Do I need any special vaccinations for Chile?
In general, no special vaccinations are required for entry into Chile. A yellow fever vaccination is only required for trips to Easter Island, when entering from certain tropical countries.
It is recommended that you should have all common standard vaccinations such as tetanus, diphtheria and hepatitis A + B. We recommend that you get in touch with your family doctor before you go abroad. You can find medical information and recommendations on vaccinations for Chile on the homepage of the CRM Center for Travel Medicine.
What is Chilean health care like?
In an emergency you will find private clinics with high quality medical standards in all major cities. Many doctors also speak English. Pharmacies (farmacias) are often open until late at night or indicate the nearest emergency center if necessary. All commercially available medicines are available in Chile. We do recommend that you take out health insurance abroad, as good medical treatment can cause very high costs.
What insurance should I select?
In any case, you need to take out travel health insurance. Liability insurance with international coverage and travel cancellation insurance are also strongly recommended. If you work in particularly dangerous areas, you should also take out travel accident insurance. In general, you can choose from the following insurance policies with most insurers:
- Travel cancelation insurance
- International healthcare insurance
- Liability insurance (world wide protection)
- International travel accident insurance
- Return trip insurance
- Luggage insurance
Always purchase international travel insurance before you leave. We are happy to recommend our international insurance partner, who will offer you optimal assistance during your trip with a personal login and multilingual 24-hour emergency service.
Is Chile safe?
Chile is clearly one of the safest countries in Latin America. The big cities are just as safe as large European cities. You can move around freely and carefree anywhere, as foreigners are generally treated in a friendly manner in Chile. In big cities like Santiago, however, as in other metropolises, you should always be aware of your surroundings, because there is chance for theft. In particular, passports, driver’s licenses, plane tickets and money or credit cards should be locked in the hotel or worn securely on the body. In addition, visiting poorer residential areas without local guidance should be avoided.
Do I have to be fearful as a women alone?
No, Chilean machismo is relatively harmless. Women traveling alone therefore have little to fear apart from the occasional “compliments”.
What is the climate in Chile?
Chile’s climate varies by region. It is hot and dry in the north, but in the south it is cool and the weather often varies even in summer. The central regions have a pleasant, almost Mediterranean climate with long, dry summers and a rainy season (May to August). The seasons in Chile are opposite from Europe (i.e. summer when it is winter in Europe). The most beautiful travel time for central and southern Chile is October to April, but in the north it is all year round.
What clothing do I need in Chile?
In the Andes and Patagonia, warm, weatherproof clothing is useful. At the beach, light, casual and colorful clothes. Nudism or toplessness at the beach is not common. When in doubt, a T-shirt and pants are sufficient for almost all occasions, as well as athletic shoes. However, in restaurants, public buildings and in everyday working life, Chileans place great value on wearing the right clothing. In most offices, jackets and shirts are compulsory for men. Women should avoid clothing that is too revealing.
How can you pay in Chile?
The local currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos, bills of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000 and 20 000 pesos. You can find the current exchange rate here. A cup of coffee costs the equivalent of around 1.50 euros, a beer 3 euros and lunch starting at 6 euros.
Banks are usually open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can exchange cash cheaper at one of the exchange offices (casa de cambio). In the provinces the rates are worse, as is the case with travelers checks (preferably in USD). You can withdraw cash with your EC or credit card at ATMs with the Redbanc logo (approx. 300 euros per day in pesos). Larger hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard), but bring enough cash with you if you travel to remote areas.
If you don’t have a credit card yet, we can recommend the free DKB bank account including free VISA credit card. With this credit card you can also withdraw money free of charge at all major ATMs worldwide.
Is tip expected in Chile?
Around 10 percent tips are expected in restaurants. Usually, at least part of the change is left behind. Bell hops, shoe cleaners (with fixed tariffs), chambermaids and other service jobs expect a few bills or coins because they rely on them.
From arrival to customs
In the following you will find information on the following topics:
Arrival | Information | Car | Buses and trains | Camping | Diplomatic missions | Entry | Women alone | Money | Health | Domestic flights | Internet cafes | Clothes | Climate and travel time | Rental car | Emergency call | Post | Electricity | Taxi | Telephone and cell phone | Tip | Time | Customs
Arrival
For the long flight (at least 16 hours) you can select from Frankfurt Lufthansa (change in Buenos Aires or São Paulo), Aerolíneas Argentinas (Buenos Aires), Air France (Paris), Iberia (Madrid) and of course LAN (direct flight via Madrid) ) which is the Chilean airline LATAM Airlines. If you are flying from Zurich, you can take Swiss Airlines directly to Santiago (stop in São Paulo). If you come from Vienna, you have to have a layover in Frankfurt/M. An inexpensive but tedious variant is the detour via an airport in the USA. US airlines such as American Airlines, Delta and United fly to Santiago de Chile daily.
