’ll be able to beat the crowds and save yourself some money. It’s an especially good time to visit if you plan on visiting Torres del Paine as there will be fewer hikers here and the park admission will be much cheaper. November and March are usually included in the high season, so aim for late October or early April. The weather won’t be perfect, but it’s a good compromise for travelers looking to dodge the crowds.

Chile Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

• Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
• Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
• Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
• Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
• SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
• LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
• Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
• Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Chile Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more tips for your trip? Check out all the articles I’ve written on Chile travel and continue planning your trip:

Is Chile Safe to Visit?

The 10 Best Cities to Be a Digital Nomad

My (Non-Existent) South American Itinerary (and My Anxiety)

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The Ultimate Chile Itinerary For Ten Days and Two Weeks

By Author Steph Dyson

Posted on Last updated: 8th April 2024

With the piercing peaks of the Andes prominent in the north, glacier-riddled national parks of the south, and fertile, wine-growing valleys of the center, it’s fair to say that Chile has jaw-dropping geographical diversity oozing from every pore.

It’s for this very reason why planning a Chile itinerary for ten days or more of travel might seem a bit of a headache. However, I’ve got plenty of ideas about how to organize a showstopping tour of this truly incredible country – and even wrote a guidebook about it .

Click to navigate this article:

How to use this Chile itinerary

Luckily, Chile has one of the best plane networks and road connectivity in South America, meaning you can – and should – zip between its diverse regions if you’re on a short trip.

Staying here longer? Even better; you’ve got plenty of time to really get under the skin of a country I came to love over the three and a half years I was based here. You can also get inspired by my list of the 31 best places to visit in Chile – which includes not just the “must-sees” but those under-the-radar destinations that few other websites mention.

This Chile itinerary focuses on the things to do in Chile broadly, but you’ll find plenty more details about where to go in Patagonia in the following:

• Four itineraries for one and two weeks of travel in Patagonia
• An itinerary for three or more weeks in Patagonia and free e-book download )

Looking for guidance about what to take with you on a trip to Chile? Check out our detailed Patagonia packing list , as well as our guide to what to pack for South America more generally.

Recommendations for travel in Chile and using this Chile itinerary:

• As a vast, sprawling country, there are plenty of things to do in Chile; it’s always better to slim down your travel itinerary, take it slow and really dig deep into a place than scratch the surface with a whistle-stop tour of all the top attractions. In the latter, you’ll also spend too much time traveling between places which, let’s face it, is not the main idea of a holiday or even longer-term travel.
• Travel in Chile is expensive and while this post doesn’t delve too deeply into how you can travel Chile on a budget, consider booking cheaper types of accommodation, such as local alojamientos or hospedajes (cheap B&Bs) or cabañas (cabins) if you’re in a group, many of which aren’t available to book via hotel booking websites.
• Chile is a safe place to visit. Since the pandemic, parts of Santiago and Valparaiso have become less safe than they used to be (for example, avoid Downtown at night) and the use of Uber or official taxis firm is highly recommended, but once you get out of the city, you’ll find Chile a safe and welcoming place to travel . Patagonia, and pretty much any rural area, is incredibly safe.
• There is a wealth of good hotels and guesthouses across the country. Some of the best had a profound impact on my trips around the country, which is why I’ve pulled together my absolute favorites into this guide to the best hotels in Chile (just 31 of them!!).
• Plenty of hostels and the previously mentioned accommodation types also have kitchens, making it easy to self-cater. Bear in mind that Chile has some excellent restaurants and some surprisingly good local cuisine (even if it might not seem like it at first glance) so make sure to factor in some time and money for eating out!
• Alternatively, camping is relatively easy throughout the country , so pack camping and cooking equipment (see my recommendations in this post about packing for Patagonia ) and use that as a way of seeing Chile on the cheap.
• These Chile itineraries for ten days and two weeks rely on the fact that you will take some long-distance transport to travel between the regions. Yes, flights can be expensive, but if you plan ahead, you can get a good deal with Sky Airline (the low-cost airline) and LATAM (the more upmarket airline). I generally compare prices on Skyscanner and then book directly through the companies themselves.
• Additionally, Jet Smart is Chile’s answer to Easyjet in Europe and has some extraordinarily low fares, although, they don’t yet offer flights to all of the cities and they’re often at slightly more awkward hours. However, they’re definitely worth checking out, particularly as they’re starting to offer direct flights between cities in Chile without having to go through Santiago, which can significantly reduce your flight time (you can see their full list of destinations here ). Be aware that you always have to pay an extra fee for both hold baggage and cabin baggage and they will charge you if you go over the weight limit for either. 
• Buses are also an inexpensive and reliable way of traveling through Chile, with long-distance, overnight buses making it easy enough to travel from Puerto Montt to Santiago or Santiago to San Pedro de Atacama in reasonable comfort (although prices of flights, if booked a few weeks in advance, are generally as cheap as bus tickets for these routes). Aim to book a couple of days in advance; websites such as Bus Bud , Viaje en Bus , and Recorrido are really helpful, while you can book off the cuff at the bus terminals in all towns and cities.
• Renting a car is also a great way of traveling. I’ve personally driven through a lot of Chile and it’s much faster than taking buses and gives you the freedom to explore beyond the main tourist destinations. Driving in Santiago is somewhat terrifying and you find drivers don’t pay a lot of attention in most cities and even in rural areas, so you’ll want to keep your wits about you. However, of all the countries in South America, Chile (and Argentina) is definitely the safest place to rent a car. There are lots of tolls on the highways, so make sure you’ve always got cash and download Maps.me for maps available without internet. I always book using Rental Cars , as I find they have the best prices (even better than going directly with companies generally) and have insurance documents in English. Always double-check your insurance documents to ensure your insurance is valid for driving on unpaved roads if you plan on exploring the Carretera Austral , as this is not always guaranteed.
• Uber works in Chile. Uber used to be illegal, but now isn’t. Uber is generally a reliable and safe way of traveling around cities (and better than hailing a cab, which will often try and rip you off or scam you).
• Oh, and I lived in Santiago for close to three years and wrote a guidebook about Chile (you can learn about the project here and buy the book here ), so rest assured that these itineraries stem from some pretty extensive exploration and travel.

Planning Your Trip to Chile?

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FAQs about visiting Chile

Chile is a vast country, extending 4,270 km (2,653 mi) from tip to toe and packed with superlative natural landscapes, world-renowned wineries, and remarkable cultural destinations. As a result, the minimum amount of time you want to spend in Chile to truly get a feel for the country is ten days.

Seven days isn’t much time to see this huge country. However, with just seven days, you could spend one in Santiago enjoying the city’s fine restaurants and exploring its museums and street art , before heading out to the Casablanca wine valley to sample the country’s tastiest white wines or to the historic coastal city of Valparaíso . 

From there, you can fly three hours south to Punta Arenas, the southernmost settlement in continental South America, where you can see penguins and whales.

Afterward, continue to Puerto Natales (three hours north by vehicle), the gateway town to Torres del Paine National Park . Spend three days in this beautiful protected area kayaking to glaciers, hiking to lofty mountain peaks, and even catching sight of pumas. Then, fly back to Santiago and then home.

January and February mark the hot summer months in Chile, but also the busiest times for tourism. If you want to explore the sights of Patagonia and other popular places around the country without the crowds, the months of November and March are the best times to visit Chile . Expect slightly cooler temperatures but quieter attractions!

Yes I can! While there will be tour agencies operating wherever you’re based in the world, I suggest booking through local company EcoChile Travel , a leading tour operator based out of Santiago.

Because they’re local, they’re far better acquainted with what’s going on in the country and the new, exciting places that should form part of your itinerary than international companies and will also get you the best price.

All of EcoChile Travel’s itineraries can be custom designed and they’ll organize all the logistics of booking your trip, plus set you up with an interactive app with all your travel reservations, and dining recommendations.

If any of the itineraries below tickle your fancy, they you they should be able to turn it into reality for you!

Chile Itinerary for ten days of travel 

Day one: santiago.

Arrive at Aeropuerto Internacional Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez (SCL) in Santiago and take either a transfer ($7,000 with Delfos or TransVIP ; no need to book in advance), Uber or the Turbus airport bus (get off either at Terminal Pajaritos (better if it’s rush hour) or Terminal Alameda and take the metro Line 1 to the centre of town).

Spend your afternoon trotting around Downtown. Visit the Plaza de Armas to see the oldest buildings in the city, some of which date back to the 18th century.

Pop into the Museo Histórico Natural (Natural History Museum) to learn about Chilean history and, more importantly, to take their free tour up to the Reloj de la Torre , the Clock Tower, for incredible panoramas of the entire Plaza de Armas.

Visit the nearby Museo Chileno de Artes Precolombino (Chilean Museum of Pre-Colombian Art), with its incredible collection of pottery, textiles, and artwork covering the pre-Colombian civilizations across Latin America.

You could also spend an afternoon learning about another side of Chile at the Museo de Memoria y los Derechos Humanos (Museum of Memory and Human Rights), which explores the darkest days of Chile’s history: the Pinochet dictatorship.

Finally, read this article about the best things to do in Santiago , this piece about day trips you can’t miss from Santiago , and then listen to my interview on the We Travel There podcast to learn more about my recommendations for visiting Chile’s capital city.

For dinner, you’ve got various options:

• Head to Barrio Bellavista to experience unique, indigenous cuisine at Peumayen or go for gourmet Chilean dishes paired with some of the best Chilean wines at Bocanariz .
• Barrio Lastarria (a couple of blocks west of Plaza Baquedano) is also a good shout for dinner. Learn about Chilean pisco at Chipe Libre or go for traditional Chilean dishes at Liguria , a restaurant popular among local Santiaguinos and even Kate Moss.
• For meat lovers keen to learn about the Chilean art of the asado (barbecue), make sure you head east along Line 1 of the metro for a steak (cooked a punto (medium rare) at Eladio .

Where to stay in Santiago: Stay overnight in Santiago’s first ‘ecoHotel’,  Carménère Eco Hotel  (Santander 292, double room $155,000 CLP ($196 USD)), which is equally appealing to environmentally conscious travelers and those seeking an authentic Chilean wine experience from their own hotel. It’s in the heart of the hip Barrio Italia, surrounded by a wealth of bars and restaurants and excellent transport links.

Alternatively, read my complete guide to Santiago’s best hotels and hostels for every budget, ordered by neighborhood. 

Days Two to Five: San Pedro de Atacama

Head back to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) , from where domestic flights leave from a separate terminal. Take a two-hour flight to Calama .

Transfer services at the airport are timed to leave after flights arrive, so hop on one (one hour 30 minutes) to San Pedro de Atacama , one of Chile’s top tourist attractions.

While I explored the region by hire car a few years ago, this isn’t something to do lightly. Elevations are really high and altitude sickness is no joke (trust me, I’ve had it twice), while driving conditions on roads, many of which are unpaved and practically just sand, can be lethal if taken too fast. If you’re in any way unsure, opt instead for a tour.

Spend the next two days exploring the region’s top sites, including Piedras Rojas, the Lagunas Altiplanicas and Geisers del Tatio, and spend an evening stargazing and learning what ancient Andean cultures believed lay in the night sky.

I highly recommend taking a tour of the Geisers del Tatio with Trekana , whose guides are borderline obsessed with the wildlife that you can see en route, including two species of flamingoes, a whole host of bird species, beautiful vicunas (the wild cousin of the alpaca), and if you’re lucky, vizcachas (a type of chinchilla with extremely big ears and a penchant for sunbathing).

For more detailed information and inspiration for San Pedro de Atacama read this post on adventurous places to visit in and around San Pedro de Atacama .

Where to stay in San Pedro de Atacama: If you’ve got a bigger budget or are traveling in a couple, stay at Ckuri Atacama   (double $63,000 CLP/$80 USD; minimum two-night stay); it’s definitely the nicest accommodation you’ll find in San Pedro. Their three double rooms include private bathrooms, large double beds, a small breakfast area with fridge, cutlery, and plates (breakfast isn’t included – so go and check out Pananderia Franchuteria (Calle Gustavo Le Paige) in town for Chile’s best croissants and other delicious French pastries!).

Where to stay on a budget in San Pedro de Atacama: For smaller budgets,   Hostal Lackuntur (dorm $30 USD, $90 USD double) is ideal. It’s got a decent kitchen, loads of hammocks, and a very welcome swimming pool. Its location a few blocks north of the town also ensures it’s nice and quiet during the evenings.

Days Six and Seven: Valparaíso

Return to Calama and take a flight to Santiago. Buses leave from the Terminal Alameda (Av. Alameda 3750) and the Terminal San Borja (San Borja 235) in the city center for Valparaíso (two hours, $3,000 CLP/$4 USD), a historic harbor city set across 42 hills and home to a wealth of street art.

This includes La Sebastiana, the beautiful ship-inspired house of Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda (well, one of his three), elderly acensores (which are also UNESCO heritage monuments), and a colourful skyline of brightly-painted houses, cobbled streets, and vivid graffiti.

Read all about our favorite things to do in Valparaíso for more information about the city.

If visiting over the summer (be warned: it gets rammed full of Chilean holidaymakers), be sure to hop on a local  micro ( bus) and head around the coast towards Viña del Mar where the best beaches are.

The easiest to access is Playa Caleta Abarca as it’s right on the main road that passes through the city, while nearby Reñaca also has a pretty beach.

Viña del Mar is also home to the brilliant Museo de Arqueología e Historia Natural Francisco Fonk , which houses a collection of artifacts from Rapa Nui (Easter Island) – including a 2.9-meter tall moai statue – and is well worth a visit.

Valparaíso has a reputation for being unsafe, with Cerro Alegre and Cerro Concepción the safest areas to explore during the day, and practically the only areas I would recommend staying at night.

Avoid the bus station where possible (if arriving here, call an Uber to pick you up or arrange a taxi with your hotel) and the area around the harbor. Always stick to areas with plenty of street lights and don’t carry valuables with you.

If driving, look out for your tyres being punctured; it’s a clever trick by thieves, who come and offer to assist you change the type but manage to relieve you of your belongings while they do.

Where to stay in Valparaíso: Winebox (Baquedano 763, $99,000 CLP/$125 USD double) is a truly unique hotel, built entirely from 25 recycled shipping containers. What’s more, they have an urban winery in the basement and a wine bar cum restaurant on the roof (which is open to the public). It’s actually on Cerro Mariposa, so you’ll need to take local colectivos (shared taxis) or taxis to get into the centre at night.

Where to stay on a budget in Valparaíso: For smaller budgets, the pint-sized Puerta Escondida (Templeman 549, $79,000 CLP/$100 USD double room) is a welcoming B&B in the heart of Cerro Concepción. It gets booked up fast, so be sure to reserve in advance.

Days Eight and Nine: Santiago and Colchagua

Return by bus to Santiago and you’ve got two options for exploring another of Chile’s top attractions: vineyards (which, in our opinion, make Chile the best country in South America for wine ).

• For bigger budgets: rent a car and drive to winery Casa Silva, just north of San Fernando.
• For smaller budgets: take the bus from the Terminal Santiago ( Av. Alameda 3850) operated by Nilahue to Santa Cruz (3 hours, $7,000 CLP),

1. For bigger budgets

One of the most awarded wineries in the country and on the northern tip of the Colchagua Valley, Casa Silva not only has a wonderful setting (think rolling hills covered with neat rows of vines and a colonial-style bodega overlooking their polo field) but also an excellent restaurant.

Where to stay: I stayed in their gorgeous accommodation, Hotel Casa Silva  (double $181,000 CLP/$210 USD) and spent a day eating in their two fine restaurants, wine tasting in their wine shop, and wandering their vineyards.

You can stay one day at Casa Silva, and then on the next, drive to Santa Cruz, the main town for the Colchagua wine valley, and spend an afternoon exploring some of Chile’s top vineyards (see below).

2. For smaller budgets

Take a bus to Santa Cruz where you can rent mountain bikes, complete with panniers, from Casa Suiza ($40,000 CLP/$51 USD double, $19,000 CLP/$24 USD dorm) to explore the local vineyards of the surrounding Colchagua Valley at your leisure.

For all budgets

All of the wineries in the Colchagua Valley offer tastings, tours and many even have fine-dining restaurants (in beautiful settings, surrounded by vines), so I strongly suggest you aim to have lunch at one of the restaurants.

The valley is also known for its carménère wine , a grape similar, and for a long time, confused with Merlot, so make sure you sample plenty while you’re here.

My favorite is Montes , which lies ten kilometers north of Santa Cruz. It’s a renowned winery (they age their wine to the sound of Gregorian chant in an amphitheater-shaped cellar) with tours (from $10,000 CLP/$14 USD), tasting (from $2,000 CLP/$3 USD per glass) and the truly sensational Fuegos de Apalta restaurant.

I had the best steak of my life in their dining room, which surrounds a circular iron grill where you can watch the chefs at work. It doesn’t come cheap (expect to pay $20,000-$24,000 CLP/$28 USD-$34 USD per main) but their lomo liso (sirloin) and entraña (skirt steak), washed down with a Cabernet Sauvignon is an experience you’ll never forget.

Other wineries to visit from Santa Cruz include:

• Boutique winery Laura Hartwig , which you can easily walk to for a tasting as it’s on the outskirts of Santa Cruz. They produce very small quantities of wine each year and while it can sometimes be hit-and-miss, they often strike gold. You can sample glasses for just $1,000 CLP/$1.5 USD).
• Eight kilometers east of Santa Cruz, Viu Manent is a winery set within a beautiful old hacienda. Their star grapes are Carménère and Malbec and they have tours of the vineyard via horse-drawn carriages (from $15,000 CLP/$21 USD) as well as tastings (from $12,000 CLP/$17 USD) and great food in their restaurant Rayuela Wine & Grill ($9,000-$14,000 CLP/$13-$20 USD mains).

Where to stay in Santa Cruz: Hotel TerraViña (Camino a los Boldos, $166,000 CLP/$210 USD double) has a charming location overlooking rows of vines from cast-iron balconies and a swimming pool. The added benefit is they’re a short walk through the vines to the Laura Hartwig winery, which can be reached by a short vine-lined path.

Where to stay on a budget in Santa Cruz: Small budgets will enjoy staying overnight in Casa Suiza (Los Libertadores 199, $40,000 CLP/$51 USD double, $19,000 CLP/$24 USD dorm). There are plenty of places for unwinding, including a grassy garden, plus kitchen access, and owners who run cycling tours to tiny boutique wineries.

Day Ten: Santiago

Spend a final day in Santiago. Dedicate at least three hours to exploring the Museo de Memoria y los Derechos Humanos (Museum of Memory and Human Rights), an excellent museum dealing with a grizzly topic: the Pinochet dictatorship that lasted from 1973 to 1990.

If you want to learn first-hand about the Chilean love of the sanguche , head to La Fuente Alemana for a traditional churrasco (beef or pork sandwich) – just ask them to go easy on the mayo. Alternatively, sample some other key Chilean dishes in Santiago with the help of this guide to Chilean food .

Head over to nearby Barrio Lastarria ( barrio means neighborhood) and take the short hike up to Cerro Santa Lucia for views across the city and the omnipresent Andes Mountains beyond.

For even more impressive cityscape views, take the funicular up to Cerro San Cristóbal in Parque Metropolitano (don’t walk; there have been reports of muggings of people hiking up the hill and those straying from the trails).

Finally, listen to my interview on the We Travel There podcast to learn more about my recommendations for visiting Chile’s capital city.

Return to the airport and fly home.

Chile itinerary for two weeks of travel : Santiago and the Lakes District

In this itinerary, I talk you through how you can organize it yourself. However, if you want someone to take care of the logistics and plan a once-in-a-lifetime trip, then reach out to my recommended local tour operator, EcoChile Travel . They’re experts in planning trips in Chile and can custom design the itinerary to suit you and your budget. Their Chilean Lakes District itinerary follows a similar route to this itinerary. Mention Worldly Adventurer to get a 5% discount off this trip.

Arrive at Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago and take either a transfer ($7,000 with Delfos or TransVIP; no need to book in advance, Uber, or the Turbus airport bus (get off either at Terminal Pajaritos (better if it’s rush hour) or Terminal Alameda and take the metro Line 1 to the center of town).

For more inspiration, read this article about tourist attractions you can’t miss in Santiago .

Where to stay: Splurge on your hotel and stay overnight at the foot of Cerro Santo Lucia in  Hotel Magnolia  (Huérfanos 539, $276,000 CLP ($350 USD) double) in the heart of the Barrio Lastarria and surrounded by a wealth of bars and restaurants, plus excellent transport links.

Alternatively, read my complete guide to Santiago’s best hotels and hostels for every budget (including much more affordable than Hotel Magnolina), ordered by neighborhood or learn about other things to do in Santiago .

Days Two to Five: Chiloé

The fastest way to reach Chiloé is with a direct flight between the domestic terminal of Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) and Aeródromo Mocopulli (MHC; just outside of Castro).

This cuts your travel time down considerably, as flying to Puerto Montt means a four-hour journey (including a 30-minute ferry across the Canal de Chaco).

It’s not the most scenic of journeys, either, and you’ll be doing it on the way to Puerto Varas, so save yourself time by flying directly to Chiloé. There are far fewer daily flights to this airport, however, so book early.

From the airport, it’s a short taxi ride to Castro, where you can organize to pick up a hire car .

Chiloé is a small island, however rural public transport – like in most of Chile – isn’t the most frequent nor the most reliable. As a result, I would highly recommend hiring a car for your time here, giving you the freedom of seeing multiple parts of the island in one day – and also handy if you want to stay at one of the more remote lodges (which I highly recommend!). 

Driving in Chiloé is straightforward and easy; roads are generally one two lanes and other drivers are relaxed (unlike those in Santiago). There are also no toll booths that require cash to contend with, although I do recomend having Chilean pesos on hand for dining at more rural restaurants and for entering the national parks and reserves.

Need more inspiration?

You’ll find even more detailed itineraries, off-the-beaten-path gems, hiking routes and accommodation, restaurant and tour recommendations to suit your travel style in my brand-new guidebook, Moon Chile.

Alternatively: Fly from the domestic terminal in Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) to Aeropuerto El Tepual (PMC) (one hour 40 mins), the airport just outside of Puerto Montt . Rent a car from the agencies at Aeropuerto El Tepual and drive to Chiloé Island. Puerto Montt airport has some of the cheapest car rents in Chile (from $30 USD per day) and you can book using Rental Cars , who provide insurance documents and all contracts in English.

Castro , the capital of Chiloé is famed for its vibrant  palafitos:  colorful, traditional fishermen’s houses on stilts that line the harbor overlook the bay at two places, just off Calle Ernesto Riquelme and another accessed by Calle Puerto Montt.

However, the best place to appreciate them in all their colorful glory is across the river from Calle Ernesto Riquelme at Mirador Gamboa .

