The most beautiful natural sites to discover Chile

Las Salinas beach is located 2 km north of the city, towards Reñaca. Etroite and sheltered from winds, it is suitable for swimming. Quiet enough, even if it is equipped with restaurants. Some electro-enameled evenings in summer.

Little known park, located north of the port of Huasco. It goes mainly in September/October, when the desert blooms (not every year). The show is of all beauty. 

The Laguna Verde, located over 4 325 m above sea level, owes its name to its emerald green colour. It is probably one of the most beautiful places in Chile, a sumptuous site, difficult to descriptible, since the lagoon is surrounded by a unique amount in the Andes of high snow-capped volcanoes (several exceeding 6 000 m, such as the Barrancas Blancas at 6 119 m and the Muerto at 6 470 m, not forgetting the Ojos del Salado). Route 31 then leads to the Paso San Francisco, which leads to Argentina, and to the towns of Fiambalá and Tinogasta.

This trek is worth any walk in the lakes area, you will hardly meet anyone and the landscapes crossed are breathtaking. We cross plateaus covered with strange formations, the result of volcanic activity in the past centuries. These lunar landscapes attract ufology enthusiasts: a large number of UFO sightings have been recorded in recent decades. Over a length of 10 km, it is possible to go up and down to the basaltic plateau in less than 8 hours, but it is better to camp.

The Lonquimay volcano (2,865 m) is located on the "Pacific Ring of Fire", the name given to the most active group of volcanoes in southern Chile, often approaching or exceeding 3,000 m in altitude. Although its name means "dense forest" in the Mapuche language, there is another meaning behind this fire-breathing giant. The Mapuches say that the other name given to this volcano means "great precipice" because of a 120-metre high ravine on the east face of the mountain. The last three eruptions recorded are less than 150 years old: the last one occurred on December 25, 1988, giving rise to the Noël crater, the "crater Navidad". Access is from the ski resort of Corralco, near the village of Malalcahuello, be careful not to get lost (it is best to be accompanied by a guide), there are very few indications and the ascent, although easy for the first two thirds, becomes more difficult on the last slopes. The view from the summit is nevertheless magnificent: one dominates a horizon of a dozen volcanic monsters such as the Villarica, Lanín, Llaima and Sierra Nevada volcanoes. You can also access its surprising and huge crater of 800 meters in length. As far as the downhill is concerned, the skiers will be able to enjoy themselves! Note that the volcano is categorized as an active volcano and is monitored by the South Andean Volcanological Observatory, based in the city of Temuco.

A kilometer south, leaving on Tucapel Street, is this natural swimming pool of 200 m and its water games. Pleasant in summer, with a few infrastructures (a discotheque, a restaurant and a camping) that should be enough for your entertainment!

In this lagoon, you will be able to observe the pink flamingos, these graceful birds and their flight which leaves behind them a trail of magic powder, and inevitably pink. Of the five species of flamingos in the world, three are found in Chile: the Andean flamingo, the Chilean flamingo and the James flamingo. Now threatened, these flamingo species are fragile and to admire them is a privilege. Be sure to observe them in silence and discretion. Other bird species include the Andean avocet and the snipe.

This valley is located at the exit of the city, next to the liparite quarry used for building houses. It is a small parade with vineyards, figs, pegs, pruniers, on the edge of a small stream that flows peacefully. A mirage in the middle of the desert! When you go back, you will see holes in the caves, the refrigerators of the time that kept food.

In the heart of Ancud, 5 minutes from the center, the beach of Arena Gruesa extends. Further away, the Balneario Lechagua offers you 15 to 20 km of beach. To get there, take a colectivo. If the beaches are sandy, the water is very cold because of the presence of a current.

The most accessible beach if you spend a day in the city. Chileans generally find that large contiguous buildings are very nice, we let you judge their appreciation.

The natural site of this small bay is beautiful. However, the beach is now in the hands of a concession (paid access by car, counting $ 2,500 per vehicle, health and paying showers, but we can take water from the rocks). Please note: once a paradise of a few connoisseurs, there is now crowd in January and February and some long weekends. The rest of the time, come on weekdays and you will be quiet! Probably the nicest beach in the Valpo region.