Chile is a stunning country filled with jaw-dropping landscapes that at times make you feel like you have stepped onto another planet.
The diversity of dramatic scenery and micro-climates (especially in Patagonia!) is completely enticing. The entire time we were there, we could not comprehend how so many different things of beauty were packed into one skinny – albeit incredibly long – country. From picture-perfect volcanoes and sprawling wineries to glaciers, beaches, and towering mountains, Chile really has something for every explorer.
And what they have in diversity of landscapes is mirrored in their diversity of breads. I have never seen so many breads of all shapes and sizes packed into one small panadería! It was incredible that even the smallest, most remote towns (hello, Villa O’Higgins!) had not just one, but multiple panaderías to offer. Fresh bread at every corner? Honestly… say less.
With climates ranging from temperate rainforest that experiences over 235 inches of rainfall annually to the driest desert on the planet, you won’t be disappointed exploring the wondrous and wild country of Chile.
My full country guides are always a behemoth of information, and this one is no different. My goal here is to give you a good sense of the country, starting with the fun stuff like culture and where to go, and then leaning into the more logistical aspects of what to expect boots on the ground and the nitty gritty of what you need to know before you travel to Chile. And, of course… we will wrap it all up with how to be a Brava Traveler while you explore Chile!
Hang on to the end to know everything you need to know before you wander to the beautiful country of Chile.
If you prefer to listen to this information, there is a podcast episode covering loads of this blog post (plus some of our fun, anecdotal stories detailing our escapades in Chile) on the Travel Brava Podcast, linked below!
A Taste of Chilean Culture: Foods, People, and History
Classic Food and Drinks of Chile
When you think of cuisines around the world, Chile does not quite come to mind like some others do.
However, Chile has a great food scene in its own right. They have interesting and unique dishes that you won’t find anywhere else, alongside their take on Latin American classics like empanadas.
There are plenty of foods and drinks to seek out when you are in Chile, and we’ll give you a taste of some of the most popular ones. For the FULL breakdown of food and drink, see our Guide to Chilean Food and Drink!
- Completos: A fast-food staple, these are cheap and on menus all over the country! A completo is a hot dog with a multitude of fixing options, but the most renowned is the Completo Italiano. A hot dog piled high with diced tomatoes, guacamole and mayonnaise (sometimes TOO much mayo). It sounds funky but trust me, it’s really something to try and any Chilean will tell you this is a MUST.
- Empanadas: Fried dough with a variety of stuffings, these are also not very hard to find. A common, delicious one is Empanadas de Pino (essentially tastes like a beef stew wrapped up with bread!). By the coast, you can commonly find Empanadas de Mariscos that are delicious!
- Curanto: A unique, ginormous dish that seems to have everything under the sun – mussels as big as your hand, clams, sausage, a chicken drumstick, boiled potatoes and a potato-dumpling-mashup. A must try original to the Chiloé Archipelago!
- Pastel de Choclo: Another unique dish for us, this reminded me of a shepherds pie but with a sweet corn-mash topping over a beef mixture. It’s delicious and another classic that was recommended to me by a local!
- Sopaipillas: I fell in LOVE with sopaipillas. The fluffy, warm, fried, sometimes ever-so-slightly-sweet bread is to die for. I am itching to try my hand at these! Seek them out warm and slung right onto your plate fresh from the fryer.
- Manjar: A delectable sweet treat, you’ll find it straight up in jars or slathered between cookies sold at a pastelería. Manjar is very similar to dulce de leche and is a thick spread that you can buy at the supermercado and spread on anything from cookies to salty crackers (our personal fav). Or better yet, enjoy it straight up with a spoon!
Without a doubt their more world renowned aspect is their wine. Chilean wine is delicious, plentiful, and sold anywhere you can buy any sort of drink. We indulged in their wine scene and if you are so inclined… don’t miss it!
Chilean People
Chileans are warm and humble people who tend to really enjoy sharing their traditions and beautiful country with tourists. If you respectfully ask them about their history and culture (which, as a brava traveler, you always do!) you will be delighted with learning about their way of life, favorite Chilean dishes and recommended corners of their country.
We had so many situations where Chileans approached us curiously asking about where we were from and which areas of their gorgeous country we were exploring. It was never lost on them just how awe-inspiring their country is, and they oftentimes are traveling right alongside you exploring its corners and delighting in its beauty. This was by far one of our favorite parts of Chile.
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