In addition to the incredible natural attractions that Chile offers, it's culture and history are a fusion of Spanish, English, and German influences. This unmistakably European feel is augmented by Chile’s indigenous roots, which add a unique flavor to the cultural mix. The diversity of terrain and climate are echoed in this diverse culture.
Bounded by the Andes to the east and the Pacific Ocean to the west, Chile is one of the most isolated, yet environmentally diverse, countries in South America. Spanning over 4300km (2700 mi.) from north ...more
THE ANDESStretching along the entire eastern border, the Andes are an omnipresent feature of the Chilean landscape. Highest in the far north, they contain peaks reaching well over 6000m (20,000 ft.). Ojos ...more
Due to its relative physical isolation and its diversity of geographic regions, Chile boasts an incredible variety of plants and animals, many of which are found only in Chile. Many of these species such ...more
PRECOLONIAL TIMES AND SPANISH COLONIZATION (1460-1550)Think twice before arguing with a Chilean—considering their history of unrelenting resistance, they’re bound to put up quite a fight. When ...more
The last few years for Chile have been years of new challenges and old issues. The presidency of Ricardo Lagos, the first socialist president since Salvador Allende, marked a serious political shift. Following ...more
Mestizaje, the blending of races resulting from centuries of migration, explains why over 70% of Chile’s 15 million residents are mestizos, a racial mixture of Europeans and indígenas. Unfortunately ...more
Spanish is the official language of Chile. However, peppered with terms from Indian languages, English, German, Italian, and even Serbo-Croatian, Chilean Spanish is a vital cultural expression reflecting ...more
Eighty-five percent of Chileans identify themselves as Roman Catholic, and rather than remain allied with conservative elements, the Roman Catholic Church exists as a religious body that is representative ...more
Chileans take their time with food, as evidenced by the fact that they usually eat four leisurely meals a day. Though typical Chilean food is fairly bland, opportunities to explore cuisine exist. Moreover ...more
GREETINGS AND PUBLIC BEHAVIORSouth Americans are generally warm, tactile people who converse in close proximity. Get used to being cozy with your Chilean companions, because backing away is considered ...more
ARCHITECTUREDue to Chile’s frequent earthquakes, many architectural monuments from the colonial period are no longer standing. In Valparaíso, Chile’s oldest city, for example, no colonial ...more
SOCCERSoccer, known in South America as fútbol, is undoubtedly the most important sport in Chile—almost all Chilean men and many women take pride in their fútbol skills. Don’t ...more
Most of Chile’s nationally observed holidays are religious, despite the official separation of church and state that occurred in 1925. Traditional Catholic holidays are generally solemn and include ...more
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For 52 years, we have published the world’s favorite budget travel guides, written entirely by students and updated every year. With pen and notebook in hand and a few changes of underwear stuffed in our backpacks, we spend months roaming the globe in search of travel bargains.
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