Here are 10 things you can do in this most northerly part of Chile. In April we asked overland travellers about the challenges they faced due to COVID-19 restrictions. I loved to wander the streets of this colorful port city which is also part of the UNESCO World Heritage. We drive and live in our self-built overland camper, called ["Berta"] "Bertita" (little Berta since 2018 in Europe). The Aysén del General Carlos Ibáñez del Campo Región – or Aysén Region for short – is the northern end of Chile’s roadless wilderness of Patagonia. It has more than 20,000 archaeological pieces, including a large collection of Chinchorro mummies. Unlike anywhere else on the planet, with its rugged landscapes, geysers and lagoons, these are the best places to visit in the Atacama Desert, Chile. There are 8 circuits in 4 regions making up this desert route in northern Chile. The fact that the mountain side you are driving down looks like it might be a sand dune doesn’t instill much confidence. 30 stunning murals, from nearly monochrome to really colourful. Image by jmarti20 from Pixabay. We drove a few kilometres off the highway to the site, looking for an to overnight parking place. We have reviews of the best places to see in Chile. With... San Pedro de Atacama. From here, the night skies are absolutely full of stars that the effect is both eye-widening and jaw-dropping. During this short 3 week visit we noticed changes, and discovered many new things to see and do in Northern Chile. The Chinchorro culture had used the Anzota caves for living space and some of the mummies were found in them. Take a Road Trip through the Mountains of the Atacama Desert Plateau, Discover the History of Iquique in its City Centre, Check out the Northern Chile Beaches at Iquique, Drive down the ‘Sand Dune’ to reach the City of Iquique, Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Humberstone and Santa Laura Saltpeter Works, An Endangered Species & a Memorial of the War of the Pacific, Look for Eiffel Architecture in the City Centre of Arica, Drive out of Arica along the Azapa Valley to see 7,000 year old Chinchorro Mummies, Follow the ocean walk to the Anzota caves, Watch the birdlife at the Humedal del Rio Lluta, Despite Rumors, Not Everything That Towers Is Eiffel’s, more than 10,000 years of history is represented here, to make this museum a UNESCO World Heritage site. Cathedral, Church of San Marcos, (1875) made by Gustave Eiffel, the same man who created the Eiffel Tower of Paris, France. They have been re-introduced into several protected areas to try to keep them from extinction. They are now attracting cruise ships, the number visiting increasing each year. Place to visit in Northern Chile: Parque Nacional Lauca From Arica, the road climbs up into pre-cordillera, the... 2. It’s an interesting historical site and quite well done. It has hot springs where you can soak yourself after a long day. We are travelling around the Pacific Ring of Fire by bicycle with kids: http://www.terracirca.de, Safe travels! Watching the sunset in Valle de La Luna, I felt like I was on another planet. That’s why we have have spent more than 4 years here altogether, and probably will need one more…, Very interesting post. It took us over 4 hours, mostly standing in line – in the sun and heat. Last updated on 29th April 2020 - This article may contain affiliate links. The 15 Best Destinations to Visit in Chile in 2018 Torres del Paine National Park. As well as the commemorating plaques and plinths, there are many ruins of mud brick buildings. A very small part of the gigantic sand dune which lays below an even taller one, where the road climbs up. Saltpeter extraction works, like this one, initiated a boom for the Atacama desert and finally led to a war, which Chile won. Walking in and out of this museum almost brought a tear to my eye. It was a good place to stop – quiet, no light except thousands of stars, lots of rocks and some rather shrubby trees. Besides being the perfect place to spend the night (we actually stayed for 2), we also found the site itself quite interesting. This large estuary provides important habitat for multitudes of water birds, some of which are migratory birds, who use it as a resting stop. If you want to get maximum out of Chile during your upcoming tour then here are best places to visit in Chile that you must cover during your itinerary: Torres Del Paine National Park; Chile has become a popular spot among tourists because of this destination. The former accommodation areas are now home to themed collections of mostly found objects of that time. You will find a wealth of information on our site, especially if you love road trips. A small but most interesting shell museum. The Rich Jesuit Legacy in Cordoba Province. Why