Chile is full of fascinating destinations where ancestral history remains alive. Through indigenous tourism, the country offers a unique opportunity to connect with the legacy of its first inhabitants, who left an indelible mark from north to south.
These places to learn about the original cultures are not just museums or archaeological sites; they are windows into a worldview and traditions that endure. Here, the heritage of communities such as the Mapuche, Aymara, and Rapanui is safeguarded.
Places to connect with the ancestral culture of Chile
We present a list of must-see destinations where you can learn about, admire, and connect with Chile’s ancestral heritage.
Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art
The Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art is one of the best places you will find in Santiago to admire the heritage of the original peoples. It holds pieces from the Mapuche, Atacameño, Aymara, Diaguita, Kawésqar, Rapa Nui, Selk’nam, and Yaganes cultures, some over 10,000 years old, offering a unique window into the pre-Hispanic world of Chile and Latin America.
- Estimated price: $2,000 CLP (nationals) and $10,000 CLP (foreigners).
- Check more information here.
Lake Budi
Located 2 hours from Temuco, Lake Budi is a unique natural setting where indigenous tourism is experienced in a communal and authentic way alongside the Mapuche-Lafkenche people (people of the sea). This destination offers complete cultural immersion: visitors can participate in local guided tours, savor ancestral cuisine with local products, and learn about their worldview.
The highlight of this journey is the opportunity to sleep in a traditional ruca, allowing total disconnection and intimate, respectful contact with nature and local customs.
- Estimated price: Variable depending on the services and community lodging chosen.
- Check more information here.
Tulor Village
Located just 9 kilometers from San Pedro de Atacama, the Tulor Village offers a unique vision of Atacameño life. With at least 2,300 years of age, it is considered one of the oldest archaeological sites in northern Chile, with ruins of circular walls that were buried under the sand for centuries. This settlement shows how the ancient San Pedro River allowed the development of agriculture, grazing, and pottery in the middle of the desert.
- Estimated price: $3,000 to $5,000 CLP per person.
- Check more information here.
Rapa Nui National Park
Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, the Rapa Nui National Park on Easter Island is an open-air museum. Here rest the iconic moai, colossal stone statues that represent the deified ancestors of the Rapanui people.
The park invites you to explore essential archaeological sites, such as the Rano Raraku quarry (where the moai were carved), the ceremonial village of Orongo (center of the “bird-man” cult), and the impressive ceremonial platforms (Ahu). The Ahu Tongariki stands out with its 15 giants and the Tahai Ceremonial Center. In addition, you can explore volcanic caves such as Ana Te Pahu. It is a must-see if you go to Rapa Nui!
- Estimated price: Adults $20,000 CLP (nationals) and $72,000 CLP (foreigners).
- Check more information here.
