Have you ever wondered what Chile is famous for? Get ready to start taking notes because there’s a lot to be said about this beautiful country. From its incredibly diverse landscapes, world-renowned wine & beer, to its amazing culture of art, history, famous Chileans, and food, Chile is known for having a little bit of everything. In this article, we will explore all of this and more! From 10 facts about Chile to facts about Chile’s culture, this list truly has it all. Follow along with us now as we explore just What Chile is Famous For.
First up on our list of What is Chile Famous For is Chile is diverse landscapes. Chile’s diverse landscapes make it possible for any explorer to find a region of Chile that they will love. Traveler’s who enjoy the ocean should head to Valparaíso or Viña del Mar – two coastal cities that offer guests art, culture and amazing views of the blue Pacific. Tourists in search of unique rock formations and incredible stargazing opportunities migrate to the driest desert in the world, the Atacama Desert. And those in need of an icy, Andean adventure can head to Chilean Patagonia, where walking around Torres del Paine National Park will leave any visitor awestruck.
#2: Exquisite Wine & Beer
Wino’s around the world, Chile is calling your name! The climate of Chile’s countryside is perfect for producing excellent wine. In fact, Latin America’s largest winegrower, Concha y Toro is in Chile’s countryside and only an hour outside of Santiago! Concha y Toro is one of Chile’s oldest wineries, founded in 1883. If you choose to spend an afternoon here, be sure to try the Don Melchor, an outstanding Cabernet Sauvignon, which just so happens to be the most widely-planted grape variety in Chile.
Travel Tip: For an entirely new experience, taste test bio-dynamic wines at Emiliana Vineyards. Emiliana Vineyards specializes in organically grown and eco-friendly wines. In fact, the company is so passionate and dedicated to organic winemaking that they became the first ever winery in South America to create a biodynamic wine. This winery is in the Casablanca Valley, which is just an hour outside of Santiago, making it a day-trip you cannot ignore. The most popular varieties to try here are Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, Pinot Noir and Merlot. Happy Tasting!
#3: The Mysterious Easter Island
A list of What is Chile Famous For would not be complete without an Easter Island tour. Located more than 2,000 miles off the Chilean coast, Easter Island brings you a remote and majestic land for exploration. Its isolated location proves to be one of the island’s greatest strengths. It is the privacy from the outside world that aided the island to preserve its 1,500-year-old mysterious Moai structures, the very monuments that attract thousands of visitors every year. While here, explore the land and uncover its most sacred secrets. Then make your way to one of the uncrowded pink-sand beaches where you can enjoy activities such as snorkeling, diving, and surfing.
Travel Tip: Consider visiting Easter Island in February. Tapati, a traditional festival, occurs in February, where local teams compete in challenges to test their ability in time-honored Easter Island skills. It makes for quite the spectacle!
#4: Vibrant Street Art
Chile as a whole country might not be internationally recognized for its street art, but this small city off the coast of the Pacific Ocean sure is. Valparaíso is a hillside canvas for world-class street art. Thousands of travelers visit the city specifically to see the open-air artworks, comprising of vast murals and small intricate paintings. Not only do tourists enjoy the art, but also the locals. Valparaíso’s local government encourages the raw, street art culture and cafes, restaurants and bars line up to have artists transform their empty walls into captivating imagery and splashes of color. As a result, this city is a colorful feast for the eyes. A list of What is Chile Famous for just would not be complete without Valparaiso street art!
Travel Tip: Chilean Nobel-Prize winning poet, Pablo Neruda, lived and adored Valparaiso. Many tourists come to Valparaíso to visit his eccentric house, La Sebastiana, which preserves his presence in the city.
#5: The World’s Largest Swimming Pool
I have a strong feeling that whoever wrote “Just Keep Swimming” for the hit children’s movie, Finding Nemo, had just visited the enormous pool at the San Alfonso del Mar resort in Chile. This “lagoon of unlimited size” is 1,013m (3,324 ft) in length and a total area of 8 hectares (19.77 acres), making it the largest swimming pool in the world. The architect installed impressive technology that filters water from the ocean into the pool. It took almost a full 5 years to construct and cost an extravagant one billion dollars! Large crowds of tourists now flock to the San Alfonso del Mar Resort on Chile’s southern coast just to hang poolside.
