USEFUL INFORMATION
From the airport: We recommend you take a taxi. Right after you
go through customs, go to the "taxi oficial" counter, for $14.000 (some USD
$25) they will bring you to your hotel through santiago's brand new
highway (costanera norte). Make sure the taxi does take the highway as
this will save you 25 minutes. The trip should be around 25 min long.
Another option is to approach the "Tur Bus" or the "Transvip" counter,
they run vans that will drive you to your hotel for $5.000 or so (USD $9).
The trip should be around 50 min long.
To the airport: Simply ask your hotel to call a taxi or van
for you. The rates will be approximately the same as above. If you choose
to take a taxi, again make sure it takes the highway. You could also catch
a taxi on the street. In this case, it is a good idea to agree on a price
beforehand, if you offer $12.000 the driver will most likely accept.
You do not need to tip taxi drivers in Chile
- Mean March temperature: 14 C (57.2 F)
- Mean March rainfall: 1.7 cm (0.67 in)
- Sunrise on October 20, 2009: 6:55 am
- Sunset on October 20, 2009: 8:00 pm
- Latitude: 33° 26' South
- Longitude: 70° 39' West
- Altitude: 567 mts
//
Over 4.500 kilometers of mountains and seashore make Chile the
longest and narrowest country in the world with startling
contrasts and extreme beauty. Attractions range from the
towering volcanic peaks of the Andes (with the highest volcano
in South America), the most arid desert worldwide, ancient
forests in the Lake District and hosting the coldest yet most
beautiful icy scenery of the southern Glacial Fields.
Chile is a land of contrasts with its lakes, snow, millennial
forests, and sand and iron summits. Its people are friendly and a
mixture of Native Indian, Spanish, German, Italian, English,
Croatian, Arabian, and other backgrounds; its inhabitants are
people who once traveled to this exotic land, fell in love with
it and stayed.
To the North, Chile borders with Peru, to the Northeast with
Bolivia. In the northern part of Chile, the land has broad
sandy beaches, desert and the Andes. There, you will find
the largest copper mines in the world, salt flats, archaeological
sites, lagoons and volcanoes over six thousand meters high.
The central area of the country is greener than the North due
to increased rains and therefore, allowing for a much more
developed agricultural sector. Chile's best known wines are grown
in this area, which is also known for its luscious fruits and
vegetables, rodeos, mountain-climbing, colonial buildings and the
opportunity to ski in the morning and sunbathe in the beach in
the afternoon. The South is host to rivers running wild,
snow-capped volcanoes, thermal hot springs, fly-fishing, ancient
forests visited and studied by Charles Darwin, beautiful fjords,
small picturesque towns founded by German immigrants and the
biodiversity unique of Patagonia. The pathway across Cape Horn
leads to Chile's greatest treasure: its Antarctic territory,
surrounded by penguins, whales and walruses swimming wild and
inhabited by Chilean families and more than a few bold and daring
scientist.
Finally, Chile also has the privilege of owning the mysterious
Easter Island and its silent giant statues, which are the legacy
of a fascinating civilization disappeared long ago.
220V, 50Hz.
Plugs: Type C and Type L.
Citizens of Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay and Uruguay can enter
Chile only with their national identification card. Any other
country requires a valid passport to be presented at the port of
entry. Following is a list of countries that do not need a visa
to visit Chile (confirm at Chile's local consulate!!):
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bolivia,
Brazil, Canada, Colombia, Costa, Rica, Croacia, Czeck Republic, Denmark,
Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Finland, France, Germany,
Greece, Guatemala, Honduras, Hungary, Indonesia, Iceland, Israel, Italy,
Japan, Malasya, Morroco, Mexico, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Norway, New
Zealand Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Poland, Portugal, Singapure, Spain,
South Africa, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, Uruguay, United
States, United Kingdom, Venezuela.
