Chile

Like neighboring Argentina, the long and slender landmass of Chile harbors a variety of awesome wilderness scenery for outdoor enthusiasts. Indeed, Patagonia’s Torres del Paine National Park in the deep south and the starkly contrasting Atacama Desert in the far north epitomize our planet’s most spectacular and haunting natural wonders.

In Torres del Paine, volcanoes and glaciers carve out the ruggedly mysterious terrain where dramatically sculpted granite spires tower above pristine crystalline lakes and incredibly hued lagoons afloat with heroic icebergs. Colorful wildflowers punctuate the rolling, windswept steppes and lenga forests, the landscape alive with 150 unique bird and animal species, including black-necked swans, condors, ostrich-like rheas and herds of fluffy guanacos (cousins to the llama).

With an infinity of golden sand backdropped by massive volcanoes rising to 20,000 feet, Atacama is one of the highest (8,000 feet) and driest deserts in the world. Its remarkably anomalous landscape is punctuated not only by imposing Andean peaks, but immense salt fields, colossal sand dunes, high-altitude geysers, hot springs and striking gorges. Yet despite the harsh environment, green oases appear out of nowhere, as do llamas, vicuñas, foxes and flocks of resident flamingos.

CLIMATE : Chile consists of a northern desert area, a Mediterranean central section in which the majority of the population lives (see Santiago) and a rugged, mainly forested southern region that is often compared to the coasts of Alaska and Vancouver Island (see Punta Arenas).

TIME : Two hours ahead of New York (EST).

CURRENCY : Chilean peso (CLP). Fluctuating rate valued at CLP483 = US$1.00 as of March 2012. Note: Our suggested hotels quote rates in US$.

U.S. EMBASSY : Santiago, Tel. 2-330-3000.

DIRECT DIAL CODES : To phone hotels in Chile, dial 011 (international access) + 56 (Chile code) + city code and local numbers in listings.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS : Passport. Visit travel.state.gov, and for travelers’ health information, cdc.gov.

GENERAL INFORMATION : Visit chile.travel before your trip.