Chile
Time to unplug and see what’s out there. Overland Travel down the Pan-America highway South America…
Chile is the longest country in the world. The country has over 6,000 km of coastline. Most likely travel on Ruta 5 (route 5). It is Chile’s main highway and the longest highway stretching 2,090 miles. Since Chile is such a narrow country, there is only a need for one highway. Ruta 5 cuts right through the middle of Chile, making it a good access point for other towns. Ruta 5 starts at the Peruvian border and goes all the way to Puerto Montt, where it connects by ferry to the island of Chiloe. From the border of Peru to the north of La Serena, Ruta 5 is a two-lane paved road with a speed limit of 62 mph. This is considered a highway-grade road. The 928 mile stretch from La Serena to Puerto Montt is considered “freeway grade.” This is a very high-quality road that is safe to travel. On this freeway stretch, it is four lanes with a 75 mile per hour speed limit.
Arica
Is a seaside resort town of 223,000 (2016) in Northern Chile. It’s quiet, relaxed, and safe, with several lovely beaches and sun virtually every day of the year. Its mild weather has made Arica known as the “city of the eternal spring” in Chile. This city is the northern gateway to Peru and Bolivia. Near the center, a path climbs up to Morro Arica hill, which has sweeping views.
Iquique
Sitting in the far north, Iquique is a coastal town set around Playa Cavancha, a wide sandy beach perfect for sunbathing or watersports. Take a surf lesson, try sandboarding on the surrounding dunes, or relax and enjoy the chilled outdoor atmosphere.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline kick, Iquique is also a great place to paraglide. Experience the feeling of flying through the air, taking in the gorgeous views of the Chilean coastline, before landing right on the beach.
La Serena
The capital of the Coquimbo region on Chile’s coast. The city is known for its long beaches.
Viña del Mar
Viña del Mar is a coastal resort city northwest of Santiago, Chile. It’s known for its gardens, beaches, and high-rise buildings. Quinta Vergara Park is home to the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater, the early-20th-century Vergara Palace, and the Artequin Museum, which displays copies of major artworks. In addition, the Museum of Archaeology and History Francisco Fonck features stone moai sculptures from Easter Island and shrunken heads.
Valparaíso
Valparaíso is a port city on Chile’s coast. It’s known for its steep funiculars(Top 10 in the world). Many thousands of tourists visit Valparaíso from around the world to enjoy the city’s labyrinth of cobbled alleys and colorful buildings
Santiago
Santiago, Chile’s capital and largest city, sits in a valley surrounded by the snow-capped Andes and the Chilean Coast Range. Plaza de Armas, the grand heart of the city’s old colonial core, is home to 2 neoclassical landmarks: the 1808 Palacio de la Real Audiencia, housing the National History Museum, and the 18th-century Metropolitan Cathedral. La Chascona is the home-turned-museum of poet Pablo Neruda.
Temuco
The “Little Germany’ of South America On the way, about 100 km before Pucon is a Temuco is very well developed and organized. The road is in excellent shape with ample avenues; the city is immaculate and has a pleasant urban plan. The central square of Temucu was nicely designed in such a way that it resembled a small town in Germany.
Pucón
Is a small touristy town in the middle of the southern lake district in Chile. From Villarrica Lake is positioned with incredible views of the Villarrica volcano’s white peak. Pucon has fantastic nature and is well organized and decorated well. There are plenty of manicured cottages, boutique shops, artisanal chocolate shops, coquet souvenir stores, coffee shops, and incredible restaurants; It resembled a ski resort in Austria.
Puyehue National Park
Puyehue National Park is situated in a stunning zone in the region of Los Lagos. It has a surface area of 100 thousand hectares (220,000 acres), and it borders with Chile’s oldest park, Vicente Pérez Rosales. Set in the middle of the Andes, with volcanoes within its territory, the park boasts a stunning and diverse landscape with various sport and relaxation activities.
