Part of our Chile guide.
San Pedro de Atacama, Puerto Natales, and Santiago are three distinct gateways to Chile's landscapes. This page covers the best tours and things to do in each, from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia and the capital.
Related travel guides: Travel Inspiration In Chile, Hiking And The Outdoors In Chile, and Explore The Marble Caves of Patagonia, Chile.
Guide To San Pedro De Atacama Chile - Best Tours & Things To Do
San Pedro de Atacama is the base for exploring salt flats, lagoons, volcanoes, and archaeological sites. Its dry climate and clear skies make it one of the best places on Earth for stargazing, and you can book Atacama desert adventures in Chile that include sunset tours of Valle de la Luna or early-morning trips to the Tatio Geysers (85 km from town, departing around 4:00 AM). The town itself sits at 2,400 meters; acclimatize before hiking. Standard tours to the salt flats run about 30,000–50,000 CLP per person. For independent travel, rent a bicycle or join a shared transfer to the lagoons of Cejar and Tebinquinche.
Hidden Gems And Must-Do Activities In Puerto Natales, Chile
Puerto Natales is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park, but the town itself offers hidden gems in Chile like the Milodon Cave (24 km north, 8,000 CLP entry) and kayaking through Seno Última Esperanza. The park entrance fee is 48,000 CLP for foreign adults (2024 rate); the nearest ranger station is Laguna Amarga. Local restaurants serve fresh seafood and traditional Chilean dishes such as curanto and centolla (king crab). For a full-day tour of the park's highlights, budget around 80,000–120,000 CLP per person. The bus from Puerto Natales to the park takes about 1.5 hours and costs 15,000 CLP round trip.
Top Things To Do In Santiago De Chile - How To Spend A Day
Start at Plaza de Armas, the city's main square since 1541, surrounded by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the National Historical Museum, and the Central Post Office. The historic center's cobblestone streets hold colonial buildings and the La Moneda Palace (free entry on weekends). For lunch, try a completo (Chilean hot dog) at a street cart or a full menu del día for 8,000–12,000 CLP. In the afternoon, take the funicular up Cerro San Cristóbal (4,000 CLP round trip) for a view of the Andes. To avoid Chile ATM fees - the ONLY fee that applies, use BancoEstado or Scotiabank ATMs inside malls, which typically charge 1,500–2,500 CLP per withdrawal rather than the 5,000+ CLP from independent machines. End the day in Bellavista neighborhood for craft beer and live music.
