CHILE & PATAGONIA

Home to breathtaking vistas, unique cities, the Peso monetary system that'll make you think you spent a million dollars on a thirty minute cab, and the infamous Pisco Sour (which you will fast learn about the hard "I drank too much and am yell talking" way), Chile is a must for the bucket list.

Disclaimer

As always with my travel guides, this is what I did and what I ate while I was away. Use it as a jumping off point because there is so much more to see and do.

One Excursion I Will Go Back And Do

The boat to the Glacier Grey where you can hike on a glacier. 

Souvenirs I Wish I Bought

A guanaco stuffed animal (the deer llama hybrid animal you will see)

A sweatshirt from Glacier Grey Park

A wool woven blanket

Tips

When in Patagonia rent an outdoorsy four wheeler and ask for the rental agency to explain how to change that specific car's tire. Ours blew out twice while on those crazy roads.

Go to the spa. The massages there are awesome but also far less expensive than in New York. Also, it's a great way to ease out after a long flight, hiking, or horseback riding (compare a few of the spa menus in different hotels before picking, you can get a seriously awesome deal)

If you're going in the summer still toss a light jacket in your bag, there are a lot of climates and it gets chilly at night in some areas.

Bring a winter coat to Patagonia.

Bring someone who speaks Spanish.

Download the Google Translate app that lets you use the camera on your phone to look at words in another language and translate them to English.

Notes

In their summer (which is the dead of winter in New York), the sun doesn't fully set until after 10 PM. Brace yourself for super long days!

FOOD AND BEVERAGE

TAULAT

Calle Grossi 268 Valparaíso, Chile 2380029

Throw back Pisco Sours while eating paella and watching one of the most amazing sunsets there is. Make sure to watch the houses twinkle on the mountainside horizon, it's magical.

AMOR PORTEÑO

Almirante Montt 418, Valparaíso, Región de Valparaíso, Chile

It may look the same, but the ice cream in Chile tastes a little different. It's creamier. And, they have different kinds, like rice-based ice creams. There are quite a few of heladerias (translation: ice cream shops) around, so make sure to find your way into at least one.

CLOS APALTA WINERY & RESTAURANT

Fundo San José de Apalta, Santa Cruz, O'Higgins Region, Chile

If you're overwhelmed trying to figure out which winery to visit in the Chilean wine country, STOP! This is the one. Founded by the people behind Grand Marnier, this vineyard is polished, the tour is very informative, and they have an unmissable wine paired lunch that you absolutely must make a reservation for. 

THE W HOTEL ROOFTOP

Isidora Goyenechea 3000 - Las Condes, Santiago, Región Metropolitana, Chile

If you're looking for that great view of Santiago, make your way to the W Hotel's rooftop. While I didn't love their take on a Pisco Sour, they sure do have a great glass of bubbly that's perfect to sip poolside! 

STREAT BURGER

Isidora Goyenechea 3199, Las Condes, Región Metropolitana, Chile

Itching for a quick fast food kinda bite? It's vacation, do what you want! You don't need to spend every meal at the highest end most expensive restaurants. I sure didn't. Go on, get your burger game on!

CAFETIN

Don Carlos 3185, Las Condes, Región Metropolitana, Chile

What is the café version of a gym rat? Cause, that's so me! Even when away I can't skip a cute cafe with a yummy looking breakfast menu. Oh, if you're looking for a simple cup of black coffee in Chile you are for sure shit out of luck. If you've traveled abroad before, this isn't news. The closest thing you're going to get is an "Americano" which is a shot of espresso and hot water (it gets the job done).

Words you need to know to function: "Americano" (for the closest thing to coffee). "¿Dónde está el baño?" (where is the bathroom?). Everything else you can learn on the fly with Google Translate.

LENGA RESTAURANT

Carlos Bories 221, Puerto Natales, Natales, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena, Chile

At Lenga Restaurant they take the basics of Chilean cusine and elevate them to a whole new level. The food is beautiful and super fresh! Save room for dessert and order a different bottle of wine with every course. This is your moment to splurge!

SANTOLLA

Carlos Bories 221, Puerto Natales, Natales, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena, Chile

While the service is a bit all over the place, the seafood is worth the wait! Don't go when you're starved because they don't take reservations so you may have a bit of a wait. Ooh, also, call ahead because they are closed some nights. (Again, worth it!)

