Discover Chile in 12 questions, with Daniel Araya | Traveling

Daniel Araya (Pelao) is from Antofagasta, Chile. Check below some information that he provides about his country in 12 questions.

1. What do you like the most in your country?

Pelao: "What I like about Chile is the sea, that is along the entire country, so it doesn’t matter to which city you go, the sea will always be close and visible."

2. It is easy for people who do not speak Spanish to travel to Chile?

Pelao: "I think that it would be easy for someone who doesn’t speak Spanish come to Chile. The majority of the population speaks English, specially in the capital, Santiago."

3. In your opinion, what is the best food in your country?

Pelao: "I think that the best food here are the "empanadas" and "pastel de choclo". The empanadas are a type of pastry that is filled and fried or baked. The pastel de choclo is a dish made of sweetcorn."

4. Have you ever been in any touristic points?

Pelao: "I have been in a few touristic places. "Punta Arenas", that is located in the south, it’s really cold and there is snow almost the whole year. Another place is "La Serena", that has a wonderful beach, and the last place I want to tell is "San Pedro de Atacama", which is located in the north and is the most touristic place in Chile, because of its special environment."

5. Are people in your country (or the region where you live) receptive to people from other countries?

Pelao: "Chile receives people from many other countries, in my city Antofagasta, we receive people from the closest countries such as Peru, Colombia or Bolivia, people that generally comes looking for better job opportunities."

6. What places do you recommend to visit?

Pelao: "Honestly, I recommend to go to San Pedro de Atacama, like I said before is the most touristic place in Chile, and there, visit “El Valle de la Luna”, that is known for its moonlike landscape of dunes, rugged mountains, and distinctive rock formations. So it’s like been in the moon."

7. It's easy to take public transportation?

Pelao: "Yes, it is easy, in my city we can take regular taxis, Uber or taxi buses. In the capital Santiago, you can use subways, but because the city is bigger."

8. Could you say a custom in Chile that is different from other countries?

Pelao: "One custom that is unique here is the clothes that people use for the National dance “Cueca”. The men in the dance wear the huasos hat, shirts, flannel poncho, riding pants and boots, short jacket, and spurs. Women wear flowered dresses."

9. Do you know any gesture or something that people should know to NOT DO in Chile?

Pelao: "One thing to don’t sound rude would be to try to don’t say anything bad about the country or the place where you are, because people here hates when someone does that, it makes everyone thinks that the other person just wants to feel superior."

10. Do you recommend any festival?

Pelao: "I would recommend the "Fiesta de la Tirana", that is an annual festival held in La Tirana, located in the Tarapacá Region of northern Chile. The celebration takes place on July 16 in honor of the Virgin of Carmen."

11. When is the best time to visit your country?

Pelao: "The best time to visit Chile is during summer, specially between January and February, because is the best weather to go outside and enjoy the environment."

12. Would you like to add anything else?

Pelao: "I think people from other countries should come to Chile, it would be a wonderful experience for them and they will remember for the rest of their lives."