Other activities in Chile
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Viña Cousiño Macul
Most of the vineyards of Viña Cousiño Macul are now at Buin, but tours take in the production process and underground bodega, built in 1872. It’s a 2¼km walk or taxi ride from the metro.
reviewed
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Viña Concha y Toro
To see winemaking on a vast scale, do one of the mass-market tours at Viña Concha y Toro.
reviewed
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Termas de Puyehue
Alcohol problem? Can’t shake cigarettes? Battling a time-consuming porn habit? There’s no cure here for those, but the therapeutic waters at Termas de Puyehue are said to cure just about everything else. This baronial destination resort, set on an elegant 36 sq km just off Ruta 215, 76km east of Osorno, bills itself as Chile’s first five-star, all-inclusive resort. It is indeed impressive: colossal stone archways, never-ending staircases, heated hallways, three thermal pools, a full-blown spa and three restaurants. The waters aren’t in as good a shape as the resort itself (the outdoor option with views is preferred), but if it eases your arthritis and rheumatism, who …
reviewed
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Termas Los Pozones
The most popular termas to visit from Pucón has six natural stone pools with a variety of temperatures spaced along the rushing Liucura river. It’s open nearly 24 hours but gets crowded, so come during nighttime hours (8pm to 6am). It can be a fun spot – people drink alcohol in the pools – so don’t count on a place to meditate. A few changing rooms are built overtop the main pool with ladders right into the water. Transportation from Pucón ($10,000) is included in the admission price. Keep an eye on your valuables.
reviewed
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La Parva
The most exclusive of Santiago’s ski resorts, La Parva is definitely oriented towards posh families rather than the powder-and-party pack. Private cottages and condos make up ski base Villa La Parva, from where 14 lifts take you to its 30 runs, the highest of which starts at 3630m above sea level. Snow permitting, there’s plenty of off-piste skiing here, too. The ski between La Parva and Valle Nevado or Farellones (via Valle Olímpico) is also a favorite among more experienced skiers.
reviewed
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Parque Nacional Pali Aike
The park has several hiking trails, including a 1700m path through the rugged lava beds of the Escorial del Diablo to the impressive Crater Morada del Diablo; wear sturdy shoes or your feet could be shredded. There are hundreds of craters, some as high as a four-story building. There’s also a 9km trail from Cueva Pali Aike to Laguna Ana, where there’s another shorter trail to a site on the main road, 5km from the park entrance.
reviewed
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Termas de Puritama
These idyllic volcanic hot springs puddle together in a box canyon 34km north of San Pedro, en route to El Tatio. Maintained by the Explora company, it has changing rooms on site. Few tours stop here because of the hefty admission charged, but taxis will take you from San Pedro for around CH$5000. The springs are a 20-minute walk from the parking lot. The temperature of the springs is about 33°C, and there are several falls and pools. Bring food, water and sunblock.
reviewed
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Valle Nevado
About 12km of unpaved road takes you from Farellones to Valle Nevado. Modeled on European setups, it’s the best-maintained of Santiago’s resorts and has the most challenging runs. A magic carpet and ample beginner runs make it good for kids, too. Seven drag lifts and four chairs take you to the 27 pistes’ high-altitude start points, which range from 2860m to 3670m. Adrenaline levels also run high here: there’s a snow park, good off-piste action, and heli-skiing.
reviewed
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Turismo Comapa
If you have the time, a more atmospheric alternative to Seno Otway is the thriving Magellanic penguin colonies of Monumento Natural Los Pingüinos on Isla Magdalena. Five-hour tours on the Barcaza Melinka (adult/child CH$25,000) land for an hour at the island and depart the port on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday, December through February. Confirm times in advance. Book tickets through Turismo Comapa and bring a picnic.
reviewed
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Termas del Ventisquero
Located roadside on the Carretera Austral, 6km south of Puyuhuapi, this new miniresort has one big pool and three small pools facing the sound, surrounded by umbrellas and lounge chairs. The water is 36–40°C and there are adequate changing rooms with showers and lockers. Food is not allowed but you can grab a bite at the acclaimed restaurant (mains CH$5000) that serves homemade pasta, fish and quiche, in addition to English teas, espresso and pisco sours.
reviewed
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Termas de Panqui
Panqui, 58km east of Pucón, caters to a New Agey crowd and can get overrun in the summer, but these numerous baths are still quite good and are in a tranquil mountainous location. The place promotes itself as an ecological retreat and has a vegetarian restaurant. Come slide into the one of the four pools and soak away the stresses of a long day of enjoying yourself in and around Pucón – bathing suits have even been known to slip off here.