Another unmissable stop in Castro is at the Feria Artesanal (Lillo s/n, just before the harbor), a craft market where you can find both local woolen crafts to buy and a cheap lunch of empanadas  (stuffed with seafood or cheese and prawns) or huge plates of fish.

Nip out the back to meet the resident sea lion population, who’ll also be fighting over their lunch – scraps of fish thrown into the sea by the fishermen.

Where to stay in Castro: If you fancy finding out what it’s like inside a palafito, stay at the brown-shingled Palafito 1326 (Ernesto Riquelme 1326, $79,000 CLP/$100 USD double). Rooms are spacious, with crisp white linens and those overlooking the water have a balcony from which you can watch the ocean.

Alternatively, I can’t sing the praises of Refugio Pullao ($185 USD double) enough. Run by its Santiaguino owners, this tiny hotel is located on the Peninsula Rilan, across the bay from Castro, and has astounding views east out towards the ocean. Tierra Chiloé , a five-star hotel a little further around the shore, charges four times the price for the same view (although, admittedly, this includes tours and all-inclusive (and exceptional) dining). The latter is beautiful, but definitely only for those with a very large budget. 

Where to stay on a budget in Castro: La Minga Hostel (dorm $16,000 CLP/$20 USD, $25,000 CLP/$40 USD double) is a proper backpacking hostel (run by the wonderful Camila, a Brazilian and former backpacker herself) that is small but perfectly-formed. Rooms are fairly tiny and there aren’t that many bathrooms to go around, but it’s got a really sociable atmosphere without being a party hostel. Camilia also has great local knowledge and can help with suggestions for local things to do.

Spend the rest of your time on Chiloé exploring the churches; my favorite was definitely Tenuan , which you could reach by bus from the terminal in Castro (one hour 10 mins, $1,600 CLP/$2 USD).

If there’s a group of you, take a wander along the shore and you can try negotiating a small boat to take you to Isla Mechuque, which also has its own church and a small museum and is supposed to be stunning.

Cucao, a one-hour bus journey (again from the local bus terminal in Castro), is one of my favorite places on the island and has the mind-blowingly beautiful Palafito Cucao   ($55,000 CLP/$130 USD double).

Not only is this place hugely comfortable (it has lovely double rooms), it’s the living room area and outdoor terrace with views across Lago Cucao that make this place one of the most sensational places I’ve ever stayed in Chile. I even saw a giant otter swimming past one day.

Palafito Cucao is close to the Muelle de las Almas , a destination that has shot to fame in Chile in recent years.

While it is beautiful – it’s an art installation shaped like a pier that appears to jut out over the cliff edge and into the ocean on a desolate hillside – it’s now so overrun that much of the magic is lost.

If you do want to go, make sure you get here as early as possible in the morning, as 45-minute queues for photos with the muelle are unfortunately common.

Another option, instead, is to visit the Muelle de la Luz near Chepu, another of the artist’s sculptures. Again, this can get very busy with tour groups and, for the boats to run to the muelle, it requires at least 10 people.

There’s not a huge amount there, just the muelle and beautiful views across the beach below – which admittedly ranks among the most beautiful on the island.

Insider tip: Muelles have sprung up all over Chiloé, after the original Muelle de las Almas was constructed by Santiago sculptor Marcelo Orellana Rivera. Note that there are only three original muelles : Muelle de las Almas, Muella de la Luz, and Muelle del Tiempo. All the rest are imitations, designed by local people to capitalize on the craze for selfies on them. 

Days Five and Six: Puerto Varas

Drop the car back in Castro and then take the bus to the terminal in Puerto Montt and then take a small micro (a blue local bus) from the terminal to Puerto Varas (20 mins, $1,000 CLP/$1 USD).

Hiring a car for this part of the itinerary: Alternatively, I recommend hiring a car from Puerto Montt; some of the most interesting things to do in the Lakes Region are served by fairly infrequent public transport, so it can really help to have your own vehicle. Book a one-way rental from Puerto Montt to Temuco; this is surprisingly affordable (Puerto Montt is the cheapest place in the country to rent a car) and the one-way free doesn’t add much to the overall rental price.

Known locally as the City of Roses for its abundant blooms in summer, this lovely lakeside town sits beneath the shadow of Volcán Osorno, a volcano that, thankfully, hasn’t erupted since 1869.

There’s not a whole lot to do in the town; the main attractions lie in the activities in the surrounding national parks, lakes and rivers.

If you’ve just got an afternoon here, the somewhat eccentric collection of artwork and accumulated bric-a-brac in Museo de Pablo Fierro , run by enthusiastic owner and artist Pablo Fierro is definitely worth an hour of your time,

I’d also suggest heading to La Mesa Tropera for a pizza and locally brewed beer plus the best views of the lake and the volcano, or, if you’re a wine lover, La Vinoteca has a brilliant selection of wine by the glass, a range of Chilean dishes, and an excellent attached wine shop. 

For hikers, you’ve got plenty of options nearby. Alerce Andino National Park has a range of different hikes, including one to a 3,000-year-old alerce tree, and can be reached without 4WD (although bear in mind that both routes include a gravel section of the road (and the southern entrance is in particularly poor condition). 

The Llanquihue National Reserve is another beautiful protected area, with a mix of Valdivian temperate rainforest and lava floes from Volcan Calbuco, which erupted in 2015 and closed the reserve until just last year.

Again, this park is accessible without 4WD, but with roads in a similarly poor condition, so drive slowly and carefully. 

Another option is to head to Petrohué on the banks of Lago Todos los Santos where there are a handful of treks.

The most interesting is  Paso Desolación , which goes around the edge of the volcano, taking you above the tree line with beautiful views of the Osorno volcano and Lago Llanquihue below, over an around eight-hour return hike (23km/14.2mi).

A shorter, 11km (6.8mi) route takes a path along the edge of the lake before heading back in a loop and offering views of the volcano and the valley, with a walking time of around three hours.

Don’t miss the Museo Pioneros Petrohué ($2,000 CLP/$3 USD), which is run by Petrohué Lodge and details the various “pioneers” who ventured to this once remote part of the Chilean lakes district across history, including explorers and German settlers.

If it’s not open (which it probably won’t be), nip into the Expeditions Office next door to ask to be allowed in.

Another popular attraction here is the Saltos de Petrohué ($4,000 CLP/$6 USD) where the raging, crystalline waters of the Río Petrohué churn over the rocks in a series of waterfalls, with a stunning backdrop of the Osorno volcano.

There are a handful of worthwhile trails to different viewpoints here but be warned: they are absolutely crammed throughout the season (even in October they were busy), so get here early doors. The entrance opens at 9am.

You can also get here by cycling. Lago Llanquihue has a cycling trail that extends from Puerto Varas north. You can hire bikes in Puerto Varas itself or, if you don’t want to have to drive back, Birds of Chile offers an e-biking tour, which can be combined with a half-day hike along the El Solitario trail through Valdivian temperate rainforest and volcanic ash.

Their guides have plenty of fascinating information about the flora and fauna of the region, which contains some of the final remaining tracts of Valdivian temperate rainforest on the planet.

Watersports are another part of Puerto Varas’ adventure offerings. You can also raft down the class II and IV rapids of the Río Petrohué with AlSur Expediciones , a local kayaking and rafting specialist operator.

Alternatively, book a sea kayaking tour out into the Chilean fjords for dramatic, volcano-studded landscapes (AlSur also specialize in epic, multi-day sea kayaking adventures into Pumalin National Park at the northern tip of the Carretera Austral – a must-do tour if you’re a keen kayaker!).

For a more relaxed afternoon, hop on a bus to Fruitillar (from the same place in Puerto Varas) to try locally baked kuchen , a German dessert brought, and cooked, by the German descendants who started this town.

There’s also a really good museum, the Museo Colonial Alemán , with its collection of artifacts brought over from Germany with the settlers and the history of founding the different towns around the lake.

There’s also Frutillar’s elegant, lakeside theatre, Teatro del Lago (they have performances from all across the globe and the building is renowned for its acoustics).

Where to stay in Puerto Varas: It’s definitely pricey, but the location right on the shores of Lago Llanquihue of AWA ($350 USD double) makes this a truly remarkable place to stay. Bedrooms are huge, while the restaurant serves up delicate dishes showcasing local ingredients – all with a serving of volcano views. I’ve stayed here twice now and it’s definitely my favorite hotel. Bear in mind, you’ll need a car – or to organize tours with a local operator – due to it being a 20-minute drive from Puerto Varas. FYI don’t do your laundry here. I almost wept when they gave me the $50 USD bill.

Where to stay on a budget in Puerto Varas: The wonderful Compass del Sur (camping $17,000 CLP/$21 USD, $24,000 CLP/$30 USD dorm, $54,000 CLP/$68 USD double), with its cozy sitting room with wood fire, breakfast room, and huge new kitchen, it’s my personal favorite when I’m in town. Their owners are very knowledgeable about activities to do in the local area and bedrooms are large, most of which now have their own private bathrooms after extensive renovations in 2017.

Days Seven to Ten: Pucón

Drive four hours or take a bus to Pucón (five hours, $17,500 CLP/$22 USD) from the bus terminal for Buses Jac in Puerto Varas.

Pucón is one of Chile’s best-known adventure destinations thanks to a range of highlights, including an active volcano that you can hike up, accessible national parks, and a whole host of other activities to get your pulse racing.

One of the best day trips you can take from Pucón is to nearby Parque Nacional Huerquehue , a one-hour bus ride or drive from the town with Buses Caburgua (they have their bus station at Uruguay 540).

There are five trails in the park, the most exciting being the  Sendero Los Lagos , which goes past a pair of impressive waterfalls and ends with glorious views across the lakes at the top of the mountain.

The most challenging (and with the best vistas ) is Sendero San Sebastian , where you’ll see not one, not two but NINE volcanoes and 14 lakes from the top. Uh, yes please!

You can also stay within the park, either camping (there are various places, including Camping Olga ($18,000 CLP/$23 USD for two people, minimum two-night stay) or at the basic Cabañas Tinquilco ($50,000 CLP/$63 USD per night; minimum stay four nights between December and March.

It’s also impossible to visit Pucón without hiking up Volcán Villarrica , the snow-topped volcano that dominates the landscapes surrounding the town and is easily one of the top Chile attractions for visitors.

It’s a tough climb (you start around 6-7am from Pucón and are at the crater by lunchtime), but not one that requires technical expertise; you will need to go with a guide unless you have all of your own equipment (ice axes, crampons etc.). Bear in mind, this trail is packed with other tourists, so can feel like you’re queuing up the side of the mountain, rather than hiking it.

Patagonia Experience  is the most recommended of all the agencies in the town. Expect to pay upwards of $80,000/$132 USD.

And don’t miss Termas Geometricas , some really beautiful hot springs located on the southern flanks of the volcano. Unless you’ve got a car, you’ll need to take a tour ($35,000/$58 USD) – but it’s worth the cost as you get to spend an afternoon relaxing in these stunning pools.

Where to stay in Pucón: Another personal favorite, if you’re willing to splash some cash, is the Maison Nomade B&B (double $90,000/$120 USD – but email them as they can offer cheaper prices), which is a few kilometers away from Pucón but has glorious views of the volcano from their huge garden, a swimming pool, beautiful modern rooms decorated with the handicrafts that Carolina, one of the owners, makes, plus a kitchen for guests. Alain, the other owner, also runs an orientation meeting to help you decide what you plan to do during your stay (and he knows the region like the back of his hand).

Where to stay on a budget in Pucón: Having visited this place as part of my research for Moon Chile , I can back up the general consensus that Chili Kiwi (dorm $20,000 CLP/$25 USD, $49,000 CLP/$67 USD hobbit hole) is one of the best hostels in Latin America. I stayed in both a hobbit hole and a treehouse (the hobbit hole was a bit roomier and had its own tiny private terrace, which was a nice touch), but they’ve genuinely thought of everything here: from their private bar to their three kitchens, huge lockers for people who’ve checked out but need somewhere to store their bags and just the enthusiasm of the owners and the staff who can answer practically any question you have about travel in the region (and beyond). It’s not a party hostel, but it does attract a youngish crowd.

Days Eleven to Thirteen: Parque Nacional Conguillio

From Pucón, start early for the three-hour drive to Parque Nacional Conguillio .

Alternatively, get an early bus to Temuco (one hour forty minutes) and catch the 10.30am Nar Bus to Parque Nacional Conguillio (leaves from the Terminal Rural de Temuco only in January and February, two and a half hours). It’ll drop you off right at the campsite and main ranger office for the park.

From here, there are a number of different day hikes that pass through the park’s incredible ancient scenery of thousand-year-old Araucania trees, black lava flows from looming Volcán Llaima, and gloriously blue lakes.

It’s one of my top three national parks in Chile (Patagonia National Park and Torres del Paine National Park take the other two spots) and one I highly, highly recommend.

Travel tip: The park is actually quieter and more beautiful to visit in November and December, when the weather’s warming up, or in April, to see the forests turn shades of autumn yellows and golds. The easiest way to get here in these months (or a faster means than taking the bus in high season) is hiring a car from the rental agencies in the arrivals terminal of Aeropuerto Araucanía (ZCO) in Temuco. You can get to the airport with a taxi (around $15,000 CLP/$21 USD from the bus terminal in Temuco).

You can get hold of maps from the ranger station here. The bus returns back to Temuco at 1pm (soon after it arrives).

Out of season, your only options are to take a taxi from nearby Curacuatin or rent a car in Temuco .

There’s a small shop at the campsite, but otherwise, you’ll need to bring food with you (unless staying at La Baita , who can prepare meals for you).

Where to stay in Parque Nacional Conguillio:  There are a number of campsites run by  Sendas Conguillio . The best of these, if you’re traveling in a pair or alone, is Camping El Estero ($6,500 CLP/$11 USD pp), which you cannot book (but there is normally space). If you’ve got a vehicle,  La Baita  (double $90,000 CLP/$150 USD) is spectacular, with stylish, wooden bedrooms, cozy communal living room with wood fire, and hot tubs. Outside of the summer, the prices are cheaper (but they’re closed in June).

Drive back to Temuco to return the car or hop the bus back to the city. Fly from Temuco airport to Santiago or take the bus overnight (eight hours).

Chile itinerary for two weeks of travel : The highlights

Days Two and Three: Valparaíso and the Casablanca Valley

Either hire a car or hop on a bus from the Terminal Alameda (Av. Alameda 3750) and the Terminal San Borja (San Borja 235) in the city center to Valparaíso (two hours, $3,000 CLP/$4 USD), a historic harbor city set across 42 hills and home to a wealth of street art.

This includes La Sebastiana , the beautiful ship-inspired house of Nobel Prize-winning Chilean poet, Pablo Neruda (well, one of his three), elderly acensores (which are also UNESCO heritage monuments), and a colorful skyline of brightly-painted houses, cobbled streets, and vivid graffiti.

If visiting over the summer (be warned: it gets rammed full of Chilean holidaymakers), be sure to hop on a local micro ( bus) and head around the coast towards Viña del Mar where the best beaches are.

The easiest to access is Playa Caleta Abarca as it’s right on the main road that passes through the city, while nearby Reñaca also has a pretty beach. Alternatively, you can drive further north to the pretty beaches of surf-town Maitencillo , secluded and beautiful Cachagua , or exclusive Zapallar . 

The following day, head out to the Casablanca Valley , Chile’s premier white wine-producing region. A bus to Casablanca and then a taxi can take you around some of the best wineries, including Casas del Bosque (which has a brilliant restaurant), Viña Mar (which is known for its sparkling wines, Bodegas RE (which produces unusual blends), and Emiliana (an organic, sustainable winery).

Alternatively, drive south via Isla Negra (the prettiest of poet Pablo Neruda’s houses) to reach the Valle de San Antonio , where first-rate wineries offer outstanding wines and stunningly-located accommodations. 

The best are Matetic and Casa Marin , the latter of which produces delicious sauvignon gris. 

Where to stay in Valparaíso/nearby: Winebox (Baquedano 763, $99,000 CLP/$125 USD double) is a truly unique hotel, built entirely from 25 recycled shipping containers. What’s more, they have an urban winery in the basement and a wine bar cum restaurant on the roof (which is open to the public). It’s actually on Cerro Mariposa, so you’ll need to take local colectivos (shared taxis) or taxis to get into the centre at night. Alternatively, stay in La Casona ($774 USD double) Matetic winery’s stylish 10-bed hotel, set within the vineyard and with a welcome swimming pool or at the more affordable Bungalow Miramar ($167 USD one-bedroom bungalow) that has sweeping views across the vineyards of equally brilliant Casa Marin.

Days Four to Seven: Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

Head back to Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) and take a six-hour flight west across the Pacific Ocean to Rapa Nui (Easter Island).  

Having captivated archaeologists and tourists alike for decades, Rapa Nui – while still being part of Chile – lives and breaths the Polynesian culture of its inhabitants: the Rapanui. 

After landing on the runway of Matavari International Airport (IPC) , take a transfer with your hotel into Hanga Roa, the island’s only town and the location of most lodgings. 

Spend the afternoon snorkeling off Playa Pea on the lookout for Green Pacific, leatherback, and hawksbill turtles, before catching the sunset at Ahu Tahai, where various ceremonial platforms known as ahu play host to the angular stone heads (moai) for which the island is famed. 

The following day, head out to Parque Nacional Rapa Nui , where the majority of the moai are located. New rules mean you’ll need a guide, who can show you around key locations across the island. 

Don’t miss Rano Raraku , the volcanic crater and quarry where the moai were carved, or nearby Ahu Tongariki . With 15 moai statues, it’s the largest of the platforms and ideal for sunrise. 

Read our guide to visiting Rapa Nui for more detailed information about getting to the island, as well as recommendations for what to do and where to stay , and the best time to visit Easter Island .  

Where to stay in Rapa Nui: The stunning sea views from certain suites and bungalows make  Hotel Boutique La Perouse  ($210 USD suite; $288 bungalow) an excellent choice for accommodation on Easter Island. Situated right at the heart of Hanga Roa, but with a tranquil setting, this is a great place to relax after a day of touring the island, while a delicious breakfast will ensure you’ve got the fuel you need.   

Where to stay on a budget in Rapa Nui:  If price is your number one factor when it comes to finding accommodation on Easter Island then look no further than  Camping y Hostal Tipanie Moana  ($57 USD double room with shared bathroom, $14 USD camping). Offering private rooms (some with shared bathrooms), it’s hard to quibble over the price here, which grants you clean and spacious bedrooms – some with mini-fridges – and a sociable atmosphere among the other guests staying here. 

Days Eight to Nine: Punta Arenas 

Fly back to Santiago’s Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) and then hop on a flight to Punta Arenas, a three-hour flight south. 

The gateway to Patagonia, Punta Arenas is where the first colonizers landed in southern Chilean Patagonia and is home to some of the best wildlife-watching opportunities. 

You’ll have time for at least one tour. Head out to Isla Magdalena for a half-day visit to the 120,000-strong Magallenic penguin colony that resides on this island. 

Alternatively, take a tour with Solo Expediciones to Parque Marino Francisco Coloane (Francisco Coloane Marine Park) to catch a glimpse of the many species of whales that come here to breed, including humpbacks and sei whales. 

Want a custom-made Chile itinerary, but without the effort of planning it?

Get it planned by an expert (me!) with my travel itinerary planning service ; you’ll give me an overview of your ideal once-in-a-lifetime trip to Chile and/or Patagonia, and I’ll put together a custom itinerary just for you using my expert knowledge of the destination.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for a local operator to plan and book your trip, I recommend our trusted partner EcoChile Travel. They design and book tours throughout the country, such as this 12-day highlights of Southern Patagonia itinerary – and offer Worldly Adventurer readers a 5% discount on their services!

Book here to claim your discount.

At the end of your second day, hop on a public bus to Puerto Natales (three hours). 

Where to stay in Punta Arenas:  Easily the smartest choice in Punta Arenas is the luxurious La Yegua Loca ($160 USD double), where antique wooden furniture rubs shoulders with superb views of the Strait of Magellan. Don’t miss the restaurant on the ground floor, which specialises in local specialties such as king crab.

Where to stay on a budget in Punta Arenas:  Budget digs don’t get much better than the family-run Hostal Aventura Austral ($57 USD double), which has small but comfortable rooms and brilliant hosts.

Days Ten to Fourteen: Torres del Paine National Park 

Unless you’re planning on hiking the W or the O Circuit , the best way to explore Torres del Paine National Park is with a rental car . 

From Puerto Natales, head north along Ruta 9 and then northwest along the Y-290 to enter Torres del Paine National Park from its southern entrance, where you’ll get the best views of the Los Cuernos mountains that dominate the park. 

Over the next few days, you’ve got time to hike the park’s ubiquitous route up to Mirador Las Torres where you’ll stand beneath the three sky-spearing shards of granite after which the park is named. 

Day hikes and shorter routes to viewpoints abound in the national park, with the steep climb up to Mirador Ferrier for 180-degree views across the park and the short meander along Sendero Mirador Cuernos for dazzling views of Los Cuernos among the best. 

Read our guide to day hikes in Torres del Paine National Park for detailed route information. 

There’s plenty more to do in Torres del Paine, including tracking pumas , with the park believed to be home to the highest concentration of these big cats in the world. 

The best way is on a two-day tour with Chile Nativo (use the referral code “Worldly Adventurer” for a 5% discount), which takes you along some of the paths most frequented by the cats and has a close to 100% success rate for seeing them.

Return to Puerto Natales and then fly back to Santiago.

Where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park: With its cluster of 20 deluxe yurts, Patagonia Camp  ($2,160 USD double all-inclusive for two nights) sits pretty on the southern shore of Lago Toro as a top luxury accommodation option just 15 kilometres from the park entrance. There’s no TV or internet connection in the rooms, but who needs WIFI when you’ve got a private terrace with panoramic views, and even a jacuzzi in the suites?

Where to stay in Torres del Paine National Park on a budget: Restaurant costs within Torres del Paine have skyrocketed with the park’s popularity. Stock up on food in Puerto Natales and head to Cabañas Lago Tyndall ($110,000 CLP ($160 USD) four-person cabin), which is situated on a bend in the Río Serrano and a short drive from the southern entrance to the park.

Our complete guide to what to do in Torres del Paine National Park is packed with plenty more information about how to visit this incredible place, while our detailed Patagonia itineraries contain recommendations for exploring Southern Patagonia, plus how to combine a trip to Torres del Paine National Park with Argentine Patagonia, including the Perito Moreno glacier and hiking capital, El Chaltén. 

How to amend this two-week itinerary

Rather than heading to Rapa Nui, you could spend three days in the Atacama Desert. San Pedro de Atacama is the region’s main hub and jumping-off point for Mars-like scenery and wildlife-packed protected areas, such as the Reserva Nacional Los Flamencos.

