Chile occupies a long sliver of land between the high Andes and the Pacific Ocean, stretching some 2,800 miles north to south, but only 265 miles across at its widest point east to west. This hasn't stopped the country's citizens from becoming some of the wealthiest in South America, however. Because of ample natural resources (especially copper) and the most transparent government in Latin America, Chile is a strong and stable economy with a well-developed infrastructure. This is a good "first stop" for travelers just starting to venture out to the region. These days the overall facilities are good, trouble spots are rare, and tourists will avoid many of the delays and hurdles experienced in less developed neighboring countries.

The main travel attractions in Chile are the natural ones: the Tierra del Fuego region in the far south, the salt desert of Atacama, the ski resorts and hiking opportunities in the Andes, and the wine regions. This long and skinny country borders three others (Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru), so many visitors with ample time combine a visit to Chile with one of its neighbors.

Much of the population is in the Central Valley around the capital Santiago, leaving the rest of Chile as a string of mountains, volcanoes, and lakes. Remote Easter Island is a part of Chile and the country shares the Patagonia region at the bottom of South America with Argentina.

Despite all the positives, there are surprisingly few world-class luxury hotels in Chile. There are plenty that cater to adventure tours, business travelers, and groups, but Chile is far behind Argentina and even Peru when it comes to upscale lodging that compares favorably to hotels on other continents. With the country's open attitude to foreign investment and free trade, however, the booming world tourism economy should produce an uptick in quality soon. We'll keep an eye on the situation and add any notable additions to the lodging scene.

Cruceros Australis: Rounding Cape Horn

Eco–Touring Pumalin Park in Chilean Patagonia

Luxury Hotels in Chile