ELEVEN EPIC TRAVEL EXPERIENCES TO HAVE IN CHILE

There is no place quite like Chile.

This long and skinny sliver of a country snaking down the western side of South America unifies climates, terrains and landmarks which feel like they should be worlds apart. The snow-capped peaks overlooking the capital of Santiago are only a few hours from the beaches of Viña, whilst the scorched red desert of Atacama in the north and the unrivalled glacial scenery of the Patagonian south top and tail a country from which acres of luscious vineyards bloom. Its complex topography and sheer size (stretching over 2,670 miles from tip to top), does present its challenges when planning a route but, for any traveller willing to put in the miles, venturing to Chile unlocks a cornucopia of experiences which can’t be rivalled elsewhere in the Americas.

Here are our eleven favourites travel experiences and things to do in Chile.

#1 EXPLORE THE ATACAMA DESERT

We did it on a budget by independently cycling and hiking around the cracked copper earth of driest place on earth, whilst others can spend a pretty penny on tours to visit gushing geysers, fabulous flamingos and saltwater lakes. Or you can rent a car and discover it in your own time.

Whichever way you do the Atacama Desert, best accessed via the town of San Pedro de Atacama, you will lose yourself amongst the endless stretches of tarmac and perfect landscapes which your wanderlust was made to go out and discover.

#2 SIP PISCO AND WINE IN THE VALLE DEL ELQUI

Valle Del Elqui is less visited than other parts of Chile, but it is responsible for two of Chile’s most important exports: wine and pisco!

Aside from the obligatory (multiple) visits to pretty vineyards and artisan pisco distilleries, this is a tranquil part of the country to explore at a slow pace, where locals welcome you with a smile across quaint villages and verdant countryside.

#3 GET PERSPECTIVE IN SANTIAGO

Most travellers will fly into Santiago, but we don’t really recommend anybody visiting Chile to spend a lot of their time here in the capital (and you can trust us because we stayed for six weeks doing a house sit!)

It is, fundamentally, a city like many others and, although it has its pockets of interest (the boho Bellavista area is great for some food, drinks and fun and Santiago is blessed with a constant backdrop of snowcapped Andean peaks), your Chile experience deserves more time elsewhere.

Santiago is however perfectly pleasant for a day or two, and does offer the 24-hour visitor an important insight into Chile’s recent past – the death of Allende, the rise of Pinochet, the disappeared and the transition to democracy – in the excellent Museum of Memory and Human Rights.

#4 FALL FOR VALPARAISO

The best thing about going to Santiago? It means you’re only a couple of hours from Valparaiso!

This colourful city, which sprawls up and around various cerros, got under our skin and we implore everyone heading to Chile to make sure that it’s part of their Chile itinerary. Now, with such a fantastic array of outdoors adventure experiences to be had, you may question why you’d want to spend time in a city? Well, not only is Valparaiso home to the best empanadas we tasted in all of South America and some of the region’s best graffiti, it is a place made by and for street artists, sailors, dreamers and poets.

Everyone’s soul will feel a little richer for having visited this place. In the words of one of Chile’s most famous sons:

VALPARAÍSO,

what an absurdity

you are,

how crazy:

a crazy port.

What a head

of disheveled

hills,

that you never finish

combing.

Never

did you have

time to dress yourself,

and always

you were surprised

by life.

— Pablo Neruda

#5 SPEND THE NIGHT STARGAZING

Chile is, without a doubt, one of the best locations in the world for observing the unfiltered and unadulterated night sky.

The Atacama Desert is certainly the most popular place for astro-tourism, especially with tours of the new Alma Observatory now available. However, anybody may looking for a more intimate experience may wish to venture to Valle del Elqui, which offered up something equally spectacular. There, on a chilly evening with cups of warm wine, we sat in the garden of a sweet elderly couple who showed tourists the stars, and we gazed at the Milky Way which felt so close, we could almost reach out and touch it.

We were well and truly starstruck.

#6 TAKE IT SLOW IN THE PATAGONIAN FJORDS

Any visitor to Chile, aiming to go south, is faced with a dilemma – how exactly do you get there with all those fjords in the middle of the country!?