We’ve got a full guide to what to do in San Pedro de Atacama , while, if you want to avoid the hassle of organizing your trip, EcoChile Travel can help you plan a four-day trip to the region , including visits to local indigenous communities to learn more about the unique culture of the region. Mention Worldly Adventurer for a 5% discount on the tour.

Itinerary for one or two weeks in Patagonia (Chilean and Argentine)

I’ve written a whole guide to where to go and what to do in Patagonia, so head over to this one- and two-week Patagonia itinerary or these three- and four-week itineraries .

Tuesday 23rd of July 2019

Great article. I love this piece of writing. Thanks

Thursday 13th of June 2019

Hello Steph,

Thank you for your detail guide and the itineraries of 10 and 14 days. My husband and I are planning to go to Chile 10/11 days on late October or early November. I had planned to go to Ecuador but considering the high altitude that we probably couldn't stand.

There are so many blogs on Pinterest just telling me how great the attractions there but very few itineraries provided. So happy that I found yours

Here I have a few questions for the 10 days itinerary: 1) Any tours around the hostels to the attractions @ San Pedro de Atacama (my husband hates driving on vacation and I don't have a license)? 2) any other suggestions for the day 8 to 9 if not going to the vineyard? Thank you in advance!

Steph Dyson

Friday 21st of June 2019

Hi Sarah, yes you can find tour companies for destinations around San Pedro de Atacama on the main drag in the town - there are loads of them! Try and negotiate several tours with one company as this will help you get a discount. Whipala Expedition and 123 Andes Chile Conectado (both have websites) are recommended companies. There are plenty of other destinations to visit in San Pedro. Check out this article for more ideas! Enjoy your trip :)

14 things you need to know before you come to Chile

Sep 23, 2023 • 7 min read

Having a Chilean adventure is easier with some inside tips © Westend61 / Getty Images

I remember the day back in 2014 when I’d just settled into my new apartment in Santiago and a powerful earthquake rattled the walls. I leaped up from my couch and ran for the door, while all the Chileans in the room just sat still and laughed at me, confident in Chile’s strong building codes and unfazed by the regular tremors.

A few days later, I learned that even the simple act of buying an empanada (stuffed pastry) could involve navigating three separate lines. As those first weeks in Chile passed, my dinner hour moved from 7pm to 8pm, eventually landing where it stands today, at around 9pm in the evening.

Chile is, in many ways, an accessible and familiar destination for many travelers. Yet, there are customs, protocols and safety issues that you’ll want to keep in mind on your trip. From cheek-kissing to the local etiquette for tipping, here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your visit to Chile.

1. Learn some basic Spanish before arriving

Chileans have a reputation for being shyer than most other Latin Americans, and local people won’t typically talk to strangers unless asked a question. Learning a bit of basic Spanish can go a long way towards breaking down barriers and getting to know the locals when you visit.

It’s also a bit of a necessity – outside of the major hotels and the business district in Santiago, you’re unlikely to find many English speakers when traveling around the country, particularly in rural areas. That said, Chileans will try their hardest to understand and help out as best they can, even if there's a language barrier.

2. Pack layers for cool evenings

It doesn’t matter if you’re staying by the coast, up in the Andes, down in Patagonia or out in the Atacama Desert , temperatures across Chile drop considerably at sundown, making layers a necessity at any time of the year. Even in the Central Valley and Santiago, a blazingly hot day can transform into a cool evening before you know it. Always pack an extra layer when going out for a full day.

3. Download WhatsApp for easy communications

It’s not uncommon to have to wait several days for a response if you send an email to a business in Chile. If you want to book a tour or a hotel or restaurant reservation, communicating via WhatsApp is always the best way to go; you may find that you get a response in just minutes.

4. Be prepared to eat late

Chileans are not big fans of early mornings, and most locals consume lunch between 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Dinner won’t begin until after 8pm, and can be as late as 10pm. If you can’t stand the thought of eating dinner that late, try Chile’s “fourth meal” – an afternoon tea, typically consisting of bread, cheese, meat, eggs, mashed avocado and something sweet. It's known locally as la once (pronounced "on-say").

5. Embrace the sobremesa

When dining out with Chileans, it’s considered rude to leave straight after finishing your meal. Instead, it’s common to linger over the table chatting, perhaps while drinking a bajativo (digestif) such as Bitter Araucano to wash down the food.

Waiters at restaurants are well used to this habit and will never try to rush you out after your meal. If you’re dining in someone’s home, even getting up to help clear the table of dishes immediately after a meal could be considered impolite. Stick around and enjoy the conversation; these long, lazy meals are one of the best parts of Chilean culture.

6. Expect to queue 

Why stand in line once when you can do it several times? In Chile, it’s not uncommon to place an order in one queue, pay in another and collect your order in a third. At a supermarket, you will be expected to queue up to weigh your bread, fruit and vegetables in separate lines before taking your items to the checkout to pay.

7. Learn to pay ‘sin cuotas’ but ‘con propina’

Credit cards are widely accepted across Chile thanks, in part, to a system of paying in cuotas (installments) for just about anything. Cashiers will always ask if you want to pay in cuotas , but when using a foreign bank card, you should always say no – " sin cuotas, por favor ."

At restaurants, waiters will ask if you would like to include a standard 10% tip, which is generally expected regardless of the quality of the service. Unless something went terribly wrong, it’s polite to say con propina – ‘with gratuity’ – when you request the bill.

8. Keep small bills handy

If paying for items in cash, always keep small bills to hand; many vendors will not be able to break a 20,000 peso note. Get into the habit of breaking large denomination bills into smaller change when you can.

9. Keep your voice down

Chileans are, on the whole, quiet and respectful people who prefer to avoid sticking out in a crowd. Loud-speaking tourists will immediately call attention to themselves, and often in a negative way. Speaking loudly in a foreign language on the streets of somewhere like downtown Santiago can also be a good way to alert pickpockets of a potential target!

10. Learn how to greet Chileans

As with many other Latin American peoples, Chileans are known for their warm greetings. It’s typical for women to greet other women, or men, with one kiss (right cheek to right cheek). Men will greet women the same way, and offer a handshake to fellow men – perhaps followed by a hug if you’ve become close.

Goodbyes are similarly enthusiastic. It’s not uncommon for someone who enters a social setting to greet everyone individually and then say goodbye to everyone individually when they leave.

11. Check for protests (and avoid them)

Protests are frequent in Chilean cities and while these are typically peaceful, they can shut down roads and public transport. Visitors should steer clear, as demonstrations can turn violent with little warning. In Santiago, water cannons and tear gas are often used to disperse crowds, particularly on dates commemorating politically charged historical events such as March 29, September 11 and October 18.

12. Know which areas of Chile to avoid 

Chile is one of the safest countries in the Americas, according to the Global Peace Index . There is, however, one area in the southern part of central Chile that you may want to avoid due to an ongoing conflict between Indigenous Mapuche land-rights activists and the Chilean state.

While forestry corporations and landowners are the main targets, the dispute over land rights can close roads and become violent at times. The area to avoid lies on the border of the Biobío and Araucanía regions, roughly between Lebu and Temuco, following the coastal range. This said, flying into Temuco to visit popular Andean resort destinations such as Pucón or Malalcahuello is usually perfectly fine.

13. Know where to drink tap water

A good rule of thumb in Chile is that the water is perfectly safe to drink from Santiago south. In fact, in Patagonia , it’s downright delicious, and used to make some excellent craft beers. Heading north into the Atacama Desert, it’s best to avoid the tap water, except in large cities such as La Serena and Antofagasta.

14. Don’t be paranoid about earthquakes

Chile is one of the most seismically active countries on earth. Indeed, the country was the site of the strongest tremor ever recorded – the 1960 Valdivia Earthquake, which registered 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. Following the devastation of that event, Chile now has some of the planet’s strictest building codes and is better prepared for dealing with seismic events than just about anywhere else on the planet.

Most Chileans won’t even bat an eyelid unless a quake approaches 7.0 or above, and the most recent sizable earthquakes in 2014 and 2015 – with respective magnitudes of 8.2 and 8.3 – saw just 15 fatalities. You can rest assured that coastal areas will have well-marked tsunami evacuation routes, and that buildings have been created with quakes in mind.

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NomadTreneur

How to Visit Chile on a Budget

adidaswilson

April 22, 2023

Chile is a diverse and captivating country that offers a wealth of experiences for travelers, from its stunning landscapes and vibrant cities to its rich cultural heritage and delicious cuisine. While Chile can be an expensive destination, it is possible to explore the country on a budget with careful planning, savvy decision-making, and an adventurous spirit. In this comprehensive guide, we will provide tips and strategies for visiting Chile without breaking the bank, allowing you to make the most of your travel experience.

Plan Your Trip During the Off-Peak Season

One of the best ways to save money when visiting Chile is to travel during the off-peak season. The high season in Chile typically falls between December and February, when the weather is warm and dry, and many tourists flock to the country. By traveling during the shoulder seasons (March to May and September to November), you can enjoy lower prices on flights, accommodations, and activities, as well as smaller crowds and a more relaxed atmosphere. Keep in mind that the weather during these months can be more unpredictable, so pack accordingly.

Book Flights and Accommodations in Advance

Booking your flights and accommodations well in advance can help you secure the best deals and save money on your trip to Chile. Be sure to compare prices on different booking platforms, and consider setting up price alerts to track changes in airfare. Additionally, consider booking accommodations with shared facilities or staying in budget hostels, guesthouses, or Airbnb rentals, which can be more affordable than hotels.

Use Public Transportation

Chile has an extensive and reliable public transportation system, which includes buses, metro, and long-distance trains. Using public transportation is not only more budget-friendly than renting a car or taking taxis, but it also allows you to immerse yourself in local culture and interact with Chileans. Be sure to research transportation options and routes before your trip to ensure a smooth and efficient travel experience.

Eat Like a Local

One of the best ways to save money and experience Chilean culture is to eat like a local. Look for small, family-run restaurants known as “picadas,” where you can find delicious, home-cooked meals at affordable prices. Street food is another budget-friendly option, with empanadas, sopaipillas, and completos (Chilean hot dogs) being popular choices. Additionally, consider shopping at local markets or grocery stores and cooking some of your meals, especially if you have access to a kitchen in your accommodations.

Take Advantage of Free or Low-Cost Attractions

Chile offers a wealth of free or low-cost attractions for budget travelers, including national parks, museums, and cultural centers. Some popular free attractions include the Museum of Memory and Human Rights in Santiago, the colorful street art in Valparaiso, and the numerous beaches along the coast. Be sure to research free or discounted entry days at museums and other attractions, as well as free walking tours, which can be a great way to explore cities and learn about local history and culture.

Prioritize Your Must-See Destinations

Chile is a vast country, and it can be expensive to travel between regions. To save money, prioritize your must-see destinations and focus your itinerary around these areas. For example, if you’re most interested in experiencing Patagonia, you might choose to skip the Atacama Desert and allocate more time and resources to exploring Torres del Paine National Park and other highlights of the region.

Travel with a Group or Share Expenses

Traveling with a group or sharing expenses with other travelers can significantly reduce your overall trip costs. Consider joining group tours, splitting the cost of accommodations, or sharing transportation expenses with fellow travelers. Not only will this help you save money, but it can also enhance your travel experience by allowing you to make new friends and share unique experiences with others. Look for online forums, social media groups, or apps that connect like-minded travelers to find potential travel companions or exchange tips and advice.

Choose Budget-Friendly Activities and Experiences

While some activities and experiences in Chile can be expensive, there are plenty of budget-friendly options available. For example, instead of joining an organized tour of the Atacama Desert, consider renting a bike and exploring the region on your own. Opt for affordable outdoor activities such as hiking, birdwatching, or exploring national parks, which often have low or no entrance fees. Be creative and seek out unique, affordable experiences that cater to your interests.

Learn Some Basic Spanish

Although many Chileans speak English, especially in tourist areas, knowing some basic Spanish can help you save money and navigate the country more easily. Speaking the local language can allow you to negotiate better prices at markets or local stores, understand public transportation schedules, and communicate with locals who may be able to provide insider tips and recommendations. Consider using language learning apps, taking an online course, or practicing with native speakers before your trip.

Stay Flexible and Embrace Spontaneity

One of the best ways to save money while traveling in Chile is to stay flexible and embrace spontaneity. Be open to changing your plans or adjusting your itinerary based on unexpected opportunities, deals, or recommendations from locals. For example, you might stumble upon a last-minute, discounted tour or find a hidden gem that wasn’t on your original itinerary. By remaining open to new experiences and adapting to circumstances, you can make the most of your budget and create a memorable trip.

Visiting Chile on a budget is possible with careful planning, smart decision-making, and a willingness to immerse yourself in local culture. By following these tips and strategies, you can experience the best of what Chile has to offer without breaking the bank. From exploring the country’s diverse landscapes and vibrant cities to savoring its delicious cuisine and rich cultural heritage, you can create a memorable and affordable travel experience that you’ll cherish for years to come.

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How much does a trip to Chile cost?

All about the budget and prices of a trip to chile.

In our series How to organize your trip to Chile, find our new feature: the essential question of the vacation budget!

This is one of the most frequently asked questions on our social media pages, so here we are again with a special new blog post on the price of your holiday in Chile.

Here you will find all the information you need to know to plan your travel budget in Chile. In this completely transparent, honest article you will find the price of Miami-Santiago plane tickets, transportation, and the cost of living. Then, we will leave you with the budget for a cheap trip to Chile with a focus on seeing the sights. Finally, I will detail the price of an all-inclusive organized trip to Chile, no holds barred. So, you are you ready? Let’s get started!

The price of flights to Santiago and the cost of local transportation

Miami to Santiago: the obligatory international flight

First step in preparing your travel budget in Chile: the unavoidable international plane ticket. To reach Santiago de Chile, you can find direct flights from several major airports in the US: Miami, Los Angeles (LAX), New York (JFK), Dallas-Fort Worth, Atlanta, and Houston. In Canada, non-stop flights depart from Toronto. A non-stop flight from Miami to Santiago clocks in at 8 hours, while the flight time from Toronto to Santiago is 10 hours and 20 minutes.

Be careful when buying since Santiago de Chile is not the only city in the world named Santiago! Don’t make the mistake of choosing Santiago de Compostela in Spain, or Santiago in Cuba! The international airport has a complicated name–Arturo Merino Benitez–but when searching for flights is also known by the initials SCL.

Regarding the price , on average a direct flight from Miami costs $700-$900, but if you’re lucky you can find prices as low as $400, depending on the time of year. If you’re willing to allow for a layover, you have an even better chance of finding a bargain.

United, American Airlines, LATAM, and Delta all have direct flights to Chile. A round trip from Atlanta or Houston can cost about the same as a flight from Miami, depending on the deal you find. Almost all of the cheapest flights from the US are overnight, leaving around 9 or 10 PM and arriving early morning in Santiago.

For a departure from Canada with Air Canada: the cheapest round trip costs around $700 Canadian dollars and the most expensive about $1800 CAD round trip.

Domestic flights

Now that you have your international flight, you will arrive in Santiago de Chile. However, many of you choose Chile for its Patagonian glaciers or the famous Atacama Desert. In Chile, the distances are immense and you will have to go through Santiago heading north or south, or to Easter Island.

To cross these extended distances, the most convenient way is to take domestic flights between Santiago and your destination. Don’t worry, the local and regional airlines are all good quality and safe. You will find low cost options, which essentially practice the same kind of pricing policy as companies like Spirit and Frontier.

The most popular airlines are the Latin American giant LATAM (formerly LAN and TAM), and the more economical SkyAirlines and Jetsmart. Personally, I always prefer to travel with LATAM, which has more regular flight options and covers a large part of the country and region. Their customer service was also effective, even in the midst of the Coronavirus pandemic!

• For a one-way flight from Santiago to Calama (the gateway to the Atacama Desert) count on spending an average of $45 USD per person. Prices are fairly fixed year round with very regular flights.
• To reach Patagonia, a one-way flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas in the summer can reach $80 to $105 USD per person. Flights to the south are seasonal and large variations in prices are common, especially during the Chilean school holidays in February, for example. Flights around New Year’s are often exorbitantly priced.

Puerto Natales and Chiloé are also accessible by plane but with a maximum of one weekly flight. During the tourist off-season , Puerto Natales and Chiloé cannot be reached by flying.

• The average price from Santiago to Puerto Natales by plane is $90 USD per person.
• The average price from Santiago to Castro (Chiloe) by plane: $115 USD per person.

You will also find flights less frequented but still useful for travelers who like to stray from tourist hot spots, such as Temuco, capital of Araucania; Copiapo in the North; or Arica or Iquique in the far North of Chile. To reach the Southern Highway or the lakes region, the small airports of Balmaceda and Puerto Montt are also very useful.

And still other destinations are even less touristic, but for these it is better to speak directly to one of our travel creators, who will be able to advise you best according to your expectations.

One small exception to this is Easter Island, planted in the middle of the Pacific. The Chilean island is particularly known for being the most remote island separated from its continent in the world: it will take you about 5 hours to reach it by plane, to travel the 2,330 miles that separate it from the capital. The island is one of a kind, and therefore this flight is considered an international flight. Upon arrival on site you will have to do specific administrative procedures and be provided with an invitation card from a local. This formality can very well be carried out by a friend from the island, or simply by your hotel. It is imperative to have a reservation before your arrival and register this accommodation with SERNATUR!

This flight is long, so logically it is a fairly expensive flight for the region. Count on spending an average of $350 USD for a trip to Hanga Roa, the capital, from Santiago. LATAM operates at least two scheduled flights a day to reach the destination. Tip: it’s best to buy your flights from abroad since prices are climbing within Chile.

El Calafate in Argentina is another exception to the rule. The following might therefore interest you if you plan to do a combined Chile-Argentina trip to explore Patagonia. To land at the gateway to the Perito Moreno glacier, the most famous in Argentine Patagonia, the prices are quite high. Plan on spending between $115 USD to $230 USD for a round trip flight. Most flights depart from Buenos Aires. To combine Chile and Argentine Patagonia into one trip , I often recommend arriving in Santiago, making your way to Punta Arenas on the Chilean side, then crossing the border and leaving from El Calafate to Buenos Aires, and from there returning home. There is no direct flight to El Calafate in Argentina from Santiago, Chile.

La recommandation de notre équipe 🩵

Sachez qu'il est possible d'acheter vos billets vers l'Ile de Paques depuis l’étranger et parfois c'est moins cher que depuis le Chili.

El Calafate en Argentine est une autre exception  à la règle.  Ce qui suit pourrait donc vous intéresser si vous prévoyez de  faire un combiné Chili Argentine  pour découvrir la Patagonie. 

Pour atterrir à la porte d’entrée du glacier Perito Moreno, le plus connu de la Patagonie argentine, les prix sont assez élevés. Comptez en moyenne de 100 à 200 euros pour un aller. La plupart des vols partent depuis Buenos Aires. 

Pour faire un combiné  Patagonie Chili et Argentine , je conseille donc souvent d’arriver à Santiago, rejoindre Punta Arenas et le coté chilien, puis passer la frontière et repartir depuis El Calafate vers Buenos Aires, et de là l’Europe. Il n’y a pas de vol direct vers El Calafate en Argentine depuis Santiago au Chili.

Chile's train network

Although Chile could be considered the ideal geography for a railway (long and narrow), the country does not have a well-developed railway network. The few railways that exist are now tourist or mining (in the North), largely unused. However, if you absolutely want to take thev train during your stay, we recommend that you take the route from Santiago to Linares to reach the Maule region, and in particular the Eco Refugio, one of our favorites.

While the train network leaves much to be desired, there is nevertheless a well-developed network of day and night buses.

In my opinion, this is THE economical and ecological solution for any traveler who can spare a little time. To reach the North, the South, or even Argentina, it is a great alternative to local planes. To visit closer places, such as Valparaíso, it is also a great solution, as well as budget-friendly.

Night buses are a fairly common way to travel here, and depending on the category chosen, you could quite comfortable options.

Here is an example of the price of a night bus connecting Santiago to Temuco (from 8 to 9 hours of travel):

• Cost of a normal seat: 9,000 Chilean pesos or $12 (a rare seating option for night buses).
• Price of a half-berth seat (“semi cama”): 12,000 CLP or $15 USD.
• Price of a full berth, fully reclining bed (“salón cama”): 14,0000 to 22,000 CLP or about $18 to $27 USD.
• Premium seat price: 20,000 to 40,000 CLP, or $25 to $50 USD.

There are many bus companies, with more or less recent fleets. We have not tested them all, but I can assure you that TurBus or Pullman Bus are reliable, and the most common bus lines.

A word of advice: there are so-called pirate buses. These are old, outdated buses to make cheaper trips… but they are not up to regulation. The more adventurous can use them to reach Valparaiso from Santiago if all the other buses are full. But, be prepared to wait for the bus to fill up, make impromptu stops, and vary greatly in price if demand is high. This is the kind of small inconvenience that can be easily be avoided by going through a local travel agency in Chile, and we explain why in this blog post.

Voyager au Chili en 2024 : tout ce qu'il faut savoir

Découvrez la destination en vidéo avec notre équipe

Explore Chile by car: car rental and road trips

I will now tell you about one of my favorite ways to visit Chile: the roadtrip! It is an alternative that I recommend to both young adventurers and families with children, but also more experienced travelers!

Chile, like Argentina, has good highway infrastructure. There are many highways and the lanes are generally very well maintained. And, for those who may be wondering, yes, we drive on the right side of the road down here! You will be able to keep your driving habits during your self-guided tour.

This is a very convenient and pleasant way to discover Chile, especially when you have a few weeks to spare. And, if you are still debating about the duration of your trip, go ahead and read our article “How many days does it take to visit Chile?”

In addition, in some cases, driving can also be a cheaper option. But for that you need to know the secrets of car and van rentals in Chile!

Here are our 9 secrets to rent your car in Chile:

• Avoid car rental at the airport, as they are more expensive than the ones in the city.
• Avoid picking up your car in one location and dropping it off in another, i.e. renting your car in Punta Arenas and leaving it in Chiloé. The prices can skyrocket!
• Avoid driving in Santiago . The capital is full of tolls and you will have to rent a TAG , the city’s toll device.
• Forget about the self-driving tour in the desert of Uyuni. With the altitude and sandy roads, you will take unnecessary risks both for your health and getting lost or stuck in the desert.
• In Patagonia, close the doors of your van securely so as not to damage them with gusts of wind.
• Plan your stops on Maps.me, sometimes with coordinates, in Patagonia. It’s the end of the world so the road signs and the phone network are sporadic or non-existent!
• On the Southern Highway (Carretera Austral), plan your gas stops before leaving. There are not many gas stations and running out of gas is never enjoyable!
• Do not cross the Chile-Argentina border without an Argentine permit (a mandatory document that insures the Chilean vehicle when passing through Argentina) and without accounting for several hours of waiting time. Inspections of the vehicle, the rental, and your license are a must.
• Choose the vehicular model adapted to your destination: some national parks are only passable with 4x4s or pickups.

