Colorful hillside houses of Valparaíso Vineyard rows in Chile Maipo Valley with Andes backdrop Valparaiso harbor and port area with colorful buildings Large telescope dome under the Atacama night sky

Best 21 Days in Chile — Based in Valparaíso

Santiago → Valparaíso → San Pedro de Atacama

21 days · 3 cities · 17 activities · route optimized by distance

A mix of photography, art & culture, and history. Mostly low-effort and walkable, with a mix of self-guided and guided activities. Includes 10 must-see landmarks across Santiago and Valparaíso and San Pedro de Atacama.

Highlights: Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción Walking Tour, El Tatio Geysers Sunrise Tour, Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride, Salar de Atacama & Altiplanic Lagoons, Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour

Arriving Wed, Jul 1 Change

Your Route — ordered to minimize backtracking

17+ activities scored and ranked · route optimized across 3 cities

Where you'll stay
Hotel in Santiago · From $70/night +2 more
See lodging →
Trip cost
~$1,562 total · $74/day
See budget →
Top picks
Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride, Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour, Barrio Bellavista & La Chascona (Neruda's House)
See itinerary →

Day-by-Day Schedule — heavy and light days alternate so you don’t burn out

Santiago

Santiago 9 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 1 Wed, Jul 1 Full Santiago View on map
Morning Santiago panoramic view from Cerro San Cristóbal with Andes backdrop
Cerro San Cristóbal & Funicular Ride$~3 hrs

Ride the historic funicular to the summit for panoramic views of Santiago and the Andes

$3 Verified Mar 2026 Clearest views Oct-Mar; funicular closed first Monday of each month 📍 Map
Afternoon Plaza de Armas Santiago with historic colonial buildings
Plaza de Armas & Historic Center Walking Tour$~3 hrs

Explore Santiago's colonial heart with its cathedral, museums, and bustling plazas

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 2 Thu, Jul 2 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning
Barrio Bellavista & La Chascona (Neruda's House)$~3 hrs

Wander Santiago's bohemian quarter and visit Pablo Neruda's whimsical home

$8 Verified Mar 2026 Best spring/summer; La Chascona open Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM 📍 Map
Afternoon Fresh seafood stalls inside Santiago Mercado Central
Mercado Central & Seafood Lunch$~2 hrs

Taste fresh Chilean seafood at the ornate cast-iron market

$18 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; liveliest at lunch 11 AM-2 PM 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 3 Fri, Jul 3 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning La Moneda Palace neoclassical facade in Santiago Chile
La Moneda Palace & Cultural Center$~2h 30m

Visit Chile's presidential palace and its underground cultural galleries

$4 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; Tue-Sun 10 AM-6:30 PM; free admission before noon 📍 Map
Afternoon Cajón del Maipo Andean canyon landscape near Santiago
Cajón del Maipo Day Trip$$~8 hrs

Hike through an Andean river canyon with hot springs and glaciers just outside Santiago

$55 Verified Mar 2026 Best Oct-Mar; some trails closed in winter; Embalse El Yeso accessible year-round 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 4 Sat, Jul 4 Moderate Santiago View on map
Morning Vineyard rows in Chile Maipo Valley with Andes backdrop
Maipo Valley Wine Tour$$~5 hrs

Taste world-class Carménère and Cabernet at vineyards below the Andes

$75 Verified Mar 2026 Harvest Feb-Apr; Concha y Toro from $25 solo, full valley tours $75-90 📍 Map
Afternoon Pre-Columbian art exhibition in a Santiago museum
Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art$~2h 30m

Discover 4,500 years of indigenous art from across the Americas

$8 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round indoor; Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM; closed Mon 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Santiago

Providencia / Lastarria / Bellavista

wifibreakfastair-conditioning24-hour front desk
Travelers book: Hotel Cumbres Lastarria $90-150/nightLuciano K Hotel $80-130/nightHostal Providencia $30-55/night
Book Hotel in Santiago from $70/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Santiago → Valparaíso
2h ~$10 Comfortable bus from Santiago to Valparaíso (1.5h)

Valparaíso

Valparaíso 5 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 5 Sun, Jul 5 Full Valparaíso View on map
Morning Colorful hillside houses and stairways of Valparaíso
Cerro Alegre & Cerro Concepción Walking Tour$~4 hrs

Wander colorful hilltop streets filled with street art, cafés, and ocean views

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
Afternoon
La Sebastiana (Neruda's Valparaíso House)$~2 hrs

Tour Pablo Neruda's hillside house with panoramic harbor views

$10 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round; Tue-Sun 10 AM-6 PM; audio guide included 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 6 Mon, Jul 6 Moderate Valparaíso View on map
Morning Historic ascensor funicular in Valparaíso with colorful buildings
Historic Funiculars & Harbor Views$~2 hrs

Ride Valparaíso's 19th-century funicular elevators between the hills and port

$1 Verified Mar 2026 Year-round 📍 Map
Afternoon Valparaiso harbor and port area with colorful buildings
Port Area & Plaza Sotomayor$~2 hrs

Explore Valparaíso's historic waterfront and naval heritage quarter

Best spring/summer 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 7 Tue, Jul 7 Moderate Valparaíso View on map
Morning Casablanca Valley vineyard with rolling green hills
Casablanca Valley Wine Tour$$~5 hrs

