Country Dossier for Chile The Facts ALL prices stated in this dossier are given as a guide only and are subject to change. Brief History Visas Arrival in Santiago Money Important: In South America you will have problems changing the US$100 CB B2 2001 series notes and it is better not to bring them. The serial number is located in the top left hand corner and bottom right hand corner on the side with the President’s face. This serial number starts with CB and then a few more numbers and then directly under that B2. At the bottom of the note near the signature of the Treasurer it says which series of notes it is and it is there that it says 2001 series. Local Currency We recommend that you bring cash/travellers cheques in US Dollars only. Visa, Mastercard, Diners and American Express are the best credit cards to bring however there can be problems at times getting money out from ATMs, so make sure you have sufficient cash for emergencies. Travellers cheques must be changed before 12pm except in “casas de cambio” (which do tend to offer better rates than banks anyway). Working Out Your Budget Entrance Fees Most of the churches and the cathedral in Santiago are free to enter, although some also have museums which have nominal entrance fees. Please bear in mind that most museums are closed on Mondays. The Palacio de la Real Audencia including the National History Museum costs approx US$1.70 and is well worth a visit. The Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombiano which has an exhibition of artefacts from all over Latin America and is highly recommended and costs approx US$3. One of the most interesting sites to visit in Santiago is the Cerro Santa Lucía (hill), the original fort built by the founder of the city – Diego de Almagro. The hill has good views of the city in a delightful setting. For an even better view of the city (and the Andes – on a clear day) then visit Cerro San Cristóbal across the River Mapocho. To get to the summit you can either travel by funicular railway or teleférico, both costing about US$2 each way. At the top is the enormous Statue of the Virgin plus parks, swimming pools, restaurants and wine tasting at the Enoteca (exhibition of Chilean wines). Optional Excursions Local Transport Approx fares (per taxi) from our hotel in Santiago to: Food & Drink All drinks such as water, soft or alcoholic drinks are at your own expense at all times. The following is a guideline for drinks bought in a shop in the street. Prices in restaurants and hotels can sometimes be more than double the prices specified below; 1 litre of water US$1.50 Geography & Weather Santiago, due to its position in the central region, has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. Spring, between September and November is mild, which contributes to the flourishing green colour of the plants and trees. Summer, between December and February, is dry and hot although at night it cools down slightly, and on the coast this temperature drop can be much more extreme. Autumn is between March and May, and temperatures decrease gradually. Daytime winter temperatures are reasonable but mornings can be very cold. Check the weather chart on our website or visit www.worldclimate.com to get an idea of what the weather will be like on your trip. Security Local Food & Drink Typical Meals Seafood is the basis for many of Chile’s favourite dishes and the “congrio” is their national fish. One of the most popular ways to serve it is “caldillo de congrio” (a soup with large pieces of the fish with onions and potato balls). Other delicious fish include “corvine” (bass), “albacore” (swordfish) and “cojinoa” (no translation). Try a “paila choncha” (a bouillabaisse type dish with heaps of flavour) or a “parillada de mariscos” a mixed seafood grill. There is a whole host of other seafood available including clams (almejas), mussels (choritos/cholgas), sea-urchin (erizo), barnacles (picorocos) and seaweed! Typical snacks are “empanadas de pino” (pasties with onions, raisins, olives meat and peppers) and “prieta”, a blood sausage (black pudding) stuffed with cabbage. In most of the larger cities and towns you will find an array of international cuisine. There are pizzerias on every corner and Chinese (chifas) food is very common. A cheap, filling 3 course lunch (normally called a “colación” or “el menu”) can often be had for about US$4.50. Vegetarians Tipping Shopping National Holidays Emergency Contact Tucan Travel Cuzco Please note that these numbers are a service for emergency calls only. We respectfully request that you consider the urgency of your enquiry. Non-urgent enquiries should be made during office hours. Please be considerate of time zones. Opening Hours: Mon-Fri 9am-5.30pm; Sat 9am-1 pm. Last Updated 20/03/09
The Araucanian Indians were the original inhabitants of Chile. The country was conquered by the Spanish in the 16th century, when Pedro de Valdivia founded Santiago in 1540. The Spanish were expecting the great wealth that they had found in Peru, but when they failed to find any silver or gold, they set up enforced labour camps in the north of the country as it was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru. The Mapuche Indians fiercely defended the south. Chile achieved independence in 1818.