Back to the rental car budget (after all that is the topic of this article), here is an average of the rates by model and per day:

• City or compact car: 35,000 pesos, about $45 USD per day
• Category C: around $62 (50,000 CLP) per day
• Category D (4×2): around $68 (55,000 CLP) per day
• Jeep and 4×4: about $80 (65,000 CLP) per day
• 7-seat van: around $112 (90,000 pesos) per day
• Van, camper car, or camper: around $105 per day (varies depending on the precise model)

Cruise, ferry, and boats of all kinds

But, you ask, with its huge Pacific coast, its fjords, rivers, and lakes, what about marine transport in Chile? There are a large number of diverse cruises, ferries and boats in Chile. Sailing is a great way to explore incredible scenery and get up close and personal with remote glaciers.

Whether for touristic purposes or as a necessary form of transportation to connect isolated places, there are all kinds of boats.

Here is a small sampling with average prices in Chile:

• Ferry from Chile Chico to Puerto Ibañez (2 hours) crossing Lake General Carrera: $3 USD for a seat and $25 to transport your rental vehicle.
• Fishermen’s boat tour: about $6 USD per person.
• Cruise to Glacier Grey (4 hours): $130 USD per adult.
• Navimag ferry crossing from Puerto Montt to Puerto Natales (4 days and 3 nights): from $480 USD per person.
• Australis cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuai (4 nights all inclusive): from $1590 USD per person (low season and in cabin B).

L'expérience coup de coeur de notre équipe 🩵

"Apres 8 ans de vie au Chili, j'ai enfin pris le temps de faire l'expérience du Ferry Navimag. 4 jours entre les fjords Patagons sur un ferry cargo, coupé du monde litéralement. Une expérience extraordinaire, que je recommande à tous les voyageurs en quête d'expérience hors des sentiers battus. J'en ai tellement parlé qu'Anne y est allé aussi, en plein hiver !"

This should give you a good idea of the different modes of transport possible in Chile, and their prices! But don’t forget about walking and hiking in Chile! It’s free, it’s active, it’s environmentally friendly, and it’s the national sport of Chile (after “futbol,” of course)!

The true cost of living in Chile

Now let’s move on to the cost of living in Chile. From everyday life to the costs of tourist activities, here you will find the expected budget on site in Chile.

Prices hotels and lodging in Chile

There is really no average price for lodging in Chile. As anywhere else, it all depends on the level of comfort and luxury, the tourist season, and the destination!

But to give you a more concrete idea to better prepare your trip to Chile, here is our guide to the average prices of Chilean hotels:

Non-touristic places:

• Camping: free or $13 USD (10,000 pesos) per night per tent.
• Bed in a hostel dormitory: from $12 to $18 USD per night.
• Basic double room: $58 to $75 USD per night.
• Comfortable double room: $93 to $115 USD per night.
• Upscale luxury double room: $230 to $350 USD per night.

Tourist cities:

• Camping: $12 to $18 USD per night per tent.
• Bed in hostel dormitory: from $18 to $30 USD per night per person.
• Basic double room: $50 to $75 USD per night.
• Comfortable double room: $100 to $150 USD per night.
• Upscale luxury double room: $250 to $350 dollars per night.

Tourist hot spots during summer:

• Camping: from $12 to $30 USD per night per tent.
• Refuge: $20 to $100 USD per night per person.
• Bed in a hostel dormitory: $60 USD per night.
• Basic double room: $110 USD per night.
• Comfortable double room: $170 per night.
• Upscale luxury double room: $300 to $400 dollars per night.

Hot tip! It is important to remember to keep the small “receipt” that is given to you at customs (PDI). This is your visa. Foreigners who are in Chile as tourists and who pay in dollars (USD) in authorized hotels do not pay the VAT (value-added tax) of 19%! This is the most practical way to easily save money on your nights in a hotel.

Prices of meals in restaurants

As with hotels, the price of a meal in Chile will depend on the location and menu.

Specific to Latin culture, throughout the country you will find “picadas,” street food, and lots of cheap and popular snacks. Chile’s famous offering: the empanada. You will find them in Chile fried or baked and filled with meat or seafood. It can be found almost everywhere and it’s a meal in itself! For 1500 to 2000 Chilean pesos (about $1.80 to $2.50 USD) you can have a meal on the go, ideal for budget travelers.

Another typical snack: sopaipillas. This pumpkin fritter is eaten salty, with pebre (Chile’s version of pico de gallo), or sweet in winter with panela, a type of cane sugar. A sopaipilla costs about 500 CLP (less than $1 USD) and is more commonly found in the street than in a restaurant. In Santiago, you have to eat several to fill your stomach, but in the south a homemade sopaipilla can be the size of your head!

Interested in these recipes? We’ve written another blog post with our 5 favorite Chilean recipes, easy to duplicate at home!

• Price of a breakfast

A typical Chilean breakfast–scrambled eggs with bread or avocado toast and a coffee–costs about 5,000 to 8,000 pesos ($6 to $10 USD).

• Price of a lunch

For a local lunch in a traditional restaurant, plan to spend about 10,000 pesos ($12.50 USD). In a trendy restaurant that price is more like 15,000 pesos ($18.50 USD). And in a more luxurious, starred restaurant, prices vary enormously and can skyrocket.

• Price of a dinner

A traditional dinner will cost you about 15,000 pesos ($18.50 USD) in an authentic restaurant. In a more fashionable restaurant or one that serves international food that number could be closer to 20,000 pesos ($25 USD). For dinner in a gourmet restaurant, prices quickly rise above 35,000 Chilean pesos ($43 USD).

In Torres del Paine or in large hotels, you can expect to add 20% on top of that! Do not forget that in Chile has an “optional” tip on the bill of 10% (but that amount is almost always expected unless you had a terrible experience).

Price of an average trip to the grocery store

For those who prefer to save money and start cooking, it is necessary to read the next section carefully. The prices of grocery stores in Chile do not differ too much from American prices.

The supermarket chain with the lowest prices is Lider (owned by the Walmart corporation). For a wider selection–but higher prices–head instead to a Jumbo . The mini market and other small local shops should be used only for quick trips to replace necessities because they have higher prices and they are not well supplied.

Farmers’ markets (ferias) are generally cheaper, especially if you buy in quantity.

Here are some of the costs of basic products, to give you an idea of local prices:

• Lettuce: $1 USD
• 1 kg of bananas: $1.20 USD
• 1 dozen eggs: $2.30 USD
• 1 kg of rice: $1.20 USD
• 1 kg of bread: $1.20 USD
• 1 liter of milk: $1 USD

Bars and cafes

In bars and cafes prices vary greatly depending on affluent or touristic districts.

Generally speaking, a schop (half a pint of beer) costs $3.25 USD.

Unlike in the U.S., here craft beers are often cheaper than the big imported brands, and they are delicious! A bottle of foreign beer costs on average $3.70 USD per 12 oz.

In Chile, there is no tax on local wines, which makes the price of a glass or bottle of wine much cheaper! An average bottle of wine will only cost you about $12 USD. A glass (which is also much more generous than in the US), is worth an average of $6 USD.

A cappuccino will cost you about $2.50 USD and a Coca-Cola , only a little more than $1 USD.

Tourist activities and excursions

In the realm of tourism activities, there is no rule that applies everywhere. The majority of national parks have entrance fees.

Here is a non-exhaustive list of the cost of entry to some of the most famous natural parks:

Torres de Paine National Park: 21,000 CLP ($26 USD) per adult and 6,000 CLP ($7.50 USD) per child (valid for several days).

Valley of the Moon in Atacama: 5,000 CLP per person ($6.20 USD).

Rainbow Valley: 3,000 CLP per person ($3.70 USD).

Geysers del Tatio: 10,000 CLP per person ($12.30 USD).

In terms of the guided excursions , the prices vary according to your needs and wishes. The cheapest option will always be a group tour with a Spanish-speaking guide. Prices will increase with an English-speaking guide. The smaller the number of participants, the more expensive the activity will be. A tour with a private English-speaking guide in their car will therefore be the least economical option, but surely the highest quality and most informative. It’s up to you to choose what suits you!

"Je préfère conseiller à mes voyageurs de prendre un guide privé francophone sur le désert d'Atacama que en Patagonie. En effet, le sud du pays de manière générale se prête bien à la location de voiture car les routes sont globalement en bon état et la conduite est sûre"

Now you know more about the cost and budget to plan for your trip to Chile. But to really organize your finances according to the type of trip you desire, let’s move on to specifically focus on a small budget and an all-inclusive trip with an agency.

Chile on the cheap

Attention all adventurers, backpackers , and any globetrotters or those planning a tour of South America: we will now talk about your project!

In our experience, the longest trips to Chile are often one leg of a larger world tour or a big trip throughout Latin America. Some celebrate their honeymoon, others their graduation or a well-deserved gap year.

Inevitably, this kind of trip is special Your overall budget is fixed and it’s challenging dividing that amount up properly by country. Or, want to do as many activities as possible without breaking the bank.

So, how can you achieve this trip? I’ll give you my advice in the rest of this blog post.

Here are my tips for a great trip lasting 3, 4, or 5 weeks in Chile on a tight budget :

• Take night buses instead of planes. This is the more economical and comfortable option.
• As a couple, opt for double rooms in hostels. The prices are often more appealing than in hotels.
• Travel slow. Discover must-see sights and destinations at a slower pace, for example on foot or by bike. You’ll avoid tourists, access hidden sites, and do treat your wallet gently. My favorite excursion: the Ojos del Salar by bike!
• Opt for discovering Patagonia by van. You will avoid overpriced hotels and wake up next to the glaciers… what could be better? If you want access to a map of all free camping and parking sites in Chile at no cost, contact us below!
• Cook yourself! It may seem obvious, but your food budget will be cut in half if you choose accommodation or van with a kitchen. You can indulge more than you might be able to in upscale restaurants!
• Forget about taxis! Download the Metro de Santiago app and you will be ready to explore the city by metro and bus. Public transport in the capital is well developed and safe (just watch out for pickpockets).
• Stray off the beaten path . The most touristic destinations are often the most expensive, so why not go to the far north or the Elqui Valley?
• Do not take the altitude lightly . In northern Chile, the elevation rises rapidly. The secret to a successful trip? Good acclimatization to altitude. So take your time traveling and gradually climb in elevation from site to site.
• Spend half a day with a guide on Easter Island. Even though being accompanied throughout your exploration remains ideal, with a short guided tour you will already learn the essentials of the history and culture of the Polynesian island.
• If a tour is necessary, opt for group excursions in Spanish. The price will be cheaper and you will be able to brush up on the local language.
• Have you thought about combining your trip in Chile with Uyuni (in Bolivia)? Depart from San Pedro in adventure mode with a tour. Economical and complete, it is the most whirlwind tour there is. You are sure to meet other likeminded travelers in your 4×4!

On average, frequent backpacker travelers spend 1 month in Chile. Their average budget for the 4 weeks is $1,240 USD per person.

For 3 budget-friendly weeks in Chile, the average price of the trip does not differ much (often because travelers want to have the same experience but pack them in a shorter time period), because it adds up to around $1,200 USD per person.

At Travel Coach Chile, we often help adventurers organize their stop in the Atacama Desert. I want to remind you that in the desert there are many unique activities to take advantage of that will lead you to the most beautiful hidden corners in an authentic way far from the crowds.

For an average of 13 days in the Atacama Desert, we offer a safe itinerary filled with authentic experiences for about $116 USD per day per person (based on a party of 2 travelers).

An organized trip to Chile

Now let’s move on to seasoned travelers who prefer to enlist help in organizing their trip to Chile and enjoy high-quality experiences.

To get an idea of the budget of a trip to Chile, I will provide you with some examples.

• The average budget for a comfortable 3-week trip to the north and south of Chile: $185 USD per day per person based on a party of 2 people.
• For a comfortable trip to Easter Island, the travel budget is $232 USD per person per day on average (based on 2 people).
• The average budget for an all-inclusive trip to Patagonia in both Chile and Argentina is $220 USD per day per person (based on 2 people).
• Luxurious getaways that venture to Tierra del Fuego and Ushuaia are around $278 USD per day per person (based on two people).

But at TravelCoachChile, no two quotes are the same! Each of our tour plans costs the price the traveler has chosen. Then, we create an itinerary together, packed with the ideal discoveries according to the budget and desires of each traveler. Our itineraries include domestic flights, accommodations, transportation, guides, and activities. In short, it’s an almost all-inclusive formula.

Let's design together your perfect trip !

Faites appel à notre équipe pour vous concocter le voyage de vos rêves !

Fondatrice de l'agence et co-auteure de ce guide de voyage. Elle sillonne le pays intensément depuis 2016 et partage ses coups de coeur et bons conseils avec les voyageurs depuis l'ouverture de l'agence en 2018.

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We are a local travel agency, TravelCoachChile , specializing in tailor-made trips to Chile and Argentina. On this blog, we share tips for your itinerary preparation . We also recommend that you explore our destination pages and favorite itineraries . And when you’re ready, fill out our form to start planning your trip . In the meantime, take the time to discover our values and commitments that make our agency unique .

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What Does a Chile Trip Cost? A Full Rundown

This post may contain affiliate links, meaning if you buy or book through one of these links, I may earn a small commission .

Wondering what it would cost to take a trip to the South American nation of Chile? Perhaps you’d like to road trip through the Atacama Desert or sip wine in the Colchagua Valley?

Having just returned from a ten-day trip exploring this gorgeous country with my husband, I am sharing all the financial tips you need to know for planning your own budget. For each expense category, I will first share what we actually paid. Then I will explain if we overpaid or any hacks to make it cheaper (like when we missed our flight to Calama and had to buy another one).

As a numbers gal who just completed their 11th tax season as a CPA, I love digging into and analyzing our expenses after a trip. With that spirit, let’s go ahead and review the breakdown of our expenses so you can estimate the cost of your own Chile trip!

Here is our actual Chile Trip Cost (in USD):

The above shows our actual expenses paid for a ten-day trip to Chile broken down as follows:

• 3 days in the Atacama Desert
• 4 days in the Central Valley (mostly the Colchagua Valley wine region)
• 3 days in Santiago

We were supposed to have spent 4 days in the Atacama Desert and 2 days in Santiago. However, the missed flight mentioned in the intro delayed us overnight in Santiago.

I would consider this to be a moderate budget with some splurges, particularly on food and wine. Many factors will make our actual expenses higher or lower than yours will be, which I am discussing below. I’ve also broken out some other miscellaneous Chile-related expenses we had in a separate box, since they weren’t necessarily travel-related and you may not have them.

Now we’ll dive into each category for explanations of our Chile costs, money-saving tips, and suggestions for worthwhile splurges.

Travel Savvy Tip

Don’t look at this budget as a lump sum! That’s the quickest way to get intimidated and assume Chile is unattainable. The truth is, you won’t pay the full amount at once. You’ll buy your flight and lodging right away, and then likely pay nothing for a few months.

Once it gets closer to your trip, you’ll start looking at tours you may want to do, as well as make restaurant reservations. When you get back home from your trip, you’ll pay off any remaining vacay expenses you’ve incurred.

Breaking it into chunks like this is a much more approachable way to afford the cost of a trip to Chile!

Chile Trip Cost Breakdown:

$1,646.76 ($388.51 relates to a flight we had to repurchase)

The above amount reflects amounts paid for flights for both myself and Aaron for a fall trip to Chile during shoulder season. This number contains several components:

• Cleveland to Santiago on Delta (round trip with layover in Atlanta): $714.25. This is an overall good price for a flight to Chile, possibly due to booking it outside of high season and over ten months in advance. On top of that, we only paid for my flight and used credit card points to cover Aaron’s.
• Santiago to Calama on LATAM (round trip): $394. This is a domestic flight within Chile to visit the Atacama Desert.
• Santiago to Calama on LATAM (round trip): $388.51. We sadly missed our flight out of Santiago due to a delay in Atlanta. Since we booked our Delta and LATAM flights separately (it is possible to put them on one itinerary), we had to rebook and pay for another flight .
• Switched to an earlier flight time from Atlanta back to Cleveland on Delta: $150. This helped us avoid a five-hour layover and allowed us to arrive back home on time to pick up our dog.

Solo travelers can expect to pay around $1,000 (factoring in seasonality + no missed flights or changes!). All travelers should read these tips to avoid overpaying for flights:

• Be flexible with your travel days. Weekend flights can be crazy expensive. Play around with searching different departure and arrival days on Google Flights , and you’ll be amazed what a difference that can make.
• Travel during the low season (March through November – remember that seasons are opposite in South America), when there is an overall drop in prices.
• Last but not least, the tip that has helped us the most:  Sign up for a credit card with travel rewards points. We’ve gotten countless free flights thanks to our cards, simply due to points earned on every day purchases. We’ve had great experiences using both the  Capital One Venture  and the  Chase Sapphire Reserve .

Transportation

If you are looking to explore Chile outside of just Santiago (and you’d be crazy not to), plan on utilizing public buses and guided tours or renting a car. My husband and I opted for the latter to reach sights around San Pedro de Atacama and the Colchagua Valley wine region.

We also spent a couple days wandering Santiago, which was very walkable with a good metro system. Here is a breakdown of our expenses:

• Rental Cars: $464.31. We rented a car for three days in San Pedro de Atacama and for four days in the Colchagua wine region.
• Gas: $192.95. You can expect a lot of driving in the sprawling Atacama Desert if you don’t choose to sightsee via guided tours. We also drove all over the Central Valley since we stayed in Rengo and had to commute about an hour to reach the best Colchagua Valley wineries.
• Parking: $0. Everywhere we went had free parking, including at our hotel in Santiago .
• Metro: $24.36. Aaron and I each bought a pass with 10 metro rides. This was the perfect amount for two days of exploring.
• Taxi/Uber/Lyft: $156.02. We paid going to and from our home airport, as well as to and from the Santiago airport twice. My husband also took an additional Uber trip to drop off the rental car, since we didn’t need it while exploring Santiago.
• International Driver’s License: $36.20. Having one is a legal requirement to drive in Chile, but don’t be surprised if no one asks you for it. Since Aaron was the only driver during this trip, he got his international driver’s license at our local AAA .

Solo travelers with similar plans can expect to pay a similar amount, except they would only need one metro pass. However, a solo trip is likely to have different plans. For example, I don’t like to go to wineries alone, so probably would have skipped this part of the trip or taken a day trip to the Maipo Valley (the Napa of Chile) from Santiago instead.

Aaron and I stayed in an array of hotels during our time in Chile. This includes two different hotels in Santiago, since we missed our flight to Calama on day one and couldn’t get a flight out until the next morning. The places where we stayed were moderately priced and overall really nice, well-located, and comfortable!

The Airbnb we booked in the Central Valley was slightly more splurgy because we opted for a unique winery stay . Otherwise, we generally spent well under $200 USD a night. Here is the breakdown:

• Casa Solcor in San Pedro de Atacama: $673.52
• Airbnb in Rengo: $798.82
• Hotels in Santiago: $157.68 for Casa Bueros (we used Marriott rewards for the other ).

Solo travelers can expect to pay the same amount for similar sized rooms at the same hotels. However, one person typically requires less space and could opt for a smaller room. There are also plenty of hostels throughout Chile for thrifty travelers to enjoy.

Eating in during your travels can help keep costs down; especially if you’re staying somewhere with a kitchen. We took advantage of this at our Airbnb in Rengo, as the winery was a super atmospheric setting for home-cooked meals like burgers and steak. We even paired our dinners with wines we’d purchased during the day’s explorations!

This is the only instance where we grocery shopped in Chile. We mostly ate out in San Pedro de Atacama and Santiago, besides when our hotel provided us with sandwiches for our early morning desert adventures.

Solo travelers can expect to pay $30 or less. Personally, I almost never eat in when I solo travel.

Food & Drink

Aaron and I consider ourselves to be foodies and never hesitate to try all the local cuisine when we travel. There were a lot of days where we were pretty budget conscience, but also times where we splurged on awesome eating experiences.

Here is the breakdown of what we spent dining out based on where we were staying. You’ll see we spent the most while enthusiastically trying all the food in Santiago.

• Airport Food: $50.76. This is after applying $50 from our Priority Pass .
• San Pedro de Atacama: $173.80. We relied on Cliff Bars from home for breakfast, sandwiches provided by the hotel for lunch, and avoided alcohol while adjusting to the altitude.
• Central Valley: $364.25. Although our Airbnb provided breakfast each morning, we had a few splurgy dining experiences in this wine region. The first was at El Encuentro in Rengo and the second was at Fuegos de Apalta at the Montes winery.
• Santiago: $534.62. If you are a foodie, your wallet will be in danger while exploring Santiago because you’ll want to try everything. There are cafes galore, breweries, funky neighborhoods like Bellavista, and upscale Peruvian joints with incredible seafood.

Solo travelers visiting similar restaurants can expect to pay half of what we did as a couple, or around $550. However, I find that I usually spend much less than this while traveling alone because I forgo high-end eateries and cocktails.

Now for the most memorable part of your trip: the activities! These can really drive up costs, depending on what you do. I won’t hide the fact that the majority of what we spent in this category was at wineries.

If you don’t share our love of wine and don’t otherwise plan to book a lot of guided tours, it’s possible to be pretty frugal in this category. Simply stick to outdoorsy activities! Also, note that many of Santiago’s museums are free to visit.

Here is a breakdown of what we spent:

• Laguna Baltinache Tour (Atacama): $95.80
• Laguna Baltinache Entrance Fee (Atacama): $22.00
• Laguna Baltinache Tip for Guide (Atacama): $4.40
• Piedras Rojas (Atacama): $22.37
• Laguna Chaxa to see Flamingos (Atacama): $17.21
• Tatio Geysers (Atacama): $17.60
• Valle de La Luna (Atacama): $22.00
• Viña Vik Winery Tour: $80.54
• Viña Tipaume Winery Tour: $80.00
• Viña Neyen Winery Tour: $71.05
• Viña Ventisquero Winery Tour: $81.68
• Viña Laura Hartwig Winery Tour: $75.36
• Viña Montes Winery Tour: $106.01
• PreColumbian Art Museum (Santiago): $22.37
• Tips for Santiago “Free” Walking Tour (Santiago): $44.00
• Funicular de Santiago Cable Car (Santiago): $17.22

Solo travelers can expect to pay $390 for the same activities.

You’ll probably have to pay for an international plan so your phone works in Chile. With Verizon, I pay $10 for every day I use cellular data abroad. It’s a bit pricey, but worth it for how often I rely on my phone for Google Maps and last minute restaurant searches.

When I travel with Aaron, he keeps his phone on airplane mode so that we only pay this price for one person.

