Santiago/Capital City, has become a destination of choice for international business travelers, developing a reputation as a calm and clean city with a good quality of life. Most government activities take place in Santiago’s downtown area (El Centro), which is home to La Moneda (the presidential palace), Plaza de Armas and the Judicial and Executive Branches. This area also boasts numerous museums and pedestrian malls. Districts such as Providencia, Bellavista, Las Condes and Vitacura offer a dazzling array of businesses, shops and restaurants as well as a bustling nightlife. Parque Metropolitano, also known as Cerro San Cristóbal, is visible from most of the city.  From Santiago there is a good opportunity to taste Chile’s best wines and tour the vineyards. Guided visits to award-winning vineyards are easy to plan along the wine routes of the Maipo, Casablanca and Colchagua Valleys. Other great daytrip options are Pirque, a neighboring village in the Andean foothills, and the Maipo Valley, to enjoy nature, sample local food, pick up some souvenirs and find a place to spend a few nights near the banks of the Maipo River. Santiago is also located near many attractions such as the beach house of poet Pablo Neruda, Isla Negra, ski resorts located around 60 km from the city, spots in the Andean foothills like Cajón del Maipo. The port of Valparaíso, which is about an hour from Santiago, and Viña del Mar other summer resort on the shores of the Pacific Ocean. Options for enjoying the mountains and sea are always right at your fingertips in Santiago.

The Chilean People, Chile's population is composed predominantly of mestizos, who are descended from marriage between the Spanish colonizers and the indigenous people. The surviving indigenous groups consist of the Aymara, in the north, and the Mapuche, who number roughly 100,000 and continue to inhabit the forested areas of the lake district. Chile is also home to a number of significant immigrant groups, including minority populations from virtually every European country. There are significant numbers of Basques and Palestinians. The high proportion of mestizos among Chile's people has made race a minor issue in comparison to class, which continues to be a source of considerable tension. The great majority of Chile's people, as one might expect, are concentrated in the central valley. Spanish is the country's official language, but some of the Indian dialects remain. In the north, they speak Aymara, in the south Mapuche, and on Easter Island the Polynesian language of Rapa Nui.

Weather and Climate, Chile extends some 2,500 miles (4,025 kilometers) from north to south and therefore has a number of varying climates. The country is very rugged with mountain ranges and several large islands off the coast. Generally speaking the weather is more moderate near the coast and much colder in the mountains. Thanks to its impressive mountain ranges, Chile is a great ski resort destination, which means it has a significant snowy season every year. In southern Chile, the weather is generally rainy all year round falling as snow in much of the high altitude areas. However, in the coastal areas of the South, the winters are rarely too cold and summers are comfortably cool. In the Northern regions, precipitation is much less which results in a much higher snow line in the mountains and a very desert-like climate in the areas nearer the coast. In fact, northern Chile is one of the driest regions in the world. Despite the fact that rain nearly never falls, the weather is often cloudy and cool resulting in temperatures reaching only 82°F (28°C) in the warm months of March and only 63°F (17°C) in July The central region of Chile experiences a climate much like that of the Mediterranean coastline with warm, dry summers, and moderately wet, cool winters. The temperatures in Santiago range from about 38°F to 57.2°F (3.2°C to 14.5°C) in July and 53.6°F to 84.2°F (12.4°C to 29.4°C) in January. 

Ski Resorts Some of the most famous ski resorts quickly come into view as you leave the city, including Farellones, El Colorado, La Parva and Valle Nevado. All of them have hotels, restaurants, equipment rental and ski slopes for everyone from beginners to experts who might even prefer off-piste skiing. Portillo, one of the Southern Cone’s most traditional ski resorts, is located at the Los Andes border crossing only 164 km northeast of Santiago near the Cristo Redentor pass (2,850 m). It has long been a training ground for European and North American Olympic teams.

Lakes & Volcanoes, The Lakes and Volcanoes Region of southern Chile is the expression of nature in its inimitable beauty and surprising exuberance. Among volcanic cataclysms, iceberg sculptures, rain and snow, torrential rivers, natural hot springs, temperate rain forests and crystal clear lakes. This is the mother land of the Mapuche Indians, one of South America’s most important indigenous cultures. There are national and private parks in the south that protect the last araucaria; an age- old pine native to the region up to 4000 years and older and is today a National Monument in Chile. The Alerce forest (larch), a tree, sometimes referred to as the South –American redwood. Some hard-to-find specimens are 3500 years old and more.The cities of Temuco and Pucón, build in the heart of Mapuche country, are the natural gateways to the wide range of attractions that the region offers; hiking, biking, trekking, and many other activities in the beautiful National Parks and National Reserves.

Valdivia, The capital of the Los Rios region, culturally and naturally rich city has an Interesting heritage, with its Mapuche roots enriched and diversified by Spanish, Dutch and German settlers. The city Is home to the International Film Festival of Valdivia and has a wide array of bars, breweries and restaurants. Valdivia will host seven large cultural and gastronomic events, including a film festival and spring-carnival, during its turn as Cultural Capital of America for 2016.

