by Erin Ahmed

Created on: January 25, 2009   Last Updated: February 09, 2009

If you are looking for adventure, you are sure to find it in Chile. Maybe you are an avid skier but your travel partner prefers fun in the sun at the beach; no worries, both of you can enjoy your chosen activities, and all within the same day.

Situated on the Pacific Ocean side of South America, with Peru to the north and Bolivia and Argentina to the west, Chile is approximately 2,880 miles (4,506 km) long, but averages only about 110 miles (180 km) in width.

Thanks to this unusual geography, it is possible to hit the slopes in the renowned Andes mountains in the morning, and after a short drive of about an hour and a half, enjoy the afternoon sipping cool drinks and soaking up the sun at the beach. However, for the adventure seeker, Chile offers much more than just skiing and beach fun. From desert in the north to arctic glaciers in the south, there are nearly unlimited possibilities available to the adventure traveler.

Beginning in the north, you will find the Atacama desert. With an average annual rainfall of less than 0.04 inches (1 mm), and some areas that have never recorded rainfall, Atacama is considered the driest place on earth. Daytime temperatures average between 77-86F (25-30C) in the summer (December to February) with winter (June to August) temperatures slightly lower at around 64-77F (18-25C). Make sure to pack warm clothes if you plan to visit this area, because at night it can drop below 32F (0C) in summer and as low as 14F (-10C) in winter.

In the middle of this dry, virtually sterile region, you will find an oasis where the village of San Pedro de Atacama is located at an elevation of about 7,900 ft. (2,400 meters). A popluar tourist area, the adventurer will find sandboarding activities and native ruins to explore, while the more relaxed vacationer can visit the local archeological museum featuring pre-Columbian cultural exhibits. At the conclusion of your daytime adventures, everyone can enjoy the evening together for some stargazing as the climate in this desert area allows for unrivalled and spectacular views.

Moving to the coast and a little further south, La Serena is another popular stop. Beaches are the main attraction here but in neighboring Coquimbo you will find a relatively inexpensive tour boat complete with a guide who will fill you in on the very interesting pirate history of this coastal town and will also happily point out all the "must see" destinations once you are back on land, such as the Millenium Cross and the Faro Lighthouse.

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