Our solution? To take an unforgettable three day boat journey through the Patagonian Fjords – the very definition of slow travel in South America. Leaving from Puerto Montt, the opportunity to get close to glaciers, visit tiny inhabited islands and look for dolphins & whales formed just part of the attraction.

If you don’t have the time to spare to take a boat from Puerto Montt to Patagonia, then read this post on how to get to Patagonia from Santiago.

#7 SURF IN ARICA AND IQUIQUE

For a country with so much coastline (sorry Bolivia), Chile really isn’t blessed with the sort of beaches one may expect of a South American country. It has some nice ones, but doesn’t lay a finger on those we visited in Brazil or the coast of Ecuador.

In fact, on the backpacker circuit, nobody really comes to Chile for its beaches. However, more and more are making their way here for its waves.

In summer the northerly port cities of Arica and Iquique become surf havens, whilst the central town of Pichilemu hosts international competitions for the brave (and the crazy) who take on 4 metre high waves in the crashing waters of the South Pacific.

#8 DISCOVER TORRES DEL PAINE

When it comes to natural wonders, Chile really is spoiled.

If it only had the Atacama Desert, it’d be doing well. But then it goes and brings out the big guns in the shape of Torres del Paine – a staggeringly beautiful national park in the Patagonian region.

With glaciers and glacial lakes, wildlife and mountain backdrops which literally make your jaw drop, a visit to Torres del Paine is for many the only reason they’re actually in Chile. Two multi-day treks – the ‘W’ and the ‘O’ – are world famous, but if you don’t have 4+ days to spare, you can cheat and do what we did by seeing Torres del Paine in a day.

if you’re visiting this part of Chile, then you have to bring a copy of one of the best travel books ever written – ‘In Patagonia’.

#9 EXPERIENCE NATURE IN PUCON

Did you know that you can ski in Chile? And climb an active volcano? And white water raft on a lake? And that you can do all of this in a town which looks like it should be in Aspen or the Alps?

Located in the heart of Chile’s Lake District, Pucon is a gem for anyone who likes outdoor activities in summer and winter. Many are drawn by the opportunity to ski down Volcan Villarica, but there is so much more on offer in an area with national parks, walking trails, watersports and hot springs.

#10 INDULGE IN EMPANADAS & TERREMOTOS

There’s a running joke in Chile, concerning it’s national cocktail – the terremoto. A weird concoction of bad white wine, fernet, grenadine and a big ole dollop of pineapple ice-cream, it’s said that anyone having more than three would hit the floor.

After sampling a few on Chilean Independence day, we can certainly agree that seismic activity or not, these things can certainly make the ground feel a little unsteady! Definitely not something to be glugged, but you absolutely can’t leave the country without trying one.

However, when it comes to the flavours of Chile, it’s the empanadas which will always stand out for us. Always baked, never fried, the classic Chilean empanada is the ‘pino’, which is a stuffing of beef, onions, raisins and black olives with a hard-boiled egg. Vegetarians rejoice however – there are usually some suitably tasty meat-free options.

#11 SOLVE THE MYSTERIES OF RAPA NUI

It’s easy to forget that Rapa Nui, more commonly known as Easter Island, is actually Chilean (and it wasn’t until 1888) given that it feels like such a standalone curiosity.

A dot of an island, thousands of miles from the mainland, Rapa Nui draws those curious to gaze at the 800 plus volcanic rock moai statues and to contemplate what they actually represent. To this day, nobody has a definitive answer to whether they were statues or gods, how they were moved or what importance they held…and it is the impenetrable nature of that mystery which makes it such a unique destination.[……]

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The BEST Peru Travel Guide

The BEST Peru Travel Guide

Thinking of going to Peru soon? Well, this is the perfect place to start! This is the BEST Peru travel guide which includes vital information for traveling to Peru. From the best places to visit in Peru to essential logistics such as getting cash, this Peru travel guide has it all!

Peru is one of the best places in South America to travel to as it literally has everything any traveler could want all in one country! What do I mean by this?

Well, there are beautiful hikes around snow-capped mountains, incredible surfing beaches, one of the largest cities in Latin America, wildlife, jungle, incredible history with Inca ruins, and last but not least, a unique culture.

