Know What's Happening in Outdoors

How Indigenous Peoples Are Shaping Chile’s Next Phase of Adventure Tourism

Chile’s adventure tourism is increasingly foregrounding its eleven Indigenous cultures, turning them from scenic backdrop to core narrative. Operators now offer etnoturismo experiences such as Aymara quinoa planting, Mapuche forest stewardship, and Rapa Nui cosmology workshops. While these programs generate new revenue for remote communities, Chile’s lack of constitutional Indigenous recognition raises legal and equity concerns. Co‑created tours that prioritize consent and fair compensation are emerging as a model for sustainable cultural tourism.