We say that someone from the Local Foreigner team is always on the road, visiting destinations across the globe - but we really mean always. Our monthly Postcard takes you along for the ride, and this month, we're just back from a country-spanning adventure in Chile.

Chile is a land of extremes - the country snakes for 2,670 miles down the western edge of South America, but averages just over 100 miles wide. Within its long, thin silhouette, travelers will find the world's driest desert, most remote inhabited island, and one of the largest ice bodies outside the arctic regions. Chile's natural beauty has inspired authors and artists for generations, so much so that it's known as the Land of Poets; today, we're waxing poetic ourselves on the most epic aspects of our most recent visit.

A novel of contrasting textures and colors, Chile is a topographic eden for the intrepid. The country’s northern and southern-most extremities stand as polar opposite bookends, the prologue and the epilogue of a staggering Andean adventure. Barren, desolate Atacama is the brilliant red precursor to the emerald lakes and white capped peaks of windswept Patagonia.

From the red rock canyons, vast sand dunes, crystalline salt flats, and gorgeous natural hot springs, the pure beauty of Atacama is impossible to ignore. The quiet town of San Pedro is equally charming, with a tight community of travelers, natives, and local artisans striving towards the common goal of total peace. At the other end of all spectrums, Patagonia is vast, with wild terrain characterized by windswept countryside, spectacular glacial lakes, and impressive mountain ranges. The area's focal point is hiker's utopia Torres Del Paine National Park, one of the wildest places on earth.

Sunscreen
A bandana or gator
Layers (the more from Patagonia, the better, of course)

Awasi Atacama

On the edge of the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, this 12-room property sits on a quiet, residential street - which seems only natural, as the hotel feels far more like a private home than it does a hotel. In fact, although owned by an architect and a decorator, Francisco Rencoret and Paula Domínguez, the hotel’s design shows an impressive amount of restraint. It is thoroughly rustic and each of the private guest cottages is authentically luxurious. Yet travelers return to Awasi time and time again for the renowned access to private guides and excursions and the truly incredible staff. | View the hotel

Explora Atacama

Intrepid families will love the casual atmosphere at Explora Atacama, where the focus is less on bells and whistles and more on accessing the most other-worldly corners of the planet's highest desert. Explora offers exclusive access to a picturesque corner of the Puritama hot springs, as well as on-property stables for tapping into your inner gaucho. You're going to return to the hotel dusty after long days out, but the three tucked-away pools and adobe spa are a perfect fix. | View the hotel

Tierra Patagonia

Tierra Patagonia is a stunning enclave on the shore of Lake Sarmiento, located on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park. The design, by renowned Chilean architect Cazú Zegers, allows for breathtaking views of the Paine Massif from every point in the property; floor-to-ceiling windows frame impossibly beautiful scenes that can only be found at the ends of the earth. Cocoon chairs and cozy reading nooks mean there's always a place to park yourself after a long day of exploring (if you're not already in the Uma Spa, which balances out all that adventure with a healthy dose of wellness), though many of Tierra's social guests end the day with a glass of wine around the large central fireplace. | View the hotel

Explora Torres del Paine

Whomever coined the phrase, "Location, location, location," must have been talking about Explora Torres del Paine - this unassuming ecolodge on the banks of Lake Pehoé offers the sort of views that will drop your jaw. The lodge features wood from lenga, cypress, and almendrillo trees, and is surrounded by awe-inspiring scenery: snowcapped mountains, crystal-clear lagoons, and glaciers lie just beyond your window. On-property stables and private boats docked just steps from the lodge also set Explora apart from its competition. | View the hotel

Tierra Atacama

Tierra's sleek Atacama outpost, rendered in the finest local stone, adobe, and rough-hewn wood, and complete with the brand's signature minimalist interiors, will reopen in March 2025 following a year-long overhaul. Two things we can already guarantee? You're not going to find a better view of the Licancabur Volcano anywhere in San Pedro, and the stargazing here is out of this world.

Stargazing with an Astronomer

Take part in a first-class stargazing session under some of the clearest skies in the world. Learn about ancient Andean culture myths and legends inspired by the stars. Experienced guides and astronomy specialists will convey to travelers their extensive knowledge about the southern sky’s mysteries and wonders, with the aid of high-tech telescopes. From this vantage point, the Milky Way looks milkier than ever, and Jupiter shows off starkly in the night sky.

Sunrise Hot Air Ballooning

Live the magical experience of gliding peacefully above the desert sunrise and witnessing the sunlight slowly unfold over the landscape. A geology expert will provide information on northern Chile and the Atacama Desert's geological formation and morphology, including the extremely arid desert, the semiarid Andean highlands, their basins and salt flats, hills and valleys, different soils, minerals, and geological history. Gently, with no noise and no hurry, just take in the magical experience of gliding peacefully over the desert. Back on the ground, don’t forget to ask your guides why drinking champagne in the morning has become part of ballooning culture - cheers!

Ride with a Gaucho

Accompanied by an experienced gaucho, traverse vast pampas, glacial rivers, and ancient forests, all while surrounded by the stunning backdrop of the Paine Massif's jagged peaks. Exploring the Torres del Paine on horseback provides close encounters with local wildlife, including guanacos, foxes, and condors. If you're not considering throwing it all away to become a rancher, we'll eat our bolero.

Puma Photo Safari

Beyond the towering mountains and turquoise lakes, catching a glimpse of a puma is undoubtedly one of Patagonia’s most awe-inspiring sights. Famously difficult to spot, your chances of witnessing these stealthy felines in the wild is greatly increased on a specialized puma tracking tour. On this mighty adventure, you’ll be led by an expert guide with a deep knowledge and understanding of this untamed terrain.

Varsity Chile

Why stop at just Atacama and the Torres del Paine? The Land of Poets has more corners to explore - add the charm and culture of Northern Patagonia's Chiloe Island at Tierra Chiloe and the mystery of Easter Island with a stop at Explora Rapa Nui to really cover your bases.

Salty Dog

Travelers for whom Atacama is not quite remote enough will love Explora's extra-intrepid Travesia, which pairs the Chilean desert with the Uyuni Salt Flats and two high-altitude, four-room Bolivian mountain lodges.

Ice Ice Baby

Why let something like the end of a continent hem you in? Seasonally, the best time to visit Patagonia lines up with the narrow November to January window for visits to Antarctica; after a stop in the Torres del Paine, continue by ship or by air to the most rarified of destinations for the ultimate southern hemisphere bucket-list itinerary.

Postcard from Chile