Chile Trip Cost: Miscellaneous Expenses

• Shopping: $271.23 This price includes three wine purchases, a locally-made wide-brimmed hat, and a souvenir Starbucks mug.
• Laundry: $12.71 This was the price for ONE LOAD of laundry at Viña Tipaume, not including the dryer since we line-dried to avoid paying another $30 . Yes, I had sticker shock, as the Airbnb listing made it seem like it was included.
• Pet Boarding: $831.65 This price seems to get more exorbitant every year, but Aaron and I still find it best to board our rescue dog Bennie during our travels. There is a kennel at our vet office that he’s been staying at for years and is super comfortable at, so it doesn’t make sense to shop around. We’d love to leave him with family or friends for free, but he unfortunately picks fights with their dogs. The things we do for our pets…

While traveling to Chile certainly adds up, there are many opportunities to save money on your own trip cost. For example, not needing to rebook a missed flight will already save you close to $400! If you plan a lot of outdoorsy activities in the Atacama Desert and take advantage of free museums in Santiago, it’s possible for your money to go pretty far.

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A Guide to Travelling in Chile on a Budget

Tourists travelling south through Latin America should be forewarned about the impending hit their wallets will take when passing through Chile . Though you shouldn’t become accustomed to the low prices in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru and Bolivia, you also don’t need to completely avoid the incredible country of Chile and with these few tips for shaving off some pesos here and there, you’ll be able to stay on track with a reasonable budget.

Time is money.

One of the reasons you’ll be paying more for travel in Chile is because, simply put, transportation functions more efficiently there. Busses leave on time, often arriving early to their destinations, and are of better quality due to the competition between companies. One way to shave a few pesos off your travel expenses is to study bus departure times since some bus lines and routes do not have a flat rate and will cost more during peak hours. If you have no need to be somewhere at an exact time, opt for the cheapest departure.

Save your seat

As with departure times, some of the more well-known bus lines (like Tur Bus) will have drastically varying prices depending on the location of your seat, regardless if it’s a luxury reclining seat or just a normal bus seat. Normally, seats at the front of the bus will be one price, seats in the middle another, and seats in the back will be the cheapest with prices upwards of 50% off the most expensive ticket. The ride might be a little bumpier and you may be sitting near the bathroom, but the money you’ll save will be worth the minor discomfort in the end. When purchasing your ticket, ask if you can see the seat pricing and don’t be shy about asking for the cheapest available seat.

Tap the tap

The north of Chile is known as being one of the driest places in the world and since you’ll eventually start feeling parched, your water bottle will become your best friend. If you’ve arrived to Chile from Bolivia or Peru, you’ll be used to buying big jugs of water that last for several days but almost all major towns in Chile have purified tap water. Since you’ll need to drink approximately two litres of water a day and a litre bottle of water costs $2 USD, drinking Chile’s tap water will save you up to $30 USD a week. You can even bring a bottle of tap water to avoid buying soda or beer when you go out to eat.

Break cheap

It’s difficult to find a hostel in Chile that offers dorm beds under $13 to $15 USD a night, but you can find a selection of them that include breakfast. Read hostel reviews when you’re booking to find out which places offer an open selection of cereals, breads, fruit, porridge and eggs (even if you have to prepare your meal yourself) because filling up on the most important meal of the day will help you cut costs on your meals later on.

Taxis are a terrific way to hack away at your daily budget, but if you find yourself completely lost or unsure of where you are, what other option do you have? Keep tabs on where you are and where you’re going with the Google Offline Maps application or with Maps.Me . These applications allow you to download an in-depth map of a region when you have an internet connection and will track your location via GPS when you’re no longer connected. This way, you can search for your desired destination when there’s no WiFi and get an estimate of the fastest walking route. You’ll never have to waste money on a taxi again.

Market on your map

If you’re staying somewhere for a short period of time and therefore don’t need to buy a ton of groceries, you can save a lot of money by filling up on fruits, veggies, meats or even an authentic and reasonably priced meal at any local market. These markets always have the freshest and cheapest produce and food courts that cater to the locals, allowing you to spend a lot less money without skipping a satiating meal. And don’t forget—in Chile, tipping is not necessary.

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In reality, not every tour is worth doing and not every museum is worth visiting , depending on the type of person you are and where your interests lie. Picking and choosing the tours, museums and sights that really interest you is the best way to make the most of your days and not fall into excessive spending. Travelling shouldn’t be a chore and signing up for every tour purely because you fear you’ll be missing out on something will tire you and run your bank account dry. Be true to yourself, do the things that really make you excited and take advantage of free museums, parks, ‘tips only’ walking tours and monuments where a guided tour isn’t necessary.

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Chile Travel Guide

Your ultimate chile travel guide, with tips, and things to see and things to do in chle. great for first-time and returning travelers..

Located in southern South America between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Chile is a great place to vacation.

From glaciers and volcanoes, mountains and lakes, to beaches and deserts, Chile offers a wide range of landscapes and exciting places to explore.

See the Mars-like desert at the Atacama Desert or visit penguins and beautiful channels in Chiloé Island. A perfect place for adventurers, Chile is also home to booming metropolitan cities like Santiago for those who want to see more culture and shops.

There are many things to do and see in Chile.

This Chile travel guide will help you plan your next vacation. 

Popular City Guides

• Torres del Paine National Park – 5 Days in Patagonia
• Easter Island

Our Highlight

Table of contents

Table of Contents

Fast Facts about Chile

• Power voltage is 220V at 50 Hz.
• Chile’s currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP) and 1 CLP is equal to 0.0014 USD.
• The best way to get around Chile is by bus or car.
• You do not need a tourist visa to enter Chile, just a valid US passport. When entering, you will be issued a Tourist Card that is valid for up to 90 days.
• Two popular network providers in Chile are Entel and Movistar. You can purchase a SIM card through either of these networks by visiting a local grocery store, kiosk, or at the Santiago International Airport.
•  Chile has a sales tax rate of 19%.

Things to See and Do in Chile

• Trekking in Patagonia  – One of the top places in the world for trekking. Be sure to do the Torres del Paine Trek.
• Geyser del Tatio :  See one of the largest geyser fields in the world at El Tatio. Get an early start to see the steam rise against the sunrise and experience breathtaking views.
• Atacama Desert :  Travel west of the Andes Mountains to see the driest desert in the world. Described by many as like being on Mars, experience 600 miles of vast natural beauty and see an abundance of flora, fauna, rock formations, salt lakes, and llamas.
• Chiloé Island:  Take a day trip to this island in southern Chile. See penguins, blue dolphins, waterfalls, and 17th-century churches (including The Church of San Francisco), as well as beautiful trails and views of the Chacao Channel.
• Grey Lake:  See massive blue glaciers up close on the Grey Lake. Take a boat trip along the lake and see stunning glaciers while being surrounded by beautiful mountain views. Make sure to bring a camera.

Chile Travel Guides

• Easter Island: Why Are There Giant Statues on a Mysterious Pacific Island
• Salar de Tara an Extraordinary Trip in the Atacama Desert

Accommodation

Budget  – Chile offers a range of backpacker hostels at around 2,200 to 4,500 Chilean Pesos per night and includes shared kitchens, lockers, laundry services, free Wi-Fi, and lounge areas. Many of these hostels are also centrally located.

Mid Rang e – For mid-range hotels, expect to pay between 5,000 to 7,000 Chilean Pesos per night. Enjoy private rooms and suites, housekeeping services, outdoor pools, hotel dining, and complimentary breakfast.

High End  – Upscale hotels can go from 10,000 to 450,000 Chilean Pesos per night. These luxury hotels offer the best of Chile and come with refined suites, thermal pools and spas, multiple restaurants and bars, private terraces, and more. The Vik Chile Hotel even comes with its own winery.

Check out our favorite booking platforms Booking.com , Tripadvisor and VRBO for the best deals on accommodation.

The Chilean cuisine favors seafood, fresh fruit and vegetables, and chicken or beef. Pastel de Choclo (corn casserole with meat stuffing) and Empanadas (meat, cheese, or mussels-filled pastry) are both popular dishes.

Chile also has a variety of street vendors to choose from.

The La Vega market in Santiago is one of the most popular places to try fresh, authentic Chilean cuisine.

Once you’re ready to sit down and relax, Chile also offers many restaurants and cafes. In total, expect to pay around 13,000 Chilean Pesos per day for food. 

The Best Ways to Get Around Chile

Getting to chile:.

Getting to Chile:  The Santiago International Airport is Chile’s largest airport is just under 10 miles from downtown Santiago.

Flights:   You can check for the best flights to Santiago on   Skyscanner .

Transportation:

Train:  Santiago and Valparaiso both have train systems that run through the city and connect to surrounding areas. You can take a train from Santiago to San Fernando in roughly 1.5 hours. In addition, Santiago also has its own subway system that runs frequently

Buses : Chile offers many buses that operate frequently and run throughout the country.  Expect to pay roughly 600 Chilean Pesos for shorter trips, or 2,000 to 3,000 Chilean Pesos for longer trips. 

Taxis :  

Car Rental:  To rent a car in Chile, you will need to be at least 18 years old and have an International Driver’s License. Prices start at around 35,000 Chilean Pesos per day. Taxis are also available and typically start at a flat rate of 300 Chilean Pesos, with an additional 1,000 Chilean Pesos per mile.

You can also compare  prices here

When to go To Chile

The best time to visit depends on your destination and what you want to do there.

The seasons in Chile are flipped from the US, so summer is between December and February, while winter is June to August.

If you want to go to the Santiago mountains to ski, for, example, June-August is an excellent time to go.

If you’re heading south to Patagonia, October to March will be the warmest time to go. For those who want more of a summer vacation, go to Santiago between December and February, when the hotel rates drop, and temperatures range from 60 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit.

Where to Stay in Chile

Casa Bueras Boutique Hotel:   Come visit this romantic hotel in Santiago. Enjoy numerous amenities, including bicycle rental, outdoor pool, blackout curtains, private balconies, and complimentary breakfast. Right outside the hotel are numerous restaurants, city tours, and the nature park. 

Hotel Nilahue :  Stay right across the beautiful Reñaca beach at this relaxed hotel in Viña del Mar. Enjoy ocean views, a sun terrace, an outdoor pool, and top-quality service during your stay. The Viña Del Car Casino and the Quinta Vergara Art Museum are both nearby. 

Wyndham Garden Concepción:  This four-star hotel offers a prime location to explore the city of Concepción. Complimentary breakfast, an outdoor pool, the hotel restaurant and bar, and free Wi-Fi are all included with this hotel. Once you’ve settled in, step outside to the nearby attractions, including local parks and museums.

What to Pack for Chile

• Layers:  As Chile has a variety of climates, packing layers will prepare you for any weather.
• Sunscreen:  Protect your skin from the beautiful sun with some sunscreen.
• Hiking Boots:  With so many outdoor activities, a pair of sturdy hiking boots will keep you comfortable.
• Layers: Be prepared no matter the weather by bringing clothes with layers.
• Waterproof Coat: As it can rain, a waterproof coat is a good item to bring.
• For winter travel to Canada, check out our tips for how to survive the winter deep freeze.
• Dress in layers and be prepared for cool nights, (even in the summer and especially in the mountains.
• How to Pack for a winter vacation read – Travel Tips for Winter Packing

Chile Travel Guide: Best Booking Resources

Whenever we travel to we make sure to start with these companies. We have tried a lot of different ones over the years and all of these have consistently proven to be the best when it comes to offering great prices.

We have used every one of these personally and continue to do so.

• Booking.com : This is our go site to when comparing prices for accommodation. It usually has the cheapest prices, especially in Europe and we love their interface. Not to mention you get free cancellation and you are guaranteed the best price.
• Trip Advisor :  What we like about Trip Advisor is that we can look at all the reviews and then book our accommodation. TripAdvisor is where we go when we want to compare prices with multiple accommodation providers.
• VRBO : is the main search engine we use when we are looking for a home or apartment rental. It can sometimes be cheaper than hotels and it is the best way to stay in areas that offer a more local feel.
• Hostelworld :  With one of the largest databases of hostels in the world, Hostelworld is the go-to site when you are looking for budget accommodation.
• Skyscanner : This is the first place we check for flights. It consistently comes back with the cheapest and best options. It allows us to compare a lot of airlines to get the best price.
• Rome 2 Rio :  If you want to see how to get somewhere by plane, train, bus, ferry or car Rome2Rio lays it all out for you as well as related costs.I love how they show it all to you on a Google Map and it works offline.
• Get Your Guide:  For all your day trip and city guide needs, we use Get Your Guide. It has the world’s largest collection of things to do with more than 30,000 activities in 7500 destinations.
• World Nomads Insurance:  When traveling to Italy you should always have travel insurance. We have found the best bang for your buck is by far World Nomads.

Chile Travel Guide: Related Articles

To browse all our articles about chile, click here.

Best Things to do in San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

23 Best Things to do In Santiago, Chile

Torres del Paine W Trek – Chilean Patagonia

Ultimate CHILE Travel Guide

Chile is a country located in South America .  Santiago is the capital and it is a country known for its culture, natural wonders, and diversity. Our Chile travel guide is here to help you see the best it offers.

Don’t let the skinny strip of Chile on the map fool you into thinking there isn’t much there. If you love adventure and wild landscapes, Chile delivers that and so much more.

The most famous area is Patagonia and if you like hiking, Torres del Paine is world-famous. Nearby Punta Arenas offers glaciers and penguins too.

For elevation, salt flats, flamingos, geysers and volcanoes, head north to the Atacama Desert. This area blew our minds and we couldn’t believe we had overlooked it on previous trips to South America.

Also, if you didn’t know, Easter Island is politically part of Chile. While we classify it as part of Oceania, the best way to access this intriguing place is from Santiago.

Destinations

Chile travel: quick tips, don’t visit chile without:.

UNIVERSAL TRAVEL ADAPTER

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REUSABLE WATER BOTTLE

START PLANNING YOUR TRIP!

Where to stay in chile.

Below you will find some of the places we have stayed during our travels in Chile. These are individual properties that we enjoyed and would recommend to other travelers.

HOW TO GET AROUND IN CHILE

Anyone looking to travel to Chile will likely fly into Santiago and connect to the other airports across the country. From any city connected by airplane, it is possible to use public transportation to see the city or take buses further afield.

Many people choose to engage in group tours or day tours to get around and see things in Chile. It is also possible to rent a car and plan a road trip that takes you further afield and out of the city.

TOP CHILE TOURS

HIGHLIGHTS OF CHILE

9 Days Santiago to Buenos Aires Visits: Santiago, Valparaiso, Pucon, Bariloche & Estancia

TORRES DEL PAINE – W TREK

6 Days from Puerto Natales Visits: Fully catered trek on the famous W route in Patagonia

EASTER ISLAND INDEPENDENT

4 Days from Hanga Roa Visits: Hanga Roa & Rapa Nui National Park

PLAN YOUR TRIP LIKE A SEASONED PRO!

Chile travel: booking resources, chile travel guide: related articles.

Looking for more info? Check out all the articles we’ve written on travel to Chile and start planning your dream trip.

How to Visit Easter Island: Essential Planning Guide

9 things to do & places to visit in san pedro de atacama, rapa nui national park: moai of easter island, explora atacama: salta to san pedro de atacama travesia.

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Mini travel guide to Chile, useful tips and information

Home » Blog » America » Chile » Mini travel guide to Chile, useful tips and information

Chile is probably the most European-like country in Latin America, and although there are certain differences between regions, it is also the most developed country there. When you look at the map, you will see that Chile has a very narrow shape. Nevertheless, since it is also very long in North-South direction, there are many different climate zones, and hence different types of landscapes in Chile.

Just as in the case of traveling to Argentina , you also have to plan your trip well, when you travel to Chile. The reason is that you will cover huge distances, and improvising can cost you a lot of extra money. In order to make the organization of your travel to Chile on a budget easier, we have prepared this short guide based on our travel experiences in this fascinating country.

How to organize your trip Chile

Chile can be traveled through from North to South, and just like in other South American countries, you will have to put together everything on your own, since in hostels or hotels they don’t help you with the organization of your trip (this is not Southeast Asia). If you travel to Chile on a budget, your transport will be the bus most of the time, and quite often you will spend many hours on these buses. Flying is too expensive for budget travelers, although some people fly from Santiago to the Atacama Desert or to Patagonia to avoid the very long bus ride. We haven’t caught any planes in Chile, but we also visited this country together with Argentina, and hence we crossed the border between the two countries several times. Actually, we caught a flight to Easter Island, which also belongs to Chile (it’s hard to think about that island as Chile), and of course there’s no another reasonable way to get there.

When to go to Chile

If you plan to travel to Chile, you have to consider that the only time of the year when you can really enjoy the wonders of the Chilean Patagonia  is during the Summer months, between December and the beginning of March. You will still find cold and quite unpredictable weather, and many times you will enjoy the four seasons on the same day. In this part of Chile, especially if you plan to hike in the Torres del Paine National park, it’s very important to pack for all possible weather conditions .

You can visit the central region of Chile (Santiago de Chile and its surroundings) during the whole year. In summer the weather will be more pleasant, but we spent there some time in winter, and the weather was OK.

In the North , the climate in the Atacama Desert does not vary too much throughout the year. The weather is quite warm during the day, and it becomes cool at night. Don’t expect any rain in this area, since in some parts it never rains for years.

Vaccines and medicine

Since it is the most developed country in South America, there is not any vaccine that should be taken before traveling to Chile. Tap water is not drinkable everywhere, but it’s better to ask information about that. Just as in the case of other countries, the best you can do is to ask for information in a  travel clinic in your country, where they will provide you with all the necessary information.

Travel insurance

Although it is not very probable to have any serious health problems when you travel to Chile, it is always important to you have a good travel insurance to avoid unexpected costs.

Visa for Chile

Similarly to Argentina, Spanish and most Western citizens can travel to Chile without the necessity of having a Visa. You only need your passport to be valid for 3 months at least, and if you fill in the immigration form, your passport will be stamped without any fee. According to official information, it’s possible that they ask you to demonstrate that you have a ticket certifying that you leave the country or that you have enough money to cover your travel expenses (it never happened to us).

When you travel to Chile, it’s highly unlikely that you have any problem at the passport control, nevertheless customs officers are very strict, especially if you plan to enter on land from Argentina or even more if you come from Bolivia. They try to protect themselves from contaminated food; bacteria and fungi coming in with agricultural products. On the Bolivian border they do quite thorough control to avoid drug smuggling. In any case, be patient, since in most Chilean land borders you will wait for some time.

Costs of your travel to Chile

Chile is the most developed country in South America, and it is also one of the most expensive. The prices are similar to what you can find in Europe, and in many cases the price we found was significantly higher than what we pay for the same thing in Spain. Nevertheless, it was still easier for us to travel in Chile on a budget, than in Argentina. The transport and accommodation have similar prices in both countries, but in Chile it is easier to have a decent meal for the same money. They have set meals in local restaurants, which are usually cheap and good at the same time. In Chile you can also find fish and seafood for relatively little money, and then there are empanadas and sandwiches as lifesavers just like in Argentina (although these are better in the neighboring country).

Apart from some places relatively far from the civilization, in all accommodations in Chile and in most restaurants you can have free Wi-Fi, so you won’t have problems of connection.

Chile is found in the UTC-3 time zone, apart from Easter Island, which is located in the UTC-5 time zone.

Just as in the most of South America, the official language in Chile is Spanish with some typical vocabulary and accent, certainly. Chilean people talk quite quickly between each other and they use a lot of colloquial forms, which makes it more difficult to understand them at first. As in South America in general, English is not well spoken in Chile, either. We recommend you to take a basic Spanish course before you travel to Chile.

The local currency in Chile is the Chilean peso, which is relatively stable. At the moment 1 euro is around 700 pesos.

Chile is the safest country in Latin America, and in fact we haven’t seen and haven’t heard about any violent actions while we were traveling there. They say that in certain neighborhoods of the capital, thefts are quite common, but where we moved around, Chile seemed to be a very safe and calm country. As a matter of fact, when you travel to Chile, you have to be much more worried about natural elements than people. Earthquakes are quite frequent in Chile and every few years happens quite a big one.  In addition, since the country has a long Pacific coast, earthquakes are usually followed by tsunamis, which have caused a lot of damage during the country’s history. Chile is also full of active volcanoes, which erupt every now and then, covering the surroundings with ash. When we traveled around Chile, in many places we saw signs that showed the evacuation route in the case of a natural disaster.

Where to sleep in Chile

In Chile there’s a wide selection of accommodation in the majority of touristic destinations. There’s no need to book your accommodation in advanced, apart from the first days of your trip.

In Santiago de Chile it’s better to book your hostel, since this city is too big for walking around with your backpack looking for accommodation. We recommend you to find a place close to one of the metro stations, hence you will find it easier to move around.

How to get around in Chile

Car If you plan to explore Chile, renting a car is a great option. It gives you the maximum liberty to move between the different areas.

Buses The only budget form of traveling in Chile is by bus. Even this way you will spend a lot of money on transport, since bus tickets are not cheap at all, and distances to cover are huge, especially in Patagonia or between Santiago and the Atacama Desert. At least, these buses are quite comfortable, and they usually offer you some hot beverages and biscuits on board.

Flights It’s not a viable alternative for those who travel to Chile on a budget, since there are no low cost companies in the country. As we heard from our Chilean friends, traveling for fun is an activity considered to be luxury, and prices are adjusted to that.

Where and what to eat in Chile

In Chile, apart from the 3 day trekking we did in the Torres del Paine National Park, we were not restricted to eating only sandwiches, empanadas or food bought in the supermarket. Even in the touristic areas, we were able to find local restaurants that offered cheap and good lunch deals with “cazuela de vacuno” (typical Chilean meat soup) and other simple, but tasty dishes. At a certain point during your travel to Chile, we recommend you to try “chorrillana”, a very unhealthy, but delicious dish with meat, eggs, onions and French fries. In Chile you will find fish and seafood at a reasonable price, and in some markets you can eat great seafood for little money.

Budget for your travel to Chile

In Chile we spent around 30 euros a day per person, including accommodation, transport, food and other activities. Nevertheless, we have to mention that many times we were hosted by friends and we used Couchsurfing a lot. This helped us to reduce costs and also to get to know places through the eyes of local people. We always looked for the cheapest hostels, we always traveled in Chile by bus, and ate in cheap local restaurants that offered set lunches or we bought fried empanadas and food in the supermarket.

When you travel to Chile, you will see that Chilean people are very friendly and you will find it quite easy to make friends, and it won’t be a surprise if you end up in a local festivity. We met several lovely Chilean people, and we are still in contact with some of them after years. Chilean bakery products are varied and tasty (German influence). Don’t forget to taste fish soup somewhere in Chile. Chilean people seemingly don’t get on well with their Argentinean neighbors, although this seemed to be more like a joke than a serious confrontation in most cases We hope that you found this brief guide helpful to organize your travel to Chile .

Looking for some good tips for a South American trip that also includes Chile? Check out this 30-day backpacking itinerary in South America .