Citizens from USA, Canada, Mexico and Australia do not need a
visa, but have to pay a reciprocity entrance fee (cash) at the
Santiago International Airport Immigration Office. Up-to-date the
entrance fees are: U.S.A. US$ 131, Canada US$ 132, Australia US$
56, Mexico US$ 15. Citizens from other countries do not have to
pay this fee.
Citizens of the countries not mentioned in the list above, must
contact the local Chilean Consulate or the nearest mission to
request the visa. Should you require further information on
Chilean Consulates.
Renting a car and driving in Chile is, generally speaking,
easy and convenient. Santiago streets are well organized with
street signs, but, like in any big city, driving during rush
hours can be stressful. Drivers normally drive fast although the
traffic rules are respected, especially the stop and yield signs,
and for pedestrian crossings.
You should always carry your drivers license and vehicle
registration, since police check frequently. Most countries
licenses are honored by car rentals and police controls, although
strictly speaking an international license is required.
A seat belt is mandatory for the driver and
companion. Smoking, using a cellular phone or a Walkman is
prohibited for the driver. Chilean policemen (Carabineros de
Chile) will schedule an appointment for you to speak with the
local Judge in case of an infraction and the license is always
taken. Carabineros are always polite and comprehensive especially
with foreigners.
Driving under the effects of alcohol is a severe offense. You
could be fined or arrested depending on the level of alcohol
intoxication. Speeding is also punished. Maximum speed, where
otherwise stated, is 100 km/h (65 mph). In urban areas it is 50
km/h (30 mph).
There are many agencies that rent cars per hour, day, week or
month. They generally require the driver to be over 21 years of
age, have a valid national or foreign driving license, and a
major credit card as guarantee. For further information, please
see here.
Chilean policemen are not corrupt, do NOT try to
bribe them.
Many taxis are available, distinguishable by being black with
yellow tops. All of them have their registration number visible
and a taximeter. Taxi drivers are mostly honest. Smoking
is forbidden inside public vehicles.
The Santiago subway or Metro is a model of cleanliness and
good service. It is fast, secure and inexpensive.
For more information on the Metro network see here.
Urban buses are ubiquitous in all of GREATER Santiago
and main cities. Buses, also called "Micros", are
easily spotted, as they are painted white with green, red, orange,
purple, yellow, etc. stripes. The standard fare is approximately
US$1.00. The payment method us based on an electronic proximity
card called Bip which can be purchased, among others, at
any subway station.
There are several companies that service every city in
Chile. Service is good and schedules mostly honored.
Interurban bus stations in Santiago:
- Terminal Santiago: Av. B. O'Higgins 3848, Santiago (phone 779-1385)
- Terminal Los Heroes: Tucapel Jiménez 21, Santiago (phone 696-9087)
- Terminal Alameda: Av. B. O'Higgins 3714, Santiago (phone 776-1038)
- Terminal San Borja: Av. B. O'Higgins 3714. Santiago (phone 776-0645)
Sistema Estatal de Ferrocarriles
(EFE) runs only from Santiago to the south
of the country, passing, among other cities, through Rancagua,
Talca, Chillan. On the other hand, there is system,
traveling from Santiago to Rancagua, stopping at most of the
towns between them. It is fairly efficient but rather slow, and
its coaches are similar to those of the subway. There is also a
train in the extreme north of Chile, traveling from Arica to La
Paz (Bolivia).
To access EFE's website see here
Valuables should be deposited in the safe, as well as
passports. Keep your Migration card at hand (stamped by customs
when you enter the country) as well as some form of ID such as
your driving license. In the event of theft you should immediately
contact the police, "Carabineros de Chile" (call 133), and report
the lost documents to your consulate.
Backcountry areas are very safe, in established campgrounds as
well as out in the wild. The most common danger is getting lost or
stranded when hiking in the mountains. The mountains can be very
cold even in summer time and weather is unpredictable and
treacherous, so be prepared. If you are going out without a guide,
inform the police or the Andean Rescue Service ('Cuerpo de Socorro
Andino') of your itinerary.