That all being said, the great diversity of Peru makes planning your trip a little more challenging. Peru is a large country which can make it rather difficult to get around.

And on top of all of that, each city in Peru differs so much from the next in terms of culture and travel basics such as ATMs – that is why a Peru travel guide is so essential!

We’ve visited Peru twice over the last two years spending a combined total of more than 4 months in the country. So, we know Peru well and have a ton of advice to offer when it comes to logistics for planning your Peru trip.

This Peru travel guide will help get you well-equipped for a trip to Peru, no matter if you are traveling the entire country or just focusing on one area.

Topics included in this Peru travel guide are:

Visa and entry requirements

Currency & ATMs

The Weather

Dangers and Safety

What things cost

Daily budgets

Best places to visit

Best things to do

Peru Visitor Visas and Entry Requirements

The first topic for any Peru travel guide just has to be the entry requirements!

For most nationalities, a visa is not required for entry into Peru. Only some countries in Asia and Africa (and a select few in Central America and the Caribbean) require a tourist visa which must be applied for in advance at your home Peru Embassy.

If you aren’t sure if you need a visa or not, it is best to check on your country’s own government travel website for the latest rules.

If you don’t need a Peru tourist visa (most nationalities don’t) you will get a stamp in your passport upon arrival. Just be sure that your passport does not expire in the next 6 months.

Proof of Onward Travel or a Return Flight

The city of Arequipa

You also need proof of exiting Peru. This is a technical requirement but most people are not asked by Peru immigration but rather by airline staff. Make sure you have a bus or flight booked out of the country to meet this requirement or you might not be allowed to board the plane.

Number of Days Granted for Visiting Peru

Once crossing the border the immigration officer will grant you a certain number of days to stay in the country and it will be written on your passport along with the stamp.

They usually grant 60 days to start off with, but we’ve heard stories of people getting more days just by asking. Other times though, people report being granted only 30 or the exact number of days that corresponds with their flight out of Peru.

When we entered Peru, we were granted 60 days each and we overstayed instead of trying to extend. We overstayed a total of ten days. The overstay fee was $1 USD per day and was paid at the border when we left. There was no fuss or problem at all.

Related Read: Peru is massive and because of that it might be hard to figure out where to spend your time at. In this case, check out our Peru Highlights that cover all of the best things to do in Peru!

Money in Peru

Currency

In Peru, the national currency is Peruvian soles. Currently (July 2023), 1 USD buys 3.60 soles. However, this is not the exchange rate you will get by paying in USD or exchanging money in Peru, expect to lose a lot to their favorable conversion rate.

In Peru, the best currency to pay with is soles. Although some travel agencies and hotels will take USD (mostly in tourist places like Cusco), soles are more widely accepted and as I said, will prevent you from paying a terrible exchange rate.

Card vs. Cash in Peru

Cash is also the best way to pay in Peru. While paying on a card (credit or debit) is becoming more popular, it is best to always carry some cash with you just in case.

Most hotels will accept cards but there is often a 2-5% surcharge.

Fancier restaurants and tour companies will accept credit or debit.

ATMs in Peru

If you don’t want to exchange cash, you can always withdraw money from ATMs in Peru.

There are many reliable ATMs in Peru but the best one is called Banco de la Nacion as it does not charge any fees (though your home bank will almost always charge a fee but it is better than being charged twice!)

Banco de la Nacion only allows 400 soles to be withdrawn per day. There are some occasions when I could withdraw twice by using a different ATM in a different area.

Other ATMs will have a much higher withdrawal limit but can charge up to 25 soles per transaction.

Weather and the Best Time to Visit Peru

No Peru travel guide would be complete without a thorough section on the weather!

The weather in Peru varies depending on the region. In Peru, there are various altitudes. For example, the Amazon is always hot, and up in the Andes it is always cold. That being said, there are ideal times to travel to each region.

Mountains in Northern Peru

This region includes the city of Huaraz where many famous hikes are located. The best time of year here is May to September.

Cusco and Machu Picchu

A llama at Machu Picchu

The dry season is the best from May to September. During the rainy months, the Inca Trail even closes for maintenance!