Most nationals, including citizens of the EU, North American and Australasia do not need to acquire a visa in advance to enter Chile. However some nationalities must pay an entry fee on arrival by air (e.g. USA US$100, Canada US$55 and Australia US$34). Entry is granted on production of a passport valid for more than six months, a return air/bus ticket and proof of funds to support yourself for the duration of the stay. Most nationalities can enter for up to 90 days, although it's up to the immigration official to decide whether you're allocated 30, 60 or 90 days on arrival. Visa requirements do change periodically so you should check for the latest information on your specific visa requirements with your local Chilean Embassy or Consulate well in advance of your planned date of travel.
For specific information and directions regarding the joining hotel for your tour please refer to the joining letter which will be sent to you with your final tour vouchers.
Prices quoted in this country dossier are in United States Dollars (US$), unless otherwise specified.
The monetary unit in Chile is the Peso which is divided into 100 centavos. For up to date exchange rates with your own currency visit www.oanda.com or www.xe.com .
There is no restriction on the amount of foreign currency that you may bring into Chile, however very large sums should be declared on arrival. There is often a general lack of small change and we recommend maintaining a supply of small denomination notes and coins. When arriving at the Santiago International Airport we suggest that you get some Pesos at one of the little banks just inside the luggage hall or use one of the ATMs outside the terminal. Change enough money to see you through the first few days of your trip – particularly if it is a weekend.
Our Latin America pre departure information includes a general list of all the things you should take into consideration when budgeting and an estimate of what you should allow per day for spending money. Below are some specific notes relevant to our tours in Chile. You should note that Chile is currently the most expensive country in Hispanic South America, and has prices similar to that of many developed nations.
Generally speaking most entrance fees will be covered by the recommended spending money. There are, however, other sites and museums that are not part of the tour programme which you may wish to visit in your free time – particularly in Santiago. The average entrance fee is approx US$2, with the most expensive being no more than US$20. If you have an International Student Card you will often be entitled to reduced entrance fees.
Most excursions and entrance fees are NOT included in the local fund/payment and you can therefore choose as many or as few optional excursions as you like! A full list of the main excursions available on each tour can be found in our optional excursions guide. All prices given are approximate and are likely to change due to local inflation or exchange rates.
Much of Santiago can be visited on foot. There is a very good underground metro system which has 3 lines and is very cheap at US$0.40-0.60 per journey. You can also buy a 10 journey card for about US$4. The last trains are at around 10pm. There are local buses called micros, which are also cheap, but you should try to have the right change (ask at the hotel reception for prices). They also have “colectivos” (shared taxis on fixed routes). We recommend the use of taxis at night as they are fairly cheap and usually have meters - just make that the driver turns it on when you get in. Remember that you will pay more for taxis at night.
International Airport US$12
Providencia US$5
In other Chilean towns and cities walking is basically the best and cheapest way to see the sights.
All meals are included when camping and lunch is included on travelling days in the truck. When staying in hotels all meals are at your own expense. As a guideline a simple snack (e.g. a sandwich) can cost as little as US$1.50, a light meal will cost around US$5-8, and a meal in one of the better restaurants in Santiago will compare with developed countries in the west. Obviously this does depend on what you order and if you have wine or other drinks which will certainly increase the bill. In cheaper restaurants where Chileans and backpackers eat, you can get meals for as little as US$3 if you shop around.
30cl bottle of soft drink US$1
30cl bottle of beer US$1.50
50cl bottle of beer US$3
Chile is very long and narrow (it is no more than 180 km wide at any point) and the Andes Mountains are a dominant feature running down the entire length of the country. Because of its length, Chile encompasses a variety of climates (the country contains both arid deserts and icebergs). There's no one time that's perfect to visit every part of the country, but it seldom rains during October to March, humidity is low, midday temperatures reach about 32 C and the nights are cool. It is colder and rains a lot in Santiago and in the south in May to August. A sweater (and, in the south, a heavy jacket) should be taken no matter when you go, as nights can be cool-to-cold nearly everywhere.
