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Location
Chile is located in South America. The country stretches some 2,653 miles (4,270 km) from north to south. Chile is bordered by Peru to the north, Bolivia to the northeast, and Argentina to the east. The entire western and southern border of Chile is a coastline with the Pacific Ocean.
Transportation
The only budget form of traveling in Chile is by bus. Even this way you will spend a lot of money on transport, since bus tickets are not cheap at all, and distances to cover are huge, especially in Patagonia or between Santiago and the Atacama Desert. At least, these buses are quite comfortable, and they usually offer you some hot beverages and biscuits on board.
Languages Spoken
Just as in the most of South America, the official language in Chile is Spanish with some typical vocabulary and accent, certainly. Chilean people talk quite quickly between each other and they use a lot of colloquial forms, which makes it more difficult to understand them at first. As in South America in general, English is not well spoken in Chile, either. We recommend you to take a basic Spanish course before you travel to Chile.
Currency
The local currency in Chile is the Chilean peso, which is relatively stable. At the moment 1 euro is around 700 pesos. On xe.com you can find the current exchange rate.
Visas
Citizens of 93 countries don’t need a visa to visit Chile for the period up to 90 days. The list includes most of the European countries (Belarus is the only exception), South-East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the majority of the countries in both Americas.
If you are unsure if you need a visa to Chile check at the website of the embassy or Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Electricity
In Chile the power plugs and sockets are of type C and L. The standard voltage is 220 V and the standard frequency is 50 Hz.
Vaccinations
Since it is the most developed country in South America, there is not any vaccine that should be taken before traveling to Chile. Tap water is not drinkable everywhere, but it’s better to ask information about that.
Just as in the case of other countries, the best you can do is to ask for information in a travel clinic in your country, where they will provide you with all the necessary information.
Emergency Calls
The emergency telephone numbers are: Police Emergency 133. Ambulance 131. Fire Brigade 132.
When to visit
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FAQs about Chile
How big is Chile?
On a map, Chile appears as a long, thin sliver at the western edge of South America, running 2,653 miles long and a mere 110 miles wide. The famous Andes Mountains run throughout the entire length of Chile, rising dramatically out of the ground and forming a sort of spine for the continent. You can follow these mountains all the way from Patagonia in the far south of the country to the arid deserts of the extreme north.
How do I get to Chile?
The most practical way to arrive in Chile is by air. The country's somewhat remote location on the southwestern edge of South America means travelers can expect flights to be long, sometimes over 14 hours depending on the route. That said, there are direct international flights to Aeropuerto Arturo Merino Benítez, located 16 miles (26 km) outside of Chile's capital of Santiago.
When should I go to Chile?
The very high season in Chile, particularly for tourist-heavy spots such as Patagonia, is from about December through mid-January. There's also another high season during Chile's winter from around July-September, which is another popular time to visit Patagonia. This is also when the ski resorts in central Chile's are open. If you choose to travel during these times, expect higher prices and more crowds. For these reasons traveling in the shoulder seasons such as autumn and spring are recommended.
What should I pack?
If you're planning on visiting the far north and the Atacama Desert, you'll certainly want to pack sunscreen regardless of whether you're traveling in summer or winter. Also recommended are light layers for daytime wear as well as long sleeves and heavier layers for the colder night temperatures. The same goes for Patagonia, except the further you venture south, the temps drop considerably. In summer months in this region you can expect averages of 72°F (22°C), but in the winter months they often drop to 32°F (0°C) at night.
