Travel Details

Travel Costs

Around US$200 per person per day for independent travelers; with a travel operator, costs can be reduced to about US$ 150 per person.

Time Differences

From the second Saturday in October until the second Saturday in march, 4 hours earlier than Central Europe, and the same time as Argentina and Miami. During the rest of the year, 6 hours earlier than Central Europe, 1 hour earlier than Argentina and Miami.

Entering the Country

Some 20 airlines fly into Santiago from South America, North America, and Europe. By land, the principal points of entry are the following:

• Arequipa/Tacna (Peru): Arica (road)
• La Paz (Bolivia): Arica (road, railway)
• La Paz/Oruro (Bolivia): Calama/Antofagasta (train & bus)
• Mendoza (Argentina): Los Andes/Santiago (road)
• Bariloche (Argentina): Osorno (road)
• Bariloche/lake Nahuel Huapi (Argentina): Lake Todos los Santos/Puerto
• Montt (ship & bus)
• El Calafate (Argentina): Puerto Natales (road)
• Rio Gallegos (Argentina): Punta Arenas (road)

Health

As Chile presents no special health risks, vaccinations are not necessary, though as always you are recommended to have current vaccinations against typhoid, hepatitis, and tetanus. Cholera immunization is necessary only if you plan on continuing on to Bolivia or Peru. Take normal precautions with drinking water, raw vegetables and shellfish. Regarding altitude sickness (soroche or puna) -generally only a problem in the northern altiplano- the best prevention is gradual acclimatization, light meals, lots of liquids and, if necessary, one of the several medications commonly available over the counter. Medical attention in private hospitals (such as Clinica Alemana or Clinica Las Condes, in Santiago) is up to international standards, and generally payable by foreign health insurance companies. Medications of all varieties are available. Most doctors speak English; some may also speak German.

Safety

Chile is a remarkable safe country for travelers, much more than most other South American countries. Only in big cities is it necessary to take precautions against pickpockets, above all in the metro (subway), city buses, and the busiest streets; do not display objects of value or carry large sums of money, and keep an eye on purses and luggage. Do not change money in the street.

Technical Parameters

• Electricity: 220 V, 50 Hz (as in Europe).
• Video Format: VHS, NTSC standard (the same as in the US).

Tourist Information

In all major cities you will find a Sernatur office (Servicio Nacional de Turismo, National Tourism Board; see addresses below). Excellent tourist information and maps are available in the Turistel series, revised annually and available in kiosks, bookstores and CTC offices. A monthly guide to Santiago, What's On, is available in hotels.

Sernatur Offices in Santiago:

• Head Office: Providencia 1550 (Manuel Montt subway station), Mon-Fri 9am-6pm, Saturday 9.30am-1.30pm.
• Santiago International Airport: 'D' (2) 601 9320.

Sernatur offices in the North:

• Arica: A. Prat 375, piso 2
  Tel 58 -232 10, Fax 58 -254 606
• Iquique: Serrano 144, Of, 303, Edif. Enconorte
  Tel 57 -427686, Fax 57 -411523
• Antofagasta: Maipù 240
  Tel 55 -264 016, Fax 55 -264 044
• Copiapó: Los Carrera 691
  Tel 52 -212 838, Fax 52 -217 248

Sernatur offices in the Central Region:

• Valparaiso: Av. Valparaiso 507, of. 305,
  Tel 32 -882 285, Fax 32 -684 117
• Easter Island: Tu'u Maheke s/n esq. Apina,
  Tel/Fax 32-100225
• Rancagua: German Riesco 277, of. 11 y 12,
  Tel 72- 230413, Fax 72- 232297
• Talca: 1 Poniente 1281
  Tel 71 -233669, Fax 71 -226940
• Concepción: Bernardo O'Higgins 650, of. 603,
  Tel 41 -244 999, Fax 41 -229201;
  Anfbal Pinto 460,
  Tel 41-227976
• Chillán: 18 de Septiembre 455,
  Tel/Fax 42 -223 272

Sernatur offices in the South:

• Temuco: Bulnes 586
  Tel: 45- 211 969, Fax 45- 215509
• Puerto Montt: Av. Decima Region 480, p. 2,
  Tel 65 -259615, Fax 65- 254580
• Valdivia: Av. A. Prat 555
  Tel: 63 -215 739, Fax 63 -213596
• Osorno: Edificio Gobernacion
  Tel/Fax 64 -622665, Tel 64 -237 575
• Ancud: Ubertad 665
  Tel/Fax 65 -622665, Tel 65- 622 800

Sernatur offices in the Deep South:

• Coihaique: Bulnes 35
  Tel 67 -231 1752, Fax 67 -233 949
• Punta Arenas: Waldo Seguel 689,
  Tel 61 -225385, Fax 61 -241 330
• Puerto Natales: Pedro Montt 18
  Tel/Fax 61 -412125

Important Addresses

• Tourist Card Renewal: Extranjerra, Moneda 1342, Tel 672 53 20, Monday through Friday, 8.30am-3.30pm, or at Gobernacion Provincial offices in the provinces
• Loss of Tourist Card: Policia Internacional, Departamento Fronteras, General Borgono 1052, 'D' 7371292, Monday through Friday 8.30am-12.30pm, 3pm-6pm, or report it at any police station
• Loss of Credit Card: Visa/MasterCard, 'D' 698 24 65; Diner's, 'D' 232 0000; American Express, 'D' 672 21 56.

Important Telephone Numbers

• Ambulance 131
• Police 133
• Fire 132
• Telephone information 103

For further information about Traveling to Chile, please see our Links Page.