Chile tours & travel

Most Chileans are a mixture of indigenous and European descent, with a strain of African blood thrown in. They’re mostly Roman Catholic, but a good portion of the population are non-religious compared to the rest of South America. Chileans love to take things at a slowly, and food is a big part of daily life. Most people eat four meals a day and cherish the time to spend with their loved-ones. Chile has a somewhat conservative culture, where some liberal issues are quite sensitive and men are dominant in the social sphere.

This unusually long country reaches like an enormous cane from the dry region of the Andes to Southernmost point of the continent. The extensive coastline along the Pacific is rugged and extreme, with violent waves slamming against the rock. Due to the Humboldt Current, the water stays brisk. The Atacama Desert in northern Chile is the driest place on earth, and the south of the country is covered in lakes, glaciers and snow. Due to its geographical isolation from the rest of South America, Chile supports its own unique fauna and flora such as guanaco, penguins and seals.

Antiques, flea markets, handicraft and shiny malls – your Chile tour will provide plenty of shopping opportunities. Strolling the streets of Santiago will lead you to a variety of interesting shops. Big flea markets include Feria Santa Lucia and Persa Bio-Bio which are packed with trinkets, clothes, handmade and second-hand goods. Chile is a global producer of semi-precious stones, especially lapis lazuli, so you can find exquisite jewellery to take back with you. Traditional artisan products from the north of the country include black pottery, hand-woven blankets and rugs made from sheep or llama wool.

The Andean Festival with the Strength of the Sun

A lively festival that is very much a performance of Chile’s culture, the Carnaval Andino Con la Fuerza del Sol is held in the north of the country. Bolivians and Peruvians cross the border to join their Chilean neighbours in a show of indigenous, Spanish and Catholic customs involving costume, dance and lively folk music.

Santiago by the Thousands

Chile’s largest festival, Santiago a Mil, runs for a grand total of three weeks. It showcases art and culture, theatre and street performances, as well as death defying acrobatics and dance.

The Patriotic Festival

Chile gained its independence form Spanish colonialists on September 18th. Today, the date involves merrymaking and national pride. The locals have barbecues, drink and dance until the small hours of the morning.

Chile is famous for its wide and varied stews, eaten either at lunch or dinner. The blend of Indian and Spanish culture is nowhere more present than in the national dish of porotos cranados, made from wholesome native ingredients and European spices. Other stews are made from eel or llama meat, but if you’re not feeling so adventurous, you can always grab a quick and delicious empanada done Chile-style. Don’t forget to have a nightcap of the national drink pisco.

• Clandestine in Chile: The Adventures of Miguel Littin by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
• The History of Chile by John L Rector
• The Obscene Bird of Night by Jose Donoso
• My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel
• The Mermaid and the Drunks by Ben Richards