We may be biased, but we think Chile is one of the most beautiful countries in the world. Exploring it on foot is an experience that is difficult to describe. While the classic treks around Patagonia take our breath away every time, there’s so much more to explore off the beaten path. Include the trails of Chile’s hidden treasures in your itinerary to make your trip unique. You’ll be sure to take home incredible memories of the views and sounds of undisturbed nature.
Navarino Island
Explore the wild landscape of Navarino Island, in the Tierra del Fuego archipelago and take the southernmost trek in the world. At the end of the world, you’ll climb and trek the sharp peaks that look like an apex predator’s teeth. The island’s extreme location means that few tourists visit this place. However, if you’re a trekking enthusiast, you need to add this to your list. Far from the public (and phone signal), here is the perfect place to reconnect with nature and your senses. This one is certainly for experienced hikers but the extra effort is paid for with the magnificent views.
Image courtesy of Richards Zamorano Ormeño
Silence Valley, Torres del Paine
The Torres del Paine treks are some of the most popular in Chile, and it’s true that if you visit in summer you will be sure to encounter groups of other tourists. If the Torres are on your list but you want to venture away from the crowds, then explore the lesser-tread paths. After visiting the Torres, you’ll continue your adventure behind the monoliths to Silence Valley. Over the next few days, you’ll cross glaciers, walk through native forests, and kayak across lakes. Explore the hidden gems of the Torres del Paine National Park with uninterrupted views. This is an adventure that will stir your soul and leave you with great memories (and photos!).
Northern Patagonia
This is an adventure through the luscious foothills of Patagonia. Explore forest and steppe, snowy peaks and white-water rivers. Here you can hike surrounded by the beautiful forests, breathtaking volcanoes, and spectacular fjords of South America’s best-kept secret. Explore the myths of Chiloé, the wildlife of the Lake District, and the waterfalls and rivers of Chile’s hidden gem far away from the traditional tourist attractions. These trails vary in difficulty, but no matter which one you choose, the reward will be incredible.
Poike Volcano, Easter Island
Easter Island is full of treasures to discover. However, if you want to see something that most travellers don’t, consider a hike around the little-traversed northern coast of this magical island. Alternatively, climb the island’s second-highest summit and oldest volcano, Poike volcano, to see Rapa Nui in all its glory. Along the way, you can discover ancient villages, caves, carvings and moais that most travellers don’t experience and get to know a different side of the island on foot.
Guatin Ravine, Atacama
After the lagoons and the geysers, escape the crowds of San Pedro and explore the Atacama wilderness. Take a short trek through a towering cactus forest in the driest desert on Earth. Follow the river to the most miraculous viewpoint looking over this incredible landscape with the Salar de Atacama in the distance. Away from the Atacama’s usual highlights, you will see a whole different side of this enchanting desert.
Imagen cortesía de Richards Zamorano Ormeño
Talk to us today to plan your next adventure away from the crowds!
Whether you’re a foodie or not, the food you eat on vacation can become some of your favourite memories. It’s a way of experiencing different cultures, relaxing at the end of the day, and finding new flavours. In the Chilean capital, you can find some of the best restaurant in the country, region, and even the world. From experimental to traditional cuisine, from indigenous flavours to fusions, there’s so much for your tastebuds to discover. During your stay in Santiago, you’ll be overwhelmed with choice, but here are our top ten restaurant recommendations for places to eat.
1. Boragó Restaurant
Boragó has twice been included in the world’s top 50 restaurants in recent years and in 2018 the restaurant won the Sustainable Restaurant award. Its chef and owner, Rodolfo Guzman, is at the vanguard of the molecular endemic cuisine in Chile. The food menu varies as much as the wine; everything served in this restaurant is delicately chosen to match the season and the finest produce Chile has to offer. Booking is required and there is often a waiting list, so book well in advance if this restaurant is on your list!
Address: Av. San José María Escrivá de Balaguer 5970, Vitacura, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday from 6:30 p.m. (last reservation at 10:30 p.m)
Regularly on the list of Latin America’s 50 best restaurants, Ambrosia offers a homely atmosphere with Chilean cuisine and international flair. Its food is creative, original, and a treat for the senses.
