Language: Spanish
Electricity: 220 volts
Currency:
Visit XE website.
Taxes: VAT (locally known as IVA): 19%. Visitors paying for accommodation in US$, will have IVA automatically discounted.
Santiago's Airport:
For more information about arrivals and departures visit the Santiago's Airport website.
Transfer From and To Santiago's Airport:
Transport in Santiago:
Taxis:
The taxis are black cars with yellow roofs. Before taking one, make sure you can see the price indications and the taximeter. The prices can vary from one company to the other.
Colectivos:
The colectivos are another transport option in Santiago. They are cheaper then taxi and bring you all around the city. To know where they are going look at the sign located on the roof of the car. Usually you can jump in at a subway station or at the mains attractions of the city. Once you are in, you will have to wait till other passengers arrive for the colectivo to start is journey.
National and International transport:
Visas:
Arrival in the country:
Visas required for: New Zealand, Haiti, India, Lebanon, Egypt, Philippins, Russia. On arrival, visitors receive a 90 day visa.
Inform yourself about the visa requirements or reciprocity fees for entering Chile.
For all other information, please visit the website of the Chilean Embassy of your country.
Health:
Before travelling to Chile you should make sure your standards protections against typhoid, poliomyelitis, hepatitis and tetanus are updated. Further, you should verify with you doctor if you need any specific treatments prior to departure, since it can vary according to your country of origin.
Once in Chile, be aware of your consumption of raw fish and seafood, raw eggs, food offered in the streets and raw vegetables. Moreover, you should always wash and peel all fruits and vegetables before eating them. About the water in Chile, the whole country has drinking water; nevertheless it’s recommendable to drink bottled water.
Further, if you plan on going trekking or doing any activities at altitudes of more then 2500 meters above sea level, make sure you know about the altitude sickness and how to prevent it.
Emergency numbers:
| SERVICE | NUMBER | | Ambulance | 131 | | Andean Rescue Service | 136 | | Firefighters | 132 | | Police | 133 | | Police Information | 139 |
Weather:
Chile is a really long country from north to south; therefore the weather is different and you need to take that into account while planning your trip. Northern Chile can be visited all year around, however summer days sizzle and nights (all year long) are freezing cold at higher altitudes. If you are planning on visiting the Easter Island and the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, March is your best bet for good weather and to avoid the crowds. Central Chile is best to visit between September to December and from late February to April. However, if you are a skier, don't hesitate to come in July and August to visit the country's resorts. Southern Chile is best to visit from December to March where the weather allows visitors to enter some places that are impenetrable in winter time. Visit AccuWeather website for the detailed weather of the day. 'Powered by AccuWeather.com'
Local Holidays:
| DATE | EVENT | | January 1st | New Year's Day | | March/April | Easter and Holy week | | May 1st | Labor Day or Day of the Worker | | May 21 | NavyDay | | June 22 | Corpus Christi | | June 29 | Saint Peter and Saint Paul | | August 15 | Assumption of Mary | | 1rst Monday of September | National Reconciliation Day | | September 18 | Independence Day | | September 19 | Armed Forces Day | | October 12 | Columbus Day | | November 1st | All Saints Day | | December 8 | Immaculate Conception | | December 25 | Christmas Day |
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