3 secret places in Chile not to miss

If people meet who went to Chile, the main places they talk about are usually the following: Easter Island, Patagonia, Valparaiso, or Atacama. 

And those places are absolutely gorgeous without doubt. And we totally recommend visiting them. 

However, it makes one think:

Are there really no other great places that this unique country has to offer?

Of course there are more. And we will present a short list of the best secrets in Chile:

1. Iquique

Where is it?

Iquique is a middle-size city of around 200,000 inhabitants on the coast located in the Northern territory of Chile. It is located around 1,700 km to the North of the capital city Santiago and 300 km south of the boarder with Peru. Some call it "Miami of South America".

Best way to get there?

Take a plane from Santiago (with LAN or Sky). It takes a bit over two (2) hours, and booked in advance it can be quite cheap. For the more adventurous among you, a bus from Santiago drives around 24 (!) hours. This is still a great experience, as the landscape changes dramatically and after the sun rises, one finds himself in the middle of the Atacama desert.

Why go there?

It is not only known for its great temperatures (average never below 14°, never more than 26°), nice beaches and duty free zone but also for its incredible surroundings. You can visit all year long, and especially it can be a good escape in Winter (between May and August, when Santiago and the South has cold feet).

- Ghost towns Santa Laura & Humberstone

Have you ever visited a ghost town? Then its time to go. Only about 50 km from Iquique, one can visit the world heritage sides of Santa Laura & Humberstone. Being declared by the UNESCO in 2005, those two abandoned former salpeter refineries are totally worth a visit and will remind many of the sceneries of a "Western movie". You can even find a theater, football pitch, swimming pool and former houses, where people lived and worked (even Chinese !) until 1960.

- Pica

Further inland one can visit the small but beautiful city of Pica, being famous for several fruits especially lemons, which are used for the National drink "Pisco Sour". Ice-cream should be tried there, too - Mango is a good option. Stay there for one night to enjoy the clear skies and tranquility.

2. Valle del Elqui

Where is it?

Valle del Elqui is a valley located about 500 km north of Santiago de Chile. It is known for production of the National liquor “Pisco” and also wines. Nevertheless, there are other great things to do there.

Best way to get there?

You can take a plane, if you want to get there quickly. The closest airport is in the city of La Serena, and the flight takes about 1 hour. Booked in advance it is a cheap option (with LAN or SKY). A bus usually takes 6-7 hours to La Serena from Santiago. From La Serena into the valley, it takes around another 60 minutes by car or local bus. Most people arrive to/stay in either Vicuna (biggest city) or Pisco Elqui, which is further inside the valley.

Why go there?

-    -  Pisco

It is produced in the valley and sold all over the country. The Pisco factory “Fundo Los Nichos” offers great tours through their side and finishes with a tasting. You can buy several types after the tour. Along the valley you can do another tasting but of organic wine, visit “Cavas del Valle” which has spectacular quality.

-    - Astronomy

Even the least romantic will fall in love with the skies in the “Valle del Elqui”. They are considered as one of the clearest on earth, and doing an astronomy tour is an absolute must being there. The observatory “Mamalluca” offers great tours where visitors can not only watch but also learn about the universe.

-    - Tranquillity

Valle del Elqui is simply a perfect place to get out of the city and relax. There are plenty of great places to stay in order to clear the mind and simply enjoy the tranquillity in the valley.

3. Isla de Chiloe

Where is it?

The island of Chiloe is located in the Southern territory of Chile and about 1,200 km from Santiago. It is the biggest national island mainly known for its unique churches but has much more to offer. Take note it is one of the last lands in the country that became independent.

Best way to get there?

In 2016 only, a new flight route opened and Santiago is now directly linked to the island of Chiloe, where one arrives to Castro within less than 2 hours (flights go with LAN and only on Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday).

Why go there?

-   - Churches

You don’t have to be religious to like the churches of Chiloe. 16 on the island are considered as a world heritage side and are well worth a visit. Others are being maintained to also be considered by the Unesco. Bring your camera and shoot amazing pictures.

-  - Food & people

Everyone who visited Chiloe will remember the tasty food and the friendly people. The most typical food is called “curanto” which is prepared in a hole in the ground (!). At first hot stones are put inside and then it will be filled with a mix of potatoes (about 400 species only in Chiloe), meat, fish, shellfish and vegetables. Leaves are put on top and the food cooked around one (1) hour. It can also be done in a stew pot on top of a bonfire, but the first method is the most traditional way. Don’t leave Chiloe without trying “curanto”.

-   - Landscapes

The island has only around 150,000 inhabitants on over 9,000 square kilometres, which means it is still relatively unspoiled. Due to the rainy climate, the island is very green and scenic, where you can find great hiking trails and viewpoints. Bring your boots and don’t forget a good rain jacket.

Conclusion:

If the time allows, you should definitely try and visit the above three places to get a more complete understanding about the country, its food, people, arquitecture and past.