Practical information : Move & Laze around Chile
Budget & Tips
Most outdoor activities are accessible from both a practical and economic point of view, whether on your own or as part of an organized trip - nothing too complicated! Most of the time, all you have to do to enjoy the sporting and other pleasures Chile has to offer is pay the entrance fee to the park or reserve you wish to visit. The rest is up to you. You don't need to spend much to enjoy a breath of fresh air.
If, however, you've stretched your legs and are looking for a little more excitement, you should know that most of these activities can't be improvised: in Chile, and particularly in the arid Atacama Desert or Patagonia, nature can be rebellious and hostile, so you'll need to be a great connoisseur or have someone accompany you to explore its every corner! For reasons of access, equipment and safety, activities such as rafting, canyoning, climbing, glacier trekking and volcano climbing are only accessible with a guide. This is where the tour operators come in, each offering their own advantages: family tours, an intimate atmosphere, bilingual guides, ecotours... you'll need to study your wishes and conditions, but there's no doubt that you'll find what you're looking for. For certain excursions, don't hesitate to form a group with other tourists: prices are on a sliding scale, so the more people you have with you, the lower the price! For entry to the national parks, keep in mind that most prices are affordable. Rapa Nui National Park, at US$ 80, and Torres del Paine Park, at US$ 35, are the most expensive.
What's very local
It all depends on the season, of course! In winter, the ski resorts fill up with national and international tourists: Chile is home to some of the continent's best ski resorts, and every year becomes a major training camp for Olympic athletes: the French ski team, for example, has chosen the Patagonian mountains as its playground during the French summer season. In the north of the country, Iquique is a world-renowned paragliding spot: facing the Pacific, the spectacle is dazzling. In Patagonia, less sensational and more contemplative, fishing is a local passion present in many hearts: you'll be fishing with a fly or casting for salmon. Fishing stores are easy to find to equip you and obtain your fishing license. Another special feature (and not the least!) are the cabalgatas , which, when organized from authentic estancias , provide a wonderful immersion in Huaso land. These skilful horsemen have lost none of their splendour and proudly perpetuate the indefinable bond that unites them with their faithful steed.
Your documents please
For ascents and hikes above 3,000 meters, some agencies require a doctor's certificate declaring you fit for high-altitude sports activities. In short, find out what you need to do beforehand. Most activities are accessible without any prerequisites. However, you can't fish in Patagonia without a permit or license - it could cost you dearly to do so without authorization. What's more, catches are highly regulated, and failure to comply with quotas means running the risk of losing your permit.
To be booked
Of course, it's always best to book ahead to avoid unpleasant surprises. Access to certain sites, such as volcanoes and glaciers, is strictly regulated. Tourist quotas are set to limit environmental impact and preserve natural sites. Good news for combating mass tourism, but bad news if you want to improvise your excursion: remember to book in high season.
Finally, for the W and O circuits of Torres del Paine National Park, remember to book your accommodation and excursions between 6 months and a year in advance! The site is becoming increasingly crowded year after year, and many uninformed tourists end up with their beaks in the water. For more information, visit the CONAF website (www.conaf.cl).