Puerto Montt, The Capital of the Lakes Region, is an important port city and a hub for exploring the region. Visitors can navigate among scenic islands while fishing and visiting the nearby national parks.

Patagonia & Antarctic The immensity of the mountains, everlasting snow, endless walls of rock, glaciers filing from icefields, dense woods, turquoise lakes and a challenging climate that never ceases to surprise, are the highlights that create the

Torres del Paine National Park landscape.

Torres del Paine National Park wasalso declared Biosphere’s World Reserve by UNESCO. It is one of the most visited places in the world. Specially admired are the “Stone Towers” because of their shapes. Guanacos, huemules and condors are symbols of this region. The park is ideal for those who love walking, even six or seven hour daily being in touch with one of the most impressing places of Patagonia, at the end of the world.

Punta Arenas Sitting on the northern banks of the Straight of Magellan, this city is a departure point for cruise ships and flights heading to Tierra del Fuego and Antarctica.

Cruises, Chile`s scenic fjords provide ideal conditions for nature-focused cruises. Balmaceda and Grey glaciers are among the must-see natural landmarks, as are the channels near Tierra del Fuego and the Beagle Canal.

Antarctica, This dramatic territory is a once-in-a-lifetime vacation destination for most travelers. Dramatic hues of white and blue color the scenery here, while the rich ecosystem is populated with birds, sea lions, penguins, whales and orcas. Mid-November through March is the season when navigation is the best, when cruises bring travelers to unforgettable landscapes brimming with flora and fauna. Cruises generally run Between five and eleven days, navigating along the Chilean Antarctic peninsula and the Southern Shetland Islands.

Easter Island & Robinson Crusoe Island

Easter Island or Rapa Nui is located some 3800 kilometers (2361 miles) west of the Chilean coast, deep in the Pacific Ocean. The island's capital and only settlement is Hanga Roa, located on the southwest side. The island is also called "the navel of the world" and offers an excellent climate, lovely beaches and an aura of mystery that remains unexplained. Archeologists and paleontologists have worked for years to unravel (among other things) the secrets of the Easter Island statues known as moais. The Pacific`s largest body of archeological sites is here, an unforgettable Word Heritage Site, The Island itself is rugged and beautiful, and the people helpful. The Chilean carrier LAN flies Here from Santiago, Lima and Papeete, Half of the Island`s 5000 inhabitants are Polynesian. Today they are citizens of Chile.

Robinson Crusoe Island, the main island of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, which also consists of Santa Clara and Alejandro Selkirk (also called Isla Más Afuera) – boasts a rich history. Since its discovery by Spanish navigator Juan Fernández in 1574, it became an icon among sailors and a place of refuge for corsairs and pirates, who would use this piece of paradise to stock up on supplies. It was also the place where Scotch navigator Alexander Selkirk was stranded for four years and four months beginning in October 1704. His story inspired the Daniel Defoe novel Robinson Crusoe. The island’s single town, San Juan Bautista, has 500 inhabitants and is on the road to recovery after the devastating tsunami that hit in 2010. The capital is a genuine treasure, not only for the booty that was secretly buried by Lord Anson in the mid-18th century, but thanks to its people and natural wonders. Declared a National Park and UNESCO Biopshere Reserve, it offers 61 times more native plants species than the Galapagos and 13 times more birds. Cerro El Yunque is the focal point of the island’s rolling geography, and is perfect for trekking and photography. You can also enjoy the friendliness and countless legends offered by the locals, descendants of the island’s first colonists, who arrived a century back. The island also offers the chance to scuba dive with some of the best visibility in Chile (over 20 meters). There’s an abundance of marine life, as well as some playful seals. You can also sample the island’s traditional fare, which is prepared with local seafood like lobsters (Robinson Crusoe’s most famous product, and an ingredient in the dish known as “Perol”), golden crabs and the island’s classic fish, vidriola (yellow-tailed amberjack) and breca. The terrific natural scenery surrounded by the waters of the Pacific makes this a once-in-a-lifetime experience.

Getting there, by plane or boat. Two airlines offer weekly flights. There are a few options for reaching this island by boat, including service provided by private companies, and trips arranged by the Chile Navy.

The rewarding way to explore the richness of this island is by scuba diving. Excellent visibility and great biodiversity make this one of the most exciting places in Chile to dive. Local marine life includes Juan Fernandez lobsters, Black urchins, morenas, starfish, brecas, pampanitos, scorpion and groupers, as well as two-haired sea lions.

Most Special Events

January:   Musical week (Frutillar); International Andean Carnival `Con la Fuerza del Sol`                             (Arica)

February: Tapati Rapa Nui (Isla de Pascua)

March:      Wine Harvest Festival: Santa Cruz; Curicó and Talca

April:       -Wine Harvest Festival in Santiago

                    -Rancagua Champion in Rancagua

October:    International Film Festival