The long, narrow country of Chile features many compelling attractions. One is scenic beauty. Sandwiched between the Andes mountains and the Pacific Ocean, Chile offers breathtaking vistas from nearly every angle, and terrain that varies from the Atacama Desert in the north, to the lakes and volcanoes of central Chile, to the fjords and icefields of Patagonia in the south. Its varied terrain makes a Chile vacation ideal for ecotourists and active travelers, who will find many opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing and surfing.
Those who travel to Chile also find fascinating culture. The country’s UNESCO World Heritage sites include the historic quarter of Valparaiso, a vital port in the 19th century that features tall, colorful architecture and funiculars climbing its steep hills; Chiloe in the south, home to 16 wooden churches built by the Jesuits and the indigenous people in the 17th and 18th centuries; and the mysterious Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, where the enormous stone moai figures built from the 10th to 16th centuries still stand. A vacation in Chile should also include a visit to Santiago, home to fine museums, bustling markets and European charm; and a journey on one of the country’s 11 wine routes.
U.S. citizens must have a valid passport to travel to Chile, where they will be charged a reciprocity tax of $131 upon arrival. Upon entering Chile, tourists receive a 90-day tourist card that must be handed in when leaving the country. The principal gateways offering air service to Chile in the U.S. are New York, Miami, Los Angeles and Dallas. The weather in Chile varies greatly depending on where you travel (after all, it’s more than 2,650 miles long!). The seasons are the opposite of the Northern Hemisphere, with spring occurring from September to December, summer from December to March, fall from March to June, and winter from June to September. Car rentals are available in Chile; a valid U.S. driver’s license and major credit card are required, and the minimum age for rental is 25. Currency is the Chilean peso. Spanish is the official language. For more information on Chile travel, log on to www.chile-usa.org, the Embassy of Chile’s website.