The Amazon

Any time of year! While it may not sound ideal to visit the Amazon in the wet season, the rain brings a whole new range of animals to check out and the rivers are full of life.

Northern Coast

The biggest draw to the northern coastline of Peru is surfing. The surf is known to be best in the spring and summer from about September to February.

Lima and the Central Coast

The winter months can be quite chilly for hanging out at the beach as the winter gets very windy and the ocean water temperature cools to around 10 degrees Celcius (50 degrees Fahrenheit) in Lima! Also during winter, the cold ocean waters cause low clouds to blanket the city and surrounding area.

Dangers and Safety in Peru

Every city has the most beautiful central square!

Peru is a relatively safe country but as with most countries in Latin America, you must always be cautious.

As a general rule, Peruvians are not violent people. However, we have been warned on a couple of occasions to be careful with taxi drivers in Peru. There have been incidents where taxi drivers kidnap their customers and make them withdraw all their money out of an ATM.

The best way to avoid this is to only take registered taxis and travel in groups. Another good option is to use Uber instead. With Uber, the driver is registered and you can be tracked via GPS with your phone. Uber is not available everywhere in Peru but it is in large cities is and well worth using.

It is also a good idea not to bring valuables out with you, especially at night, and be wary of pickpockets. Buses are also a very commonplace for discreet robberies to take place out of carry-on baggage.

Road safety is also something to be aware of in Peru. Bus accidents do happen fairly frequently and oftentimes result in several lives lost. It is best to book a bus journey through reputable companies like Peru Hop or Crus del Sur.

On another note, an equally big safety concern in Peru is altitude sickness which can be very serious for some people. Cusco sits at over 3,000 m (9,843 ft) above sea level and at that altitude alone people can experience some symptoms. Altitude sickness pills are very helpful and can be purchased at any pharmacy over the counter in Peru.

What Things Cost in Peru

A Peru Travel Guide (or any travel guide for that matter) just couldn’t be complete without telling you how much things cost! Here are some of the biggest things to budget for in Peru and what they cost.

Accommodation

The Wild Rover Hostel in Huacachina, Peru is a dream!

Accommodation costs in Peru vary greatly. There are hotels that cost hundreds of dollars a night and dorm rooms for $8 USD a night.

A decent hostel room will go for about $13 USD. Expect to pay $30 to $60 USD for a basic private room.

Accommodation costs also vary from city to city, For example, in Huaraz, we stayed at an awesome hostel for $8 USD a night, and in Lima, we paid $15 USD for a very average hostel. The best way to know exactly how much it’ll cost where you are going is to search on Booking.com.

If you’re a backpacker we’ve actually created a guide on all the best hostels in Cusco for those on a budget!

Food

Food is very cheap in Peru if you eat what the locals do. If you need your “Western delicacies” such as pizza or a burger expect to pay more. It is very easy to get a local meal of meat or chicken, rice or potatoes, veggies or salad, and a juice for less than 6 soles ($2 USD.)

A pizza goes for around 25 to 40 soles ($7 to $11 USD) and a meal at a Western fast food joint will be well over 30 soles ($8 USD). A great tip for when you are craving fast food is to skip the iconic McDonald’s and KFC and check out the local place, Bambos is a great fast food franchise in Peru and is about half of the price of the international alternatives.

Transport

A tourist bus driving around Lima, Peru,

Intercity Transport:

Getting from city to city is easy in Peru by bus or plane.

Flying is much more expensive but buses can take forever. The roads in certain areas of Peru are very windy and bumpy. But there are very comfortable buses available to make the long journey bearable. For example, the journey from Lima to Cusco by bus is long (20+ hours) but it is a popular option for those traveling on a budget. To make the journey better, I highly recommend upgrading to a VIP bus!

Usually, the VIP or first-class buses are only a few dollars more than the lower-grade buses and it is well worth the upgrade – believe me! Cleanliness, bathrooms, space, and a layback chair that allows you to sleep are well worth the extra money.

The best way to book buses or at least compare prices is on the websites Busbud.com and Bookaway. Here, you can search and get an idea of how long it is from place to place and the different types of buses available.

