Chile Travel Guide - Travel Insights and Tips

Chile’s capital city, Santiago, is now a bustling town filled with upscale restaurants and hotels. With so many museums and theaters, it serves as the cultural and political center of the country. Santiago is also the only city in the world where it is possible to ski in the majestic Andes mountains and enjoy a relaxing time in the Pacific Ocean on the same day.

Chile is a long, narrow nation extending along South America's western frontier with a land area of 756,950 km² and over 6,000 km of the Pacific Ocean coastline. Chile’s reliable and inexpensive bus (Micros) and train systems and internal flights make exploring this large nation easy and comfortable.

+56 is the country code for Chile when making a call from another country. Follow the country code with an area code, such as 32 for Valparaiso.

The official currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso (international code: CLP; symbol: $). Luxury hotels might accept American dollars, but you have to use local currency for everything else. Although they are widely available, ATMs and currency exchange booths frequently have exorbitant fees. Mastercard, Visa, and American Express cards are accepted almost everywhere.

Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport, is Chile's primary international airport and serves both domestic and foreign travelers. It is situated in Pudahuel, 10 kilometers from Santiago. Code: SCL Closest City: Santiago

Visas are not required for most nationalities visiting Chile for vacation. But it is always a good idea to check the country’s visa policy. If you require a visa, apply in advance at the Chilean diplomatic mission in your country. We advise researching the travel advisories for your country before making travel arrangements to Chile.

The official language of Chile is Spanish with a unique Chilean accent. Chile, however, has 15 different dialects that could be classified as separate languages. English is widely used around here. A few key local phrases and words from the language can be quite helpful. Start with the standard local salutation, "Abrazo", and learn a few other words like Wéon (for “hi”) and Hola (for “hello”).

The phone numbers to contact in case of emergency are 133, 131, and 132 for the police, an ambulance, and the firefighters, respectively. You can also dial 911, which is the general emergency line.

Adding "-ito/a" to the end of a phrase or name is a very popular way to express affection in Chile. For instance, you might refer to your son Juan as Juanito.