family vacation in Chile

We had the pleasure of staying in a beautiful Hotel Parque Quilquico in Chiloé. OMG. This place was an absolute gem surrounded by nature, which had everything you can ask for on vacation with kids - nature all around, a covered pool, a couple of traditional hot tubs, cozy cabins, a nice restaurant, a lounge with table games, etc.

One of the main attractions on Chiloé island is the Jesuit wooden churches. They are stunning and considered to be a World Heritage UNESCO Site, definitely worth visiting! 

The coastal villages are cute and colorful, you can find artisan markets with products of the local community, mostly wooden and woolen products. We went to Feria Artesanal de Dalcahue. 

Costanera is a charming place, with colorful views from almost anywhere, especially on a beautiful sunny day. Kids enjoyed running around the cute streets, and finding hidden coffee shops and cafes.

Food recomendations:

Restaurant Kiel

Barloventos Restaurant & Cerveceria Artesanal Las Conchas de Sus Mares

We drove to Teguaco to see the penguins. It was such a fun experience, starting from hopping onto these wheeled platforms that the fisherman push out to the boats in the water, so the tourists don't get wet. Once in the water, we traveled around the small islands. We saw several groups of penguins. They were very active and entertaining, and the kids loved the experience. 

Food recomendation:

Stop by MIRADOR DE MECHAICO for some yummy food.

Puerto Varas sits on the southwest banks of the expansive Lake Llanquihue. We hit the jackpot with our hotel Cabaña del Lago! The hotel was running a promotion and we paid the unheard-of $24/night for our amazing two-bedroom flat. The flat itself was airy, cozy, and comfy, with vast lake views from every room. The hotel turned out to be huge, it had a bar, a restaurant, a playroom for kids, and a complex with a huge inside pool and waterpark. Unbelievable - all for $24. :) I only wished we could stay for a couple more nights.

Food recomendations:

EL PAN DE LA PAO - TRATTORIA, Puerto Varas

The road was quite winding, with some beautiful wildflowers and great views of the lake. We took the chair lift up and did some light hiking for a couple of hours. It was a really bizarre, different planet feel. Kids loved to be "above the clouds"!

We stayed one night in Lodge El Taique. Definitely recommend this place. The lodge is owned by a family of French origin where the Dad is an exceptional chef and baker. Kids had fun running around the lodge and playing with pets, and we enjoyed an amazing dinner and wine.

Termas Puyehue Wellness & Spa Resort deserves a separate mention! We didn't stay in the hotel, but it was a perfect stop on our way for a few hours. Absolutely spectacular lodge with great food and a lot of entertainment for kids and adults - great restaurants, amazing thermal pools, a playroom, mini golf, bowling, outdoor walks, bike rental, and more!

You can see some more pictures and pools description on their website, I just want to add that somehow Chilean weather and thermal pools go very well together! :)

Our next stop was Conguillío National Park. We stayed in La Baita, a very cozy welcoming lodge full of really friendly people, both personnel and guests. They do a communal dinner, where you meet everybody, share your experiences, give each other hints, and drink wine by a huge cozy fireplace while kids play with the lodge dog.

In the morning after breakfast, we headed to the park for a two-hour scenic hike and saw the magnificent Araucaria Madre! We also stopped by Sendero Laguna Arcoiris, where we walked around the lagoon, admired its beauty, took photos and worked up our appetite! :)

Mirador Los Volcanes Lodge was another fantastic place, especially for kids! It's a 10 hectares complex with native forests, trails, amazing views of volcanoes, mountains, and breathtaking sunsets. Kids enjoyed heated pools, an outdoor pool, a tree house and all sorts of pets and livestock. Everything was to my kids' liking!

We had a chance to completely relax and recharge here. So on Christomas day to headed to climb Glaciar Pichillancahue!

Climbing Glaciar Pichillancahue was the adventure of the year! 

I have to begin by saying that we didn't do it right, but we still had the best time and made some unforgettable memories. We underestimated the distance, and the challenges (rivers under the snow and therefore walkarounds, slippery trails, etc). However, the kids still had fun. They were "rescuing" and "relocating" lizards, playing with the snow and sliding on slippery surfaces. When we finally reached the glacier, we felt a big sense of accomplishment and enjoyed some fantastic views.  

When we made it back (in 6 hours instead of 2), we were exhausted but happy and relieved. Everyone was celebrating Christmas in Pucón. The restaurants were full, festive music was playing everywhere, and people were partying. We decided to back to EL CASTILLO where we'd been the night before and really liked it. We had a huge amazing dinner and our kids had the biggest dessert that they definitely deserved. :)

DOs: Take plenty of water with you!!! If you think you are going on a 2-hour hike, plan it to be at least 4(5, 6...). Wear layers, one minute it's hot, another it's not. Bring food/snacks with you.    

DON'Ts: Don't rely on your phone, print everything out! Don't be afraid, if you prepare properly, you are going to have SO MUCH FUN!

Peter planned a visit to Termas Geometricas for the next day. It was absolutely perfect! What a place, I have never seen anything like it. More than 60 sources of pure thermal water that springs naturally at a temperature of 80ºC, in the middle of the native forests. Geometric Baths were designed by Germán del Sol, who through the design and construction of wood and natural materials wanted to bring the nature of the Baths to geometry to achieve a harmonious whole. Striking contrast colors enhance the pleasures of soaking in the 17 pools of aguas calientes. Thermas Geométricas offers a different experience in temperature, size, and overall feel. Some are as big as a swimming pool, while others present a more intimate experience for just a few people. Definitely a five-star rating from us.

Viña Ventisquero, Viña Santa Berta, BALDUZZI VINEYARDS & WINERY, VINA CASA DONOSO, Viu Manent (Santa Cruz), Vina Montes (Santa Cruz) - they were all excellent! The properties, the restaurants, the ambiance, the wines... it was finally our time! :) It was time to relax, dress up, and indulge. I can honestly say that Chelian Wine Country is very much on par with Napa. It is very decadent and luxurious. We stayed in Hotel Boutique Solaz Bella Vista de Colchagua, which was absolutely perfect with its relaxing atmosphere, beautiful gardens, and perfect little pool with magnificent mountain views. We visited a few excellent restaurants, tried many great wines, and relaxed in the pool. Kids enjoyed horse riding around the vineyards, consuming ice cream, and blasting in the pool.

Food recommendations: 

FUEGO DIVINO Restaurant

FUEGOS DE APALTA, Santa Cruz

RAYUELA, Santa Cruz