Editor's note: this article is based on a blog post from KMS Travel Chile, and content is used with permission. For a deeper look at the topic, please read the original article.
Chile's tourism sector is evolving: Instead of focusing purely on sightseeing or comfort, the country is turning toward experiences that prioritize relationships with local communities and the natural environment. Indigenous tourism plays a central role in this transformation, as Indigenous groups across the country are opening their communities to travelers in ways that foster connection and cultural understanding. This article looks at how Indigenous tourism in Chile can create meaningful experiences for visitors, while also supporting cultural renewal, fostering mutual understanding, and strengthening local economies in ways that prioritize integrity and long-term sustainability.
Based on Chile’s 2017 National Census, over 2.1 million people—around 12.8% of the country’s population—identify as Indigenous. This figure highlights the ongoing presence and vitality of Indigenous communities in Chile today. Far from being confined to history books, these communities are actively revitalizing their languages, protecting their territories, and asserting their cultural identities despite the lasting impacts of colonization. It's also important to acknowledge that Chilean society is shaped by deep cultural blending, with mestizaje forming a key part of the nation's identity. This Indigenous heritage and the diverse landscapes of Chile together create travel experiences rooted in cultural depth and authenticity.
Experience Patagonia & Puerto Natales at ATWS 2025
Cultural Immersion Rooted in Place
Conservation groups are encouraging visitors to experience Chile beyond popular areas and explore nearby regions that are equally rich in culture but receive less attention. In doing so, tourism supports economic development and cultural continuity without adding strain to fragile ecosystems.
High Andes and Atacama Desert
In Chile’s northern highlands, or Altiplano, the Aymara and Atacameño (Likan Antai) peoples continue to live in close relationship with the rugged landscapes of the Andes and the Atacama Desert. In regions like Arica y Parinacota and Tarapacá, their traditions reflect centuries of adaptation to a harsh environment. Knowledge passed through generations, including farming on terraced slopes and managing scarce water, is still visible in daily life.
Travelers to this region may witness sunrise offerings to Pachamama, a spiritual expression of gratitude to the earth. In San Pedro de Atacama, Indigenous cooperatives uphold a community-based approach rooted in ancient ayllu systems. These initiatives ensure tourism supports cultural survival while protecting fragile ecosystems. Experiences here offer more than scenery - they reveal enduring connections between land, sky, and community.
Norte Chico
In the sunlit valleys of Coquimbo and Atacama, the Diaguita communities are experiencing a quiet cultural revival. Once overshadowed in Chile’s historical narrative, they are now reclaiming traditions tied to both the land and the sky.
Visitors can engage with this resurgence by exploring local pottery studios where ancestral techniques shape each piece. Agritourism projects invite travelers to experience regional foods and farming knowledge passed down through generations. Seasonal rituals and visits to solar observatories reflect the Diaguita’s ongoing connection to natural cycles. Along rivers considered sacred, guided walks reveal a worldview where land, water, and culture remain deeply interconnected.
South-Central Chile
The Mapuche, whose name means “people of the land,” are the largest Indigenous group in Chile, with communities primarily located in Araucanía, Biobío, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos. Their ancestral territory, often referred to as Wallmapu, is shaped by forests, rivers, and fertile valleys. While the term carries political weight today, it also reflects a longstanding relationship between the Mapuche and their environment. Their cultural identity is grounded in language, spiritual beliefs, and practices tied to the land.
Visitors who seek to understand this heritage can engage with Mapuche communities through immersive experiences. Staying in a traditional ruka or sharing food with local families offers a view into everyday life shaped by oral tradition, seasonal rhythms, and medicinal knowledge. In areas like Lonquimay and Alto Biobío, the Pehuenche branch of the Mapuche continue to protect native forests and mountain trails. Community-led efforts such as Rutas Ancestrales and Cooperativa Lemu combine traditional knowledge with ecological stewardship, ensuring that tourism strengthens cultural preservation and environmental care. Learn more about the Mapuche on a Pre-Summit Adventure (PSA #7) at ATWS 2025.
Rapa Nui
Rapa Nui, also known as Easter Island, stands apart within Chile’s Indigenous landscape, not only for its remote location, but for its Polynesian roots. Unlike mainland cultures, Rapa Nui’s heritage stems from Oceania, making it a unique cultural bridge within Chile’s territory since its annexation in the late 19th century.