But wait!
You don’t want to miss the best part!
There are still 5 more AMAZING things on our list of What is Chile Famous For?
#6: The Tallest Building in South America
Did you know that Chile’s capital, Santiago, is host to the tallest building in Latin America? The name of the sky-high building is Gran Torre. Visit the structure after exploring the streets of Santiago on a guided city tour. Head up to the newly opened observation deck for an amazing view of the city and the surrounding Andean cordillera. At 64-stories high, you will be able to see all the aspects of the city that make Santiago so beautiful. If you’re looking for more fantastic views of Santiago, head to Cerro San Cristobal or Cerro Santa Lucia! This list of What is Chile Famous for just would not be complete with Gran Torre.
#7: Street Food & Seafood!
Chile is known for its quick bites on the street and mouthwatering cuisine on the coast. Did you know that Chile is one of the major exporters of fish in the world? The sprawling coastline running from the tropics to the wintery southern tip is full of seafood. If you’re in Santiago, visit the Mercado Central (Central Market) to pick up fresh fish. If you have the opportunity to venture to Valparaiso, dive deep into a Caleta Portales.
Travel Tip: Caleta Portales translates to “fishermen village or cove”, and is where the fishermen bring the fish into the city. Stop by and pick up the local specialty Reinata (pomfret), Merluza (hake), Salmon, Jaiba (crab), Macha (clams) or Ostiones (scallops). While on a guided city tour, stop by some local eateries for some street food novelties. Nibble on savory sopaipillas (fried pastry), Chilean empanadas, completo hot dogs, candied peanuts, crates of candy and chips, and more!
#8: Futbol (Soccer for the American)
Perhaps the first thought, when asked What is Chile Famous For is soccer! What would a country in South America be if not known for its futbol? The Chilean National Team are arguably the most famous Chileans in the whole country. The team, commonly referred to as “La Roja”, proved its talent as the team pushed Brazil to penalty kicks in the 2014 World Cup. They impressed the country when they won the 2015 Copa America and 2016 Copa America Centenario. In 2017, they reached the Confederations Cup Final. The year 2015 began a streak of success that was very exciting for the nation. Unfortunately, the team that was crowned the “Golden Generation” has not qualified for the World Cup this year. Nonetheless, the Chileno’s will always have their team’s back!
#9: An emerging Microbrewery scene
While many know of Chile for its wine, microbreweries are growing exponentially in popularity! For decades, the beer scene has been dominated by the popular Cristal, however recently there has been a surge of interest in craft beers. In response, several new microbreweries have opened throughout the country. Currently, there are a number of microbreweries in and around Santiago.
Here are a couple of popular microbreweries:
Szot Microbrewery: a small brewery with a wealth of recognition, receiving medals at the Australian International Beer Awards in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
Cerveceria Kuntsman:what was once a garage brewery has now become a steady business that produces one of Chile’s favorite craft beers. Choose from traditional amber ales to dark bitter beers.
Kross Cerveceria:two engineers joined forces and created Kross, not far from Santiago. In 2011, this brewery racked up seven medals at the International Beer Challenge in England.
Cerveza Austral: located down south in Punta Arenas, Austral gains attention and satisfies many with its recipe of German flavors and glacial water.
For a pub full of local Chilean beers, check out the Black Rock Pub in Providencia. The owners are keen to give you recommendations on which variety of beer to try.
#10: Skiing in the summer
Last up on our list of What is Chile Famous For is… Skiing in the Summer! Are you craving snowsports during North America’s summer? Head to Chile! Chile is the spot to hit the slopes during the summer season. Choose from Chile’s best ski resorts such as Valle Nevado, Portillo or Chillan. Out of the three resorts mentioned, Portillo is probably the best known outside of the country. World Cup races have occurred here and national race teams regularly use its slopes for training before the European season begins. Its remote location persuades guests into staying a full week here and because of the fact that lodge can only accompany 450 people, you’re bound to have free range on the slopes and fresh snow for the majority of your visit.
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Margo was born and raised in Bellevue, Washington. She graduated from Seattle University, with a Bachelor's degree in International Business. With a desire to travel, she decided to leave Seattle and she studied abroad in Paris, France, Santiago, Chile and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
