Chile is a lengthy yet narrow nation that stretches down South America’s west coast. While being almost 4,000 miles (6,437 kilometres) long, the shoreline is only 61 miles (91 kilometres) wide. The Pacific Ocean is situated on the west coast of the country.

The best time to visit largely depends on where you plan to visit.
The warmest and most pleasant months for travellers to reach Patagonia in the south of the country are from October to March. In the Southern Hemisphere, it is currently summer, and the temperature is a comfortable 22°C.

The Atacama Desert and Santiago, however, can be visited any time of the year. Throughout the warmer months of December to February, warm temperatures (up to 30°C) attracts the crowds, therefore it’s vital to make reservations in advance.

Skiers can enjoy the mountains around Santiago from June through August, however other key attractions are closed during this time. Temperatures are usually around 15°C and 16°C.

The month of April is an ideal time for those wishing to explore the vineyards, as well as the wildlife in the popular Torres del Paine National Park.

Chile is known for its abundance of vegetables, meats, seafood and of course Chilean wine. Key foods in this fantastic country include empanadas, which are pastry pockets filled with meat, onions, eggs, raisins and black olives. Thanks to its Italian immigrants another staple seafood dish is Machas a la Parmesana, clams topped with gouda and parmesan cheese, white wine, cream and butter. A wonderful street food option is completo (which simply means hot dog), served with tomatoes, sauerkraut, mayonnaise, pickles and onions.

Before the Spaniards took over in the 16th century, the Inca governed the country’s north region. Until Chile became a Spanish colony, the southern and central regions were inhabited by native Mapuche people. It wasn’t until 1810, that the nation declared its independence from Spain. German, French, British, and Italian settlers started arriving in Chile at the end of the 1800s, with the Chinese emigrating to assist with the railroad construction. 1989 saw the return of democracy after a turbulent political era in the 1970s and 1980s.
Currently, native Mapuche and other indigenous communities make up just about 5% of the populace. The roots of over 95% of Chileans are both indigenous and European.

When travelling with your family to Chile, visit the capital Santiago and take the time to meander through the Plaza Armas or the Park Forestal, where you can see a wide range of street entertainers and plenty of vendors offering Chile’s delectable ice cream. Little stores, cafes, and restaurants fill the pedestrian-only Paseo Ahumada and Huerfanos streets. The unusual rock formations and enormous sand dunes in the Valle de la Luna make it a fantastic area for hiking. Amazing sunsets can be experienced as well as a swim in the saltwater pools in Laguna Cejar or Lagunas Escondidas de Baltinache after your hike. Moreover, you cannot visit Chile without heading to Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego for some penguin spotting, which the kids will thoroughly enjoy.