Geographically speaking Chile is unlike any other country, it is a long sliver of land spanning 4000 km and no more than 180 km wide, limited by the natural border of the Andes Mountain Range acting as a great icy barrier to the East and the Pacific Ocean to the West.

These characteristics have placed Chile as being the most distinctive country from any other in South America.
Certainly, it is westernized, politically stable with an orderly government and the safest and most relaxing country to travel in, whilst its capital, Santiago, is one of the easiest and least intimidating cities to arrive in.

People are warm and hospitable, and the police are not corrupt, polite and helpful. Recognized as a trade pioneer in Latin America, Chile has increasingly assumed regional and international leadership roles befitting its status as a stable, democratic nation.

Due to the huge distance the country covers, Chile has a great variety of landscapes, from the immense deserts of the Altiplano in the North, to the giant ice fields and glaciers of Patagonia in the south. Chile's population of 17 million is predominantly concentrated in the Santiago and Viña del Mar regions, making it hardly noticeable throughout many parts of the country.

This explains the country's many vast and untouched wilderness regions. While many of these regions have become a paradise for outdoor activities and adventure tourism, there is still a large number of these areas where it is possible to be the only person for miles around and where you can truly find solitude and tranquility.

• Language

  Spanish
  

• Electricity

  220 Volts

• Currency

  Visite página web http://www.xe.com/es/currencyconverter/

• Taxes

  VAT
  Locally known as IVA: 19%. Visitors paying for accommodation in US$, will have IVA automatically discounted.
  

• Santiago's Airport

  For more information about arrivals and departures visit the website of Santiago's Airport. http://www.nuevopudahuel.cl/

  Transfer from and to Santiago's Airport:
  

  Transfer

  Bus

  Minibus

  Taxi

  
  
  

• • public Transport in Santiago

    http://www.transantiago.cl/
    

    Metro		Buses
    Mapa	Tarifas	Planea tu viaje

    
    
    

  • TAXIS

    The taxis are black cars with yellow roofs. Before taking one, make sure you can see the price indications and the taximeter. The prices can vary from one company to the other.

  • COLECTIVOS

    The colectivos are another transport option in Santiago. They are cheaper than taxis and bring you all around the city. To know where they are going, look at the sign located on the roof of the car. Usually you can jump in at a subway station or at the mains attractions of the city. Once you are in, you will have to wait till other passengers arrive for the colectivo to start the journey.
    

  • VISAS

    Arrival in the country:
    Visas required for: New Zealand, Haiti, India, Lebanon, Egypt, Philippins, Russia. On arrival, visitors receive a 90 day visa.
    Inform yourself about the visa requirements or reciprocity fees for entering Chile. www.thisischile.cl/visa-y-entrada-a-chile/

    For all other information, please visit the website of the Chilean Embassy of your country.
    
    

  • Health

    Before travelling to Chile you should make sure your standards protections against typhoid, poliomyelitis, hepatitis and tetanus are updated. Further, you should verify with your doctor if you need any specific treatments prior to departure, since it can vary according to your country of origin.

    Once in Chile, be aware of your consumption of raw fish and seafood, raw eggs, food offered in the streets and raw vegetables. Moreover, you should always wash and peel all fruits and vegetables before eating them. About the water in Chile, the whole country has drinking water; nevertheless it’s recommendable to drink bottled water.

    Further, if you plan on going trekking or doing any activities at altitudes of more than 2500 meters above sea level, make sure you know about the altitude sickness and how to prevent it.

    Emergency numbers:
    

    SERVICE	NUMBER
    Ambulance	131
    Andean Rescue Service	136
    Firefighters	132
    Police (Carabineros)	133
    Police Information	139

    
    

  • Weather

    Chile is a really long country from north to south; therefore the weather is different and you need to take that into account while planning your trip. Northern Chile can be visited all year around, however summer days sizzle and nights (all year long) are freezing cold at higher altitudes. If you are planning on visiting the Easter Island and the Juan Fernandez Archipelago, March is your best bet for good weather and to avoid the crowds. Central Chile is best to visit between September to December and from late February to April. However, if you are a skier, don't hesitate to come in July and August to visit the country's resorts. Southern Chile is best to visit from December to March where the weather allows visitors to enter some places that are impenetrable in winter time.

    Visit AccuWeather website for the detailed weather of the day.
    

  • Local Holidays

    DATE	EVENT
    January 1st	New Year's Day
    March/April	Easter and Holy week
    May 1st	Labor Day or Day of the Worker
    May 21	Navy Day
    June 22	Corpus Christi
    June 29	Saint Peter and Saint Paul
    August 15	Assumption of Mary
    1rst Monday of September	National Reconciliation Day
    September 18	Independence Day
    September 19	Armed Forces Day
    October 12	Columbus Day
    November 1st	All Saints Day
    December 8	Immaculate Conception
    December 25	Christmas Day