Long before the Spanish arrived in Chile in the 16th century, indigenous peoples created settlements and lived their lives in the shadow of the majestic Andes Mountains, on the wild Pacific coast, among sparkling lakes and fjords, and even in the dry vastness of the Atacama desert.

Miners, farmers, fishermen and wine growers tapped into a rich store of resources that characterise the Chilean economy and lifestyle to this day. The cuisine is generally excellent and very reasonably priced, with fresh seafood a particular delight, even better when preceded by that famous Chilean aperitif, the Pisco Sour.

Chile’s most high-profile export is surely wine and vineyard tours may be arranged, to learn of production methods and sample wines in the scenic central valleys. Whether you seek a wild Patagonian adventure, a busy city stay in the capital Santiago, a wine buff’s tour, or all of these, Chile’s wonderful landscape and hospitable people will ensure an unforgettable stay in the ‘Land of Poets’.

The climate in Chile is difficult to generalise due to its geographic location and the fact that it extends across 38 degrees in latitude.

In Santiago, the spring months (Sept-Nov) are mild and the perfect time to visit, while summers (Dec-Feb) are generally dry and hot, with cool evenings and daily high temperatures often reaching 85° F.

Autumn (Mar-May) brings cooler temperatures with daily highs seldom exceeding 60°F, and the winter months (Jun-Aug) bring colder temps, heavy rains and mountain snowfall.

Train
The train company Empresa de los Farrocarriles del Estado (EFE) has a high-speed train service from Santiago to Chillán, which is very modern and comfortable. It stops in Rancagua, San Fernando, and Talca, and passes through some beautiful, rural landscapes along the way. Compared to the bus, there are few trains, but - for a similar price - they offer more space and services (bar, restaurant). All trains leave from Estación Central.

Bus
A common way to travel around Chile is by bus and there are many companies to meet the high demand. Chilean buses are clean and efficient and an excellent choice if you intend to travel short distances. Standard buses are known as clásico or pullman. The more luxury buses are called semi-cama and are like business class on a plane there are lots of legroom and the seats can recline. The exclusive seats can recline like a bed. A salón cama is an excellent way to get to different regions, as you can sleep all night and arrive in the morning. Fares are moderately priced but seats can fill up fast, so it is advised to buy a ticket as far in advance as possible. Some fares include a meal so make sure you ask when purchasing your ticket.

Plane
Because of the enormous distances, flying is a fast and safe alternative for travel within Chile. Two private airlines, LanExpress and Sky Airline , serve all major cities of the country with modern fleets. LAN offers a Chile roundtrip ticket (Lan Air Pass) that can only be purchased in connection with an international airline ticket to Chile and before the trip.

Car
Car rentals while in Santiago are not really necessary, but they do offer you great freedom if you decide you want to go to the Lake District or take the scenic route along the coast.