It is becoming much more common to see women traveling alone in
Chile, and it is considered a good country for this. This is
especially true in places frequented by tourists.
It is very normal for Chilean men to be very open with
compliments, ("piropos") and these can sometimes be rude. The best
action is ignore such behavior. There is an instinctive (or
cultural) need to protect women here, especially if they are
alone.
Generally speaking, Chilean people are generous and welcoming
to foreigners, so you will be warmly received, especially in small
cities.
We don't recommend hitch-hiking to solo women travelers.
- Ambulance: 131
- Firemen: 132
- Police: 133
- Police Information: 139
No vaccinations are required to enter Chile.
In general the water supply is safe, although it is
always advisable for sensitive people to drink bottled water for
the first few days. Bottled water is available everywhere.
It is generally not advisable to eat uncooked vegetables that
grow close to the soil (i.e., lettuce, carrots, strawberries,
etc.), unless you get them from an established supermarket chain
(Jumbo, Lider, Unimarc, etc.) who monitor the source of their
products. There are a large variety of packed
The unit of currency is the peso ($ or CHP), which exists in
banknotes of $1000, $2000, $5,000, $10,000, $20,000 and coins of
$1, $5, $10, $50, $100 and $500.
Foreign cash is not generally in use, except for hotels that may
waive the value-added tax (IVA) if you are a foreigner, when you
pay in US dollars or credit card.
Credit cards are widely used and accepted. There is no
surcharge for their use. The most commonly accepted cards are
Visa, Master Card and Diners Club. In medium to large businesses
American Express is also honored. Exchange rates for credit cards
are pretty good. Some small, rural towns mostly have cash
economies, so have cash handy when going off the beaten track.
In commercial and banking areas, it is easy to find Automatic
Teller Machines (Redbanc network) honoring cards of all local
banks as well as Cirrus cards, 24 hours a day 7 days a
week. Exchange rates are very good.
The government does not regulate the market of foreign currency
in Chile. You can exchange money at any established "Casa de
Cambio" at market driven exchange rates. They are common in
commercial areas (Downtown and Providencia) as well as in Shopping
Malls.
The company in charge of the postal service Correos de Chile
is safe, although slow. For example, posting a letter from Chile
to the United States takes around 2 to 3 weeks.
Post offices are open during the week from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. and
on Saturdays from 9 p.m. to 12 p.m, and there is a guaranteed
delivery system. You can post packages of up to 30 kilos (66 lbs)
through the main postal system.
In Chile, several companies offer fax, telex and telegraph
services; some of them are ENTEL, Telefónica, and VTR.
There are many phone booths throughout the city, so it is useful
to buy phone cards or keep CH$100 peso coins. Calling from the
hotel room often has a surcharge depending on the Hotel.
From Chile, international calls are cheap and work
efficiently. Multi-carrier services are available at almost every
phone. It is not advisable to make international calls from your
hotel room as it usually has a surcharge. Try to use the public
phone in the lobby or the public phone cabins. Most commercial and
shopping centers have international call centers where you can
obtain information, make collect calls, or buy calling cards.
To make an international call using a specific carrier:
- Bell South dial 181 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Carrier 155 dial 155 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Chilesat dial 171 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- CNT carrier dial 121 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Entel dial 123 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Globus dial120 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Manquehue LD dial 122 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Micarrier dial 154 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Telefónica CTC dial 188 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- Transam dial 113 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
- VTR dial 120 + 0 + Country code + Area code + Number
Cellular phones are widely used and can be easily rented. Some
services are ENTEL, Telefónica, SmartCom, and
BellSouth. Ask for information at the hotel desk or through the
Yellow Pages.
Chile has well developed data communications services. The
e-mail and Internet are widely spread. Some hotels offer such
services in their business centers. You can also check your e-mail
and surf the Net in several Cyber cafes throughout the city.
