Chile is over 4,000km from north to south, which means the country contains deserts, vineyards, cities, glaciers, and fjords. Most international visitors arrive at Santiago (SCL), which serves as the base for exploring in every direction. The Andes form the eastern border with Argentina, and crossing them by air on the Buenos Aires to Santiago route offers some of the most spectacular views from any commercial flight.
Santiago itself is worth more time than most people give it. The neighbourhood choice genuinely shapes your experience, the food and wine culture is exceptional, and the day trips - Valparaiso, wine country, the Andes - are some of the best in South America. The city caught me off guard. I had expected a sprawling capital to endure rather than enjoy.
I visited Santiago, explored multiple neighbourhoods, took day trips to Valparaiso and the wine valleys, and flew in from Buenos Aires before continuing onward to Auckland. The logistics are straightforward by South American standards, and the infrastructure for visitors is solid.