reviewed
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Termas Geométricas
For couples and design aficionados, this Asian-inspired, red-planked maze of 17 beautiful slate hot springs set upon a verdant canyon over a rushing stream is the top choice. It’s simply gorgeous. There are two waterfalls and three cold plunge pools to cool off and a fogón-heated café stocked with natural chicken soup and real coffee. If it weren’t for the Spanish, you’d think this was Kyoto. Located 15km north of Coñaripe.
reviewed
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La Comarca
This eco-sensitive collective marries smaller outfitters specializing in dramatic and custom-tailored adventure trips to less explored areas of the Rio Puelo Valley and Chiloé with independent travelers looking for an experience beyond the norm. Groups are never more than 10-strong and options include half-day bike trips to Volcán Osorno (CH$30,000) and full-day treks to Volcán Calbuco (CH$30,000). They rent bikes as well.
reviewed
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Lagunillas
The cheapest skiing to be had near Santiago is at Lagunillas, a small resort 67km southeast of Santiago via San José de Maipo. Run by the Club Andino de Chile, it has four lifts and 13 runs; note that though the scenery is stunning, the snow here is generally not as good as at Santiago’s more exclusive resorts. The Club Andino runs a few small cabins here, but it’s an easy day trip from Santiago.
reviewed
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Centro de Información Ambiental
Conaf’s Centro de Información Ambiental offers a variety of programs mainly in the summer (January and February), including slideshows and ecology talks, hikes to the Sierra Nevada and outings for children. Good trail maps with basic topographic information and trail descriptions are available here, as are climbing permits.
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VTS
You can only visit Sewell and El Teniente on organized tours run by VTS. Tours leave from both Santiago and Rancagua, and include a trip down into the still-functioning mine, a tour of the town itself and a visit to the Museo de la Gran Minería de Cobre, a museum housed in a beautiful 1940s modernist building.
reviewed
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Tren del Vino
The most novel way to try the local wine is aboard the Tren del Vino, a steam-train tour that leaves every Saturday from San Fernando station. You start the wine tasting on board, visit a vineyard and have lunch there, then wind up at the Colchagua museum before returning to Santiago by bus.
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Viña Aquitania
Santiago’s most interesting winery, Viña Aquitania works with tiny quantities and sky-high quality. From Grecia metro station (Línea 4), take bus D07 south from bus stop 6 and get off at the intersection of Av Los Presidentes and Consistorial (you need a Bip! card). Aquitania is 150m south.
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Pozo 3
You can go swimming at Pozo 3, 3km east of San Pedro off the road to Paso Jama. The swimming pool here is well kept, and there are changing rooms. Gas-heads can rent ATVs, and you can camp for around CH$5000 per person, though you are better off camping in one of the spots closer to town.
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Centro de Ski Las Araucarias
The Centro de Ski Las Araucarias at Sector Los Paraguas has just three ski runs, but is a tranquil and scenic area to enjoy a day on the slopes. Ski and snowboard rental costs CH$12,000 per day. In winter, the center has an annex office in Hotel Panamericana Temuco.
reviewed
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Mandala Andino
You don’t need a gold card to get a little pampering here. With mini-spa Mandala Andino hikers fresh off the trail need not stay sore. Three large wooden tubs, one in a covered dome, are heated to a toasty temperature and massages are also available.
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Patagón Chiloé
This agency is a better bet for independent travelers and walk-ups. They do excursions all over Chiloé, but you’re more likely to use them to visit the penguin colonies. They offer three trips out per day for CH$20,000 per person with discounts for groups.
reviewed
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Thermal Baths
A cluster of thermal baths huddle amid rocky scenery 11km northeast of Putre. To get down and dirty, there’s also a red-mud bath. The gravel road branches right off Chile 11 around 8km from Putre. It’s a further 3km to the site.
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Trafkura Expediciones
If you want to dig deeper into the indigenous cultures, Trafkura Expediciones in Melipeuco offers sustainable-tourism immersion trips deep into Pewenche Indian land in Icalma, where their organic farm accepts volunteers.
reviewed
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Viña Almaviva
Viña Almaviva is the boutique vineyard Concha y Toro runs in partnership with Baron Philippe de Rothschild. Bus 207 from Estación Mapocho runs past the entrance (you need a Bip! card), 1km from the winery building.
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