The minimum price for a flight from Central Europe to Chile is around 700 euros. Cheap special tickets can usually only be rebooked for high fees.
Car
If you want to rent a car, here are a few tips. But still the cheapest means of transport in Chile is the bus. You can comfortably reach the furthest village of Chile by bus. The maximum speed is 60 km/h in urban areas, 100 km/h on country roads and 120 km/h on some highways. Driving is not dangerous if you follow certain rules:
1. If possible, drive with another person who you can share the driving responsibility with
2. Always fill up with fuel and in remote regions at every opportunity. The distances between the gas stations can often be 100 km or more.
3. Inquire with the Carabineros about the condition of slopes in remote areas.
4. Drive carefully on gravel roads and slowly encounter other vehicles (falling rocks!).
5. Avoid driving at night.
6. Do not leave any valuables or luggage in the car.
7. Get good maps (Copec petrol station chain or the tourist guide Turistel have them).
Buses and trains
Chile has an excellent bus network right down where you can even reach the furthest village. Modern, air-conditioned buses with toilets run on the long routes. In general, there are 3 different classes: salón cama, semi cama and clase turista. The salón cama or semi cama classes are recommended for long journeys. The prices are comparatively low.
Alameda bus terminal in Santiago (Metro: Universidad de Santiago):
Tel: +56 2.270 75 00
Santiago Bus Station (next to it):
Tel: +56 2.376 17 55
Trains only run between Santiago and Chillán (with dining car).
Information in Santiago:
Tel: +56 2,376 85 0
www.efe.cl
Camping
Campsites are well equipt, especially in tourist areas and national parks. In some protected areas “wild camping” is permitted with restrictions. The Chilean travel guide Turistel publishes a supplement with a list of campsites every year.
Diplomatic missions
Chilean embassies
Mohrenstrasse 42
D-10117 Berlin
Tel: +49 (0) 30.726 203-901
Fax: +49 (0) 30.204 4312
berlin@consulado.gob.cl
www.echile.de
Lugeck 1
A-1010 Vienna
Tel: +43 (0) 1.512 23 53
Fax: +43 (0) 1. 512 92 08 33
https://www.botschaft-konsulat.com/at/Osterreich/13402/Chile-in-Wien
Eigerplatz 5
CH-3007 Bern
Tel: +41 (0) 31.370 00 58
Fax: +41 (0) 31.372 00 25
German Embassy
Las Hualtatas 5677
Vitacura, Santiago
Tel: +56 2,463 25 00
Fax: +56 2,463 25 25
www.santiago.diplo.de
Austrian Embassy
Barros Errázuriz 1968
Providencia, Santiago
Tel: +56 2.2223 4774
Fax: +56 2.2204 93 82
https://www.bmeia.gv.at/oeb-santiago-de-chile
Swiss Embassy
Av. Vespucio Sur 100, piso 14
Las Condes, Santiago
Tel: +56 2.236 42 11
Fax: +56 2.236 40 94
https://www.eda.admin.ch/countries/chile/de/home/vertretungen/botschaft
Entry
Travelers from Germany, Austria and Switzerland receive a three-month, possibly renewable, tourist visa at the border. The carbon copy of the form must be kept until departure. If you lose it, get a replacement (Policía Internacional in Santiago, General Borgoño 1052 or any other police station).
Solo Women
Chilean machismo is relatively harmless, so women traveling alone have little to fear apart from the occasional “compliments”. Avoid revealing clothing. Bra is compulsory, nudist or topless is not common on the beach.
Currency
The local currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). There are coins of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos, banknotes of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10 000 and 20 000 pesos. You can find the current exchange rate here. A cup of coffee costs the equivalent of around 1.50 euros, a beer 3 euros, and lunch from 6 euros.
Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. You can exchange cash cheaper at one of the exchange offices (casa de cambio) in Santiago. In the provinces, the rates are worse, as is the case with travelers checks (preferably in USD). You can withdraw cash with your EC or credit card at ATMs with the Redbanc logo (approx. 300 euros per day in pesos). Larger hotels, restaurants and shops accept credit cards (Visa, Mastercard). Bring enough cash with you to travel to remote areas.