not Visit the 9 World Heritage Sites of Morocco? Chile, as almost all of South America, is still very much an undiscovered country with many attractive destinations. Coincidentally, we arrived on the evening of November 19, 2016. Coming from Australia, it takes a lot to impress us when it comes to beaches – and the brown-grey sand of Iquique’s beaches didn’t really look that inviting. The Atacama Desert is the driest desert in... 2) Valparaiso. Find out more Islands and fjords of southern Patagonia. Easter Island, 2. Find what to do today, this weekend or in November. (We posted more photos in our post ‘6 Places & Experiences we didn’t write about in 2016’). This volcanic island, isolated in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, is best known for the enigmatic stone heads dotted across its grassy plains and white-sand coves. I don’t remember it from 2008, but this time it was a disturbing (if not close to terrifying) experience for me… There is a wonderful view of the city and also of a huge sand dune, which looks like it could actually engulf the city if it decided to move. Thank you for all the information shared here and congratulations on your blog! Thank you for your comment. Thousands of people lived and worked at this remote site in the first half of the 20th Century. Another example is the area around Santiago, which we described here, Your email address will not be published. The Laguna San Rafael National Park is where visitors can find the vast Northern Patagonian Ice Field, a frozen land where glaciers feed lakes and rivers at high altitude. In 2008 we went to Iquique principally for its free trade zone, but also wandered around the historical centre. Bulgaria introduced the new electronic BGToll system for heavy vehicles and included motorhomes. A simple, but beautiful old adobe church in the small Andean town of Cariquima. Its waters are famous for having some of the best surf in the world. One of the most extraordinary places on the planet, this vast desert is home to a marvelously unique landscape teeming with life. By now the cathedral should be open in freshly renovated shine and glory…, One of the shaded side lanes in Arica, with one restaurant next to the other…. Our choice instead: to take it slowly, take side roads, discover places aside from the typical "bucket list" and guidebook highlights. This site remembers a famous battle of the War of the Pacific (1879 to 1883), involving Chile, Peru and Bolivia, on November 19, 1879. The Ruta Del Desierto runs through the mountains of the Atacama Desert. About 70Km after the Humberstone site we started to see some green ahead. Gustavo Le Paige Archaeological Museum is a good place to start time in San Pedro de Atacama, as a visit here serves as a low-stress activity while you grow accustomed to the area's altitude and extreme dryness. San Pedro de Atacama is a small town in Northern Chile that is located smack-dab in the middle of the desert. Tags: Atacamabird watchingdesertindustrial heritageminingMountainsmuseumNational ParkUNESCO World Heritagewetlands. Let's start our trip in the north. Glad you’re inspired. When the sun’s shining the beaches of Iquique are really busy. This time we discovered that little has changed. We recommend a visit to this World Heritage site, which clearly exhibits the Industrial Heritage of Chile. All books are well organised and informative, with attractive photos and plans. This made Iquique the laughing stock of all of Chile. Book your tickets online for the top things to do in Chile on Tripadvisor: See 559,543 traveler reviews and photos of Chile tourist attractions. It really dwarfs the whole city. These caves are a natural formation caused by wind and water erosion over centuries. Thank you very much for this information! So we found ourselves in Chile again. You can read more on our "About Us" page. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. It has lots of great colonial and neo-colonial architecture as well as old stone churches, leafy boulevards and has a lovely long beach lining the ocean. They claim more than 10,000 years of history is represented here . Iquique, and the inland desert, also provide many more north Chile attractions. In 2016, the small, fertile valley achieved its hard-fought geographic indication, Olives from Azapa . 1. According to Daniel, there is an application in to make this museum a UNESCO World Heritage site . Comment document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a4c715b214c1574921ead90c3e1e8bc8" );document.getElementById("e2d3333da5").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); "Keep up with Joneses" - sign up for our newsletter! 