The Atacama Desert, Rapa Nui, and Antarctica have become South America’s most sought-after destinations. And they’re in Chile!
Featured in countless films and documentaries, these three places offer living culture, extraordinary nature, and unique experiences. From how to get there to travel itineraries, here’s everything you need to know to visit them.
Antarctica: an expedition to the end of the world
Antarctica is adventure at its finest and has become one of South America’s top destinations—and a global one, too. Even celebrities like Michael Douglas, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Nicole Kidman have been spotted in Chile’s far south before setting off on this journey to the White Continent.
It’s no coincidence that international media highlight it as a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Every austral summer, travelers from around the world choose Chile as their gateway to one of the planet’s most remote and untouched ecosystems.
How do you travel to Antarctica from Chile?
The starting point is Punta Arenas, in Chilean Patagonia. From here, charter flights operate to King George Island and take two hours. The most common option is the flight–cruise (fly-cruise) format, which combines the flight with expedition-ship navigation around the Antarctic Peninsula and the South Shetland Islands.
What you can experience in Antarctica
- Sail among glaciers and icebergs.
- See colonies of penguins, seals, and whales in their natural habitat.
- Experience the silence of the last great wild territory on Earth.
Learn more about traveling to Antarctica from Chile at the following link.
Rapa Nui: Polynesian culture and mystery in the middle of the Pacific
Rapa Nui is one of the most isolated inhabited places on Earth, located more than 3,500 kilometers from the mainland. Its magnetism lies in its Polynesian heritage and the more than 880 moai that stand as witnesses to an ancient civilization—whose construction remains one of the world’s great archaeological mysteries.
Declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the island blends archaeology, living tradition, and volcanic landscapes in a setting that feels suspended in time.
How to get there?
There’s only one regular way in: Mataveri International Airport. You’ll need to take a direct flight from Arturo Merino Benítez Airport in Santiago. The trip takes about 5 hours and 30 minutes.
Planning your trip in advance is essential. You’ll need to consider special requirements such as completing the Single Entry Form (FUI), having a return ticket, and providing a confirmed accommodation booking or a letter of invitation.
Must-do experiences on the island
- Visit the Rano Raraku Quarry, where most of the statues were carved.
- Attend traditional dance shows in Hanga Roa.
- Relax on the paradise-like Anakena Beach, with its white sand and turquoise waters.
If you want to know more, check out this must-do Rapa Nui itinerary.
The Atacama Desert: among South America’s top destinations
The Atacama Desert is the driest in the world and one of the planet’s most striking natural settings. Its salt flats, high-altitude lagoons, and reddish rock formations create a landscape that looks like it’s straight out of Mars, making it one of South America’s top destinations.
San Pedro de Atacama is the tourist hub and the ideal base for exploring the desert: an oasis that preserves ancestral identity and traditional architecture. From here you can also enjoy one of its greatest privileges—Chile is home to nearly 70% of the world’s astronomical observation, making this destination a true capital of astrotourism.
How to get to the Atacama Desert
The fastest way is to fly from Santiago to Calama’s El Loa Airport, a two-hour trip. From there, a 1.5-hour ground transfer along Route 23 connects to San Pedro de Atacama.
It’s also possible to arrive by land. From Santiago, the trip along Route 5 North to Calama is 1,530 kilometers (around 22 hours), so it’s recommended to plan it in several stages.
Must-see places in the Atacama Desert
- Valle de la Luna and Valle de Marte: In the Cordillera de la Sal, these landscapes amaze with giant dunes and unusual rock formations. Every sunset here is a show.
- Tatio Geysers: One of the highest geothermal fields and the third largest in the world.
- Baltinache Hidden Lagoons and Laguna Cejar: these intensely turquoise lagoons stand out for their high salinity, which makes it easy to float.
Check here what to do and how to get to San Pedro de Atacama.