Local Transport:

We never took local transport in Peru. From what we heard, it was unreliable and not always safe. To get around within a city we would always walk if possible, and if too far we would take an Uber. Some smaller cities don’t offer Uber so taxis are the only option.

Tours

Just look at that view!

Tours are very reasonable in Peru. We were able to do the 5-day Salkantay Trek to Machu Picchu for around $500 USD including a guide, porters, food, transport, and the Machu Picchu entrance fees. There are also some really good deals on tours of the Sacred Valley from Cusco.

We paid only $49 USD for a day trip from Cusco to Rainbow Mountain and $29 USD for a day trip to Laguna 69 from Huaraz. A half-trip on a boat from Lima to see the penguins and swim with the sea lions only costs $72 USD.

Day tours in Lima and other cities are also a good idea if you are short of time but still want to see a lot. There are some excellent city tours of Lima that are well worth your time.

On top of that, tours in Peru are usually really good value! Just don’t forget to tip as the guides often do not make much for wages due to the low tour prices.

Daily Travel Budgets in Peru

 
Pisco sours are soooo good! But, too many of them can break your budget quickly!

The below budgets are the average spending per day in Peru per person. this should give you an idea of how much spending money you’re going to need during your trip to Peru!

Low

A low budget in Peru would be between $15-$35 USD a day. This is staying in the very cheapest dorm rooms, eating street food or cooking for oneself, and not drinking much. This budget would allow for only a select few cheap tours.

Medium

A medium-range budget would be $80-$120 USD a day. This would allow for staying in budget private rooms or nicer dorms, eating out in restaurants occasionally, going on a few tours, and going out for drinks from time to time.

High

Over $120 USD would be a high budget in Peru and allow you to live in luxury! Things in Peru are not very expensive so with this budget one should be able to eat anything, stay at decently nice places, and go on many tours.

Best Places to Visit in Peru

There are so many places to visit in Peru that I just simply couldn’t list them all in this Peru Travel Guide. However, I have narrowed down some of the most common and my personal favorites!

Cusco

Panoramic shot of Cusco, Peru

Cusco is most famously known as the starting point for any journey to Machu Picchu, but as a city itself, it is actually really cool to spend a few days here. There are ruins within the city, in fact, Starbucks is located within the walls of Inca ruins!

There is so much to do in and around Cusco, so much more than just Machu Picchu. However, if that’s on your bucket list, some of the best Machu Picchu tours leave from Cusco.

Arequipa

Exploring Arequipa! It’s such a beautiful city!

Arequipa is the largest city in the South of Peru. The city was built using Sillar which is actually white volcanic rock. This gave Arequipa the nickname “White City” or “Ciudad de Blanco”. The center square is simply stunning and the surrounding streets are charming.

For just $17 USD you can book this guided tour to the outskirts of Arequipa that will allow you to walk the Sillar circuit where you’ll be able to see some of the sillar that has been left in its original form.

One of the best things to do in Arequipa is to hike the Colca Canyon (the deepest canyon in the world) or one of the many nearby volcanos.

This 3-day Colca Canyon tour is what we did! For only $97 USD, it includes all of your meals and very nice accommodation. While it is a hiking tour, the hike is completed over 3 days at a nice slower pace with plenty of time to enjoy views, hot springs, and a pool with drinks!

If you’re not looking to commit to a hike of that length you can opt for this full-day Colca Canyon tour which will take you to some of the most scenic viewpoints and and includes breakfast and lunch for just $38 USD.

Puerto Maldonado

The Macaws!

Puerto Maldonado is rather unknown to many who visit Peru, However, it is one of the best places to see the Amazon.

Due to its remote location, you don’t need to venture out far to see amazing wildlife! From the edge of town, you are only an hour away from all the action. Also near the town is something called the “Clay Lick”, a natural phenomenon where Macaws, Parrots, and Parakeets come to nibble the nutrients from a clay wall.

This is the only tour that will only go for a full day, leaving early in the morning and coming back late. You’ll be able to take a boat up the river to see the famous Clay Lick but that’s about it due to time constraints. It costs $220 USD per person.

