Chile is a ridiculously long and thin country, making for awkwardly shaped maps, and a range of diverse experiences.

San Pedro de Atacama is a pretty, pricy town, a million miles different in feeling to the salt flats of Bolivia, less than 100km away. Buses over to Argentina are not very frequent, so you can spend more time than you bargain for here, which isn't such a bad thing, but may hit the wallet a bit.

Caldera is a quiet beach side town, with the more pleasant Bahia Inglesa a short cab ride away, where you have the opportunity to stay inside a geodesic dome, and eat completos (hot dogs with guacamole) to your heart`s content.

Valparaiso is as geographicaly ludicrous as the country itself, with a network of elevators (ascenseurs) taking you up and down the steep colourful streets, regularly adorned with artistic graffiti. Pablo Neruda`s house is suitably eccentric and provides a great view over the active port harbour.

The capital city Santiago is modern and clean, with a lively square and lots of shopping centres. Easter Island is still part of Chile, but will have it`s own page here seeing as it is over 3600 km away from the mainland.

Santiago

Valparaiso

Santiago

caracol Porteno