While the moai statues draw global attention, it’s the living traditions of the Rapa Nui people that truly define the island. Local guides lead visitors through sacred sites with stories that connect past and present. Cultural events like the annual Tapati festival showcase ongoing expressions of identity, while language and ancestry workshops deepen visitors’ understanding. Supporting locally owned businesses on the island helps ensure that tourism strengthens, rather than displaces, community life. Visit Rapa Nui on a Pre-Summit Adventure (PSA #17) at ATWS 2025.
Patagonia
In the far south of Chile, deep within the fjords and channels of Patagonia, the cultures of the Kawésqar and Yagán are experiencing a quiet resurgence. Once thought by outsiders to have vanished, these maritime peoples are reclaiming their histories and asserting their presence through cultural revival.
Communities near Puerto Edén, Puerto Natales, and Puerto Williams are leading efforts to preserve their languages, traditions, and stories. Elders share oral histories that speak of survival, sea journeys, and spiritual ties to the natural world. Museums and local initiatives provide space for reflection, while travelers who engage respectfully may witness how these traditions continue to shape identity and place. The sea, once a path of daily life, remains at the heart of their worldview and cultural renewal.
Potential Challenges
- Commodification of Sacred Practices:
One of the gravest risks is reducing sacred rituals to mere tourist spectacles. When cultural practices are packaged solely for entertainment, their deep spiritual and communal essence becomes diluted. For a deeper analysis of the dangers of commodification in tourism, consult this paper on it. - Overtourism and Environmental Degradation:
Remote Indigenous territories often lie in ecologically fragile areas. An uncontrolled surge of visitors can lead to soil erosion, water shortages, and irreversible ecosystem damage. Establishing and respecting carrying capacities is essential. - Lack of True Community Consent and Control:
Authentic Indigenous tourism must be rooted in the principles of Free, Prior, and Informed Consent as defined in the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). When tourism ventures are imposed without genuine community involvement, they run the risk of exploitation and cultural misrepresentation. - Tokenism and Superficial Representation:
There is concern that Indigenous participation might be reduced to a token gesture—present merely for aesthetics or as a symbolic nod to diversity. This superficial inclusion not only undermines Indigenous agency but also perpetuates harmful stereotypes. - Inequitable Benefit-Sharing:
Disparities arise when the profits from tourism are captured by external operators rather than reinvested in local communities. It is imperative that revenue-sharing models be transparent and fair, empowering Indigenous communities economically.
How to Be a Respectful Visitor and Advocate Ethical Tourism
- Educate Yourself:
Before embarking on your journey, take time to study the histories, challenges, and traditions of the Indigenous peoples you’ll encounter. Resources and academic studies will provide indispensable insights. - Choose Responsibly:
Book your trips with Indigenous-led or community-aligned agencies. Not all rural tourism is synonymous with Indigenous experiences. Consult guidelines to identify operators committed to ethical practices. - Always Ask for Consent:
Whether taking photographs, making videos, or participating in cultural activities, always seek permission. Respecting boundaries is paramount; it’s not just about etiquette, but about valuing the personal and community space of your hosts. - Value Authentic Engagement:
Look for immersive experiences that reveal the depth of Indigenous cultural practices rather than staged performances created solely for entertainment. Genuine experiences encourage mutual learning and respect. - Support Local Artisans:
Directly purchasing crafts and local goods not only provides financial support but fosters the continuation of traditional skills. This direct economic exchange is an essential element of ethical tourism. - Be Attentive and Present:
Listen carefully and let your curiosity guide you. Each conversation, each shared tale from elders, is an opportunity to bridge cultures. Allow yourself to be fully present without imposing rigid expectations or itineraries. - Respect the Environment:
Adhere to designated trails, minimize waste, and refrain from collecting natural souvenirs. By following environmentally sustainable practices, you contribute to preserving the landscapes that are integral to these communities’ ways of life.
Looking to the Future
Chile is becoming a global reference for Indigenous-led tourism. From the highlands to the coast, local leaders are shaping experiences that honor history, care for the environment, and welcome visitors into daily life. These projects show that tourism doesn’t have to be extractive. It can be a tool for pride, healing, and progress.
To be genuinely transformative, tourism must function as a respectful and ongoing exchange. Ethical tourism moves beyond a one-sided service model, emphasizing mutual learning, community-led development, and support for locally driven economies. This creates shared value - visitors experience meaningful cultural connection, while host communities benefit from renewed cultural vitality and sustainable economic opportunities.
Editor's note: this article is based on a blog post from KMS Travel Chile, and content is used with permission. For a deeper look at the topic, please read the original article.