Chile is a destination of contrasts that are not only felt in the landscape, but also in the most exclusive and relaxing experiences that you can enjoy after a day of adventure.
Imagine challenging your limits in front of ancient glaciers or active volcanoes during the day, and then, as the sun sets, immersing yourself in hot springs or receiving a massage with essential oils from the Valdivian forest.
This combination of adventure and wellness allows the body to recover while the mind remains connected to nature. Here are the best destinations to experience the duality of rest and exploration in our National Parks and Reserves.
Important note: To ensure your entry, remember that tickets to National Parks and Reserves must be purchased in advance only at pasesparques.cl.
1. Torres del Paine National Park: Epic challenge and luxury retreat
It is the heart of Patagonia. During the day, the unmissable challenge is the trek to Base Torres, a high-intensity hike that rewards you with a view of the three granite towers and their turquoise lagoon.
After an 8-hour hike, the luxury hotels located both inside and around the park offer world-class spa services. You can enjoy jacuzzis overlooking the Paine Massif or surrounding lagoons, Finnish saunas, and decontracting massages that use hot stones and local elements to replenish energy.
- Approximate price: The entrance to the park for national adults costs $13,000 CLP and for foreigners $31,200 CLP (3+ day pass).
- See the accommodations registered with Sernatur here.
2. Villarrica National Park and Geometric Hot Springs
In the Araucanía Region, adventure rules. The ascent to the crater of the Villarrica Volcano is one of the most extreme experiences in Chile, allowing you to see volcanic activity up close and a 360° panoramic view of the southern lakes.
The ideal complement is the Termas Geométricas (Geometric Hot Springs). Located near Coñaripe, these 20 hot water pools are connected by red walkways that wind through a natural ravine. It is the perfect place for a nighttime “forest bath” under the stars.
- Approximate price: The guided ascent to the volcano costs about $100,000 CLP. Admission to the Termas Geométricas varies depending on the time, between $35,000 and $45,000 CLP.
3. Huilo-Huilo Biological Reserve: The magical Valdivian Forest
Huilo Huilo is a private reserve famous for its biodiversity and fairy-tale architecture. During the day, you can go trekking to the Salto del Puma or walk its interpretive trails to observe the native flora in a unique ecosystem.
The reserve has iconic hotels such as Montaña Mágica and Nothofagus, which house the Lawenko Spa. Here, wellness is experienced in heated pools that seem to merge with the forest and treatments based on the local worldview and the use of medicinal herbs.
- Approximate price: Access to the reserve’s self-guided trails costs from $12,000 CLP. Massages and wellness circuits in the spa average $50,000 CLP.
- More details on the Reserve’s website. https://huilohuilo.com/
4. Puyehue National Park: Between volcanoes and healing waters
Located in the Los Lagos Region, this park invites you to explore the Anticura sector, where low-difficulty trails lead you to impressive waterfalls and forests of coigües and larches. It is ideal for those looking for an intimate connection with nature without great physical effort.
Right nearby are the traditional Termas de Puyehue (Puyehue Hot Springs). Its hotel offers a comprehensive wellness experience with mineral-rich thermal pools, famous for their therapeutic and relaxing properties, ideal for ending the day after a hike.
- Approximate price: Access to the park is free in specific sectors. The day pass to the hotel’s thermal pools and other extras averages $35,000 CLP.
5. Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park: The green end of the world
Located on the Carretera Austral, Pumalín is a hiker’s paradise. During the day, the Cascadas Escondidas (Hidden Waterfalls) trail allows you to enter a humid and dense forest, discovering waterfalls that seem to come out of a movie.
For those seeking exclusivity, the area has boutique lodges that prioritize organic wellness. Here, luxury is silence; many offer outdoor hot tubs with spring water, where you can relax under one of the cleanest skies in Chilean Patagonia.
- Approximate price: Access to the park is free. Accommodation in lodges in the area with wellness services can vary between $150,000 and $300,000 CLP per night.