10 Best Places to Visit in Chile 1) San Pedro de Atacama – Atacama Desert. But the Chinchorro mummy museum offers a number of other exhibits, like these fishing hooks, and many informative signs (so far only in Spanish – lets hope this will change once UNESCO World Heritage Status is granted). There is a motor cycle track, where people ride up the sand duns as well. They are on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, and are located in the Atacama Desert. With so much to see and do it's hard to know where to start. The ‘El Morro’ rock sits right in the centre of Arica – next to the plaza and opposite the harbour. Once you are this far North in Chile you will probably visit. I read that this year UV radiation is extreme… (What a nightmare it was: worse border crossing in South America! We had photographed it from a distance in 2008, but this time we were determined to visit . (But they didn’t get rid of the smell of bird poop.). The northern port town of Arica benefits from year-round sunshine and a relaxed pace of life that befits its seaside setting and contributes to its name as the ‘City of Eternal Spring.’ Locals and visitors mill around its center in flip-flops before heading on foot to the various surrounding beaches for surf and sunbathing. All Regions Asia Australia & South Pacific Caribbean & Atlantic Central & South America Europe. The battle site of Dolores is surrounded by crumbling mud brick ruins. Gigante de Atacama, just 12 Kilometres from Huara, and other geoglyphs along the way. This is the best place to go. And let me tell you, it is not just writing in a paper. All content (text & photos) © 2006-2020 dare2go.com. In an earth quake in 2014 this road slid down the steep hillside. This region of northern Chile is a place full of magic, wonder, and photos just waiting to be taken. More recently they were the site of a major guano quarry. Another amazing place and one of the best tourist destinations in Chile to vacation is Pucon, a renowned international tourist center on the shores of Lago Villarrica. We found this quiet spot to spend a few days. We love sharing our impressions and knowledge gained along the way. Northern Chile’s clear skies, along with the high-altitude vantage points provided by the Atacama Desert, have made the country a popular star-gazing spot. Head to Cerro Tololo for a spot of amateur astronomy in scientific surroundings. 7 Things You Should Consider in the COVID-19 Age, Coronavirus Lockdowns in South America: Readers’ Experiences of Curtailing and Cancelling Trips, This Sustainable Tour to an Indigenous Weaving Collective Unveils the Hidden Reality of Cartagena, The 15 Best Hikes in Patagonia that You Can Do Without a Guide. The sea gulls have to step back into second row. If you’re in Iquique, don’t miss the chance to have a wander. Journey to the stars and learn more about the constellations in one of the many famed astronomical observatories in the northern half of Chile. So, don’t miss to add in your list as it one of the best places to visit in Chile. Some of the Chinchorro mummies – you don’t get to see much more. And, he always had a story to go with them. La Serena is counted in one of the best cities to visit in Chile, the capital of its region in the north and is a charming place to spend some time, the second oldest city in Chile. We have reviews of the best places to see in Chile. 25. Daniel, at the tourist office in Arica, spoke excellent English. ), Enjoy your trip and be CAREFUL with the sun! Your Blog is very interesting. When we left Iquique I found that driving up was nowhere near as frightening as the drive down had been. twitter facebook instagrame. In 2015 and 2016 it underwent extensive renovations, hence our photo is from 2008. we saw your truck yesterday in Arica, but you passed so fast… we are travelling by bicycle… ;) Our post summarises all the basic practical information you need to know before overlanding in Peru. The remains of the old production sites are still impressive and provide an insight into the hard life of the workers. It is almost squeezed against the Pacific on one side and the mountains on the other. 9 Impressions from the Road in the Last Year, 2016: our Year of South American Travel in Review. I’ve always wanted to go to South America, and I am dreaming about Patagonia, but I guess I’ll have to check out northern Chile as well. Hit the potent tubes in northern Chile's duo of surf capitals, Iquique and Arica. Humberstone WHS: a row of workers’ cottages with some old machinery in front. This area was formerly part of the Province of Tarapaca whose capital is Iquique. Here you can spot the Cerro Castillo, a jutting, 2,675-metre-tall peak named fo… We really recommend spending time in the most northerly city of Chile. And you will need a lot of time to see all of it. It gives an incredible view of the area, if you have the energy to climb it. OUR PROMISE: we will keep your address private and won't spam you either!]