Also, kinda obsessed with how cutely they decorated the interior of these shipping crates. Go see for yourself!

WHERE TO GO BETWEEN MEALS

WALK AROUND THE STREETS OF VALPARAISO

Most travel guides will try to sell this city as a graffiti-clad art experience. In reality, it's a bit like putting lipstick on a pig. There is a lot of graffiti. Some of it's awesome and a lot of it is a mess. There are beautiful monuments in the city, and some awesome hillside views but when you take a moment to look at the details of those views much of it is a dilapidated favela that you can't help but wonder what the insides look like. It's a cool city but an overnight there is plenty. 

Insider's Tip: Definitely, take a ride on their "acensor" aka their hillside elevators. They have cool views and are what the city is known for (much like the double-decker bus in London). 

GO TO THE COLCHAGUA MUSEUM || ADULTS $11.62

Don't be fooled, this museum is a huge immersive experience. Take the audio tour and be guided through Chilean history. It's awesome! 

Insiders Tip: If at any point you think you have to find a restroom, don't wait, it's at the very end of the museum, so powerwalk it through and then double back to pick up where you left off.

WALK AROUND THE STREETS OF SANTIAGO

From fish markets, to street markets that consist of blankets placed on the ground with items for sale piled upon them, to museums, there is a lot to take in in this more metropolitan city.

Insider's Tip: Don't plan to explore on a Sunday. Most restaurants and sites are closed as it's a pretty religious city.

Dam drone photo taken by Franklin Williams of @OutsiderSkies

Road drone photo taken by Franklin Williams of @OutsiderSkies

DAY TRIP TO EMBALSE EL YESO

A two-and-a-half hour drive from Santiago, this dam is a sight to be seen. If your trip to Chile doesn't take you to Patagonia, this is a great way to get a taste of the great outdoors. 

DRIVE AROUND PATAGONIA

Have your camera at the ready cause there are vistas at every turn and animals in between every vista. Nothing is really close in Patagonia so you can bet you'll be in a car a lot of the time (unless you are the kinda person I saw backpacking and hitchhiking while I was sipping a glass of wine looking out of the restaurant's windows).

Insider's Tip: Fuel up whenever you see a gas station because they are few and far between and with a lot of mountain driving you are surely going to push through gas quickly. 

Another Insider's Tip: Pack snacks and a lot of water for the road. Better safe than sorry!

Who's ready for glacier iced coffee?

Balmaceda Glacier drone photo taken by Franklin Williams from @OutsiderSkies

AGUNSA PATAGONIA BALMACEDA AND SERRANO GLACIER TOUR 

EPA Pier at Pedro Montt 380 Street || 10 Hours || $148.57 Fee

When in Patagonia you hand-down must see glaciers. I mean, how often are you that close to Antartica? I took this tour but I wish I planned in advance to take a second boat tour of Glacier Grey in addition to this one. They have very different vibes. When looking back on my trip, this was one of my favorite days. Boating by glaciers, sipping cocktails where instead of ice there was a small chunk of a glacier, and lunching on a farm—it was incredible!

Insider's Tip: We had an ipad with some downloaded episodes from Netflix and headphones. It's a long day of looking out windows. Watching shows while pausing for views was a great thing for the boat ride back. 

PINGO SALVAJE HORSEBACK RIDING

Natales, Punta Arenas, Natales, Región de Magallanes y de la Antártica Chilena, Chile || $66 For Half Day Ride (more options and packages available on their website. Click the button below)

In Patagonia, you can take horseback riding adventures that take several days. It's a super cool idea. You get to see so much! We went for two-and-a-half hours and had the most incredible time taking in the outdoors and feeling those vaquero (translation: cowboy) vibes.

EXPLORE TORRES DEL PAINE NATIONAL PARK

Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena Region, Chile || Entry Fees and activity packages available on their website (click the button below)

Do go chasing waterfalls! There are so many to be seen. Not to mention there is great hiking and, albeit, windy breathtaking vistas. It's one of those places you have to go when you're in Patagonia.

Insider's Tip: Do throw a winter coat and hat in the trunk of your car. You will thank me.