12 Reasons Chile is South America's Most Underrated Destination
Often overlooked by U.S. travelers, Chile is a long, narrow treasure trove of diverse experiences along South America's Pacific coast.
Discover eco-adventures in Patagonia, the vast Atacama Desert, thrilling Andean pursuits, the enigmatic Easter Island, charming coastal towns along its 2,600-mile shoreline, vibrant cities like Santiago and Valparaíso, and exceptional cuisine and wines that will captivate your palate.
LATAM Airlines offers year-round service from major U.S. gateways—Miami, New York, Washington, D.C., and the only non-stop from LAX. Overnight flights minimize jet lag, landing you in Santiago refreshed. With Chile's largest domestic network, travel is seamless and straightforward.
Yet, fewer than 200,000 Americans visit annually. Here are 12 reasons to add Chile to your travel list.
1. The name on your fleece should also be on your bucket list.
The outdoor brand Patagonia draws its name from this pristine Chilean region. Fly LATAM daily from Santiago to Punta Arenas, or take the new peak-season route (December–February) to Puerto Natales for a 3-hour trip. Chile has won World Travel Awards for best adventure tourism—much of it in Patagonia. 
Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve, is a haven for nature enthusiasts with lakes, fjords, rivers for kayaking, glaciers, and peaks in the Aysén region. Don't miss the roaring Salto Grande waterfall.
Patagonia's landscapes will fill your social feeds with breathtaking photos.
Spot unique wildlife like pumas, guanacos (mini-llamas), or take a tour from Punta Arenas to Isla Magdalena for 150,000 Magellanic penguins.
2. You'll have a hot dog with EVERYTHING on it.
Chilean cuisine mirrors the country's varied terrain. Enjoy empanadas, humitas (tamale-like), caldillo de congrio (conger eel soup), and locos (Chilean abalone stew). Fresh seafood abounds—you're never more than 217 miles from the ocean. 
Grab a completo—a hot dog topped with avocado, tomato, and mayo (avocado on everything here). Pair it with a terremoto: pineapple ice cream, grenadine, Fernet, and white wine.
You had us at pineapple ice cream.
3. Red, white and amazing.
As the world's fifth-largest wine exporter (outpacing Argentina), Chile excels in viticulture. Visit regions near Santiago like Río Maipo, where harvests occur in March. 
Ideal conditions—Andes peaks and Pacific breezes—produce stellar reds: Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Carmenère, and rising Syrah. Whites like Sauvignon Blanc and Chardonnay shine with fruitiness.
4. This capital barely sleeps and that's a good thing.
Arrive via LATAM in Santiago and allocate a few days for its culture, nightlife, museums, and dining. Visit in the southern hemisphere summer (our winter) for ideal weather.
Barrio Bellavista offers authentic cuisine; Boragó by Chef Rodolfo Guzmán showcases farm-to-table excellence. Admire the street art.
Climb Cerro Santa Lucía for panoramic views from its volcanic remnants.
Savor pisco sours, then hit the town—dinner after 9 p.m., dancing post-midnight, clubs open till 5 a.m.
That completo is calling.
5. Chile has the coast with the most.
Twice the U.S. West Coast's length, Chile's shores offer beaches and surf. Pichilemu, 3 hours from Santiago, attracts global surfers; watch from Punta de Lobos cliffs. 
Viña del Mar, near Valparaíso, boasts 13 white-sand beaches and luxury. Dine on fresh fish at Restaurante La Gatita.
Iquique, near Atacama, blends sandboarding and waves.
6. No bunnies, just tremendous statues.
Easter Island's moai statues demand a visit. LATAM's daily 5-hour flight from Santiago reaches this remote spot. 
"El Gigante" at Rano Raraku quarry would tower 72 feet; ponder how Polynesians moved these massive figures.
Stay a few days for diving, biking, hiking, and Rano Kau volcano views.
7. Take your hotel game to the next level.
Beyond chains like Marriott, try unique stays. In Panguipulli’s Huilo Reserve, Montaña Mágica Lodge features a rope bridge entry and rooftop waterfall. 
Neighboring Hotel Nothofagus is a wooden treehouse-inspired marvel. Nearby: South America's longest zipline, rafting, hot springs.
In Patagonia, glamp at Patagonia Camp on Lake Toro with heated yurts and stargazing domes.
8. Get lost in a cave or two.
Explore lava caves in the active Villarrica Volcano, or climb to its lava lake. In Patagonia, kayak the surreal Marble Caves of General Carrera Lake, sculpted over 6,000 years. 
9. Giants in the sky and on land.
Atacama Desert, Earth's driest, rivals Mars. Fly LATAM to Calama, then to San Pedro de Atacama. 
Clear skies draw stargazers; ALMA and VLT observatories shine here. Hotels offer telescopes. See the massive Atacama Giant geoglyph.
10. A whole city in living color.
Valparaíso bursts with color via murals and street art—inspiration for Nobel poet Pablo Neruda. Ride historic funiculars up 42 cerros for views. 
11. Chileans like to have fun.
Large-scale festivals abound. The annual Viña del Mar International Song Festival (late February) features global stars. Santiago a Mil (January) showcases parades and performances. Lollapalooza Chile (March/April) draws headliners like Metallica.
12. Go skiing in the summer, then après-ski at the beach.
Mid-June to mid-October ski season: Valle Nevado (90 minutes from Santiago) offers advanced lifts. Portillo suits experts. Ski morning, beach evening—thanks to Chile's narrow shape. 
