Chile suprised me. Santiago was definitely the most modern and developed city I visited in South America, but this also made it the most souless. Chile’s smaller towns were also very modern but in a more interesting way; Pucon and Valparaiso were both structured and cool, quirky and interesting. Valpo was one of my most favourite places! Food is good, people are cool and there is more English than most other parts in South America.
Likes | Incredible scenery | cheap but tasty wine | English-speaking
Dislikes | Santiago was reminiscent of a North American city, which made it a bit culture-less
Route | San Pedro de Atacama | Santiago | Valparaiso | Pucon | Puerto Natales
Including | Torres del Paine | Luna Valley |
Food to try | Empanadas (the best in S. America, in my opinion!) | WINE, WINE, WINE | pastel de choclo | arrollado de chancho | sopaipilla | manjar | Chilean pisco |
Tips | Chile imposes a 19% tax on hotel and hostel stay. As non citizen travellers, we are exempt from this but only if the stay is paid for in foreign currency or on a foreign card. Carry USD and offer to pay in those. The hotel will usually deline the offer and accept Pesos, minus the tax.