Address: Pamplona 78, Vitacura, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:30 pm to 4 pm & 7:30 pm to 10:30 pm
Sunday & Holidays: Closed
Reservations: https://ambrosia.meitre.com/
3. Peumayen Restaurant
Peumayen is a celebration of the cuisines of Chile’s indigenous communities. From the Aymaras in the northern desert, to the Mapuches in the southern forests, to Rapa Nui in a Pacific island paradise, this food is as diverse as Chile. You can order a-la-cartè or you can also try a tasting menu called “Orígenes” with four different menus that contain nibbles inspired by the different cultures of the country, accompanied by a variety of wines, pisco or creative cocktails. Alternatively, you can sample a second six-course tasting menu with wine pairings from the spectacular Clos des Fous vineyard.
Address: Constitución 136, Barrio Bellavista, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Saturday: 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm & 7:00 pm to 10:45 pm
A journey to the senses, this wine bar & restaurant offers pairing with all their meals giving its name, “Mouth-nose”. The menu is designed as a map of flavors with each dish perfectly created to bring out the best of its wine pairing. The magazine Wine Spectator has nominated Bocanariz’s wine menu as one of the best in the world for six years running. If you’re a wine lover, this one is a must.
Address: José Victorino Lastarria 276, Barrio Lastarria, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday to Wednesday: 12:30 pm to 12:00 am
Thursday to Saturday: 12:30 pm to 12:30 am
Sunday: 7:00 pm to 11:00 pm
Reservations: http://bocanariz.cl/index.php/reserva/ or contacto@bocanariz.cl
5. Salvador Cocina y Cafe
Located in downtown Santiago, this small restaurant offers a menu based on cuisine from the countryside of Chile at moderate prices. The cuisine specializes in celebrating cuts of meat that usually go to waste and offers ‘menu del día’ (set lunch menu) and lighter options too. This is one of the more humble options on our list, but the same care and attention are paid to the dishes served. If you find yourself in the Lastarria district, visit Salvador’s sister branch, La Salvación.
Address: Bombero Ossa 1059, Santiago Centro, Santiago
Opening hours:
Monday, Wednesday & Thursday: 8:00 am to 7:00 pm
Tuesday & Friday: 8:00 am to 8:30 pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
Reservations: Not necessary
6. Liguria Restaurant & Bar
This is the most typical restaurant on our list, offering typical Chilean food like ‘plateada’ (boneless short rib), ‘mechada’ (brisket), ‘pescado frito’ (fried fish), and traditional accompaniments. Wherever you are in Santiago, you won’t be far from Liguria with four restaurants in the most iconic neighborhoods of Santiago.
Address Lastarria: Merced 298, Lastarria Neighborhood, Santiago
Address Manuel Montt: Av. Providencia 1353, Providencia, Santiago
Address Luis Thayer Ojeda: Av. Luis Thayer Ojeda 019, Providencia, Santiago
Address Pedro de Valdivia: Av. Pedro de Valdivia 047, Providencia, Santiago
Opening Hours:
Monday to Saturday: 12:00 pm to 1:00 am
Reservations: http://www.liguria.cl/
7. Bidasoa Restaurante
The Bidasoa Hotel hosts an excellent restaurant with a great variety of inspired and creative plates. This restaurant is our favourite for vegans and vegetarians with an entirely separate menu offering plant-based dishes. For those who can’t resist seafood or meat, enjoy the Chilean-European fusion menu, including ceviche, paella, and steaks.
Address: Av. Vitacura, 4873, Vitacura, Santiago
Opening Hours:
Breakfast: Monday to Sunday: 7:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. (Sunday until 11:00 a.m.)
Lunch & Dinner: Monday to Sunday: 12:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
Don’t let Silvestre’s humble entrance deceive you. This bistro is full of colourful, fresh dishes with a menu that changes daily to use only the freshest produce. From grilled octopus to hummus and veggies to the Chilean classic, cazuela, this is a must-visit if you find yourself in Barrio Italia.
Address: Tegualda 1509, Ñuñoa, Región Metropolitana, Chile
Opening Hours:
Tuesday to Saturday: 12:30-23:00
Sunday: 12:30-16:00
Reservations: silvestrereservas@gmail.com
9. Lorenza Bistró
This lively bar offers a variety of dishes based on contemporary cuisine and cocktails that look like works of art. We recommend the cocktail called “Merecido Descanso” – you will be surprised!
Address: Alonso de Córdova 3854, Vitacura, Santiago
Founded by jazz musicians who fell in love with the restaurant industry in New York, Lolita Jones is a multicultural hub. It offers Mexican street food with original touches and a drink menu that ranges from eccentric liquors to signature creations. Fun, fashionable, and delicious, add this one to your list for something different.
Address: Alonso de Córdova 4355, Vitacura, Región Metropolitana
