Best of Chile
Lonely Planet’s top pick for travel destinations in 2018, Chile!!! And I couldn’t agree more. After spending the last 10+ months in South America I have still yet to find another country in South America that can top hiking in Chile’s Patagonia. There is no better place for stargazing than Chile’s Atacama Desert. And I’ve never visited a museum that was powerful enough to bring me to near tears like The Human Rights Museum of Santiago. Those are just a few of Chile’s best but trust me the country is full of wonders. If you haven’t already, start planning your trip now! Here are a few of my favorite Chilean memories to get you started !
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Torres del Paine
TDP is the absolute undeniable crown jewel of Chile’s Patagonia. Furthermore I would personally recommend TDP’s O-Circuit as the number one multi day hike in all of South America.
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Glacier Grey
This goes hand and hand with number one. Glacier grey is an incredible glacier in the TPD park. Taking the guided hike atop the glacier is one of the highlights of my entire life! It’s a bit on the expensive side for a longer budget trip but after having dinner with a lovely German couple and hearing how much larger the glacier was 20 years ago when he first visited the park I was sold. The guides have said that in the next 100 years the glacier will be gone.
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Isla de Pascua
Otherwise known as Easter Island. Located a few hours flight off the coast of Chile. It’s home to the mysterious Moai statues. The largest being around 10 meters tall & weighing around 80 tons!
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Museo de la Memoria y Los Derechos Humanos
This is my favorite museum in all of the world! It’s an insanely powerful collection of the hardships Chileans faced during the uprising of a military coup leading the country into a brutal era. Most notable are the recorded interviews with survivors of imprisonment and torture years after their release. The intensity of these interviews nearly drove me to tears. Despite violence happening all around the world as we speak it’s nothing you ever get use to. I find it absolutely heart wrenching to hear how cruel a human being can be to another human being.
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San Pedro de Atacama
It’s claim to fame? It’s the driest desert in the world! Well, driest nonpolar desert in the world if you want to be spot on! Nonetheless, it’s one of the coolest places ever. Head out beyond the cities and you’ll feel like you’re on Mars. Go out anywhere beyond the town after dark and look up for the best star gazing in all of South America. Take an astronomic tour and snap some pictures of the moon straight from the telescope with your camera phone!
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Isla Magdalena
This island located 32 km from the Punta Arenas is home to the largest penguin colony outside of Antarctica.
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Futbol
Futbol is arguably South America’s number one past time. Chileans are no exception! Catch any and every game you can, they are electrifying!
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Valparaiso
One of Chile’s most popular bohemian art towns. Valparaiso started its journey to fame during the olden days as citizens used graffiti as a way of protesting against the government. Today, the city continues its graffiti in the way of beautiful street art. Chileans like to claim Valparaiso as the most artistic city in the world.
