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Atacama Desert

Countries in the atlas · Latin America

Chile

A country as long as a continent: the driest desert, the towers of Patagonia and Easter Island in the middle of the ocean.

Russian passport: visa-free · 90 daysprices ×1.4 vs Russia

Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Atacama Desert
Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Antofagasta, Chile

Atacama Desert

Access 2/5 · fairly easyJFMAMJJASOND

The Atacama is one of the driest deserts in the world. Around the village of San Pedro are the Valley of the Moon with its salt rocks, lagoons with flamingos and the El Tatio geysers at dawn.

The dry air is why the largest observatories in the world stand here, and tourists go on stargazing tours.

Getting there
Fly from Santiago to Calama, then about 1.5 hours to San Pedro de Atacama.
Fees and tickets
Tickets to the Valley of the Moon at least a day ahead on the official website; the lagoons and El Tatio have separate community tickets.
Sources (3)
Torres del Paine
Photo: Thomas Fuhrmann · CC BY-SA 4.0, Wikimedia Commons

Magallanes, Chile · World’s best

Torres del Paine

Access 3/5 · needs planningJFMAMJJASOND

Torres del Paine National Park means three granite towers, the Cuernos “horns”, Grey Glacier and lakes the colour of milky turquoise. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve.

The classics are the W trek (4–5 days) and the O circuit (8–10 days), with nights in refuges and campsites. The day hike to the base of the towers takes about 8 hours.

Getting there
Fly from Santiago to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales, then 2 hours by bus to the park.
Fees and tickets
Entry for foreigners is 32,400 pesos a day or 48,500 for 3 days or more; nights on the W trek by booking only.
Why it’s hard
Far to the south, the weather changes in minutes and the wind can knock you off your feet. Places on the W and O treks are booked in advance, and without a booking you cannot stay overnight in the park.
Sources (6)
Easter Island
Photo: TravelingOtter · CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Rapa Nui, Chile

Easter Island

Access 4/5 · hardJFMAMJJASOND

Rapa Nui is an island in the middle of the Pacific, thousands of kilometres off the coast of Chile. Hundreds of moai, stone statues of ancestors, stand along its shores and lie in the Rano Raraku quarry.

Rapa Nui National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Sunrise at the fifteen moai of Ahu Tongariki is the signature view of the island.

Getting there
Fly from Santiago, about 5.5 hours; there are flights several times a week.
Fees and tickets
The national park ticket for foreigners is valid for 10 days, with one visit each to Orongo and Rano Raraku. Before the trip, fill in the electronic FUI form.
Why it’s hard
One airline and few flights, with expensive tickets and accommodation. The island has its own rules for visitors: the length of stay is limited, and you visit the park with a local guide.
Sources (5)

Before you go

Chile: entry, safety, money, flights, laws and budget — with sources.

Entry

Russian citizens: visa-free for up to 90 days in every 180 (2010 agreement). Tourists confirm that they have enough money for the trip; an extension for another 90 days costs $100.

For Easter Island (Rapa Nui), fill in the electronic FUI form before the trip; stays on the island are limited to 30 days. Children need notarised permission from their parents.

Rules for any passport

Checked 2 November 2026. These are the rules for a Russian citizen with an international passport on a tourist trip. For other passports and purposes, see the official website — the button above.

Sources (3)

Safety

There is no advice to refrain from travel, but the Russian Foreign Ministry (01.02.2026) warns of high crime: attacks on tourists, especially in the evening and at night in central Santiago.

Sources (2)

Money and cards

The Mir card does not work. Bring dollars in cash; declare cash over $10,000.

Sources (2)

Flights

There are no direct flights. Connections are via Istanbul, Dubai, Doha and other hubs.

Sources (1)

Laws and bans

  • Everyone must declare plant and animal products on entry — anything undeclared counts as deception and is fined.
  • In Torres del Paine any fire is prohibited, including cigarettes; stoves only in designated places.
  • On Rapa Nui you may not touch the moai or leave the trails; drones only with a permit.
Sources (3)

Budget

prices ×1.4 vs Russia · price level 0.51 (US = 1), 2025

Prices are 1.4 times higher than in Russia. Torres del Paine costs foreigners 32,400 pesos a day or 48,500 for 3 days or more; plus campsite bookings on the treks.

The price level is the ratio of purchasing power parity for household consumption to the market exchange rate (World Bank). These are national averages: resorts and capitals cost more, the countryside less. Flights are not included.

Sources (2)