Why visit
Chile stretches 4,300 km. From Atacama's driest desert to Patagonia's Torres del Paine, Easter Island's moai, and Valparaíso's hillside murals. Wine country wraps around Santiago.
Country · South America
Chile
natureadventurefoodculture
At a glance
Location
-30.0°, -71.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
756,102 km²
291,932 mi²
Country population
19.6 million
26/km²
Subregion
South America
Currency
Chilean peso ($)
CLP
Dial
+56
Language
Spanish
Demonym
Chilean
Internet
.cl
UN
Member state
ISO code
CL / CHL
Where in the world
-30.0° · -71.0°
Chile
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Did you know
- Chile is 4,300 km long but only ~180 km wide on average: the world's most elongated country.
- The Atacama Desert is the driest place on earth: some weather stations have never recorded rain.
- Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is Chilean: one of the most isolated inhabited places on earth.
- Chile produces 30% of the world's copper.
Bordering Chile
Traveler notes
- Visa-free for most Western passports for 90 days
- Torres del Paine W-trek is 4–5 days
- Atacama stargazing is world-elite
Plan checks
- Start research with the capital Santiago, then compare two or three other regions.
- Check passport validity, visa rules, health requirements, and travel insurance for current conditions.
- Reserve top restaurants 2–4 weeks out and plan two standout meals per city.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Signature travel cities in Chile
Valparaiso
Valparaíso is a UNESCO-listed port city on 42 hills. Pablo Neruda's La Sebastiana house, ascensor funiculars, street art on every wall, and a poetic, chaotic energy.
San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro is the Atacama Desert's base. Valle de la Luna, El Tatio geysers at dawn, the world's clearest skies for stargazing, and Bolivian salt-flat crossings nearby.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Chile
What is the capital of Chile?
Santiago is the capital of Chile.
What currency does Chile use?
Chile uses the Chilean peso ($), ISO code CLP.
What languages are spoken in Chile?
The primary language is Spanish.
Is Chile landlocked?
No, Chile has a coastline.
What countries border Chile?
Chile borders Argentina, Bolivia, Peru.
What is the international calling code for Chile?
The calling code is +56.
When is the best time to visit Chile?
Oct–Apr. Check current weather and local events before booking.
Other South America destinations
Argentina
Argentina is Buenos Aires tango nights, Mendoza wine country, Patagonia (Perito Moreno, El Chaltén, Ushuaia), Iguazu's other side, and some of the world's best beef.
Bolivia
Bolivia is Salar de Uyuni's mirror-salt flats, La Paz at 3,600 m, Lake Titicaca, Sucre's white colonial capital, and the Amazon at Rurrenabaque.
Brazil
Brazil is Rio's beaches and Carnival, the Amazon, Iguazu Falls, Salvador's Afro-Brazilian culture, Chapada Diamantina's canyons, and football everywhere. Distances are continental; pick three regions.
Colombia
Colombia covers Bogotá's altitude and art, Medellín's transformation, Cartagena's walled city and Caribbean, the Coffee Triangle, and Tayrona's jungle-beaches.
Ecuador
Ecuador is Quito's old town at altitude, Otavalo markets, the Galápagos Islands, Amazon basin lodges, and Cuenca's colonial streets. All compact enough for one trip.
Guyana
Guyana is a destination in South America where the landscape is the point. National parks, coastlines, forests, or mountain travel anchor most itineraries.