Hidden gems in Chile

Waterfalls, natural pools, viewpoints and beaches that most itineraries skip — cheap or free, with what you need to know before you go.

14 places · 10 free to enter

1. Ojos del Salar

   🏞️ Lagoon 📍 San Pedro de Atacama Free entry

   Two round pools of deep fresh water that opened up in the middle of the white salt flat: deep blue against the white all around, an almost unreal sight. Completely free (you just pull over at the roadside), and in one of them you may swim and even jump in. Fits perfectly into a loop with Laguna Cejar; best around midday, when the sun warms things up.

   On the map Source: sanpedroatacama.com

2. Termas de Polloquere

   ♨️ Hot spring 📍 Putre Free entry

   Clear hot-spring pools in the heart of the altiplano at about 4,250 metres, surrounded by flamingos, vicuñas and snow-capped mountains: a wild experience, and entirely free. The water is hot (up to 66°C at the source) while it is freezing outside, so getting in feels magical. The road is long and gravel, so the smart way is an organised trip from Arica or Putre that also includes Lago Chungará.

   On the map Source: es.wikipedia.org

3. Termas de Purilibre (Puripobre)

   ♨️ Hot spring 📍 San Pedro de Atacama Free entry

   The free alternative to the famous and expensive Puritama springs. There is no tourist infrastructure here, just lukewarm water (around 22°C) in the middle of the desert and total silence. Drive there, then walk about half an hour. Perfect if you want a quiet soak without paying, but bring water, a hat and everything you need: there is nothing there.

   On the map Source: meteored.cl

4. Parque Natural Quebrada de Macul - Cascada San Juan

   💧 Waterfall 📍 Santiago (Peñalolén) Free entry

   A waterfall of about 10 metres in a green canyon right at the edge of Santiago: an escape from the city without leaving it, and completely free. The walk to the fall takes about three hours there and back; there is water at the start of the trail and toilets further on. Open Tuesday–Sunday (closed Monday), and you must register with the park ranger at the entrance. Most pleasant in autumn and spring, when it isn't too hot.

   On the map Source: penalolen.cl

5. Pozones El Toyo

   🌊 River 📍 San José de Maipo Free entry

   Natural river pools in the Maipo canyon, an hour's drive from Santiago, perfect for cooling off on a hot summer day. Entry itself is free (sometimes a small fee is charged for parking on nearby private land), and the walk is easy, about an hour, fine for families too. Come only in summer: in winter the river swells and is dangerous to cross. Take all your rubbish back with you.

   On the map Source: laderasur.com

6. Pozones Las Ánimas (Monte Oscuro)

   🌊 River 📍 Linares Free entry

   Natural river pools surrounded by Maule forest and blossom, one of the free, quiet corners of the Maule region. You can also camp there and sleep under the stars for free. Best from October to May; keep the place clean and take your rubbish back.

   On the map Source: laderasur.com

7. Salto La Leona (Radal Siete Tazas)

   💧 Waterfall 📍 Molina

   An impressive 25-metre waterfall in the heart of an oak forest at the end of a short, shady 1.2 km trail suitable for all ages. Park entry is very cheap (from about CLP 2,600, around US$3), but you must buy in advance at pasesparques.cl; tickets are not sold at the gate. Most beautiful in spring (October–November), with peak snowmelt flow and fewer crowds.

   On the map Source: cascadaschile.com

8. Aguas Calientes Puyehue - pozones del río

   ♨️ Hot spring 📍 Osorno Free entry

   Next to the paid hot-spring complex, right on the riverbank, there are natural hot pools that people dig out by hand, and these are completely free. The scenery is spectacular, you can add free hiking trails in the park, and it is an amazing place to stop on the way to Antillanca. Worth bringing a small trowel to shape yourself a pool in the gravel beside the hot current.

   On the map Source: chile.travel

9. Ojos del Caburgua

   💧 Waterfall 📍 Pucón

   Pools of intense blue water in native forest, fed by small, pretty waterfalls: one of the most photographed scenes around Pucón. Entry is cheap (about CLP 3,000–4,000) and it is open roughly 9:00–19:00. Easy to reach without a car on Buses Caburgua from Pucón; most beautiful in the morning, when the light enters the water.

   On the map Source: topexplora.com

10. Termas Los Pozones (Huife)

    ♨️ Hot spring 📍 Pucón

    Rustic, open hot-spring pools on the bank of the Liucura river, especially popular with young travellers and mochileros, with temperatures between 20° and 40°. One of the cheapest options in the area (about CLP 15,000, around US$15) and open 24 hours, so you can soak under the stars. You walk down a slope to the river; payment is cash or bank transfer only.

    On the map Source: interpatagonia.com

11. Salto del Indio

    💧 Waterfall 📍 Curacautín

    A waterfall of about 20 metres in ancient native forest, with trails and several viewpoints reached on an easy walk of about 600 metres. Entry is very cheap (around CLP 1,500 for adults, about US$1.60), and the paths are lit at night. A perfect stop on the Araucanía Andina driving route; you can combine it with hot springs in the area.

    On the map Source: saltodelindio.cl

12. Sendero Cascadas Escondidas (Parque Pumalín)

    💧 Waterfall 📍 Chaitén Free entry

    A magical trail of about an hour and a half to two hours through green, wet rainforest that leads to two hidden, beautiful waterfalls, and entry is free. There are toilets and water at the start of the trail. Good shoes are a must because the ground is wet and slippery; this is one of the finest stops on the Carretera Austral, best from November to April.

    On the map Source: andeshandbook.org

13. Playa Cole Cole (Parque Nacional Chiloé)

    🏖️ Beach 📍 Cucao Free entry

    A wild, untouched beach in the north of Chiloé National Park, reached only after a beautiful and demanding walk of about 16 km along the coast and through the forest: a real reward for anyone who loves to disconnect. Take a tent, sleep there and walk back the next day. A perfect place for total silence; go fit, with enough water and food.

    On the map Source: miaventuraviajando.com

14. Pozones Cascada Los Maquis

    🌊 River 📍 Chile Chico Free entry

    Natural river pools beside a waterfall with an open view of turquoise Lago General Carrera and Mount San Valentín: a hidden corner of the Chile Chico area, and completely free. About an hour's walk from the road, so it is a rewarding stop on the drive along the lake. Most beautiful in the Patagonian summer (December–March); take all your rubbish back, since there is no infrastructure.

    On the map Source: laderasur.com

Written by the TravelOS team from the sources linked on each card. Prices, hours and access change — check the source or ask locally before you set out.