Chile is one of the safest places in South America but you should still exercise caution as theft does sometimes happen. Be sensible (NOT paranoid) and you should be fine. Don’t walk around lonely back streets, especially on your own or at night, don’t wear expensive looking jewellery or a classy watch and don’t carry a wallet in your back pocket. Don’t carry your camera openly; always have it in a small day pack which is firmly attached to your body, preferably in the front in crowded places. Take particular care not to become too relaxed if you have had a few drinks and are returning to your hotel at night – it is best to always take a taxi. Always wear a money belt or leave your valuables, including your passport, in the hotel security box.
You should be wary of drinking the local tap water (especially outside of Santiago). Bottled water, carbonated soft drinks and fruit juices are widely available and much safer. However fruit juices are sometimes made from unboiled tap water, so could upset your stomach. An easy way around this is to order the juice “con leche” with milk instead. For decent coffee try one of the café chains: Café Haiti, Tio Pepe or Café Brasil.
In Chile some of the hotels we use have bars or serve alcoholic drinks. If there is not a bar in the hotel then there is sure to be one within walking distance. In more up-market hotels, imported beers and spirits are available, but tend to be expensive. Alternatively there is an array of local rums, gins, brandy available and the fabulous Chilean wines which can be extremely cheap (from US$1.50 a bottle). There are various brands of beers including Cristal, Escudo, Austral, Heineken and Royal Guard (light), there is also a brown ale type beer from the south called Malta. Please note that many places will charge a refundable deposit for the bottles.
In Chile the basic diet focuses around chicken, beef or seafood, mostly with french fries or rice (or both) and sometimes salad. Compared to countries further north, Chile’s cuisine is quite creative and tasty. “Cazuela de ave” is a stew of large chunks of chicken, potatoes, rice, onions with green peppers and “pastel de choclo” is a casserole of beef, onions and olives topped with a maize mash baked in an earthenware bowl. “Parillada”, a mixed grill of meats, offal and intestines served at your table in a charcoal brazier (miniature barbecue) is popular here as in all the southern countries. Other favourite dishes include “lomo ala pimiento” (pepper steak) and “humitas” (mashed corn mixed with spices and butter baked in a maize leaf).
If you are a strict vegetarian you may experience a distinct lack of variety in the food available, especially in small towns. However vegetarian alternatives are becoming more popular you will just have to search a little harder for the restaurants that cater to your tastes. Our tour leaders will do their best to provide interesting vegetarian alternatives when arranging group meals in the campsite, but your patience and understanding is requested.
In some Chilean restaurants a 10% service charge might be included on the bill. Check the bill to make sure and, unless you get exceptional service, it is not necessary to give a further tip. Please note there is also an 18% government tax added onto all food bills (if it’s not included, it will probably say so on the menu). You should take both these charges into account when reading the menu, as up to 28% will almost certainly be added onto the bill at the end. You do not need to tip taxi drivers, etc but you should tip people who assist you with your luggage at hotels (don’t over-tip, a dollar or so is enough). Tipping guides at the end of excursions and treks etc is always appreciated and your tour leader will advise you on the amount for this.
Shop for blankets, lapis lazuli (the best stones are in Antofagasta), choapinos (wool rugs), earthenware pottery, shell necklaces, cashmere sweaters, shoes, linen, bronzes, purses, sterling silver jewellery, embroidered handkerchiefs, Chilean wines (of course), Talagante ceramics and copper products. Larger stores in cities have fixed prices, but bargaining is the norm at shops and markets in smaller villages. Good bargains in woven goods (made from llama and alpaca wool) can be purchased from women in villages and small towns.
Jan 1 - New Year’s Day
Mar / Apr - Semana Santa Easter Variable
May 1 - Labor Day/May Day
May 21 - Navy Day
June 7th - Corpus Christi
Sept 18th - Independence Day
Sept 19th - Army Day
Nov 1st - All Saint's Day
Dec 8th - Immaculate Conception
Dec 25th - Christmas Day
Dec 31st - New Year’s Eve
In the case of an emergency before you meet your tour leader, please contact our local office in South America:
Avenida El Sol 616,
Office 202,
Cuzco
(Opposite the Qoricancha in the Maximo Nivel building)
AP0637, Cuzco, Peru
Tel: (+51) 084 241123
Fax: (+51) 084 248691
sacrew@tucantravel.com
Keiko Fernandez (+51) 84 984 65 3726
or (+51) 84 984 74 88 05
or Zac Lanham (+51) 84 984 76 21 64
This office is not a sales office- it is for operations only.
desert horizons BPS