. The bird life at Rio Lluta is what I’d definitely do. Lluta River Wetlands in Arica: this ‘cloud’ is only PART of a flock of sea gulls! This northern Chilean town is the second oldest in the nation. Stroll through this city and you will find public art, green spaces, several museums, and plenty of cafes for a rest. Drive up the side of a sand dune, from sea level to over 500 metres above. The few hotel and restaurant listings are in a separate section. Visit San Pedro de Atacama and explore its singular landscapes, quite unlike anywhere else on earth. dare2go.com is a participant in the Amazon.com Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com or Amazon’s European subsidiaries. Frommer's reviews the best attractions in Northern Chile, and our free guide tells what to see and the can't-miss things to do. Hi! If you’re a bit pressed for time, we would suggest visiting Arica – we really liked it. It is a hill located in northern Santiago, Chile. *)required field [We will use your email address only to send our email newsletter and nothing else. Our ultimate street art gallery from Colombia with photos taken in Medellin and Cartagena. Places to Visit in Chile, South America: See Tripadvisor's 6,69,664 traveller reviews and photos of Chile tourist attractions. Of all the best places to visit in Chile, Patagonia is screaming my name the most. Located west of the Andes in northern Chile lies the Atacama Desert. To help you make this tricky decision here are some of Chile's top spots. The North of Chile appears all barren but there is – surprisingly – a lot to see. We found it a pleasant city to just wander through, finding interesting things to see along the way. Privacy Policy, 10 Things I’ve Learned From Three Years of Travelling. The history was so connected in my mind with my Dad, who I lost earlier that year. Discover the History of Iquique in its City Centre. Our followers will know that we swear by the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides . Some of the caves have new stairs leading into them. Here somebody lovingly lined up some old pots, jars, and rusty tools on a white washed wall. Keep Reading: Chile & Patagonia: When’s the Best Time to Visit? There are also dedicated restaurant and café areas, often in lanes running off the pedestrian zone. Located in northern Chile, the Atacama Desert is famous for being one of the driest places in the entire world. With views that are reminiscent of a scene out of a sci-fi film, this beautiful landscape can be... Santiago. The original olive trees were planted some 400 years ago. "25 Best Places to Visit in Chile for Locals & Tourists - Restaurants, Hotels" Back to Top or Beautiful places near me, what to do, ... Iquique, located in Northern Chile, is known for being one of the best beach resort areas in the country, with numerous pristine sandy beaches. You have to drop around 500m in altitude from the coastal mountains to the city. It boasts a city full of lovely architecture and a … Many were built in the years of the saltpeter boom. As we drove north from Iquique to Arica, we passed through more of the completely barren Atacama Desert. Best places to visit in Chile. El Morado Glacier Trek Want to see glaciers up closer? In every direction there is just greyish-brown desert, sometimes with rocks strewn about, and no sign of any plant life. CNN Travel unveils 20 of the best places to visit in 2020, including a hidden gem in the Caribbean, a remote island off the coast of Africa and a German town with the coolest trains. Visit top-rated & must-see attractions. This hill is considered one of the top tourist attractions in Chile. Iquique sits right on the Pacific coast, and is known for the surf, paragliding, bodyboarding, and its laid back atmosphere. If you have planned traveling to the South of the World, specifically Chile and you need to know what places are the most interesting to visit, here you will find a guide with the best places to visit here. It runs into the Pacific about 10Km north of the city of Arica. I confess – we didn’t. From the arid Atacama desert to the snow-clad Patagonia mountains, from the beautiful street art of Valparaiso to the mysterious statues of Easter Island, here are some of the best places to visit in Chile. This was what we wrote then: Although we didn’t find anything in the trade free zone at a remarkably cheap price, we found it a pleasant little city, which is trying to make its historic centre nice. The optimal times to visit Chile are March through May and then in the autumn months. Iquique, Chile. Paseo 21 de Mayo is an extensive pedestrian zone with all the shops you