Reader Interactions

Comentarios.

14/11/2019 at 22:26

I found this information very helpful. I’m heading to chile for the months of January and February retaining to the US the first week in March 2020. I am blessed that I am going to visit a friend who is going to provide for my accommodations. I hope we can get on a bus or a plane and go to Patagonia. If I can do that then I will have check something off my bucket list

14/01/2020 at 16:27

Chile is very attractive to me, but I did not have the opportunity to go there. It’s great that you shared your experience. I want to go to Chile, but I don’t know how safe such a trip is now … Thank you.

16/01/2020 at 15:03

Hi Tori! Chile is amongst the safest countries in South America, although some neighborhoods of the capital are known to be dangerous. thanks for your comment!

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Is chile expensive here’s how much our trip cost.

Chile is a country of incredible landscape diversity, with the world’s driest desert in the north, giant ice fields in the south, and so much more beauty in between. But how much does a Chile trip cost? Is Chile expensive? In this article, we break down our Chile travel costs after our 23-day journey through some of the country’s highlights. Read on below to find out what we spent on transport, food and drink, accommodation, activities and sundries, as well as some tools you can use to help plan your Chile budget and tips for saving money.

This article contains links to products and services we love, which we may make commission from at no extra cost to you.

In this article:

Update: latest costs and budgeting tools

This article breaks down the costs of our Chile trip in late 2017, which was part of a year-long travel career break . Even though it’s been some time since this trip, the details of our spending and how it compared to other countries in the region is still very relevant to answering the question: how much does a Chile trip cost?

We recorded everything we spent throughout the journey so we could analyse it and share the information with other travellers.

In this breakdown, we show our costs in US dollars. Since the time of our trip, costs have fluctuated a little due to inflation and movement in the currency exchange rates. So, while this guide gives a snapshot of the typical costs of travel in Chile, you may need to allow a little more budget, and we recommend keeping an eye on the latest exchange rates at xe.com .

There are also some helpful tools you can use to help plan your costs in specific regions of Chile, as we explore below.

Planning your Chile budget

We always use Budget Your Trip when planning our travel budgets. It’s a handy tool that provides cost estimates for pretty much any location in the world, giving useful breakdowns by different areas of spending.

Budget Your Trip is particularly useful for countries like Chile where prices vary a lot depending on the region, as you can explore estimated costs for different towns and cities. You can begin with the tool below and see estimated costs based budget, mid-range and luxury:

Quick tips for travelling in Chile on a budget

Before we get into the details of our own Chile trip cost, we’ve brought together a few useful tips for keeping costs down when travelling in the country. Many of these were lessons we learned from mistakes along the way:

• ATMs in Chile typically charge a withdrawal fee. When we visited pre-pandemic we could sometimes find ATMs in the main cities that didn’t charge, but we now hear these have mostly disappeared. When you do need to pay withdrawal fees, withdraw the maximum possible amount to keep them to a minimum (but be careful with the cash!). Read more on ATMs and fees in Chile here .
• Take overnight buses for long journeys – it’s a cheap form of transport and saves on accommodation costs. Check out our guide to taking overnight buses like a pro for some tips.
• Cook your own food! Local markets in Chile are a fun experience. Try and book into accommodation that has good kitchen facilities.
• Take free walking tours (but give the guides a tip!). For example, Tours 4 Tips run brilliant free walking tours in Santiago and Valparaíso.
• Look after your belongings – crime is generally low in Chile, but pickpockets and scammers do operate in tourist areas, especially Santiago and Valparaíso. Check out this article on how to avoid tourist scams in Chile for more insight.
• Make use of lunch deals in restaurants.
• Look for camping options, especially in Chilean Patagonia.
• Book accommodation and transport in advance, especially when travelling in Patagonia, where services can get booked up quickly.
• Look out for discounts on activities – we got a group discount for our Valle de la Luna tour in San Pedro de Atacama as we were in a group of six. 

What our Chile trip cost: an overview

In total we spent 23 days in Chile, including the capital Santiago and nearby coastal city Valparaíso ; San Pedro de Atacama and the Elqui Valley to the north; and Torres Del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia. This analysis covers our entire expenditure during this trip, including accommodation, transport, food and drink, activities and sundries.

Most of the money we spent was in the national currency, Chilean pesos. However, as I have outlined above, for formality I have converted all costs into US dollars. All the costs I have detailed are for two people given that we travel as a couple, but where relevant I have shown single unit costs.

Our travel style

Not everybody has the same travel style and budget, so let me tell you about ourselves to give all of this a little context. We are a couple from the UK in our mid-30s. Our backpacking adventures in Chile were part-way through a one-year, round-the-world travel career break.

We travel on a fairly mid-range budget. We are not luxury travellers by any means, but nor do we scrape by on a tiny budget – we like to save enough for trips so we can enjoy some comforts. We tend to prioritise activities and experiences with our spending, which means that we look for savings in other areas, such as transport and accommodation. We’d rather stay in hostels and take public transport if it means we can do more tours and eat great local food.

For a complete overview of what we spent on our entire travel career break, check out our article on how much it costs to travel the world .

The overall cost

Let’s cut straight to the big figure. During our 23 days and nights in Chile, we spent $2,697 , which equates to $1,348.50 each.

I must point out here that a large chunk of this spending in Chile went towards undertaking the W Trek hiking trail in Torres Del Paine National Park. The costs directly associated with this amounted to $600.60. That’s 22.7% of our total Chile spending, when the trail only took up 17.39% of the time.

To put it another way: our total daily costs in Chile were $117.26 for the two of us, but if you remove the W Trek our total daily costs were $110.33.

If you plan to head to Chilean Patagonia on your trip, our guide to hiking the W Trek includes the latest season’s costs associated with the trail, including entrance, transfers and accommodation.

It’s also worth noting that Chilean Patagonia in general was more expensive than the other parts of the country we visited. I cover that in more detail below. But, as you will see, regardless of whether or not we include the Patagonia segment of our trip, Chile was the most expensive of the seven countries we visited in South America.

Our basic Chile travel itinerary

Our journey through Chile was not completed in one single stretch. We crossed back and forth across the border several times between Chile and Argentina.

This creates some slightly grey areas when calculating the number of days we spent in the country and apportioning transport costs, but wherever there may be any confusion in the analysis I have outlined my methodology below.

This is an approximation of the amount of time we spent in each destination in Chile:

• San Pedro de Atacama: 5 days
• Santiago: 5 days (split between two visits)
• Valparaíso: 3 days
• Elqui Valley: 2 days
• Punta Arenas: 1 day
• Puerto Natales: 3 days
• Torres Del Paine W Trek: 4 days

For more details about our route, you can read our suggested itinerary for two weeks in north and central Chile .

Is Chile expensive compared to other South American countries?

In total, we visited seven countries in South America during a five-month trip: Peru, Bolivia, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay.

The graph below shows our basic travel living costs – food, drink and accommodation – in each country:

Chile was the most expensive country of our trip, with daily living costs of $ 76.65 . This is almost double our daily costs in the cheapest country we visited, Paraguay.

Note that even if we remove the W Trek costs from our daily spending in Chile and recalculate, it still remains the highest at $73.49 per day.

Chile travel costs by category

The graph below shows how our total Chile costs break down into different categories:

It’s interesting to note that in comparison to other countries in South America we have analysed, the basic living costs in Chile account for a much higher proportion of the total costs. The combination of food, drink and accommodation combined accounted for roughly two-thirds of our expenditure in the country

Less than 10% of our expenditure in Chile was on activities, whereas in Peru and Bolivia activities accounted for about half of what we spent. This is mainly because in Peru and Bolivia we did some big-ticket activities like hiking the Inca Trail and touring the Uyuni salt flats , whereas in Chile we had a great time doing lots of free or cheap activities like museums, walking tours, cycling and hiking.

Now, let’s take a closer look at each of these categories.

Accommodation costs in Chile

With the exception of four nights’ camping on the W Trek, we stayed in hostels everywhere we went in Chile.

We love hostels because they are cheap, great for meeting people and usually a fantastic source of information about the local area. But while we look for cheap rates wherever we can, we don’t compromise on certain factors such as location and security.

Our total expenditure on accommodation in Chile was $659.10 , of which $100.10 was for our campsites on the W Trek.

The average cost for hostels per person per night (PPPN) during our Chile trip was $14.72. Here’s a look at how that compares with the other South American countries we visited:

Again, Chile comes out as the most expensive. Note that Patagonia as a region is spread across both Chile and Argentina – you can read about our Patagonia trip costs separately here .

The average hostel cost during our whole time in South America was $11.87 PPPN. Therefore, our hostel costs in Chile were 24% above the average for the continent.

We found, unsurprisingly, that hostels in the bigger cities in Chile were cheaper than those in more remote locations. For example, our hostel in the Elqui Valley was $20.15 PPPN, and our hostel in Puerto Natales (the small town near Torres Del Paine) was $18.2 PPPN. This compares with just $14.3 PPPN at a Santiago hostel, and $10.40 PPPN at a Valparaíso hostel.

Food and drink costs in Chile

Food and drink was our biggest expenditure in Chile, amounting to $1,103.70 in total, which breaks down to $47.98 per day. Even when removing the W Trek, this figure is still pretty high at $44.06 per day.

This is especially significant when considering that we cooked our own food a lot more in Chile than in other countries we visited. Dining in restaurants was very much a treat.

We do enjoy a drink, and Chile is renowned for its excellent wine (and less renowned for its beer, which is nonetheless fantastic). We spent $248.30 on alcohol during our travels in the country, which accounts for 22.5% of our food and drink costs.

In many of the destinations we visited in South America we had to buy bottled water; in Chile this was only the case in San Pedro de Atacama. As such, we only spent $7.80 on bottled water.

Restaurant cost examples

Drawing on the few occasions we did treat ourselves to a meal out in Chile, here are a few examples of the prices for dining out. Costs are shown for two people in US dollars (USD) based on the exchange rate at the time of our trip:

• Special lunch deal (selection of rolls, dumplings and a soft drink) at Yama Sushi, Santiago: $16.90
• Miso soup, main dishes and soft drinks at Sui Hwa Chinese restaurant, Santiago (Brasil district): $26
• Meat sandwiches and soft drinks at Fuente Alemana , Santiago: $22.10
• Two-course meal with a bottle of wine in Almacén Nacional, Valparaíso: $45.50
• Pizzas and soft drinks at Pizza El Charrua dinner in San Pedro de Atacama: $22.10
• Two-course meal including special Chilean lamb BBQ main and two beers each at El Asador Patagónico, Puerto Natales (this was a special treat after completing the W Trek): $75.40
• Pizza wedding anniversary lunch with two beers each at Mesita Grande, Puerto Natales:  $45.50

Transport costs in Chile

In total we spent $443.95 on transport in Chile, of which $352.95 was on buses and $57.20 on a ferry transfer at the end of the W Trek. The small remainder was split between taxis, public transport and bicycles.

Chile is long and narrow in shape, which means that travelling between destinations often involves significant distances. For example, from Santiago to the hub city of Calama in the north, it’s a 21-hour bus ride.

As I mentioned above, we didn’t traverse directly through Chile; instead, we zig-zagged between Chile and Argentina. As such, to calculate Chile travel costs, I have split the amounts for cross-border journeys between the two countries.

Here are a few examples of bus routes we took, including the full journey cost for one person:

• San Pedro de Atacama (Chile) to Salta (Argentina) with Andesmar : $37.70
• Mendoza (Argentina) to Santiago (Chile) with Buses Ahumada : $29.90
• Santiago to Valparaíso with Turbus : $6.50
• Santiago to La Serena with Pullman Bus : $22.10
• La Serena to Pisco Elqui with local transfer bus: $6.50
• Ushuaia (Argentina) to Punta Arenas (Chile) with Taqsa : $43.55
• Punta Arenas to Puerto Natales with Bus Sur : $11.05
• Puerto Natales (Chile) to El Calafate (Argentina) with Bus Sur: $27.30
• Bus and shuttle from Puerto Natales in Torres Del Paine National Park: $27.95

For the longer journeys we always found it best to book online in advance. Busbud is a great online service for comparing prices and booking. For more information about getting around Patagonia specifically, check out our guide to how to get around Patagonia by bus .

Activity costs in Chile

In Chile, we did a range of fun activities while only spending $250.90 during our 23 days in the country.

I’ve already mentioned that the Torres Del Paine W Trek was a significant expenditure in Chile. However, most of the costs associated with it were transport, food and accommodation. The only cost that goes into the ‘activities’ column of our records is the $33.15 national park entrance fee per person, and everything else into the other relevant sections.

Here are some examples of other activities we did in Chile and the costs per person:

• Stargazing tour in Pisco Elqui: $23.40
• Tips for guides on three walking tours (one in Santiago, two in Valparaíso): $33.80
• Museum of Memory and Human Rights, Santiago: $3.90
• Meteorite Museum, San Pedro de Atacama: $3.90
• Valle de La Luna tour and entry fee: $16.90
• Torres Del Paine National Park entrance: $33.15

Additional costs in Chile (sundries)

Any costs that don’t fit clearly into the main categories detailed above we class as sundries. In total we spent $239.20 on sundries in Chile, which included:

• $75.40 on general items, which included some accessories for the W Trek
• $46.80 on laundry
• $45.50 on cigarettes and tobacco
• $26 on gifts and souvenirs
• $23.40 on money charges
• $11.70 on clothes (extra socks for W Trek)
• $10.40 on toiletries and pharmaceuticals

Have you been to Chile? Let us know about your experience in the comments below.

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Alex trembath.

Alex is the co-founder and lead content creator at Career Gappers. He is an award-winning communications leader with 20 years of leadership experience, a career that has taken him across the world working with international organisations. Alex has travelled to over 50 countries and is a passionate advocate for blending work and travel by taking career breaks, sabbaticals, workations and business trips.

15 thoughts on “ Is Chile expensive? Here’s how much our trip cost ”

This is so useful – I’m heading to Chile in a few months and was really worrying about how much it would cost – especially Patagonia. Got a much better idea now, thanks!!

This is so useful! I’ve been wanting to plan a trip there for a long time!

This is really useful. Would love to visit Chile after reading your post. Thanks for sharing.

A to Z information provided for travelers thinking of exploring Chile in this post. Wonderful detailed post.?

Alex this is a very informative and detailed post, thank you. I am grabbing experiences and budget ideas from different blog posts and this one is what I was looking for!

It was great to learn more about your trip and chile! I wish the currency were in pounds but it still helped.

This is such a detailed breakdown of your money spent! I can imagine that Patagonia is a more expensive place, but I’m sure the views were worth the extra spent!

Hi! So cool you shared all your travel costs. It shows that with the right amount of planning and some compromises, you can make it to your dream country. Thanks for sharing! Happy travels!

Such a great blog post and detailed too. Loved the graphs that you got in this. I plan to do patagonia as well and i was adamant about how much everything will cost. Id say you got things done cheaper than most people we have talked to. Will definitely use this as a reference. I clicked through other links about Patagonia. Very helpful insights indeed.

Another great, detailed post with a lot of useful information. I have always wanted to visit Chile and explore more of Latin America and hopefully, I will soon. Thanks for sharing this detailed guide about Chile, I’ll keep it bookmarked until I decide to visit.

Excellent post Alex! I and my family travel very much in a similar manner as you both when it comes to managing money. Love the inclusion of graphs to go along which makes everything seem easier to understand for a person like me who is not too inclined towards planning about costs beforehand. This post is a great help for anyone who is heading or planning a trip to Chile. Sharing it!

Thank you for your useful information! As I see, your travel style is quite similar as ours, so it is very helpful, if we go to Chile in the future. Generally, from all that I read, South America is still a quite cheap continent, even Chile.

…yet another South American country to visit! Chile must be amazing – I’d particularly like to visit the northern part towards Peru. However, I can afford South America only every other year – so after next year it might be: Chile, here I come!

So wonderful when people take so much of their time to help others in such a detail and easy way. I did bikepacking in southern Patagonia plus did some of the famous hikes and found it to be quite expensive. Some stuff were actually more expensive then in Canada such as brand name clothes etc

Thank you for the feedback Karim, glad you found the blog useful! We haven’t been to Canada before but we hope to at some point in the near future. Patagonia is definitely the most expensive region of South America we’ve been to – but it was so worth it for that scenery!

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Home » South America » Chile » Backpacking Guide

Backpacking Chile Travel Guide (2024)

Backpacking Chile is all about the extremes. From trekking through insanely beautiful glacial national parks in the south to exploring the vast deep red Atacama desert in the north, it is one epic country to travel. There are 36 National Parks in Chile, all stunning and unique in their own way. This awesome country is also home to Easter Island, one of the most mysterious places on the planet.

Chile really is one of the most underrated countries for intrepid backpackers, it is a trekkers dream, you just need to know where to go. This culture-packed country also has some impressive volcanoes, hot springs, and world-class wine.

To make your Chile adventure even better, we’ve created this massive Chile travel guide, filled with information about how to plan and where to stay, hidden gems, and loads more.

Let’s get right to it!

Why go Backpacking in Chile

The Broke Backpacker is supported by you . Clicking through our links may earn us a small affiliate commission, and that's what allows us to keep producing free content 🙂 Learn more .

Chile is one long strip of awesome things to do, yet it can be surprisingly tricky to pick out a good itinerary, especially when the distances are way bigger than you may realize at first. Unless you have the readies to fly, you can lose huge amounts of time to travel.

As a general Chile travel guide, you want to decide whether you’re heading north or south. You may, however, also want or need to consider a Santiago based round route if you’re short on time or have a flight in and out of there.

Because Chile can suck up a lot of time, you need to know what you really want from it. Whatever you do, make sure you soak up the Latin vibes, drink wine, and go to at least one Chile National Park .

Best Travel Itineraries For Backpacking Chile

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Below I have listed several itineraries for backpacking through Chile. All of them have an intended flexibility. Most of the places mentioned will have more than enough things to do if you have a little longer in Chile.

Backpacking Chile 10 Day Itinerary #1: Taste of Chile

In this Chile itinerary, we start out in the capital city of Santiago.

Then we head on an overnight bus straight up to San Pedro De Atacama to explore the driest desert in the world. After Atacama, we head back down via Bahía Inglesa   Beach and Ojos del Salado , the world’s highest active Volcano.

The final stop off before looping background to Santiago is the colourful art capital known as Valparaíso . This is a round-route based if you need to fly in and out of Santiago – the case for many backpackers.

If you have more time you could also fly out to Easter Island from Santiago. If your time is really tight, you could squeeze most of this Chile itinerary into one week. No matter how you use this route, it is mainly focused on making sure you get a real taste of Chile even if time isn’t on your side.

The other great thing about this one is that Santiago is a pretty kick-ass capital to kill time in if you end up with an extra few days.

Backpacking Chile 2 Week Itinerary #2: 1 Month in Patagonia

Patagonia is home to some of the most beautiful, majestic, and harshest scenery in the world. This Chile and Argentina itinerary will hit all of Patagonia: the impressive Andes mountains crowned with glaciers, waterfalls, glacial lakes and marshlands.

Some travellers fly into Ushuaia and work their way up, though many people go to Ushuaia to begin an Antarctica cruise or excursion. You can complete this itinerary in 2 weeks, if you cut out stops and include a lot of overnight buses, or perhaps just focus on the south: El Chatan and Torres del Paine .

Start in Chile’s capital, Santiago, and bus or hitchhike down to the private reserve,  Pumalin Park . The longest hike in the park is  Volcano Michinmahuida , a 24km trail (return) that takes between 8-10 hours.

Then make the long journey to El Chalten.  This park is considered the   hiking capital of Patagonia   due to some incredible camping and trekking sites, like Cerro Fitz Roy and Cerro Torres. It is a part of Argentina though.

You can end your Patagonia trip by visiting Punta Arenas and  Ushuaia to access the Tierra del Fuego National Park and Beagle Channel. Ushuaia is the southern-most city in the world and gateway to Antarctica.

Backpacking Chile 3 Week Itinerary #3: South to North

This is one of those ‘once in a lifetime’ outrageous trips that might hurt your wallet, but you’ll never regret it.

We’re going to lay this out as a trip from the south up to the north, but of course, it can be done the other way round.

We are kicking this Chile guide off in the famous Torres Del Pain e National Park by doing the O Trek, which takes around seven to ten days. From here you will need to head to Puerto Natales as a hub to get you to Puerto Montt .

From here you can then head up to Osorno to make the most of volcanoes and thermal baths. The next stop is the capital city of Santiago where you can explore the vineyards and soak up the Latin vibes. Santiago is also the place from which you can fly to the mysterious Easter Island for around 5 days.

Once you arrive back in Santiago, you can head to the colourful Valparaiso. The next stop as you head north is Iquique for a bit of sandboarding before finally arriving in San Pedro De Atacama . This is an incredible place from which many people travel from to Bolivia in a jeep overland. It used to be around $40, but now you’re looking at $140 after much bartering and shopping around.

Want to save money on accommodation?

We got you. For reals.

Well, now that we’ve covered a few awesome Chile itineraries, I’ve listed some of the best places to visit in Chile below, complete with advice on what to do, where to stay, and how to get the best deals.

Backpacking Santiago

Santiago is a beautiful, exciting city with a sweet Latin atmosphere, great street food, and even better wine. It also has a bit of a boho vibe going on. Keep an eye out for what the students are up to. They’re often handing out flyers, but most of Santiago’s hostels can also hook you up with what’s happening that week.

When we were there, there was a cool party in the park with free yoga lessons, people dreading each others hair and everyone giving and exchanging clothes around. Totally hippy fest!

You’ll probably want to stay in Barrio Bellavista . It’s colourful, full of culture, has great places to chill, and has some of the best hostels in Santiago.

Plaza de Armas is another place to check out and hang out. They have some impressive restaurants around the square, ranging from cheap and tasty guacamole hot dogs to fine dining. Watch for speeches, marches, performers, and even dancers in the street, but don’t stand too still or look too British they may grab you for a twirl!

The best ways to get around Santiago are by walking, biking and using public transport. There are some great walking and cycling tours, but you’re probably just as well to pick a few places you want to see and explore yourself. If you like museums, don’t miss the ever classic Museo Historia Nacional and the ever fun interactive geekfest that is Museo Interactivo Mirador.

Allow at least one day to explore the city and one day to enjoy the wineries. Having been to quite a few, I would recommend Concho y Toro. You do have to pay a pretty steep $20 for the tour but it does include quite a bit of wine and you actually learn something on the tour. The other option is just to buy a few bottles and party in your hostel.

It’s worth noting that Barrio Bellavista is Santiago’s neighbourhood where the majority of travellers stay. It’s one of the most beautiful, action-packed and popular neighbourhoods, so you want to book in advance.

Backpacking San Pedro de Atacama

The stunning little town gives you access the driest non-polar desert in the world, incredible stargazing, and some badass sandboarding. San Pedro de Atacama is often the  starting point for their trip overland through the salt flats into Bolivia.

