Leisure activities in Chile

Urban activities in Chile

Larger cities in Chile have malls, libraries, museums, gymnasiums, swimming pools, and parks. Santiago is home to the Costanera Center, a six-floor shopping centre that shares its fame in the country's tallest building. 

Weekends have ferias which are outdoor markets put on by the locals with produce, homemade food and other products for sale. Santiago and Concepción, two of the largest cities in Chile, have a semi-permanent feria or market called La Vega. You can find fresh products at reasonable prices and help support the local economy. 

Throughout the year, there are also many festivals on weekends, often at parks or plazas. Lollapalooza makes an appearance in March, and in November, the Teleton--the nation's largest charity event--raises funds for those with disabilities. Various other cities have festivals during the summer as well, such as Valdivian Week in February, hosted in Valdivia as its name would suggest. 

The world's largest outdoor swimming pool 

The town of Algarrobo, just 62 miles southwest of Santiago, houses the world's largest outdoor swimming pool. The San Alfonso del Mar resort's pool contains 20 acres of water! There is no public hotel, but you can find apartments to rent on Airbnb. You must be staying at the resort in order to use the pool, but you can get a great view from the boardwalk that runs along the coastline. 

The wine country

If you enjoy a good glass of wine, Chile has some of the best! There are over 70 wineries in Chile, many of which you can find in the Colchagua Valley. However, there are vineyards in the north and south as well. For example, if you enjoy music, then Frutillar in the Los Lagos region is the place to be.

The Teatro del Lago

The Teatro del Lago is a one of a kind theatre on a lake in Frutillar that attracts world-class performers. Visit the link provided to see the latest concert schedule.

Skiing in Chile

Skiing is popular all over the country. The ski resort of Portillo, 100 miles north of Santiago, is one of the top-rated resorts. Closer to Santiago, there are three resorts - Valle Nevado (the largest ski resort in Chile), El Colorado, and La Parva which has the largest ski area in South America.

South of Santiago there is Nevados de Chillan outside the city of Chillan. Near the city of Osorno, there are two more places to ski: Antillanca and Volcan Osorno.

Many of these ski resorts offer summertime activities like trekking, zip lines or canopy, horseback riding, camping, mountain biking, and the chairlifts are often open year-round to enjoy the spectacular views.

Scuba diving in Chile

Scuba diving is not as popular as skiing because the waters of the Humboldt current keep the coastal waters pretty cool, but there are a few diving places in northern Chile. Scuba Pichidangui is just north of Valparaiso, and a bit further north on the Coquimbo region is the dive resort of Las Tacas.

One of the best scuba places in Chile is Robinson Crusoe Island 470 miles off the coast of Chile.

Surfing in Chile

Despite the cold water temperatures, the surf capital of Chile is in Pichilemu. There are more surf shops further north in Iquique and Arica, where the water is a bit warmer, and there are more opportunities to surf. 

Fishing in Chile

Some of the world's best fly fishing can be done in the Lakes region and Patagonia as there are many lakes and rivers in these areas. With over 4,000 km of coastline, sea fishing is very popular in Chile.

Golf in Chile

Golf is not a major sport in Chile. Even so, there are golf courses around Santiago and in the central regions.

Other outdoor activities in Chile

Other favourite leisure activities for the adventurous include kayaking, white water rafting, horseback riding, rock climbing, mountaineering, and hot springs.

Antofagasta and La Serena are famous for clear skies, and as such, there are many astronomical observatories here, some of which cater to tourists.

 Useful links:

Teatro del Lago
Ski Portillo
Robinson Crusoe