In a world facing growing environmental and social challenges, Easter Weekend 2025 presents an opportunity to make more conscious travel choices. Ecotourism—also known as sustainable tourism—encourages us to reconnect with nature and support local communities while reducing our impact on the planet.
Instead of just taking time off, ecotourism offers travelers the chance to live transformative experiences that nourish the soul and contribute positively to the environment and local cultures.
Planning a Getaway? Consider These 5 Emerging Ecotourism Spots in Chile
If you’re planning a 3–4 day getaway during the long Easter weekend, Pablo Rebolledo Dujisin, Director of the Ecotourism Management Program at Universidad Andrés Bello, recommends five emerging destinations in Chile where you can experience authentic, mindful, and environmentally respectful travel.
1. Putre and Lauca National Park (Arica and Parinacota Region)
Located over 3,500 meters above sea level, the picturesque town of Putre is the gateway to Lauca National Park and Lake Chungará—one of the highest lakes in the world.
In this highland setting, visitors can explore Aymara villages like Parinacota, bathe in natural hot springs, and observe a rich variety of wildlife including flamingos, vicuñas, and vizcachas. Staying at family-run hostels operated by local communities enhances cultural immersion and supports the regional economy.
2. Bahía Inglesa and Llanos de Challe National Park (Atacama Region)
With its turquoise waters and white sand beaches, Bahía Inglesa offers a stunning coastal landscape amidst a semi-desert environment. Nearby, Llanos de Challe National Park is home to incredible biodiversity, including the famous “flowering desert” phenomenon and rare species like the Garra de León.
Travelers can stay in eco-friendly accommodations and take part in activities like snorkeling, visiting fishing coves, and wildlife observation—always staying on marked trails and avoiding the collection of natural elements.
3. Elqui Valley (Coquimbo Region)
Famous for its clear skies and spiritual energy, Elqui Valley is ideal for those seeking a deep connection with nature and local culture. Activities include stargazing, cycling through rural routes, visiting artisanal pisco distilleries, and relaxing in the Elqui River.
Accommodations such as astronomical domes and rural cabins offer an authentic stay, while yoga classes, herbalism workshops, and lessons on ancestral astronomy provide meaningful engagement with local traditions.
4. Conguillío National Park (La Araucanía Region)
Part of the Kütralkura Geopark, Conguillío National Park is known for its dramatic landscapes dominated by the Llaima Volcano, glacial lakes, and ancient araucaria forests. Its relatively low visitor numbers make it an ideal destination to reconnect with southern Chile’s biodiversity.
Visitors can hike routes like Sierra Nevada, kayak on Laguna Verde, and spot species such as the black woodpecker and the South Andean fox. Sustainable lodging options include campgrounds, eco-lodges, and rural cabins in Melipeuco or within the park itself.
5. Caleta Cóndor (Los Lagos Region)
Hidden between the Valdivian rainforest and the sea, Caleta Cóndor is a remote paradise accessible only by foot or boat. This ancestral Huilliche territory offers total disconnection and unspoiled nature.
Travelers can stay with Mapuche-Huilliche families and engage in activities like forest hiking, river navigation, and traditional cooking workshops. It’s essential to bring supplies like food and a sleeping bag, and to maintain a respectful, collaborative attitude toward the local community.
Tips for Responsible Ecotourism During Easter
According to Pablo Rebolledo Dujisin, “It’s important to avoid using loudspeakers or playing loud music in natural settings, as noise can interfere with the behavior of local wildlife.”
He adds that “regenerative tourism is about leaving places better than we found them—picking up all trash, avoiding single-use plastics, and treating local flora as if it were part of our own home. Travelers are also encouraged to use low-impact transportation methods like intercity buses or shared cars and to support local economies by buying local products.”
A New Way to Travel
Traveling can be much more than a break from routine. It can become a conscious act that regenerates life, culture, and ecosystems. Easter Weekend 2025 is the perfect time to embrace this vision and explore Chile in a way that leaves a positive footprint.
