Chile

A narrow slither of land wedged between the Pacific and the Andes, Chile stands as a nation apart in <a href="/region/south-america">South America</a> – both literally and figuratively. The mountains cut the country off from <a href="/country/argentina">Argentina</a> and <a href="/country/bolivia">Bolivia</a> to the east, while the expansive Atacama Desert separates it from <a href="/country/peru">Peru</a> to the north. And to the south, beyond the country’s infamous Cape Horn headland, lies nothing but ocean and <a href="/country/antarctica">Antarctica</a>. But far from being a curse, this isolation has created a very special destination indeed.Whether you fancy road-tripping the endless Carretera Austral, climbing the peaks of Torres del Paine National Park or surfing the brutal waves of Punta de Lobos in <a href="/city/pichilemu/1611">Pichilemu</a>, Chile is deserving of its reputation as one of the world’s best destinations for adventure tourism. It’s not just for thrill-seekers, though. From its incredible night skies and Mapuche Indian heritage to its vibrant arts scene and vertiginous vineyards, this is a country that caters for travellers of all hues. The Chileans themselves, meanwhile, tend to be warm and open, so absorbing what the country has to offer is generally a joy.The country hasn’t always had it easy, of course, and the tribulations of the Pinochet era can be explored in the dynamic capital, <a href="/city/santiago/7347">Santiago</a>. The city’s buzzing boulevards and arty neighbourhoods feel a million miles away from Chile’s more famous attractions, and this in itself tells you how broad the country’s offering is – this is a land that not only includes vast swathes of Patagonian wilderness and the glacier-threaded waterways of Tierra del Fuego, but also incorporates the remote, statue-studded landmass of <a href="/city/easter-island/7446">Easter Island</a>.Whether you’re seeking solitude as a leisurely backpacker or taking on the big sights in unbridled luxury, consider yourself warned – once you’ve experienced the myriad attractions Chile has to offer, you may find other destinations fall somewhat short.

Chile

Chilean Cuisine