Chiloé
This museum, half a block south from Plaza de Armas, houses a well-organized collection of Huilliche relics, musical instruments, traditional farm…
Must-see attractions in Chile
Valparaíso
The rambling art nouveau building at the western end of Cerro Alegre is called Palacio Baburizza; it houses the Museo de Bellas Artes, which has a decent…
Puerto Montt
A joint Mexican-Chilean project finished in 1964, the upstairs Sala Hardy Wistuba specializes in works by local artists, sculptors and photographers. Also…
Valparaíso
One of Valpo's only modern landmarks is the controversial horseshoe-shaped Congreso Nacional, located in the eastern section of El Plan. Its roots lie in…
Chiloé
During the wars of independence, Fuerte San Antonio was Spain's last Chilean outpost. At the northwest corner of town, late-colonial cannon emplacements…
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
Beyond the eastern end of the airport runway, a road heads south past some large oil tanks to this ceremonial platform, with two major ahu. One of them…
Santiago
Strolls, picnics, pedal-boating, fútbol (soccer) kickabouts and soapbox rants are all popular activities at the 40-hectare Parque Quinta Normal, just west…
Southern Patagonia
Roughly midway between Villa Tehuelches and Puerto Natales on blustery, paved Ruta 9, Río Rubens is a fine trout-fishing area and, for travelers with…
Southern Patagonia
This oddball national park is a desolate landscape of rugged volcanic steppe. Its pocked formations gave it the name 'devil's country' in Tehuelche…
Middle Chile
Built in 1749 to discourage incursions by pirates, these Spanish fortifications were reconstructed in 1974. To reach them, follow the path from Cuevas de…
Tierra Del Fuego (Chile)
On the Plaza de Armas, the intriguing Museo de Tierra del Fuego has some unexpected materials, including Selk’nam skulls and mummies, musical instruments…
Santiago
Education and entertainment come together at the Museo Artequin, a museum of copies of famous artworks hung at kiddy height in a striking cast iron and…
Chiloé
Museo de Achao highlights aspects of the Chono people of Achao and other indigenous groups in Chiloé. Wood products, weavings, stones and plants used for…
Valparaíso
Local cartoonist Lukas had a sharp eye for the idiosyncrasies of Valparaíso. You need to speak Spanish to understand his sardonic political strips…
Middle Chile
On your way to the resort, stop at this roadside attraction, where you can visit a shallow cave and a waterfall and learn about the escapades of the…
Coyhaique
One of many serene mountain lakes surrounding Coyhaique and great for trout fishing, kayaking or simply time at the beach. It's just 33km from Coyhaique…
Middle Chile
On clear summer nights the M I Lodge brings an astronomer up to its observatory to give star talks where you can scan the sky for galaxies and planets…
La Serena
The dainty-looking bell tower of Iglesia Santo Domingo looks as though it should have a twirling ballerina inside. The tower is a later addition, only a…
RA Philippi Museo de la Exploración
Sur Chico
Valdivia's science and nature museum is small and underwhelming, with some English signage. Exhibits focus on explorations in the region.
Museo de Arte Contemporáneo Espacio Quinta Normal
Santiago
This branch of the downtown Museo de Arte Contemporáneo specializes in offbeat and experimental exhibitions. It's housed in the Palacio Versalles,…
Northern Patagonia
The skilled Chilote textile workers fed the success of the 1947 German carpet factory, still weaving high-end handmade rugs. They are sold online, but…
Valparaíso
In the west of El Plan, Barrio El Puerto (the port neighborhood) has the twin honors of being the oldest part of Valparaíso and the most run-down…
Arica
Atop Morro de Arica, this museum recounts a key battle that took place on this hillside in 1880 during the War of the Pacific. There'a a collection of…
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
About 100m off the coastal road (look for the sign), you'll find a couple of massive basaltic slabs decorated with carvings featuring a tuna, a shark, an…
Sur Chico
Parque Saval on Isla Teja has a riverside beach and a pleasant trail that follows the shoreline of Laguna de los Lotos, covered with lily pads. It's a…
Museo Intercultural Trawupeyüm
Sur Chico
A sparse but informative museum of Mapuche culture housed in a modern interpretation of a mountain ruka, a traditional circular Mapuche dwelling oriented…
Middle Chile
This three-story cultural center is housed in a gorgeous building that used to be the town's casino. Rotating art exhibits make a welcome break from beach…
Puerto Williams
Near the entrance to the military quarters is a replica of the original bow of the ship that rescued Ernest Shackleton’s Antarctic expedition from…
Puerto Natales
Worth a quick visit, this is a crash course in local history, with archaeological artifacts, a Yaghan canoe, Tehuelche bolas (throwing weapon) and…
Puerto Varas
The imposing and colorful 1915 Iglesia del Sagrado Corazón, overlooking downtown from a promontory, is based on the Marienkirche of the Black Forest,…
Middle Chile
The small Museo Arqueológico contains some interesting pre-Columbian pottery displayed in dusty exhibit cases. Much of it comes from the Aconcagua Valley.
Rapa Nui (Easter Island)
For a little dip, the tiny beach at Playa Pea, on the south side of Caleta Hanga Roa, fits the bill (though it's more of a rocky cove than a sandy oasis).
Northern Patagonia
This glacier descending from the southeast flanks of Monte San Lorenzo has only recently become a tourist attraction. It requires boat access and a guide.
Middle Chile
Commemorating the battle between the British naval vessels Glasgow, Kent and Orama, and the German cruiser Dresden.
Museo Histórico Arqueológico Municipal
Sur Chico
Mapuche artifacts (including jewelry, musical instruments and rough-hewn wooden masks) are the focus of this small museum behind the tourist office.
Puerto Montt
Built entirely of alerce in 1856, this church, located on the Plaza de Armas, is the town's oldest building and one of its few attractive ones.
Valparaíso
Long defunct (and home to a pack of street cats), El Puerto's beautifully restored food market should be open again by the time you read this.
Valparaíso
Classically inspired church, allegedly sacked by Sir Francis Drake in the 16th century. The fourth construction is the one you see today.
Santiago
Near the top of the funicular is the Terraza Bellavista, where there are a few snack stands and extraordinary views across the city.
La Serena
The handsome neoclassical Iglesia Catedral dates from 1844; it also has a sobering museum of religious art.
