Elqui Valley, Chile

Elqui Valley in Chile boasts over 320 clear nights annually, making it one of the driest stargazing destinations on Earth with just 130 millimetres of rain per year. This narrow Andean valley north of Santiago has evolved into a hub for astrotourism, where boutique observatories and pisco distilleries offer evening programmes featuring binocular tours and telescope sessions. Its median humidity of 50% is 40% lower than the typical coastal observatory, ensuring crisp views year-round. On a moonless night, the naked-eye limiting magnitude reaches 6.8, outperforming #7 Tenerife's typical 6.5 in average conditions. The valley's altitude averaging 1,500 metres places observers above the coastal fog layer, and winter skies reveal the Magellanic Clouds with vivid contrast. With tour prices starting at $30 per person, Elqui is cheaper than the average guided stargazing experience in South America.