The big question here is which things are better to do on tours and which are better to explore independently.  Because there is so much to do and it is so spread out, you will probably want to plan well.

Make sure you make time to watch a sunset in San Pedro de Atacama. They’re out of this world, it really feels like the closest you’ll ever get to mars! You can get tours that take you out there, or you can do what I did and hop on a bike and get peddle out there to get it to yourself. If you do this, make sure you take an extra layer, as it suddenly gets shockingly cold when that sun drops.

You can book so many cool trips from San Pedro de Atacama and this can be a great way to meet other adventurous backpackers as all the trips are pretty intrepid. Mountain biking, sand boarding, hiking, seeing the geysers exploring rainbow valley and moon valley. This place is an adventurous explorers Nirvana!

The red roads, whitewash buildings and colourful stalls really do make this a pretty dreamy little travel town to wander around. You’ll be spoilt for opportunities for great shots that get everyone on Instagram jealous!

Even the accommodation is part of the experience in San Pedro de Atacama. They have some pretty lux stuff with pools, which you may want to splash out on in the heat. But if like me, you want the best budget thing going, then you’ll still be pleasantly surprised at what you get for your dollar. There are loads of quirky mud hut style hostels with comfy beds and kitchens so you can cook for yourself. From rural, nomad, party, solo or for couples, San Pedro de Atacama offers some great hostel options . It’s worth having a browse and booking up early as it’s a busy little town.

Backpacking Bahía Inglesa

Windsurf, dive or just chill on the beach. Bahía Inglesa is a great option if you’re missing the coast. Now I’m not claiming it’s going to compete with the Caribbean Islands, but it does have a certain ruggard beauty to it. There is a mix up of both rocky and sandy beaches, all with beautiful clear teal oceans hugging the coast line. As you may imagine, there pretty the beach, the busier it tends to be. There are however so many options you will be able to find something you love.

There is a pretty awesome reason I’m suggesting Bahía Inglesa. What would you say if I told you, you could go to a beach one day and the highest active volcano the next!!!!

Well you can, I told you Chile was all about epic extremes! You can take a day trip to Ojos del Salado, which hugs the Argentinian border. If you can take a bit of extra time here as the landscape is insane!

Oh, and you can chill in a hot spring whilst you enjoy the view. This isn’t your posh spa style hot spring, this is your rugged as mother nature intended hole in the ground with a breathtaking view kind of hot spring.

I have pinned this location as Bahía Inglesa, but you may want to stay Copiapó as you will have a few more options. Plus it is easier access to both the beach and the volcano… now that’s a cool sentence, get your bed booked!

Backpacking Valparaíso

This coastal boho beauty is best known for its hills and colourful buildings, both of which are really worth exploring. It is also known as an art capital depicted by stunning murals and some of the most creative and philosophical graffiti you will ever see. You’ll find a couple of artsy Valparaíso hostels as well, perfect for backpackers that want to stay in the area for a bit longer.

You must take time to see the iconic Cerro Alegre Dare. I’m not sure I trust its structural integrity, but if you’re feeling brave you may like to use the rickety mountain elevator to get to the top. It’s an experience in itself.

As way of celebrating surviving this you could go hunt down some local gelato. The locals love it, so you can find this delicious ice cream all over Valparaíso.

As you may expect in a place this hip, the hostels are some of the best you’ll stay in and they’re impressively cheap, make sure you have a quick look and pick one with a good vibe.

Backpacking Iquique

Iquique is one of those places where you can go cosmo or go crazy. You can relax in the city and chill on the beach whilst sipping some great cocktails. If this is your scene be sure to try the famous Terremoto cocktail, which translates as earthquake, so you can imagine the hangover. If you’re more crazy and cosmo, you can paraglide, surf and sand board till you drop.

In my opinion, the sand boarding is the main reason to stop in Iquique. There’s just something awesome about strapping yourself to a board and hurtling down a giant sand dune! You can book sand boarding through some hostels, or a company called Denomades can also help you arrange it.

There are some great hostels around Iquique. If you are looking to meet people and get a good balance of party and peace, then Feel Iquique Hostel is definitely worth checking out.

Backpacking Osorno

Osorno is a great place to stop. The city itself isn’t especially special, just a typical latin american city with the usual questionable clothes stalls and fried chicken on every other corner.

So why stop here?

There are a few beautiful lakes to trek and camp around. There are also some picturesque archetype volcanos to explore, just like the ones you drew as a kid. Once you get outside the city, everything about the area screams intrepid adventure. You are only about an hour away from Puyehue National Park, which is a great way get into and explore the Andes Mountain Range.

The waterfalls, thermal springs, and evergreen trees make for picture perfect hiking. Just watch out for the pumas! You can see it as a warm up and preparation for heading further south into the depths of Patagonia.

If you’re interested in thermal springs, it’s worth knowing that there are a few spas and hot springs in the area and that they are usually referred to as Aguas Calientes. Probably the most satisfying one is in Puyehue National Park because you can enjoy it after a long hike!

On a practical note, Osorno is also a great hub for crossing over into Argentina if you are heading down into Patagonia overland.

As it’s not really a tourist destination it can be tricky to find somewhere to stay. Hostels don’t seem to really be a thing, but there are a few local guest houses.

Backpacking Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales is a hub where trekkers prepare to trek and camp in Torres Del Paine National Park. It’s an exciting place as everyone is either stoked about starting an intrepid personal challenge, or feeling pumped and triumphant as they have just finished one.

The thing many overlook, however, is that the town is actually quite nice within itself. It has a beautiful dock for enjoying sunsets and few great bars to hang out and meet other intrepid travellers. Erratic Rock is a great hub for sorting your kit and they host a meeting every day at 3 o’clock that helps you prepare for your adventure. There are a couple of nice hostels in Puerto Natales too, where you can rest your head and recharge before your next adventure.

Now don’t get me wrong, I love camping and cooking meals in the wild, but you might want to use Puerto Natales as somewhere to get a big send off meal before you have to carry everything you want to eat.

There are quite a few places to stay in Puerto Natales, but make sure you decide on a good place you stay to make some travel buddies for the trek. Where you stay can really affect the kind of people you’re going to meet.

Backpacking Torres Del Paine National Park

Chile is home to Torres Del Paine, one of the greatest national parks on the planet! This is where adventurous travellers dreams come to life!

The famous “W” trek is the best trek for those of you who are a little short on time, but still want an outrageously stunning and challenging trek that will leave you with memories that will last a lifetime!  It can be done in as little as 5 days.

The “W” trek is, however, only one of the three main treks through this epic national park. The other two routes are known as the “O” trek and the “Q” trek; all of the names are based on the shape of the letter. They vary in length, so the main factor in choosing a trek is simply how much time you have.

The “O” and the “Q” take 7 to 10 days to complete. Obviously, this all depends on your fitness level, and how you want to pace yourself; it’s a challenge not a race. It’s important to make time to actually take in the scenery and connect with where you are, especially when it’s somewhere as beautiful as this! If you hike the trek from west to east, you will trek through a range of forests, over ridges, around lakes, and pass glaciers until you reach the iconic three peaks of Los Torres.

Do note that over the winter season the longer routes are usually closed, so make sure you check the routes when planning.

So, you know me, of course I’m going to say that camping is the best way to do this! If, however, you do want a cushier option there are refugios along the way, which are basically simple cabins that you can stay in. You can even buy groceries and food along the way, but it is really expensive. Your best bet is to be prepared before you set off on the trek.

Some campsites charge and some are free; it’s worth planning your trek based on this. If you’re feeling flush and want luxury, you can book some accommodation on the trek before you set off.

Backpacking Puerto Montt

People end up in Puerto Montt by ferry from Puerto Natales. There are bus options to and from Osnoro, but it is pretty cool take take a ferry to Puerto Montt. The ferry is no frills, but the views are pretty outstanding and lets be honest you know it just sounds cool jumping on a cargo boat!

When you get to the city of Puerto Montt itself you’ll probably find it more built up than you would expect for somewhere seemingly so remote.

I guess civilization always feels particularly strange after an remote intrepid adventure.  There is a lot going on in the city itself if you want to visit a museum, go out for a meal or chill in a cafe. It’s not the cheapest though, so you may not want to hang around in the city too long.

The best thing about Puerto Montt  is that it is surrounded by beautiful waters, mountainous landscape and the odd volcano, it’s a beautiful place to explore. If you are a bit of a national park fanatic, you’ll find you are spoilt for choice in this area.

If you still have some trekking left in you, I would recommend either Vicente Pérez Rosales or Alerce Andino National Park. Both are stunning in their own way.

It’s tricky to find cheaper accommodation here. You may want to consider Couchsurfing or Airbnb. Even these can be a little tricky, so if you aren’t up for guest houses it could be an idea to book a dorm bed in advance.

Backpacking Easter Island

Ever fancied exploring one of the most isolated island in the world? Throw in some giant mysterious heads, super friendly locals, beautiful beaches, and a really impressive volcano to trek around and you truly have one of the most kick ass places on the planet! There really is no place like it.

LAN airlines is the main airline to get you there. Brace yourself for the bad news though: on average you now pay around $600 for a return flight. Cost really is the only downside of visiting Easter Island, but if you’re resourceful you can do it for a lot less than the average traveller.

For a start, you can get flights cheaper if you book well in advance and are flexible with your days. It seems that once you stay for around a week plus, the prices drop down a little. This may however feel like catch 22 because Easter Island is not a cheap island to stay on.

My solution is to be well prepared. Fill your backpack with pasta, camp, and explore everywhere independently. Not only is this a fun way to do most things, but in this case it gives you access to one of the most unique places on the planet for a tighter budget than most will manage.

Wild card: you could actually save money travelling business class. A few people have reported saving money by flying business class. Yes, you read that right, it is always worth thinking and looking outside the box when trying to save money, especially on something as niche as getting to Easter Island.

When you get to the island there is loads to do, more than you might expect. As well as the iconic Moai heads that are spread out all over the island, there are some interesting underground tunnels and caves to check out.

Make sure you take time to trek round Rano Kau, an impressive extinct volcano. And don’t stop there; trek along the rugged coastlines, and soak in the unique feeling of being thousands of miles away from rest of the world.

You can surf, scuba dive, horse ride, or kick back and watch one of cultural dance shows. I know the last one might sound a bit touristy, but its actually pretty cool to watch. One way to enjoy the island is to rent a scooter and explore. This way you can see everything you want to see.

Make sure you make time to enjoy a sunrise and sunset at least once on the island. Just take a moment and picture waking as the sunrises, unzipping your tent, and looking out across an ocean, knowing that there is no one for thousands of miles in any direction. Now get yourself organised and get to Easter Island.

As mentioned, you can camp, but there are also hostels and airbnbs on the island that are worth checking out.

Getting Off the Beaten Path in Chile

Chile isn’t really on the beaten path to begin with. Arguably the capital, desert and parts of Patagonia do get quite a bit of tourism, but it’s still very little compared to so many places that are half as impressive.

The main way to really get off the beaten path in Chile is to trek independently through national parks you haven’t heard of before visiting Chile. The longer you trek for, the further from the crowds you get.

We’ve tested countless backpacks over the years, but there’s one that has always been the best and remains the best buy for adventurers: the broke backpacker-approved Osprey Aether and Ariel series.

Want more deetz on why these packs are so  damn perfect? Then read our comprehensive review for the inside scoop!

By now you get the idea: Chile is full of epic bucket list experiences that many people only ever dream of doing. It is hard to travel here on the cheap, but if you’re resourceful, resilient and love adventure it is totally possible.

In case you are still struggling to prioritise what to do on your trip, I have put together the top 10 best things to do in Chile.

It’s a pretty exciting list and there really are some things you just shouldn’t miss out on if you’re over on this side of the world.

1. Watch the Sunset over the Moon Valley

There are loads of adventurous things to do in San Pedro De Atacama, but the one you can’t miss out on is watching the sun go down on what will look like mars.

Even if you just did this for the Instagram shot it would be worth it! The landscape is so dramatic it creates an atmosphere and leaves you feeling like you have actually been to another planet. There are loads of tours that will take you out here or you can hike or bike it yourself. Make sure you take an extra layer though. When that temperature drops it gets cold really quickly.

2. Hike up an Active Volcano

You know you want to do this and then live your life knowing you were bad ass enough to climbing an active volcano! Chile has around 500 active volcanoes, so you are pretty spoilt for choice.

If you’re feeling brave you could opt for exploring the highest active volcano in the world and get yourself to Ojos del Salado. It’s worth noting this can be pricey if you want to go all the way up Ojos del Salado.

3. Try Pisco at its best

Chile is known for its pisco, so make sure you make the most of it whilst you’re here. They make loads of different cocktails from pisco, but the most famous is pisco sour and it is definitely worth trying.

4. Visit the Mysterious Easter Island Heads

This really is one of those once in a lifetime bucket list trips you should do if you can hustle the money together! Also known as Rapa Nui, this incredible island is home to 887 massive, mysterious statues that will capture your imagination.

It is worth noting that they have some pretty cool festivals throughout the year. Although it’s more pricey to visit during this time, it’s worth checking out.

5. Trek for days through Patagonia

There is a reason everyone raves about trekking here and to be honest, until you go, you just won’t get it.

No one captures the true beauty of this place with a camera.

Nothing beats that feeling when you reach the end and know you have carried your own gear for days, survived your own camp cooking and not lost the track. Whatever season you go in, Patagonia always beautiful in its own way.

Check out Globemad for loads of information on trekking and ice climbing here.

6. Relax in a Hot Spring

There are so many hot springs across this stunning and unpredictable land. If you love a good hot spring you can easily get to more than one. There are a few posh ones, but I reckon the best ones are the rough and ready middle of nowhere ones.

It’s just fun and surreal to be upto your neck in a natural hot spring whilst keeping your head warm with a much needed woolly hat on a freezing plateau or rugged mountain side.

7. Star Gaze in the Desert

There are many places to star gaze across Chile, but the Atacama is probably the best. You can wrap up warm and walk or bike out into the desert to enjoy the stars. We took head torches, a hot flask, and cycled until there was no more light pollution from San Pedro. You can also book onto tours where they’ll teach you loads and even join a group that takes you to an observatory.

8. Explore a few National Parks

There are so many national parks in Chile, 36 to specific. If you’re all about the adventurous intrepid travel, then making time to explore a few national parks is a must.

Radal Siete Tazas National Park has some stunning pools and waterfalls to explore. If you want more mountainous challenging treks, Conguillío National Park is more worthing visiting. Really you’re spoilt for choice.

9. Explore the Colourful Streets of Valparaiso

This town is iconic for good reason. There is so much to see here as you explore the colourful streets and high hills. You need at least a day just to scratch the surface of the artwork and graffiti that makes this place so unique.

10. Get Tipsy at a Winery

This one goes without saying. When you visit a country that has some of the best wine on the world you’ve got to take time to taste it! A lot of it.

Most hostel offers wine tours, but the cheapest way is to make your way out to somewhere like Concho Y Toro on public transport and book yourself on the next tour round.

Wanna know how to pack like a pro? Well for a start you need the right gear….

These are packing cubes for the globetrotters and compression sacks for the  real adventurers – these babies are a traveller’s best kept secret. They organise yo’ packing and minimise volume too so you can pack MORE.

Or, y’know… you can stick to just chucking it all in your backpack…

Naturally, Chile’s capital, Santiago, has loads of great hostels. Chile, however, isn’t overrun with backpackers, so there are less hostels than you might think. We have hunted out some of the very best for you. And don’t panic. You can always use Airbnb.

These are becoming increasingly popular in Chile. Airbnb, if you don’t already know, is an awesome way to make your trip more authentic!  You can find some awesome apartments and home-stays for cheap prices. Otherwise, Couchsurfing is the cheapest way to go, and a great way to meet other travellers; however, they can be hard to pin down in Chile, and chances are you will need to be pretty good at Spanish. It’s always worth checking out the profile, which will say what language they speak!

The Best Places To Stay in Chile

It is really tough to keep the cost down in Chile. It can be done, you just have to drop your comforts and be resourceful.

Unless you wild camp, eat beans, hitchhike, and only visit places in the wild (that no one has heard of), you’re not going to travel Chile on $10 a day. Still, these methods can keep your costs quite low and allow for some room to splurge on some great activities.

More realistically, however, you’re looking at around $35-$50 a day.

One of the best ways to save money is to travel on the outer fringes of the warm, more popular months of November to March.

A Daily Budget in Chile

Couch Surfing is the best way to meet locals and stay for free. There are some great couchsurfers in Chile; just make sure you give them plenty of notice. They seem to like to be organised.

Camping is really popular in Chile and the campsite fees tend to be minimal. Sometimes it is worth using them for those extra facilities. Otherwise, there are plenty of options to wild camp for free. Just make sure to  leave no trace !

On that note, it is easy to spend upwards of $100 or more in Chile if you are booking private rooms, eating out often, and booking a lot of tours.

Money in Chile

The local currency is Chilean Pesos (CLP). Find out how much your money is worth today by using the up-to-date converter below.

ATMs are widely available everywhere, but you can expect a withdrawal fee for international bank cards, which is why I travel with a debit card that refunds me for transaction fees.

Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in Chile. Always have cash on you when backpacking Chile and visiting smaller, family-run places! Many large stores in Chile accept cards, but a lot of out-of-the-way locations will only accept local currency.

Travel Tips – Chile on a Budget

• Camp : With plenty of gorgeous places to sleep out, Chile can be a great place to camp in the rural areas. Check out this post for a breakdown of the  best tents to take backpacking.  Or, if you’re feeling really adventurous and want to save some cash, consider picking up a backpacking hammock. You might save one or two dollars that way.
• Cooking : If you are camping a lot or really want to save some cash, it could be worth bringing a  portable backpacking stove  so you can do some of your own cooking.
• Couch surf :  Check out Couchsurfing to make some real friendships and see this country from the perspective of locals.
• Hitchhike : Where appropriate, hitchhiking is a great way to save money on transportation costs.
• Pack a travel water bottle    and save money every day!

Why You Should Travel to Chile with a Water Bottle

Plastic washes up on even the most pristine beaches… so do your part and keep the Big Blue beautiful

You aren’t going to save the world overnight, but you might as well be part of the solution and not the problem. When you travel to some of the world’s most remote places, you come to realise the full extent of the plastic problem. And I hope you become more inspired to continue being a responsible traveller .

Plus, now you won’t be buying overpriced bottles of water from the supermarkets either! Travel with a filtered water bottle instead and never waste a cent nor a turtle’s life again.

Drink water from ANYWHERE. The Grayl Geopress is the worlds leading filtered water bottle protecting you from all manner of waterborne nasties.

Single-use plastic bottles are a MASSIVE threat to marine life. Be a part of the solution and travel with a filter water bottle. Save money and the environment!

We’ve tested the Geopress  rigorously  from the icy heights of Pakistan to the tropical jungles of Bali, and can confirm: it’s the best water bottle you’ll ever buy!

Whether you’re exploring the Atacama desert, Santiago, or Patagonia, the summer season – more or less – runs from November to March as it is in the summertime for the southern hemisphere, therefore, high season for most places.

If you’re heading to Patagonia, summer is arguably the best weather to camp in. However, you are then competing with the crowds, especially for places to camp and stay. I would probably recommend trying to trek on either side of the high season to get the trails more to yourself. Plus, the fall foliage of Patagonia is absolutely stunning!

And no matter when you go, Patagonia is notorious for its high winds. Come prepared!

If budget is a dominating factor for you then you really should consider going just outside of the summer season as pretty much every tour and most accommodation is cheaper.

Festivals in Chile

Many, but not all, of Chile’s festivals are quite specific to localized places within the country, which makes them even more special. I’ve picked out a few of the more alternative, but still intensely cultural festivals I think you might like.

Vendimias: Any excuse to drink copious amounts of wine is fine by me! From March through to May, the wine regions hold many mini festivals that create a real buzz in the town squares. The squares really come to life with locals selling all sorts of local produce, and you should get to see some good old school grape stomping!

Santiago International Theater Festival: In January, the capital hosts a stunning three week festival made up of dance, visual art and music.

New Year’s Eve: Obviously this is celebrated in most places across the world and indeed throughout most of Chile, but – if you want to do it in style – head to the crazy colorful coastal gem that is Valparaiso to enjoy some huge fireworks and a great atmosphere by the sea.

What to Pack For Chile

Packing for your Chile adventure is especially important if  you are trekking, and you need to be really well prepared for the intrepid.

At the very least you need to make sure you’ve got some technical clothing. A lot of different layers will help you balance your clothing for trekking whilst still allowing you to pack light. Make sure to pack a reliable windbreaker and rain jacket. Patagonia is known for extreme wind and weather change at a moment’s notice.

Although you can hire some gear in Patagonia, it really is worth making sure you have at least some camping and trekking basics of your own. Save yourself some money!

If you know that you want to camp and trek for pretty much the whole trip than you may want to consider taking all your own gear, if this is the case, check out our links on the best tents , sleeping bags , and pads .

It is worth taking least one good shirt or dress for when you hit the big cities and want to go out for a drink. Most travelers, however, wear activewear as most people that choose to travel in Chile are here for the intrepid landscapes and adventure.

Snoring dorm-mates can ruin your nights rest and seriously damage the hostel experience. This is why I always travel with a pack of decent ear plugs.

Hanging Laundry Bag

Trust us, this is an absolute game changer. Super compact, a hanging mesh laundry bag stops your dirty clothes from stinking, you don’t know how much you need one of these… so just get it, thank us later.

Sea To Summit Micro Towel

Hostel towels are scummy and take forever to dry. Microfibre towels dry quickly, are compact, lightweight, and can be used as a blanket or yoga mat if need be.

Monopoly Deal

Forget about Poker! Monopoly Deal is the single best travel card game that we have ever played. Works with 2-5 players and guarantees happy days.

Grayl Geopress Water Bottle

Always travel with a water bottle! They save you money and reduce your plastic footprint on our planet. The Grayl Geopress acts as a purifier AND temperature regulator. Boom!

So how safe is Chile to visit?  Backpacking in Chile is about trekking in the wilderness, so your real safety concerns become more about your wild survival skills!

However, South America on the whole gets a bad rap for safety. Yes, you always have to be careful when travelling, but Chile really isn’t that dangerous for travellers. The real pinch points are when you’re wasted late at night trying to find your hostel.

Try to avoid being out by yourself, wasted and lost! Find a travel drinking buddy, or stick to your hostel.

Don’t flash your cash, you know the drill! If you are savvy and don’t get caught up in rough urban area you will most likely be fine.

For more general advice, check out these articles: A backpacker security belt to keep your cash safe on the road is always a good idea. If you are a bit newer to travel check out Backpacker Safety 101 for tips and tricks to stay safe whilst backpacking Chile. This post for plenty of ideas on ingenious ways to hide your money when travelling.

