Image : http://www.flickr.com
Chile is located along South America's west coast. It is bordered by Bolivia, Peru, Andes, and Argentina. Chile has beautiful pristine beaches that warrant the attention they get from tourists and locals alike, but other than majestic beaches, here are some of the places that you have to visit while in Chile.
1.) Cathedral of San Marcos
If you are going to stay in Chile, then Arica is a must-see place. Here, you will see the Cathedral of San Marcos. The designer of this cathedral is the same person who designed the Eiffel Tower, as such, this has become a tourist destination.
2.) Baquedano Street
It you want old-style streets, then drop by Baquedano Street. Walk along its cobblestone streets and marvel at its old-western style atmosphere. You can also find a lot of tourists here buying their souvenirs as well as enjoying other activities.
3.) Zofri
This is a duty-free zone in Iquique and is a favorite shopping area of locals and visitors alike. This place is a must-go-to because you can find cheap electronics here as well as cheaper memory cards. There are other items that you can buy as well.
4.) La Serena
This is an appealing Chilean town that has lots to offer visitors. Here, you can visit a museum where you can see an authentic Rapa Nui Moai head. You can also visit the observatory that is always open for the public to visit.
5.) Vaparaiso
This is a city in Chile that is popular because of its Bohemian culture, the colorfully-painted houses and the majestic views of its beaches and seaside. There are so many places you can visit here like the Plaza Echaurren-Serrano Street, La Matriz Church, and Ex Carcel. You can also visit La Sebastiana, home (at least one of his three houses) of the famous poet, Pablo Neruda.
6.) Chuquicamata
This was once a beautiful town, but now, it is a dying town. There is a mine here that is a must-see for any visitors, and it is advisable to go on a guided tour so as not to miss its history. You can still see here some equipments as well as vehicles that were used in the mine.
7.) Vina Del Mar
Home to wonderful coastline, this is a favorite destination for the sun worshippers and the beach lovers, but beware though because its waters are not that friendly for swimming. It is best to just walk along the shoreline and enjoy the view it offers, or you can just walk along Vina Del Mar's downtown to enjoy the delicious native cuisine of Chile or buy your souvenirs. The best month to visit this place is in February where a lot of festivals are held.
8.) Parque Metropolitano
This big park is located in Santiago de Chile. From here, you can see a wonderful view of the city of Santiago, and you can also see the Andes. You can go up to its summit by riding a cablecar or driving your car, or you can even go on a hike to reach the top where you will get to enjoy the botanical garden and a zoo.
9.) Santiago Centro
This is a great place to immerse yourself with Chilean everyday life. You can stroll along its paseos. Word of caution though, beware of pickpockets.
10.) Rancagua
Here, you can go to the Las Termas de Cauquenes where you can enjoy a nice hot bath from its natural hot spring waters. When done with your relaxing thermal bath, then go on to Reserva Nacional Rio Los Cipreses, Rancaua's national park that offers a great camping experience. You can also visit Sewell, a mining town that is now non-operational.
Jonathan Williams is the travel writer for Destination Guide TV - the place to share travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv] Visit [http://www.destinationguide.tv/chile] to view or share Chile travel videos [http://www.destinationguide.tv/chile]