Things to see in Chile and Easter Island: Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan
The Chilean portion of Patagonia, which extends across South America's southern tip, is called Magellanes after its Portuguese explorer. On the Pacific side of the barrier created by the Southern Andes, glacial action has excavated a complex coastline of fjords, channels and islands
Between the mainland and Tierra del Fuego, the Strait of Magellan has Chile's first and only marine reserve, Francisco Coloane Marine Park, which is a summer home to humpback plus and occasional sei whales and orca, plus Chilean and Peale's dolphin, South American sealion and southern fur seal. Across the strait, Tierra del Fuego has breeding colonies of penguin, sealion, and numerous albatross.
Other things to see in Chile and Easter Island
-
Atacama Desert & the Altiplano
Chile's northern desert comprises virtually lifeless coastal plains dissected by dramatic, deep…
More -
Chiloe Island
Just south of Puerto Montt, this fertile island lives from farming, fishing and …
More -
Easter Island
Rapa Nui, as it is known locally, is a small triangle of volcanic rock in mid-Pacific, around…
More -
Lauca National Park
Along with the adjacent National Vicuna Reserve and Surire salflat (a Ramsar site), this…
More -
Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan
The Chilean portion of Patagonia, which extends across South America's southern tip, is called…
More -
Robinson Crusoe Island
Juan Fernández is a fascinating volcanic archipelago situated 1,500 kilometres off the…
More -
The Lake District
Four adjacent national parks, Vicente Perez Rosales and Puyehue in Chile, plus Nahuel Huapi and…
More -
Torres del Paine
Chilean Patagonia's premier attraction is a wonderfully scenic mix of craggy peaks, glacial lakes,…
More -
Valparaiso
The main port and one of the oldest cities in Chile, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is only 120…
More
Places to stay in Chile and Easter Island
Atacama Desert & the Altiplano
Awasi [High]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Awasi [High]](/image_database/75x75C/CLSCLSCATACAMA001.jpg)
Awasi is a luxurious oasis in the… More
Hotel Alto Atacama [High]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Atacama Desert & the Altiplano - Hotel Alto Atacama [High]](/image_database/75x75C/Alto_Atacama_Lagoon_and_Catarpe_rooms.jpg)
Located in the fertile Catarpe valley, this luxurious hotel is only three kilometres from town, but… More
Chiloe Island
Hosteria de Castro [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Chiloe Island - Hosteria de Castro [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Chilean_Flamingo_Patagonia_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Located in Chiloe's main centre, Castro, Hosteria de Castro has modern accommodation and good… More
Easter Island
Altiplanico Rapa Nui Hotel [High]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Easter Island - Altiplanico Rapa Nui Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_easter_island_chile5.jpg)
The hotel boasts lovely views of the coast, and is set in 1.5 hectares of tranquil gardens,… More
O'tai Hotel [Mid]
This is a mid-sized family-run hotel with a cosy and homely… More
Lauca National Park
Hosteria Las Vicunas [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Lauca National Park - Hosteria Las Vicunas [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/19_PERU08ES_Vicuna.jpg)
Located in Putre, this is a rustic hosteria, which provides a good base from which to explore the… More
Hotel El Paso [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Lauca National Park - Hotel El Paso [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/chile_Puma_Torres_del_Paine_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Centrally located, this hotel offers a nice environment in which to stay and is close to Arica's… More
Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan
Eco-camp Carlos III Scientific Campsite [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Eco-camp Carlos III Scientific Campsite [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Carlos_III_Scientific.jpg)
Within the marine reserve on Carlos III Island, this tiny eco-camp accommodates only ten people in… More
MV Mare and Via Australis [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - MV Mare and Via Australis [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Chile_Magellanic_Penguin_Patagonia_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Sailing from Punta Arenas between September and mid-April, the boats Mare and Via Australis sail… More
San Isidro Lodge [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - San Isidro Lodge [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/chile_Peales_Dolphin_StraitofMagellan_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
This small, intimate lodge is located at the site of Chile's southern-most… More
Puerto Bories
The Singular Patagonia
A stunning, award-winning, luxury hotel that blends old and new in a triumph of design, and has… More
Santiago
Galerias Hotel [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Santiago - Galerias Hotel [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_galerias_hotel_santiago_chile.jpg)
The Galerías Hotel offers excellent services in a lovely historic setting in downtown… More
Hotel Rugendas [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Santiago - Hotel Rugendas [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/wildlife_classic_south_am_condor1.jpg)
Hotel Rugendas is a boutique style hotel in a quiet location, which is tastefully… More
W Hotel [High]
For ultimate luxury, we recommend the new W Hotel. It's unique in its design and is a good… More
Torres del Paine
EcoCamp - suite domes [Mid]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Torres del Paine - EcoCamp - suite domes [Mid]](/image_database/75x75C/Suite_Dome.jpg)
Designed to withstand the elements, provide warmth and comfort, and minimise environmental impact. … More
Hosteria Las Torres [High]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Torres del Paine - Hosteria Las Torres [High]](/image_database/75x75C/CLSCLParen_Torres_del_Paine2.jpg)
Las Torres sits in the heart of Chilean Patagonia and enjoys beautiful views over the snow-capped… More
Valparaiso
Zero Hotel [High]
![Patagonia & the Straits of Magellan - Valparaiso - Zero Hotel [High]](/image_database/75x75C/Chile_Inca_Tern_Northern_Chile_credit_Claudio_Vidal.jpg)
Facing the Pacific Ocean, this beautiful property affords wonderful views - perfect from dawn to… More
