Chile

Chile – General Info

 

Chile is beautiful and contains very diverse landscape. The north has the driest desert in the world, while the south is all about lakes and glaciers. Climbing on snowy volcanoes, trekking in the famous national park of Torres del Paine, watching geysers and salt flats – it's all possible in Chile.

 

Capital: Santiago

 

Borders: Peru and Bolivia in the north, Argentina in the east, and the Pacific Ocean in the south and west.

 

Land: 765,950 square kilometers.

 

Population: Approximately 16.5 million.

 

Currency: Chilean Peso (CLP). In August 2008 approximately 585 Chilean pesos were worth 1 USD. Most tourist sites accept US Dollars also.

 

Language: Spanish. Chilean Spanish is spoken very quickly and they use many distinct slang words. For example, it is common to hear "Sipo" and "Nopo" instead of "Si" and "No". In cities and touristy areas you will find people who speak English too, and in the south many people speak German.

 

Weather: Summer is December to February and is probably the best time to travel (especially if you want to hike), Winter is June to September. It gets pretty cold, and it snows in the mountains.

 

Transportation to the country: SCL Aeropuerto de Santiago de Chile is the main international airport. LAN Chile is the main airline.

 

 

Useful Information:

•  Visa – To travel to Chile a valid passport is required, but no visa. You can stay in the country for 90 days. If you wish to stay for more, simply cross the border and then reenter the country and get a new visa.
  
• Health - No special vaccinations are required before visiting Chile, but in some areas of the country vaccinations are recommended. Please consult your physician while planning the trip. It is strongly recommended to get travel insurance. Bring mosquito repellent if you're travelling in the summer. As travelers we are more inclined than the locals to get sick because of a change in diet, usually some case of upset stomach. It is quite common and usually passes through quickly, so don't worry about it. Tap water should be fine and so should street food.
   
• Money and costs
  A night at a hostel                           7-15 USD
  A meal                                             3-5   USD
  An hour of internet                          2-3   USD
  A large bottle of local beer            2-3 USD
  Bottled water                                   0.4-0.8 USD
  Bus from Santiago to Pucon         Around 40 USD
   
• Country Dialing Code – (+56)
   
• Electrical Plugs – European standard (220V 50 Hz). If travelling from countries with US standard – bring convertor.
   
• Time Zone – GMT -4.

   

Where to go?

•  Santiago – The capital and largest city. Culture, parks, art and nightlife come together in this modern city, and it is also just a short ride away from vineyards, beaches and the Andes.
  
• The North – If you like desert sceneries the north of Chile has plenty to offer to you. Including some fascinating natural phenomena of geysers and natural valies.
   
• The Lake District – If you are more of a Swiss Alps fan, you should definitely not miss the lake district, with its lakes and snowy mountaintops. The people here even speak German!
   
• Patagonia - Full of glaciers and adventures, Patagonia takes out the entire southern part of Argentina and Chile. No, you don't want to miss it.

 

Tips:

• Chile is full of HI (Hostelling International) hostels. They are known for keeping high standards of quality and usually being a great place to meet backpackers from all over the world to travel and party with. They are also usually 2-3 USD more expensive than other hostels. However, you can get a membership card at your local HI that gives you a 2-3 USD discount per night… (the price of the membership varies from country to country but is not very expensive and is worth it if you plan to stay at HI hostels often). For details about getting a membership, see here.

• Food – Don't be scared of names like Bistec A Lo Pobre (steak), Pastel de Choclo (similar to Sheppard's Pie), and Ceviche (a seafood dish). Chile has great food so be courageous and try it out!

• Manjar is the Chilean name for Argentinean desert Dulce de Leche (condensed milk). It is awesome and goes with everything. Do not miss.

• When it comes to alcohol, Pisco is almost the national drink. It is a kind of brandy liquor, and comes also in the form of a Pisco Sour Cocktail, or even more common: Piscola (Pisco with Cola).

• Looking for a guidebook? The Footprint guides are the best for South America.