World Guide

Chile

Country · Americas, South America

Chile
Photo: Natalia Reyes Escobar, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Chile is a South American country bordering Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru. It covers 756,102 square kilometers with a population of about 20 million people, and its capital is Santiago.

Highlights

This guide covers 14 notable sights across Chile. Visitors can explore archaeological and historical sites, including the Chinchorro mummies, the Atacama Giant, the Rapa Nui National Park, and the Ahu Tongariki. Architecture and urban centers are represented by La Moneda Palace, the Gran Torre Costanera, and the Villa Grimaldi. Natural landmarks include the Torres del Paine National Park, Valle de la Luna, the El Tatio geysers, Rano Raraku, and Laguna Miscanti. Industrial history is present at the Chuquicamata mine, while the Huáscar serves as a historical maritime site. The cities of Santiago and San Pedro de Atacama serve as primary hubs for travelers.

Food and drink

Chilean cuisine includes various dishes and beverages. Options include the Barros Luco, Chacarero, and the Completo, often served with bread like marraqueta. Traditional preparations include paila marina, curanto, and the Chilean salad. Regional specialties include chapalele and mote con huesillo. Drinks include whiskey sour, piscola, and txakoli.

When to go

The weather in Santiago is warmest from November to March, with daily highs reaching 25 °C to 29 °C and minimal rainfall. The cooler, wetter months occur from May to August, when temperatures drop to daily highs of 16 °C to 19 °C and monthly rainfall peaks at 144 mm in July.

Practical notes

The currency is the Chilean peso. Spanish is the spoken language. The country uses plug types C and L with a voltage of 220 V. Traffic moves on the right side of the road. Chile operates across three time zones: UTC−06:00, UTC−04:00, and UTC−03:00.

Cities

Food and drink to try in Chile

  • Whiskey sour
  • Barros Luco
  • Txakoli
  • Mote con huesillo
  • Completo
  • Marraqueta
  • Curanto
  • Chacarero
  • Paila marina
  • Chilean salad
  • Chapalele
  • Piscola

Top sights in Chile

  1. Torres del Paine National ParkTorres del Paine National Park
  2. UNESCOChinchorro mummies
  3. Laguna MiscantiLaguna MiscantiSan Pedro de Atacama
  4. La Moneda PalaceLa Moneda PalaceSantiago
  5. Atacama GiantIquique
  6. Gran Torre CostaneraGran Torre CostaneraSantiago
  7. ChuquicamataChuquicamataCalama
  8. Rano RarakuRano Raraku
  9. Villa GrimaldiVilla GrimaldiSantiago
  10. Ahu TongarikiAhu Tongariki
  11. HuáscarHuáscarConcepción
  12. Rapa Nui National ParkUNESCORapa Nui National Park
  1. Valle de la Luna · San Pedro de Atacama
  2. El Tatio · San Pedro de Atacama

Weather by month

The warmest month is January, with an average high of 29 °C. The wettest is July, with about 144 mm of rain.

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Average high, °C292927231917161719222528
Average low, °C171715117545691215
Rainfall, mm2310301011351441064821114
Rainy days333245432222

Temperatures and rainfall: 1981–2010 averages for Santiago (4 km grid), from CHELSA. Rainy days: 2015–2024, NASA POWER.

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