Taste crisp Sauvignon Blanc and Pinot Noir at Pacific-cooled vineyards

$65 Verified Mar 2026 Harvest Feb-Apr 📍 Map
Afternoon
Free Day in Valparaíso$~6 hrs

Wander Valparaíso's cerros discovering hidden street art, ride the historic funiculars, or day-trip to Viña del Mar

Best Oct-Mar
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 8 Wed, Jul 8 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 9 Thu, Jul 9 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 10 Fri, Jul 10 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 11 Sat, Jul 11 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 12 Sun, Jul 12 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 13 Mon, Jul 13 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 14 Tue, Jul 14 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 15 Wed, Jul 15 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 16 Thu, Jul 16 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 17 Fri, Jul 17 Light Valparaíso
🏨 Hotel in Valparaíso

Cerro Alegre / Cerro Concepción

wifibreakfastterrace
Travelers book: Casa Higueras $100-180/nightHotel Boutique Acontraluz $50-90/nightPataPata Hostel $20-40/night
Book Hotel in Valparaíso from $55/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama 4 stops · Open in Google Maps ↗
Day 18 Sat, Jul 18 Full San Pedro de Atacama
Full Day El Tatio geysers steam columns at sunrise in Atacama
El Tatio Geysers Sunrise Tour$$~8 hrs

Watch 80 geysers erupt at dawn in the world's highest geyser field

$60 Verified Mar 2026 Best dry season, coldest at dawn Jun-Aug 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama

Village Center / Calle Caracoles

wifibreakfastterracebicycle rental
Travelers book: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge $250-500/nightHotel Kimal $60-100/nightHostal Mamatierra $25-45/night
Book Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama from $65/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 19 Sun, Jul 19 Light San Pedro de Atacama
Full Day Atacama salt flat with flamingos and Andean volcanoes
Salar de Atacama & Altiplanic Lagoons$$~8 hrs

See flamingos on vast salt flats and mirror-like high-altitude lagoons

$55 Verified Mar 2026 Best dry season 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama

Village Center / Calle Caracoles

wifibreakfastterracebicycle rental
Travelers book: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge $250-500/nightHotel Kimal $60-100/nightHostal Mamatierra $25-45/night
Book Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama from $65/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 20 Mon, Jul 20 Light San Pedro de Atacama
Full Day Large telescope dome under the Atacama night sky
ESO Paranal VLT Observatory Day Tour$~6 hrs

Tour the world's most powerful optical telescope array — four 8.2-metre VLT domes on a Atacama mountaintop

Saturdays only year-round; book months in advance at reservasobservatorioseso.cl 📍 Map
🏨 Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama

Village Center / Calle Caracoles

wifibreakfastterracebicycle rental
Travelers book: Alto Atacama Desert Lodge $250-500/nightHotel Kimal $60-100/nightHostal Mamatierra $25-45/night
Book Hotel in San Pedro de Atacama from $65/night Affiliate link — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
Day 21 Tue, Jul 21 San Pedro de Atacama
Checkout & Depart

Check out of your hotel, grab a final breakfast, and head to the airport. Safe travels from San Pedro de Atacama!

Where You’ll Stay

Estimated total: $952–$1,428

Trip Budget Estimate

$1,562 estimated total per person
$74 per day
Lodging $1,190
Activities $362
Transport $10

Estimates based on listed activity prices and hotel rates. Actual costs vary by season, availability, and personal spending.

Typical range for Chile

$1,050 – $7,350 per person for 21 days

Budget: $50/day — Hostels, local meals, buses Mid-range: $120/day — Hotels, restaurants, domestic flights Luxury: $350/day — Luxury lodges, wine tours, private transfers

Similar Destinations

Similar vibes, fewer crowds — destinations our algorithm rates as close matches to Chile.

🧳 Practical Info for Chile

📄 Visa
Visa-free for US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens for up to 90 days. Tourist card issued on arrival.
💵 Tipping
10% tip customary at restaurants. Not expected in casual settings.
💱 Currency
Chilean Peso (CLP). Cards accepted in cities; carry cash for markets and rural Patagonia.
🔌 Power
220V, Type C/L plugs. US/CA travelers need an adapter and possibly a voltage converter.
📶 Connectivity
SIM cards at airports (Entel, Claro, WOM). Good coverage in cities; limited in Patagonia and Atacama interior.
🚨 Emergency
131 (ambulance), 132 (fire), 133 (police)

✈️ Getting Around Chile

✈️ Flight

LATAM and Sky Airline connect Santiago to Atacama, Patagonia, and Easter Island. Book early for $40-120 fares.

🚌 Bus

Long-distance buses (Turbus, Pullman) are comfortable and affordable for routes like Santiago to Valparaiso.

🚗 Car

Car rental recommended for Patagonia's Torres del Paine and the Carretera Austral.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is 10 days enough for Chile?

10 days covers Santiago, Valparaíso, and either Patagonia or the Atacama Desert. For both, plan 14+ days.

What is the best time to visit Chile?

October-March (summer) for Patagonia and general travel. Atacama is year-round. June-August for skiing in the Andes.

How much does a week in Chile cost?

Budget: $50-80/day. Mid-range: $100-180/day. Luxury: $350+/day. Santiago is affordable; Patagonia is significantly more expensive.

Do I need a visa for Chile?

US, EU, UK, CA, AU citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days. A tourist card (PDI) is issued on arrival.

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