CHILE

Stunning Chile is one of the most diverse and rewarding destinations in South America.

Bill and I spent almost a month exploring Chile during our four-month South America adventure, dividing our time between the dramatic Atacama Desert of the north and the rugged wilderness of Patagonia in the south.

Along the way, we drove remote roads, spotted incredible wildlife, walked beneath some of the clearest night skies I’ve ever seen, and discovered why Chile deserves a spot on any traveler’s Bucket List.

White salt bands curl around blue and pink mineral pools below red volcanic hills and a deep blue sky. This image captures the wild, high-altitude scenery that makes Ruta de los Salares one of the most dramatic drives from San Pedro de Atacama.

If Chile is on your Bucket List, this page is here to make planning your trip easier. Right now you’ll find all of my first-hand guides to the Atacama Desert, including where to stay, whether to rent a car or book tours, how to handle the high altitude, and detailed self-drive day trips. Over time, I’ll also be adding our guides to Chilean Patagonia to help you explore even more of this remarkable country.

A Chilean flamingo walks through a shallow lagoon with bright pink knees and long gray legs. This photo helps show the field marks that separate Chilean Flamingos from the other species found here, — Chilean Flamingo

Whether you’re dreaming of flamingos feeding beneath snow-capped volcanoes, driving through landscapes that feel more like Mars than Earth, or hiking among glaciers and jagged mountain peaks, I hope these guides help you spend less time researching and more time enjoying an unforgettable adventure.

Recent Chile Guides

More Chile Travel Guides

Here are some more guides about visiting the Atacama Desert and Chile. Patagonia Content will be added soon. If you’d like to receive emails when I’ve posted new content to the site, please complete the short form above.

Visit the Atacama Desert: A Self-Drive Guide
Atacama Desert Tours: How to Explore It Without Driving
Atacama Desert Map: Explore The Desert, One Road At A Time
Atacama Desert Altitude – How To Keep It From Ruining Your Trip
Atacama Desert Night Sky: How to Experience the Stars
Atacama Desert Animals: What You Can See & Where
Where to Stay in the Atacama Desert: My Top Hotel Picks for Every Budget

Day Trip #1 – West: Valle De La Luna Atacama + Magic Bus + Ckari Sunset
Day Trip #2 – South: Laguna Chaxa Flamingos + Valle de Jere
Day Trip #3 – Northwest: Rainbow Valley Atacama + Petroglifos Yerbas Buenas
Day Trip #4 – North: Machuca Wetlands + Vado Rio Putana
Day Trip #5 – East: Ruta de los Salares