Chile Travel in the Northern Beaches and Desert

Chile travel in the north of the country is great for varied landscapes. Travel destinations include San Pedro de Atacama, Arica, and Iquique.

Chile’s extensively long coast provides for an array of climates and landscapes. From lakes and mountains to deserts and beaches, Chile travel has something for every type of traveler. The top 3 destinations for Chile travel are Santiago in the center of the country, Torres del Paine National Park in the south, and San Pedro de Atacama in the north. For travelers interested in the last option, the Chilean north hosts a spectacular desert; however, there is more to see and do, in particular the sun-drenched beaches in Arica and Iquique.

The main attraction in the north is San Pedro de Atacama, which ranks among top Chile travel destinations for its surreal beauty and truly unique landscape features, including geysers and salt flats. The town sits in the middle of the driest deserts in the world, where rainfall is immensely scarce. Here, travelers can bike, trek, and otherwise explore this one-of-a-kind place. Among the amazing landmarks is Laguna Verde, which is 40 miles from town. From its emerald green surface, the lagoon reflects the image of the Licancabur Volcano, the peak of which rises to 19,000 feet above sea level. Another attraction, the Tatio geysers are a geyser field which spring up most spectacularly at dawn. Nearby, travelers can enjoy the natural hot springs. The Valley of the Moon, so named because of its lunar-like appearance never fails to astound visitors with wind carved rock formations. Another attraction is the salt lake, which attract unique wildlife such as flamingos and other bird species.

For an awesome contrast, complete your tour of Chile in the north with a visit to the coastal cities, which offer laidback beach relaxation and opportunities to observe wildlife. Arica is the northernmost city of Arica and once enjoyed immense prosperity as the port for the riches of Bolivia. The historic center still bears the marks of the time with building such as the San Marcos Cathedral and the Casa de la Cultura. Just to the east of Arica is the Azapa Valley, where olive are grown and Azapa olive oil is made, and an archaeological museums that displays ancient mummies. Lauca National Park can also be accessed from Arica, and here travelers will find abundant wildlife such as vicunas and viscachas as well as Lake Chungara, one of the largest in the world.

Iquique is another coastal city which saw its wealth rise and fall with that of the nitrate mines and there are still many colonial buildings remaining from this era. The surrounding desert has the famous geoglyphs and a number of ghost towns, including Humberstone, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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