We combine geomorphological analysis of palaeosurfaces and U-Pb zircon geochronology of overlying tuffs to reconstruct the Neogene landscape evolution in north-central Chile (28-328S). Prior to the Early Miocene, a pediplain dominated the landscape of the present-day Coastal Cordillera. The pediplain was offset during the Early (Middle?) Miocene, leading to uplift of the present-day eastern Coastal Cordillera and to the formation of a secondary topographic front. During the Late Miocene, the entire Coastal Cordillera was uplifted, with resulting deposition taking place within river valleys similar to those of the present day. A new pediplain developed on top of these deposits between the Early to Middle Pleistocene and was finally uplifted post-500 ka. These three major uplift stages correlate with episodes of increased deformation widely recognized throughout the Central Andes, starting after a Late Oligocene-Early Miocene episode of increased plate convergence. North of 308S, the previous palaeotopography along the western Coastal Cordillera probably influenced Neogene landscape evolution. The presence of an inherited palaeotopography together with a strong decrease of precipitation to the north of 308S would have determined differences in landscape development between this area and the area to the south of 308S since the Early Miocene.