Chile Backpacking

Chile is long. That’s about the best way to describe it; at over 4,000 kilometers long and an average of 175 kilometers wide, it’s a tiny sliver of land that barely hangs onto the South American continent. For the average backpacker, that means lots of beach and long rides on the bus. Don’t be fooled, however; those that dip into the interior will find some scenery straight from outer space.

One of the best aspects of backpacking in Chile is the bus system. Efficient, generally on time, and relatively cheap, the buses are an incredibly easy way to make it up and down the country. If you have some extra cash, spring for the “full cama” class. Amazingly, the service and seats in this section are similar to first class international airfare. Most backpackers will fly into Santiago, if arriving by air. This is your typical South American capital city: large, dirty, and not much to see. A much better alternative is Valparaiso, a quaint seaside town about an hour’s bus ride away. Set among hills, “Valpo” caters to backpackers with gorgeous hostels and a happening nightlife.

Backpacking San Pedro de Atacama, Chile

At almost the very northern tip of the country, San Pedro de Atacama has essentially become the center of Chilean backpacking. Though it began as a mining town, in the 1990’s San Pedro transformed into a tourist destination. The outdoor activities are unlimited. Whether you want to sandboard, hike, mountain bike, or simply party, you’ll likely find what you’re looking for in San Pedro.

Here’s the only drawback for the average backpacker: San Pedro doesn’t come cheap. Expect to pay premium prices here for everything from food to lodging to activities. There simply isn’t much competition; the town is so small that businesses can charge more or less whatever they want. That’s why you might want to consider bringing your own food to cook.

On to the outdoors: this place is absolutely surreal. Only about 10 kilometers outside of San Pedro lies Valle de la Luna (literally, Valley of the Moon). There’s no need to describe it: you’ll know it when you get there. A backpacker could spend a week in this area, ripping down thousand foot sand dunes on a waxed board, or simply walking through the wild landscape.

San Pedro is one of those places where you and your checking account will have a disagreement. You’ll want to stay for a bit longer, but dollar sense will probably propel you to head north to Bolivia or south into Chile.