Copiapó

Located in the desert, within a rich silver and copper mining district, Copiapo is one of the many hidden treasures in northern Chile. While the city itself may not be a highlight, nature around Copiapo definitely is. To begin with, the town is surrounded by some of the highest sand dunes on the planet. The soft beige colors and sensual shades of the sand slopes during the day give way to a bright star-studded sky at nighttime that lights up the dunes with artful patterns, allowing for magical experiences and encounters in the sand fields. Other natural attractions not to be missed are the gorgeous turquoise-water beaches to the east and Nevado Tres Cruces National Park to the west. The park will be a delight for adventurous travelers and mountain climbing lovers, who will be challenged by the irresistible Ojos del Salado Volcano, one of the highest spots in Latin America. An additional attraction that happens only every few years, when the “El Niño” phenomenon brings rain to the desert during springtime, is the miraculous “Flowering Desert”, blooming fields of wildflowers in an area just north of Copiapo, featuring unusual species and almost impossible sceneries in the middle of the desert.