The journal
Chile
Long-form pieces by our destination specialists — context, history, practical know-how, and the moments that make a trip stick.
Latin AmericaChile Travel Itinerary: Combining the Atacama Desert and Patagonia in One Trip
Want the Atacama's geysers and Patagonia's glaciers in one trip? This Chile travel itinerary shows how long to spend in each region, how to link them via Argentina, and how to handle altitude and fast-changing weather.
Jim Louth·29 Sept 2026
Latin AmericaWhen Is the Best Time of Year to Visit Chile? Desert, Glaciers and Everything Between
From the Atacama's dry desert skies to Patagonia's glaciers, find the best time of year to visit Chile, and how to see both in one trip.
Jim Louth·22 Sept 2026
Latin AmericaWhat to Do in the Atacama Desert, the Driest Place on Earth
From El Tatio's steaming geysers to stargazing under clear desert skies, here's what to do in the Atacama Desert, Chile's surreal, Mars-like corner of South America.
Jim Louth·15 Sept 2026
Latin AmericaWhat Is Chile Famous For? 12 Things That Make It One of a Kind
Chile is the world's narrowest country, home to its driest desert, its clearest skies and some of its wildest coastlines — plus glaciers, moai statues and a grape once thought extinct. Here are 12 things that make it one of a kind.
Jim Louth·8 Sept 2026
Latin AmericaThings to Do in Puerto Natales: A First-Timer's Guide to Chilean Patagonia
Puerto Natales has long been treated as a mere gateway to Torres del Paine, somewhere to sleep before or after the main event. But this small fjord town, built on a century of sheep farming history, has plenty to hold its own: a 10,000 year old cave that once sheltered a giant ground sloth, boat trips across the Última Esperanza Fjord to glaciers few travellers ever reach on foot, and condors circling above landscapes still grazed by guanacos and working estancias. Add in king crab fresh from the fjord, slow-roasted Patagonian lamb, and a berry the locals swear guarantees your return, and it becomes clear why so many visitors end up giving Puerto Natales far more than a passing night. Here's everything worth doing in this corner of Chilean Patagonia, before and after the towers.
Jim Louth·17 Aug 2026
Latin AmericaThe Best Things to Do in Chile That Go Far Beyond the Tourist Trail
The best things to do in Chile span over 4,300 km — from the driest desert on Earth to the glacial fjords of Patagonia. Highlights include the geysers and flamingo lakes of the Atacama, the granite towers of Torres del Paine, and remote Patagonian boat journeys few travellers ever reach. This guide goes beyond the standard itinerary to show you where Chile’s real rewards lie.
Jim Louth·18 Jun 2026
Latin AmericaWhat to See in Chile: A Journey from the Atacama to Patagonia
Chile stretches over 4,300 kilometres from the driest desert on earth to the glaciers of Patagonia, making it one of South America’s most geographically diverse countries. The best places to visit in Chile include the Atacama Desert, Torres del Paine, Chiloé Island, and the volcanic Lake District — each a distinct world. This guide takes you through them all, structured as a journey from north to south, with practical advice on how to see Chile properly.
Jim Louth·10 Jun 2026
