Chile’s visitor numbers this summer are showing a steady climb. In February 2025, about 648,904 international travelers arrived, up nearly 55% compared to February 2024, according to official records. Looking at the December-to-February stretch, the count rises to roughly 2,143,468 guests—a 57% increase from the previous summer season and about 32% higher than the figures before the pandemic struck in 2019.
Argentina Remains the Leading Source Market
Argentine visitors still top the list, with 393,021 arrivals in February, making up roughly 60.6% of all entries. Bolivia contributed 45,395 tourists, and Peru contributed 27,852, placing them in second and third spots, respectively. Then there’s the United States with about 27,664 visitors and Brazil with 23,511—both adding to the mix in their own way.
Some experts reckon that the total number of international arrivals this year will hit around 6.1 million. That’s about a 16.4% increase from 2024 and nearly 35% more than in 2019. Generally speaking, these numbers underscore a vibrant tourism in Chile’s landscape that’s back on track.
Growth in Key Source Markets
If you glance at the 2025 figures for key markets, the growth is striking. For instance, Argentina has delivered some 910,997 visitors so far—an impressive surge of 143% compared to last year and 102.1% over the 2019 numbers. Cristóbal Benítez, the national director of Sernatur, noted, “Argentina accounted for 60% of foreign arrivals during January and February, with an increase of about 140% compared to last year. Over in the United States, this year’s cumulative figure is already roughly 13% higher than those in 2019, and European markets, too, are showing a solid upturn.” On the European front, the UK was the source market of approximately 14,946 travelers—up by 16.4% when compared to 2024 and nearly back to pre-pandemic levels—while Spain reached around 13,902, marking an increase of 9.5% year-to-year.
Main Entry Points
Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport remains Chile’s primary gateway, with approximately 169,821 arrivals in February, accounting for roughly 26.2% of the total. Other key entry points include the Cristo Redentor System (Los Libertadores), clocking in around 155,452 visitors (about 24%), and Cardenal Antonio Samoré, which saw 57,934 tourists—roughly 8.9%. Each of these entry routes has shown healthy growth versus both 2024 and 2019 figures; take Pino Hachado, for example, it recorded a surge of about 180.2% from the previous year and a whopping 192.6% increase over the pre-pandemic levels.
All in all, these numbers bolster the view that tourism in Chile remains a major engine of the economy. With such encouraging trends, many expect that the country will continue to grow as a destination, drawing even more visitors in the coming months.