could need. These resources are now being used for beautifying the city, conserving local heritage, and generally making their city a tourist destination of some note. On Sunday the playas are full of people, colourful beach shelters and umbrellas. The main square in the old part of Iquique. But the most northerly part of Chile is much more than just the Atacama Desert. Our travel blog is atypical because we travel differently, not flying from one dream destination to the next. The Azapa Valley is a surprising oasis of green in the apparantly inhospitable Atacama Desert. flickr/Antifama. We loved Arica and want to encourage others to spend some time there. All this information would make a good blog post itself. We cannot promise that all information is complete or still current - it’s as much as we found out at the time of writing. For those trying to travel on a budget, there are certain times of the year that are better than others to visit here. Torres del Paine, 3. Juergen. One of the best places to visit in Chile is the Cerro San Cristóbal. It was an interesting place to visit but also a little emotional. This beautiful moorish style building in Iquique is currently under renovation. If you are up for an adventure there are many ruins out in the desert, as well as natural hot springs. Chile is a country you can spend a lot of time in – and you will see a lot of different things. A tiny town in northern Chile, San Pedro De Atacama is a Spanish colonial town surrounded by the driest desert in the world. Spots like the Elqui Valley make the best places to catch a glimpse of the glittering night skies. This big hill in the middle of the city features one of the most incredible Santiago panoramas available. Keep Reading: Chile Travel Itineraries for 10 days or Two Weeks, Keep Reading: Patagonia on a Budget and How to Explore the Region For Less, off-the-beaten-trail adventures in the Atacama Desert, to cross the border into Peru and on to Arequipa by bus, You Gotta’ Have Faith: Travelling and Trust, Travel Serendipity and Hitchhiking in Chile, The Adventure Traveler’s Patagonia Packing List, On the Community-Run Coffee Trail in Peru, 16 Unique and Unusual Things to Do in Guatemala, By Region and Season: the Best Times to Visit Chile, Four Mind-blowing Bolivia Itineraries For 10 Days to One Month of Traveling, Is It Safe to Travel to South America? Places to visit in Northern Chile: Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas South of Putre, Reserva Nacional Las Vicuñas is yet... 3. Korça is an undiscovered gem of Albania. One of the most amazing experiences in Iquique is to be had just driving into the city from Ruta 5. It all looks like this was later the site of another saltpeter mining enterprise. It houses a casino. Vast salt flats, active geysers and intense blue lagoons are just a few of the extraordinary features of this region. Meet Yasha and Juergen. The Reserva Nacional Pampa del Tamarugal is one of them. Required fields are marked *. We drove along the Avenue that follows the coast on a number of occasions. Website customized by webbeetle. Chile stretches over half of the South American continent, from the world’s driest desert to the massive glacial fields of Patagonia. Oliver, Elena, Jakob and Arthur, We were only for a day back in Arica – in order to renew our visa for Peru. When we decided to leave Bolivia , the most northerly part of Chile was the closest and lowest place to go. I recommend visiting the country. Again, we find this a very good resource to research all sights in this country. The ocean walk to the Anzota caves outside Arica is one of the things on our list. It has attractive wooden buildings, which were probably residences of those who got very rich during the nitrate mining boom. 4# Iquique This lovely shoreline and gambling club town offers a dynamic promenade and perfect nineteenth century Georgian design like the Aztoreca Palace. Your email address will not be published. Chile Travel Guide: 10 Best Places to Visit in Chile List of Best Places to Visit in Chile: 1. I’m sure there had been commemorations during the day, but there was no remaining evidence. We are busy planning September and October in Bulgaria, so our trusted guidebook is out almost every day. Iquique and Arica are the most important cities in northern Chile. Updated: 08th March 2018. Here is a look at some of the best places to visit in Chile: 10. It started with saltpetre which came to an abrupt end at the beginning of the 20th century when the synthetic production of nitrates was invented. We're talking huge, hollow and nearly all left waves of board-breaking variety, especially in July and August when hard-core surfers storm the coast.
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