Health
In an emergency you will find private clinics with first-class medical standards in all major cities. Many doctors speak English. Pharmacies (farmacias) are often open late into the night or indicate the nearest emergency service. All commercially available medicines are available in Chile. Special vaccinations are not necessary.
Anyone who eats ice cream, salads, fruit juices, fried fruits or unpeeled fruits in dingy markets need not be surprised by the following “Chilenitis”. Be careful with raw fish and seafood as well.
Domestic Flights
Given the great distances involved, flying is often the only way to get to destinations in the north or south. LATAM (LAN and TAM) dominates the market; the only nationwide operating competitor is Sky Airline. A cheap flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas, 2000 km south, costs around 120 euros there and back.
LATAM
https://www.latam.com/en_ue/
Sky Airline
www.skyairline.com
Internet cafés
In the centers of the larger cities you can check your e-mails on every corner. Shopping centers, airports and coffee shops are increasingly offering wireless Internet access.
A tip in Santiago: Café Melba (Don Carlos 2898, Las Condes), which also serves the best breakfast in town.
Clothing
In the Andes and Patagonia, warm, weatherproof clothing is useful. At the beach, light, casual and colorful clothes. When in doubt, a T-shirt and pants are sufficient for almost all occasions, as well as athletic shoes. However, especially in restaurants, public buildings and in everyday working life shorts are taboo, as are sandals. Chileans place great value on wearing the right clothing. In most offices, jackets and shirts are compulsory for men. Women should avoid clothing that is too revealing.
Climate and travel time
It is hot and dry in the north, but in the extreme south it is very cool and changeable even in summer. The central regions have a pleasant, almost Mediterranean climate with long, dry summers and a rainy season (May to August). The seasons in Chile are opposite from Europe (i.e. summer when it is winter in Europe). The most beautiful travel time for central and southern Chile is October to April, but in the north it is all year round.
Rental cars
As a rule, a driver’s license from your home country is sufficient, but an international credit card is essential. The prices with local providers range from 60 USD per day for a small car to 120 USD per day for an all-terrain pickup with a double cab. International car companies mostly charge a higher price. When setting up the rental contract, you should ensure unlimited mileage and a breakdown service as well as include fully comprehensive insurance. The condition of the rental cars often are not as expected: When you receive your rental car, make sure that you have a jack, spare tires, etc.
Emergency
Emergency number Police (carabineros): 133
Ambulance: 131
Post Office and Mailing things
A standard letter to Europe costs around 60 cents and takes 5-8 days. Mailboxes around the city are uncommon, but there are post office (correos) branches everywhere.
Electricity
The voltage in Chile is 220 volts, 50 Hertz alternating current. The sockets are not suitable for Schuko (european) plugs. It is necessary to purchase an adapter.
Taxi
Do not leave without negotiating a flat rate or without the taximeter being switched on. Driving a taxi is a cheap option, but often tedious, as the drivers rarely know their way around. If possible, let a radio taxi (radiotaxi) be called for you: These companies offer more security, more modern vehicles and moderate fixed prices.
Telephone and mobile phone
Chile (area code 0056) has a modern telephone network with several providers. Inquire about an inexpensive carrier and dial-in numbers for international calls. Prices often change, usually the hotels or public switchboards (centros de llamadas) have a contract with a company anyway. If you make a lot of phone calls, a prepaid phone card (available at kiosks) is well advised. A cheaper option is to make calls via Internet of course.
Cell phones are widespread, but digital networks are not strong in remote regions. Most German cellular network operators offer roaming for Chile, but you need a tri-band device. Inquire beforehand about the high rates. An additional option is exchanging the SIM card of your mobile phone for a Chilean prepaid chip and as inexpensive as buying a prepaid mobile phone with call credit. Chilean cell phone numbers begin with a 7, 8 or 9, when dialing from a landline, 09 is pre-dialed.
Tipping
Around 10 percent tips are expected in restaurants. Usually, at least part of the change is left behind. Bell hops, shoe cleaners (with fixed tariffs), chambermaids and other service jobs expect a few bills or coins because they rely on them.
Time
During the Chilean summer time (October – March) Chile is 4 hours behind the CET (eg Germany), in the rest of the year it is 6 hours behind.
Customs
500 cigarettes, 2.5 liters of wine or 1 liter of hard liquor per person can be imported duty-free. Meat, dairy products, flowers, fruit and vegetables are forbidden – weapons and drugs too.
The following may be imported into EU countries on the return journey: Gifts worth up to 430 euros, 200 cigarettes, 500g coffee, 50g perfume, 2l wine and 1l spirits. It is strictly forbidden to import souvenirs made from protected animals or plants.
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