Please consult your home
consulate before to visit us!
Visas: To enter Chile, all passangers have to show their identification documents (identity card or passport) and the stamped visa (depending on country of origin).
Citizens of South America, the European Union, the United States, Canada and Australia do not require a visa.
Although, some passangers have to pay a reciprocity tax (in chash) when they arrive to the airport in Chile.
- United States US$ 131
- Canada US$ 132
- Australia US$ 61
- Mexico US$ 23
- Albania US$ 30
Citizens of the European Union and New Zealand are not required to pay a fee.
Upon entering the country, visitors receive a 90-day tourist visa that can be extended for another 90 days.
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Time
: Time: Chilean standard time corresponds to the time zone UTC-04:00
(Universal Time Coordinate, formerly Greenwich Mean Time).
The daylight saving time (DST) runs one hour forward (UTC-03:00) between
the second Saturday of October (changes at 12 PM) and the second Saturday
of March.
That is, during daylight time (October to March) Chile runs 2 hours
later than US Eastern Time (New York, Miami, Washington DC), and during
standard time Chile has the same time as US Eastern DST.
Easter Island is in the UTC-06:00 time zone, and during summer it
is in the UTC-05:00 time zone.
For more information on time zones visit http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/city.html?n=232 |
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Consult your doctor two months
before your departure |
Health
: No vaccinations are required to enter Chile. But
traveling to Chile could put you at risk of exposure to diseases.
You should contact your doctor 2 months before you leave in order
to check the immunization recommended corresponding to your country.
Recommendations to stay healthy :
- If you visit the Andes
Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust
to the high altitude, which can cause insomnia, headaches,
nausea, and altitude sickness.
- Drink only bottled or boiled water.
Avoid tap water, fountain drinks, and ice cubes.
- Eat only thoroughly cooked food and
pealed fruits and vegetables · What
do you need to bring with you : insect repellent, anti-diarrheal
medicine, iodine tablets and water filters to purify water if
bottled water is not available, sunblock, sunglasses and a hat.
Remember that the sun is much stronger at high altitudes, moreover
if you travel down south to Punta Arenas, think that there is
no more Ozone to protect you from the ultraviolet radiation.
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Money
:
Currency : the currency is the Chilean peso (Ch$).
1 US$ = 462 pesos and 1 Euro = 662 pesos (July 2011).
Money exchange : foreign exchange transactions can
be conducted through commercial banks, cambios, or authorized shops,
restaurants, hotels and clubs. Visitors should not be tempted by
the premiums of 10-15 per cent over the official rate offered by
black marketers. Casas de Cambios are open daily 09.00-19.00.
Credit cards : Diners Club, Visa, American Express,
Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Check with your credit or debit
card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services
which may be available.
Travelers' checks : "Casas de cambios"
tend to offer better rates than banks. There may be some difficulty
exchanging travelers' checks outside major towns. To avoid additional
exchange rate charges, travelers' are advised to take travelers
checks in US Dollars. Banking hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-14.00 and Casas
de cambios hours: Mon-Fri 09.00-18.00 y Sat 09.00-14.00 |
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Newspapers : El
Mercurio, La
Tercera
Radios : Radio
Horizonte, Mundo
Infinita
Television : Television
Nacional de Chile, Canal
13 |
Communications:
Telephone: Country code: 56. Telefónica de
Chile provides most services though there are a few independent
companies. Cheap rate is applicable Mon-Fri 8.00 p.m. to 9.00 a.m.,
Saturday morning until 9 a.m. and from 2 p.m., and all day Sunday
and public holidays.
Internet : Internet is widely developed throughout
the country. You may have access to the net via cybercafes in most
towns.Post: Post office hours in Santiago: Mon-Fri 9.00 a.m. to
6.00 p.m. and Sat 9.00 a.m. to 12.30 p.m.
Press : daily newspapers in Spanish include El Mercurio,
La Nación, Las Ultimas Noticias, La Tercera, etc. Business
newspapers: El
Diario, La
Estrategia. Other in English: Chile
Information Project, CHIP . Other in Germany: Cóndor. |
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Shopping
:
Shopping hours in Santiago Mon-Fri from 11.00 a.m. to 8.30 p.m y
Sap from 11.00 a.m. to 2.00 p.m. The malls are opened every day
from 11.00 a.m. to 9.00 pm.
You will find a wide range of workshops ("ferias artesanales")
in Santiago but also in La Serena, Chillan, Temuco, Puerto Montt
y Castro... telares, cerámica, trabajos en cuero y lana,
tales como ponchos y alfombras.
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Transports :
From the Santiago airport, you may choose either
:
- Regular buses : there are two companies offering
regular buses : CENTROPUERTO drives you to the Metro Station Los
Heroes for $1,000 pesos and TURBUS will reach the Bus terminal
which is connected with the station of Metro U. de Santiago for
$1,200 pesos.
- Minivan transfer service : If you have many luggage
and want an inexpensive way to reach at Santiago, Minivan transfer
can be the alternative way. It takes longer than a taxi because
they drop down tourists at different places but they will charge
you around $3,500 Chilean pesos for the city center.
- Taxis : It costs about $15,000-$20,000 Chilean
pesos depending on the place to where you want to go. There is
an airport taxi counter in the arrival terminal.
In Santiago, there is a wide choice of collective
transport, through the numerous companies of "micros"
(buses) and the metro red. There are thousands of micro companies
competing in Santiago and no red map available. So unless you know
someone who can help you the first time you get there, it may be
easier to start using the metro ) or a taxi.
For national trips, you may fly with Lanchile, the
national airline. If you have more time, the economic alternative
is to travel by bus. Moreover, the bus companies offering a very
good level of service throughout the country. |
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Chilean airline : LanChile
Some national bus companies : Turbus,
Pullman, TasChoapa,
etc. |
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The public
holidays are on the following dates:
January 1st New Year
March/April (variable) Good Friday
May 1 Labor Day
May 21 Glory of the Navy
June (variable) Corpus Christi
June 29 Saint Peter and Saint Paul
August 15 Ascension of the Virgin Mary
1st Monday in September Day of the National Reconciliation
September 18 Independence Day
September 19 Glories of the Army
October 12 Discovery of America
November 1 All Hallows
December 8 Immaculate Conception
December 25 Christmas Day
In general, shopping centers, restaurants and cafes, entertainment
and public transportation keep working on holidays, except for May
the1st where only some services will be open. |