I strongly recommend travelling with a headlamp whilst in Chile (or anywhere really – every backpacker should have a good head torch!). This is, however especially important when you’re camping and hiking a lot! Check out Will’s post for a breakdown of the best value headlamps to take backpacking.

Sex, Drugs, and Rock ‘N’ Roll in Chile

Chiliens are known for their wine, and for good reason! You can pick up some pretty good stuff at low prices everywhere across Chile. If you want something a bit stronger than Pisco will be your drink!

The cities are where the parties are! As you may imagine the capital, Santiago, has great nightlife. Most hostels will point you in the right direction.

Dancing is a large part of Latin culture across South America, so you’re going to have to let go of those inhibitions and get into the latin vibe if you want to party like the locals.

Many night clubs will stay open until the early hours of the morning. If you happen to be in a closing nightclub, there is always someone who knows where the next stop is. As always, where there are all night parties, there is a lively drinking and drug scene…

Travel Insurance for Chile

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

Most people will either be arriving in Santiago via a flight or coming overland from Argentina or Bolivia. If you are flying into the airport, you can get to the city centre by taxi, shuttles buses, or the metro.

Many people traveling from Patagonia via bus will most likely head to Osorno. Those travelling from Patagonia via boat will most likely head to Puerto Montt.

If you are travelling down to Chile from Bolivia, you can cross the border as part of a salt flat tour, or just take an overland bus.

Entry Requirements for Chile

The United Kingdom, along with most European countries, New Zealand and South Africa can get a 90 day tourist visa on arrival for free. Just make sure that you have a valid passport with at least 6 months left on it.

In the past, the U.S, Canada  and Australia have been charged various steep ‘reciprocity fee’ and at the point of writing, they still do. However, there is much talk of them being taken away. It all comes down to politics and what the country in question is charging them to visit.

For Chile, you really do need to contact your own local embassy to see what the latest information is. I’ve found that this website can help give you a good idea, but you must check it against your own embassy information.

Note : Chile goes through bouts of checking for yellow fever cards. They are not that frequent, but they do have them, so make sure you have a yellow fever card if you are coming from a country with the Amazon.

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Once you are in Chile, public transport is pretty well set up. The major cities have reliable bus systems and in some cases a decent metro line too.

Traveling by Public Transport in Chile

If you want to cover long distances, you can take some impressively comfortable overnight buses in Chile. Many of them have serious safety measures, huge comfortable chairs, meals on board, and they’re pretty affordable. This is just as well as internal flights are generally expensive in Chile and not really a good option for budget travellers.

You’ll be happy to hear that Chile is also well set up for taking buses overland into neighbouring countries.

If you are heading really far south into Patagonia there are various ferry options for getting around. Puerto Montt is the main hub for this.

You can rent cars across Chile and when you get upto the Atacama there are even companies that rent out campers, so you can chip in with a few travel buddies and go off on an adventure together.

Hitchhiking in Chile

Locals around Patagonia and the Atacama tend to be pretty sweet about picking up hitchhikers. Based on this I would imagine hitching to be fairly easy in most remote areas. As usual, it is really hard once you’re near the cities. Make sure you write your signs in Spanish. Very few people speak English in Chile.

Generally, you can get away with wild camping all over Chile and it really is one of the best ways to experience the natural wild beauty of the country. The exception is Patagonia’s National Parks, where you must stick to the official campsites on the main trails in Patagonia, but there are quite a few free options.

For more hitchhiking tips, check out Will’s hitchhiking 101 post .

Onwards Travel from Chile

The capital, Santiago, is your best shot at flying out on the cheap, but in many cases you are best travelling overland.

Onwards travel from Chile is pretty easy, there are loads of overland crossings into Argentina all the way up the country. If you reach the top and want to backpack through Bolivia , you can either get a bus or go across the salt flats as part of an overland tour. This cost around $120, takes 3 days and it’s awesome!

Chile enjoys relative stability and one of the strongest economies in South America. The average salary is $27k per year which is almost on a part with some western countries. As such it does attract migrant workers from all over Latin America. There are also expat roles available in Oil, mining, engineering and as well as English teaching jobs.

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Work Visa’s in Chile

There are a number of different work visa’s available for Chile. The type an applicant needs varies depending on the nature of their employment. However, in all cases Visa applications can only be made once a job offer has been obtained.

Chile does also offer an Independent Worker Visa designed for contractors – this may be awarded to would be Digital Nomads but we don’t have any first hand knowledge of anybody obtaining one.

Teaching English in Chile

In order to teach English in Chile, most teachers will require a bachelor’s degree, and many schools prefer TEFL or CELTA certification. The average salary for teaching in Chile is $500 – $800 per month.

Volunteer in Chile

Volunteering abroad is an amazing way to experience a culture whilst helping your host community. There are plenty of different volunteer projects in Chile including teaching, construction, agriculture and pretty much anything.

Chile offers lots of opportunities for backpackers to offer up some time and skills and give something back to the community. There are plenty of ‘bread and board’ gigs in hospitality, as well as opportunities to work in animal care and conservation. A tourist visa is sufficient for most nationalities to volunteer for up to 90 days, but long-term travelers will need to apply for a temporary resident visa.

If you want to find volunteering opportunities in Chile, then we recommend that you Signup for Worldpackers –  a volunteer platform that connects local hosts directly with traveling volunteers. As a Broke Backpacker reader, you’ll also get a special discount of $10 when you sign up. Just use the discount code BROKEBACKPACKER and your membership is discounted from $49 a year to only $39.

Volunteer programs run through reputable work exchange programs like Worldpackers are usually very well-managed and reputable. However, whenever you are volunteering, do stay vigilant especially when working with animals or children.

There are many types of places to ear in Chile.

For those on a budget, the random street vendors are the cheapest way to eat.

If you’re on a budget but don’t fancy cooking, keep your eyes open for interesting hole-in-the-wall food joints. We found quite a few run-down looking places in more urban areas serving simple rice and chicken ranging from $4 to $6.

There are also plenty of creative cafes that serve great coffee and sandwiches all over the bigger cities. Check out the standing coffee shops, which as the name suggests means you stand at tall tables whilst you have a coffee.

If you want to splurge, there are many high end restaurants serving gourmet food and great wine. There tends to be a great mix of both European and Chilean food.

Traditional Chilean Dishes

Empanadas: You will see these all over South America. They are somewhere between a baked pie and pastry, often filled with veg, cheese, olives or whatever they can find.

Churrasco and Chacarero: Basically a local steak sandwich often served with avocado, tomato and mayo.

Completo: AKA a guacamole hot dog. These hot dogs are piled high with all sorts of sauces and salad. They’re pretty tasty!

Porotos Granados: This is basically a bean stew made with fresh ingredients, more often served in the summer months.

Chorillana: This dish is originally from the colourful coastline of Valparaisó. It’s basically steak, spicy sausage, onions, fried eggs, and fries.

Fried Chicken: Doesn’t exactly sound like a dish, but they have it everywhere and often use different spices to make the grease taste better.

Humitas: This is a real staple across South America. It is basically crushed corn steamed in a husk.

Types of Traditional Chilean Drinks

Wine: Chile really is home to some of the best wine in the world . The red in particular is world class!

Pisco: This is white brandy with a distinctive taste, pretty good on its own and even better in cocktails.

Terremoto: This is Chile’s national cocktail, which translates as “Earthquake.” It is made up of cheap white wine, pineapple sorbet and grenadine.

It is really important to know at least a little Spanish to connect with the locals in Chile. Outside of your hostel and specific tourist places you will find English is limited.

Even if the locals you are hanging out with do speak English, it seems to mean a lot to them if you can at least attempt to speak their language.

Chileans are warm, kind, hospitable, and often eager to help you. It’s also worth noting, they tend to be confident, passionate people, and sometimes this can come across as intense, but this really is just cultural.

Useful Travel Phrases For Backpacking Chile

Chileans speak Spanish, though with a notorious accent. I’ve listed some helpful Spanish travel phrases below.

Hello –  Hola

Nice to meet you –  Encantada de conocerte

How are you? –  Cómo estás?

Good morning –  Buenos días

Good afternoon/evening –  Buenas tardes

Goodnight –  Buenas noches

Thank you –  Gracias

Please –  Por favor

My name is… –  Me llamo… 

Help! –  Ayuda

Goodbye –  Adiós

No plastic bag –  Sin bolsa de plastico

No straw please –  No paja por favor

No plastic cutlery please –  No hay cubiertos de plástico por favor

Sorry –  Lo siento

Do you speak English? –  Habla usted Inglés?

Cheers! – Salud

How much is it? –  Cuánto cuesta?

I don’t understand –  No entiendo

Books to read while Backpacking Chile

Below I’ve listed some great books set in Chile.

• The House of the Spirits – The mixup of the personable character with the a wider political position and fact with fantasy makes for a great balance of narrative whilst giving you a real insight into the country.
• Travels in a Thin Country – A British journalist shares her adventures from the tip of the toe of Chile. With every page she will fuel your wanderlust for Chile.
• Island at the End of the World – The Turbulent History of Easter Island – This is a great book for getting to grips with and connecting with this mysterious island. There are many theories and mysteries surrounding the island. This book helps give you a good idea of its history so you can come to your own conclusions.
• Lonely Planet Chile Travel Guide – Relevant, up-to-date advice and tips for backpacking through Chile.

A Brief History of Chile

Chile has been populated since at least 3000 BC. Some sources, however, claim that the first people arrived in Chile around 12,000BC!

During the 16th century, the Spanish invaded and colonized the region. This is where Chile gets most of its architecture from. In fact, you can experience Spanish influence in the food, some traditional dress, and certainly in the language!

There was some impressive indigenous resistance to this colonization, especially in what we now refer to as Patagonia. However, most of Chile became a Spanish colony between 1540 and 1820.

They were officially independent from Spain on September 18, 1810.

Much of Chile’s recent history is defined by the repressive Pinochet dictatorship from 1973 – 1990. His military coup was largely successful because of CIA assistance. He remained in a position of power until 1998, committing human atrocities and leading a brutal dictatorship.

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Trekking in Chile

Home to Patagonia, Chile is one of the best countries to visit in the world for hikers, mountaineers, and climbers. The possibilities are absolutely endless in Chile. I’ve listed 5 of the best hikes in Chile below:

1. The “W” Trek in Torres del Paine National Park – This park is home to the most popular trail in Chile, if not the world! The “W” trek takes 5-7 days, hitting all of the best views in the park. For more of a challenge, you can trek the “O” or “Q” trek, which combines the “W” with a full circuit over 7-10 days.

2. Trekking in the Atacama Desert – The driest desert in the world includes a mixture of salt lakes, sand, and lava flows. There are also plenty of natural hot springs to soak your feet after a hard trek!

3. El Morado Glacier trek – The best day hike if you want to get up close to some glaciers. It is also a lesser known route in Chile, so you will run into less crowds.

4. Grey Glacier in Torres del Paine National Park – This is a great trek that will allow you to hike over a glacier!

5. The Cerro Castillo Circuit – This is the perfect multi-day hike to get off the beaten path, complete with views of glaciers and lagoons. Be prepared, however for technical mountain passes. If you don’t have experience, we recommend hiring a guide.

Diving in Chile

Chile isn’t typically known for it’s diving, although due to its long coast, there are many places that you can explore.

By far the most impressive, iconic and interesting place to dive is Easter Island. The visibility is fantastic and there is plenty of sealife to see.

The main thing that steals the show though has to be the giant sunken Moai head. Yes, that’s right you can actually see one of the giant iconic heads as part of a dive!

Joining an Organized Tour in Chile

For most countries, Chile included, solo travel is the name of the game. That said, if you are short on time, energy, or just want to be part of an awesome group of travelers you can opt to join an organized tour. Joining a tour is a great way to see a majority of the country quickly and without the effort that goes into planning a backpacking trip. However—not all tour operators are created equal—that is for sure.

G Adventures  is a solid down-to-earth tour company catering to backpackers just like you, and their prices and itineraries reflect the interests of the backpacker crowd. You can score some pretty sweet deals on epic trips in Chile for a fraction of the price of what other tour operators charge.

Check out some of their awesome  itineraries for Chile  here…

For me, Chile is all about intrepid adventures, getting out into the wilderness, and exploring landscapes straight from the Discovery Channel.

There is a rich Latin culture here that you can indulge in, but to be honest, you can get lot of this culture all over South America. Chile is beautiful and interesting in its own right, but it also requires resourcefulness to get around on a budget. In Chile you get what you put in. You have to be brave, pack your camping gear, and get out into the wild if you really want to see what makes Chile special!

No matter how little time you have in Chile, make sure you get to at least one national park … and down at least one – no 6 -bottles of local wine!

Being a Responsible Backpacker while Backpacking Chile

Go and watch A Plastic Ocean on Netflix – it’ll change how you view the plastic problem in the world; you need to understand what we are up against. If you think it doesn’t matter, get off my fucking site.

Don’t pick up single use plastic bags, you’re a backpacker – take your daypack if you need to go to the shop or run errands.

Bear in mind, that many animal products in countries you travel through will not be ethically farmed and won’t be of the highest quality. I’m a carnivore but when I’m on the road, I only eat chicken. Mass-farming of cows etc leads to the rainforest being cut down – which is obviously a huge problem.

Need more guidance? – Check out our post on  how to be a responsible backpacker.

My biggest advice is to just be respectful to the local people and their culture. It’s not more complicated than that! Be kind and conscientious. If you are camping, make sure you take care of wherever you pitch and  leave no trace behind!

Show the historical and archeological sites respect too, don’t be like the Dutch idiot who tried to cut an ear off one of the big heads on Easter Island and got charged $17,000!

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This article is about the chile travel guide to the customers. Barrio Bellavista. It’s colourful, full of culture, has great places to chill, and has some of the best hostels in Santiago.There are national parks available in the chile. This is the information of about the chile.

Amazing guide! Thank you for sharing all this information with us. Chile is an amazing country and I strongly recommend a visit!

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• Travel Planning Guide

The Best Affordable Budget Tours to Chile

Ready to explore Chile on a budget with an organized tour? These budget-friendly tours are your ticket to an unforgettable adventure without emptying your wallet. We've carefully evaluated low-cost tours from highly reviewed companies, ensuring that you get the most out of your travel budget. From wallet-friendly prices and glowing guest ratings to excellent service, captivating destinations, and immersive activities, these handpicked budget tours to Chile offer an unbeatable combination of affordability and excitement.

• Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 4D/3N (Atacama to Atacama) 4 Days, $405.00
• Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days 17 Days, $1689.00
• From Buenos Aires to Santiago (8 Nights) 9 Days, $962.00

What are the budget and low-cost tours like in Chile?

Here are the important factors:

• 11 trip options analyzed
• $114 average price per day (USD)
• 3 to 17 days in length
• 4.75 of 5 average rating
• 12 people or less on average

Curious about the diverse range of budget tours? Prepare to be amazed by the array of options available to suit every traveler's preferences. It comes as no surprise that visitors adore these tours, given their exceptional average guest rating of 4.75 out of 5 stars. When it comes to group sizes, the average maximum capacity stands at 12 people, allowing for a comfortable and sociable experience. The shortest tour is 3 days, while the longest is 17 days. Looking at physical activity , the tours are easy and moderate, with the most as easy. With a comprehensive analysis encompassing 11 budget tours, you can rest assured that Chile has something tailored to your interests and preferences, promising an unforgettable experience for all.

(All tour prices are in US Dollars before taxes, and come from a base price that is reported by TourRadar. Peak season prices can vary significantly, particularly in destinations where seasonal travel fluctuates dramatically.)

So, let's get to it and see...

The 10 Best Budget Tours in Chile

Uyuni salt flats & desert adventure 4d/3n (atacama to atacama).

• Great Value: the daily price is lower than average for budget tours.
• High Quality: guest ratings are higher than average.

Set off on an extraordinary journey, visiting Chile and Bolivia, that has been awarded a 5 out of 5 stars by previous guests. With a duration of 4 days, this journey offers an intimate group setting, accommodating 20 individuals, while extending a warm welcome to travelers aged 10 or older. Begin and conclude your remarkable journey in the gorgeous destination of San Pedro De Atacama. Brought to you by Bamba Travel , this exceptional deal is an incredible steal at a mere $101 per day.

• Jeep & 4WD

Rio de Janeiro to Santiago de Chile - 17 Days

With this option you can experience an unparalleled trip for 17 unforgettable days, visiting Brazil, Argentina, and Chile. It ensures an intimate group setting with 6 participants at most. Along the way, this journey encompasses 10 destinations, including Mendoza, Luján de Cuyo, Potrerillos, and Mount Aconcagua. Rio de Janeiro will mark the start of your journey, while Santiago will serve as its final destination. Hi Travel Argentina , the organizer of this journey, extends a warm invitation to guests travelers aged 18 or older. This extraordinary opportunity offers exceptional value at only $99 per day.

• Sightseeing

From Buenos Aires to Santiago (8 Nights)

This fantastic journey has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars, visiting Argentina and Chile. Buenos Aires marks the starting point, while Santiago stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. Lasting 9 days, the maximum group size is 6 people, and it's good for travelers aged 18 or older. Organized by Hi Travel Argentina , this is a great deal because it's only $107 per day.

The End of the World (7 Nights)

With a stellar 5 out of 5 rating, this extraordinary journey, visiting Argentina and Chile, is the perfect choice. Immerse yourself in a travel experience that includes 4 destinations, featuring Torres del Paine National Park and Rio Gallegos. Beginning in beautiful El Calafate, you'll have a terrific journey that ends in Ushuaia. Spanning across 8 days, the journey accommodates 15 individuals, and is suitable for travelers aged 18 or older. Offered by Hi Travel Argentina , this remarkable journey is priced at just $122 per day. Don't miss out on this incredible experience.

La Paz to Buenos Aires: Andes & the Atacama Desert

This exceptional trip offering by G Adventures has received a 4.5 out of 5 rating. On this 15-day voyage, visiting Bolivia, Chile, and Argentina, you can unwind while also making new memories. Uncover the beauty of 8 destinations on this itinerary, with highlights such as Uyuni Salt Flat, San Pedro De Atacama, Salta, and Sucre. La Paz will mark the start of your journey, while Buenos Aires will serve as its final destination. With a group size of 18 people, it's suitable for travelers aged 18 to 39 years old. This remarkable trip is priced at an unbeatable $125 per day.

• In-depth Cultural

Uyuni Salt Flats & Desert Adventure 3D/2N (Atacama to Uyuni)

Check out this voyage that has received rave reviews, earning a stellar 4 out of 5 rating, visiting Chile and Bolivia. San Pedro De Atacama marks the starting point, while Uyuni stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. Spanning across 3 unforgettable days, this voyage offers an intimate group experience with 20 participants, and it's great for travelers aged 10 or older. Brought to you by the renowned Bamba Travel , this exceptional opportunity is priced at an incredible $114 per day - an unbeatable value.

The End of the World + El Chalten (9 Nights)

This 10-day trip, visiting Argentina and Chile, is ideal for travelers aged 18 or older. And priced at only $127 per day, it's a great value, too. This trip visits 7 destinations, including Perito Moreno Glacier, Torres del Paine National Park, Rio Gallegos, and El Chalten along the way. Beginning in beautiful El Calafate, you'll have a terrific journey that ends in Ushuaia. It's offered by Hi Travel Argentina , a very popular company with rave reviews and knowledgeable guides.

• Attraction-Based Hikes

4 Days Discovery @ Santiago de Chile

Priced at just $129 per day, this terrific 4-day voyage is ideal for people of any age. Begin and conclude your remarkable journey in the gorgeous destination of Santiago. Organized by the reputable Signature Tours , this is one of the best tours on this list.

Glaciers and Paine Adventure (4 Nights)

Check out this incredible voyage that has received a 5 out of 5 rating from previous guests, visiting Argentina and Chile. With a duration of 5 days, this journey ensures an intimate group size of 6 people, and is good for travelers aged 18 or older. Explore 5 incredible locations on this trip, including Perito Moreno Glacier, Puerto Natales, and Torres del Paine National Park. El Calafate marks the starting point, while Punta Arenas stands as the final stop on your incredible journey. This fantastic option, organized by Hi Travel Argentina , presents an unbeatable value at just $96 per day.

From Buenos Aires to La Paz via Uyuni (15 Nights)

Spanning over 16 days, this voyage, visiting Argentina, Chile, and Bolivia, has a maximum size of 6 individuals. Welcoming travelers aged 18 to 70 years old, it is organized by Hi Travel Argentina , a very popular company with plenty of great reviews. Discover a journey that spans 7 destinations, with notable stops in Salta, San Pedro De Atacama, Uyuni, and Red Lagoon (Laguna Colorada). Beginning in beautiful Buenos Aires, you'll have a terrific journey that ends in La Paz. Available at an unbeatable price of only $96 per day, this option also has a rating of 5 out of 5 stars from previous guests.

See also The Best Family-Friendly Tours to Chile , The Best Wildlife Tours to Chile , The Best Hiking & Trekking Tours in Chile , The Best Historical Tours in Chile , The Best 10-Day Tours in Chile , The Best One Week (7-Day) Tours in Chile , The Best 3-Day Tours in Chile , The Best 2-Week Tours in Chile , The Best 3-Week Tours in Chile , The Best Bicycle Tours in Chile , Tours for Outdoor and Nature Lovers in Chile , The Best Christmas & New Years Tours in Chile , The Best Coach Bus Tours in Chile , The Best Adventure Tours to Chile , The Best Eco Tours in Chile , The Best Cruise Tours and Packages in Chile , The Best Sightseeing Tours in Chile , The Best Cultural Tours in Chile , The Best Vineyard & Wine Tours in Chile , The Best Food and Culinary Tours in Chile , The Best Camping Tours in Chile , The Best Romantic Tours for Couples in Chile , The Best Self Drive Tours in Chile , The Best Walking Tours in Chile , The Best Tours Under $1000 in Chile , The Best Luxury Tours to Chile , The Best Tours for Seniors to Chile , or The Best G Adventures Tours to Chile for more tour ideas. With so many options, there's a guided tour or vacation package for every type of traveler.

Also, if you're departing from a specific destination, see The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Santiago , The Best One-Week (7-Day) Tours from Puerto Natales , The Best 10-Day Tours from Santiago , or The Best 2-Week Tours from Santiago for more package tour options.

How much do budget tours cost in Chile?

Travelers to Chile will have a large number of terrific options for budget tours at a variety of great prices. The price of budget tours here can vary by type, destinations, length, and travel style. Based on thorough data from 11 budget tours, their average daily price is a very reasonable $114 per day. If you're interested in more information about tours here, see our guide to tour prices in Chile .

And for more information on Chile, see Chile Travel Costs and Chile Hotel Costs .

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Discover Chile’s contrasting landscapes and culture while keeping your budget intact – from the Andes to Pacific coasts, explore affordably.

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