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Chile: It’s Time for Tourism

Mark Pawlak    Adventure Sports & Travel Thoughts     Atacmama Desert, Cape Horn, Chile, chile earthquake, Earthquake, South America, Tumunan Lodge

It was little more than four-and-a-half months ago that a terrific earthquake hit Chile. Measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale, the quake devastated some parts of the country and forced president Michelle Bachelet to declare a “state of catastrophe”.

The country’s tourist industry was badly affected, but is already recovered well enough to take new bookings.

Few countries in the world have as much to offer the traveller and adventure sports enthusiasts as Chile. From Cape Horn to the Atacama Desert, this is a land of adventure. And snuggled deep in the country’s interior are dense forests and deep fresh water lakes.

Chile’s fertile soil helps produce great wines, too. And it’s to this region the tourists are coming back.

Will Evelyn, manager of the Tumuñan lodge, a popular destination for adventure sports and wine fans, notes that “most of the wineries are back up and running, offering tours and tasting”.

“You will find the most beautiful country on earth, snow capped mountains, soaring condors, crashing surf, excellent food and wine, and a welcoming people, determined to fix the damage and make Chile better than ever.”

More on this country’s remarkable recovery, here.

About the author

Mark Pawlak wrote 170 articles on this blog.

Editor at Adventure Sports Holidays, Mark's love affair with travel and the challenges of adventure sports continues... "You could save all year for a two-week, all-inclusive, doss by the pool, booze and buffet binge. Or, with a little planning and some good equipment, get off your arse and plan an adventure!"

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7 Comments to “Chile: It’s Time for Tourism”

• 

  Luke July 8, 2010 at 1:36 pm

  Good luck to everyone in Chile an amazing recovery in a short time – hopefully the tourism industry will be back stronger than ever before too long.

  The full article is well worth a read: http://www.adventuresportsholidays.com/articles/earthquake-in-chile-90.php
• 

  Eduardo July 9, 2010 at 12:53 pm

  The earthquake of February past was something huge, to many Chilean were homeless for a few weeks, but thanks to the social commitment and the energy of the Chilean people the spirit is intact. The temporary homes are already in place and the people is in a very good mood. We invite you all to enjoy our country, ii has many different landscapes , we have snow, nature without man intervention, glaciers, white sand beaches, black sand beaches, the most arid desert in the world, astronomical observatories, we have the most clean sky in the north region, and we have the most amazing conditions for water-sports like surfing, windsurfing and kitesurfing.

  All the best to my Chilean People we are proud of our spirit.

  Eduardo
• 

  Tim B July 9, 2010 at 3:13 pm

  Thanks Eduardo, glad to hear things are getting back to normal. I’m going to be coming out to Chile this Nov / Dec and doing some kitesurfing and surfing. You obviously have a beautiful country for adventure sports (and the football team aren’t too bad either!)
• 

  Rodrigo July 9, 2010 at 7:22 pm

  Hi , I would like to invite everybody to my beatifull country Chile. Is true, no matter how huge was the earthquake, my people is
  impressive and my country is alredy standing. The wind season is comming soon. So we are waiting with open arms if you decide to
  experiencing our legendary waves.

  Good luck everybody… the next wave is always the best”

  Rodrigo
• 

  Valerie Gaino July 10, 2010 at 7:01 pm

  Immediately after the earthquake we saw an impressive amount of camaraderie between locals and surfers from all over the world here in Pichilemu. Our students in the study Spanish and surf programs stayed and helped with the distribution of water filters to the small villages in the surrounding countryside. Contrary to rumors Pichilemu came out pretty well, and now many people and business are constructing even better buildings in the same beautiful colonial style!

  Chilean tourists have returned on the weekends, and more than anything international tourists need to know that Chile is safe and functioning well. Now more than ever exists the opportunity for travelers to have meaningful experiences whether they come to volunteer or just visit and participate in all the amazing outdoor activities, cuisine, and accommodation Chile has to offer.
• 

  Mark July 11, 2010 at 11:08 pm

  Rodrigo, Valerie,

  Thanks for posting. Chile is a country I have written about but never visited. It’s great to hear that tourists are returning.

  To read that surfers were helping out in the villages is not a surprise; like many adventure sports fans surfers are one with nature, and feel close to local people as well.

  Best wishes – surf’s up, and clearly so is business!
• 

  Roberto July 12, 2010 at 4:43 pm

  Exactly as described in the older comments, the spirit of the Chilean people, although was hard hitted by the earthquake, grew stronger… The most renown destinations in Chile were left almost intact by this catastrophe and this was the message sent by everybody to the international tourism community.