For this reason, I would highly recommend taking the time to do a 2-day tour like this one where in addition to the Clay Lick you will also explore Sandivol Lake and go on an evening walk to spot wildlife. Your accommodation will be at a lodge in the heart of the Amazon. The best part is that it is only $60 USD more than the 1-day tour!

Mancora

Swimming with these guys in Mancora is a must!

Mancora is a northern beach town located near the border of Ecuador. The town is very laid back and perfect for spending days relaxing at the beach.

For those who surf, visiting Mancora in Spring and Summer is a must as conditions are optimal. Near the town of Mancora at a small fishing village lives a colony of Sea turtles and it is possible to swim with them right from the shore!

Lima

Lima is the capital of Peru and nearly a third of the population resides there. The city is filled with amazing museums, great surf, and vibrant nightlife! Honestly, there are so many fun things to do in Lima that it can feel overwhelming.

I spent an entire month in Lima and some of my favorite things were trying Peruvian food on a food tour, seeing the murals in Barranco, learning about the local culture through a Water Fountain Light show, and trying delicious Pisco Sours!

One thing many travelers aren’t aware of though is the fact that the islands near Lima are home to over 10,000 Sea Lions. This colony has no predators so you can actually swim with them on an organized tour!

Huaraz

 
The Laguna 69 hike!

Located high in the Andes Mountain range, Huaraz is one of my favorite places in Peru. Huaraz is the gateway to the Cordillera Blanca (a small section of the Andes). The Cordillera Blanca offers some of the most amazing hikes in the world including Laguna 69, the Santa Cruz trek, and the Huayhuash.

The town is located at 3,400 m (11,155 ft) in elevation and is surrounded by white mountain peaks. Huaraz is a must for any hiking enthusiast!

Huacachina

 
The dune buggy tour in Huacachina is so much fun!

Who knew that Peru has sand dunes that rival those in the Middle East?! Well, it’s true, and only a short 4-hour drive from Ica you are smack dab in the middle of the dunes in the small town of Huacachina!

From Huacachina, you can hike the dunes, go on a buggy tour, or even have a try at sandboarding (like snowboarding but only in the sand!)

Our favorite of the three activities was the dune buggy tour! It was so exhilarating and the views you get from the dunes are awesome! You can book your tour for just $25 USD.

Best Things to Do in Peru

Just like the places to visit, the things to do in Peru are endless and can’t be covered in this Peru Travel Guide – but here are a few highlights!

Hike Rainbow Mountain

 
Rainbow Mountain

As the name implies, Rainbow Mountain in Peru is a rainbow-colored mountain peak. Located at over 5,000 m (16,404 ft) above sea level, Rainbow Mountain is a spectacular sight to see. Tours run daily from Cusco, just be prepared for a little altitude sickness!

Swim with Turtles

In Mancora one of the most popular things to do among tourists (besides surfing) is swimming with the sea turtles. These turtles have learned the time of day in which tours go out on the ocean and come to the boat in packs. Then, you are given the opportunity to jump in the water with the turtles!

They are massive sea turtles and it is a pretty cool experience.

Hike around Huaraz

 
Bailey enjoying another day hiking near Huaraz, Peru!

Huaraz often gets skipped by travelers due to its remoteness, but it’s that remoteness that makes the place so amazing. Huaraz is nestled smack dab in the middle of the Cordillera Blanca mountain range. Some of the most amazing hikes are around Huaraz with truly fantastic mountain views!

Hiking in the Colca Canyon

The Colca Canyon

Only a few hours from Arequipa, the Colca Canyon is a great place the get out of the city and explore. The Colca Canyon is one of the best places the see Condors up close. The viewing deck in the canyon is visited every morning by several Condors as they search for food.

The canyon is also home to natural hot springs and some spectacular views. Both camping and accommodation are available along the hiking trails (day trips are also possible!)

Explore the Amazon Rainforest

We saw this guy in the Amazon near Puerto Maldonado!

Peru is home to the most biodiverse parts of the Amazon Rainforest. In fact, Peru has the largest amount of bird species in the world! For this reason, it is one of the best places to visit the Amazon.

There are three main places to see the Amazon in Peru and they are Iquitos, Puerto Maldonado, and Cusco (Manu Nation[……]

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