Chile
Capital:
Santiago
Official Language: Spanish and local
languages
Religions: 89% Roman Catholic and 11%
Protestant
Currency: Peso = 100 centavos
Map
Background
From salty desert top to glacier-crowded bottom, Chile is a gobsmacking reminder of nature's beauty and power. This narrow trickle of a country is jammed with enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes to keep adventure nuts slavering for a lifetime.
Travelers are mostly drawn to this string-bean country because of its spectacular Pacific coastline and Andean highlands, as well as the adventure sports on offer. But if you're here for more than that, then Chile will have gastronomes going gaga over its good food and cracking wines.
Special Events
Easter and Christmas holidays are Chile's most important national celebrations, but there's a conglomeration of secular holidays in September, including Fiestas Patrias (mid-September); National Independence Day on the 18th (a day of spirited partying and rodeos); and Armed Forces Day on the 19th. Of the innumerable local cultural festivals, July's Fiesta de la Virgen de Carmen in La Tirana, northern Chile, is one of the most spectacular. Meanwhile, the mid-north town of Andacollo's Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario is perhaps the weirdest. Drawing pilgrims every December from as far afield as Bolivia, Asian-inspired team dancing fringes a procession of the Virgin's image to a huge shrine. Horse racing and cock fighting provide ancillary entertainment for the crowds camped on surrounding hillsides.
Climate
Chile's mountainous geography spanning over 30° of latitude makes for some strange climatic variation. Summer and winter in Chile's north are quite restrained with temperatures in the 15-25°C (63-77°F) range throughout the year with only slight seasonal change. Rain is of no concern as this coast-to-desert landscape is one of the driest in the world, despite heavy cloud cover from April to December. Central Chile has far more pronounced seasonal change with average daily highs of 29°C (85°F) from December to February and dropping to around 14°C (58°F) in June. Rainfall is heaviest in the winter months but still only moderate and falling on a few days at this time. Down south rainfall increases dramatically, peaking in June with most days succumbing to the wet. Temperatures in this region are slightly cooler with low 20°C (around 70°F) summer highs and plunging into the single digits (around 42°F) in the middle of the year.
Travel Info
Chile is linked by air to North America, Europe and Australasia with most international flights arriving in Santiago. Chilean departure tax for international flights is about USD20.00.
Chile's border-crossing points with Peru and Bolivia are few and far between. The crossing between Arica in Chile and Tacna in Peru provides the only land access to Peru; road and rail connections link Chile with Bolivia, passing through Arica, Visviri, Tambo Quemado or Calama. Except in Patagonia, every crossing into Argentina involves crossing the Andes. Routes include Calama-Salta, Copiapó-Tucumán via Catamarca; La Serena-San Juan; and Santiago-Mendoza. More interesting are the many Lakes District and southern Patagonian routes, with buses and ferries servicing the crossing points between Chile and Argentina.
Visas
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Western European countries do not require a visa, although US citizens do pay a fairly hefty, cash-only 'reciprocity fee' (around Ch$100). Canadians pay around Ch$135 and Australians about Ch$60, while there is no fee for EU or New Zealand residents. This fee is good for the life of the holder's passport. A 90-day entry permit, renewable for another 90 days, is received on entering the country and must be presented to officials on leaving.
Safety
Terrorism
The threat from terrorism is low. But you should be aware of the global risk of indiscriminate terrorist attacks which could be against civilian targets, including places frequented by foreigners. There are occasional acts of low level domestic terrorism by left wing groups. On Sunday 15 July 2007, a bomb exploded outside the British Embassy causing some structural damage but no casualties. There is no evidence of an ongoing threat to British nationals but travellers are advised to remain vigilant. Please read: Security and General Tips and Risk of Terrorism when Travelling Overseas for further information and advice.
Crime
Pickpocketing, other thefts and muggings are common throughout Chile and have been increasing since the beginning of 2007, particularly around well-known tourist sites, bus stations and areas of Santiago frequented by foreigners such as Las Condes, Vitacura and Providencia. You should pay particular attention to your belongings in popular foreign cafes and restaurants, and internet cafes where there has been an increase in bag theft.
You should not leave luggage unattended and be particularly attentive at bus terminals, restaurants and whilst travelling through the Lake District (i.e. Pucon, Villarrica) as there has been a rise in theft in these areas. You are advised not to put any valuables in the storage compartments of buses and coaches: keep them with you at all times.
There have also been reports of muggings, sometimes by armed groups, in popular walking/scenic areas such as Cerro San Cristobal, Cerro Santa Lucia and Cerro Manquehue. You are therefore advised to take great care with your belongings, keep in groups and not walk alone late at night. There have been increased reports of people being given ‘spiked’ drinks in nightclubs and bars, particularly in the Suecia and Bellavista areas of Santiago. These can have the effect of causing short-term amnesia, leaving the victim open to theft or worse.
You are advised to leave your passport, tourist card (given upon entry into Chile), most bank cards and larger amounts of money in a safe place and to carry a photocopy of the details page of your passport.
Health
There are good health facilities in Santiago and the major cities, but private clinics/hospitals are expensive. Air pollution in Santiago during winter (June-September) is a major problem. You may therefore suffer from eye irritation and respiratory problems.
Dengue Fever is endemic to Latin America and the Caribbean and can occur throughout the year. In 2007 there has been a marked increase in the number of reported cases of dengue across the region. There is no vaccine to prevent dengue fever, which has severe flu-like symptoms and can sometimes be fatal (Dengue Haemorrhagic Fever). To minimise exposure to mosquito bites and avoid being bitten you are advised to use mosquito repellent regularly and cover up with suitable clothing.
In Chile the only area reported to be currently affected is Easter Island (Isla de Pascua). No fatalities have been reported.
There are sporadic cases of cholera outside Santiago. Typhoid and hepatitis are fairly common, especially during the warm season, which lasts from December to March in Central Chile.
Injections required
Diptheria/Tetanus
Hepatitis A
Typhoid
Yellow fever
