Hi,
I recently spent a couple of months working in chile but unfortunately had to come back a few weeks ago to have an operation, but i would definitely advise going to this beautiful country if you can. There is so much variety and so much to see. I was staying in the coastal city of vina del mar, and although the weather isn't all that great there this time of year, vina and the neighbouring city of valparaiso are really worth a visit because they are so contrasting. Compared to somewhere like rio there aren't that many sights in the capital, santiago, but the nightlife is brilliant and it's a good base to get to the deserts in the north or the lakes in the south. My sister and i are going back to south america this august to travel for 6 weeks. I really recommend investing in a mercosur airpass as you can travel round loads of places for really great value. We're starting our trip in Rio, then moving on to Iguassu Falls, then on to Buenos Aires (including a short trip to Montevideo which is only 2 hours from BA on the ferry) and then finishing up in Santiago via Mendoza. In all that time we intend to do lots of partying, beaching, adventure sports, horse-riding, wine-tasting and anything else that takes our fancy, so there really is something for everyone in south america! Have lots of fun wherever you choose to go!:)
