Chile

A Chilean legend maintains that after God had created the wonders of the world he had many pieces leftover. He had raging rivers, sprawling glaciers, valleys and soaring mountains, snow-capped volcanoes, sparkling lakes, beautiful forests and deserts, icy fjords and sandy beaches. Rather than let all this beauty go to waste, he put them together in a remote part of the world, and so Chile was born.

A long narrow strip making up the western part of South America's tail, Chile is 2,610 miles (4,200km) in length and at most 115 miles (180km) wide. Travellers are drawn to this country because of its multitude of natural attractions, from the northern deserts to the Lake District, mountains and fjords of Patagonia in the south. Chile is home to some superb National Parks, including the famous and mysterious Easter Island, and numerous activities for outdoor enthusiasts.

Chile's European colonial heritage is evident throughout the country and travellers here are likely to feel more familiar with its culture than those of the neighbouring countries, with their strongly indigenous lifestyles. There are still local traditions persisting in parts of Chile however, and together with the European influence this makes for an interesting juxtaposition, providing a distinctive culture. The people are resilient, cordial and warm, from the fashionable capital city of Santiago to the isolated island of Chiloé, and Chilean hospitality is renowned.

Besides natural beauty and an interesting blend of cultures, Chile offers the visitor excellent wines and seafood, unique handicrafts and shopping, and a variety of characteristic architecture, making it a beautiful and memorable place to visit.

Climate

The territory of Chile extends from the tropics down almost to Antarctica, and from sea level up to breathtaking altitudes, therefore the country has a wide variety of climate conditions. In the north there is hardly any rainfall and conditions are very hot arid. The climate in central Chile is Mediterranean, with cool, wet winters between April and September. Average annual rainfall increases, and temperatures decrease, as one moves further south. In Santiago average temperatures vary between 68ºF (20ºC) in January, the height of summer, and 46ºF (8ºC) in July, midwinter. In the extreme south the weather is cold and wet most of the year, snow covering the mountains and the sky cloudy.

Money

The local currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP), which is divided into 100 centavos. Visa, MasterCard, Diners Club and to a lesser extent, American Express, are accepted in most large shops and hotels. Travellers cheques, particularly in US Dollars, are welcome in major towns, where there are banks and cambiosoffering currency exchange services. ATMs are widely available.

Passport Visa

Passengers must hold a Tourist Card (issued free of charge on arrival for 90 days) and sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay. A return or onward ticket is not required if holding a credit card or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket. Passengers with a passport from Australia, Canada, United States or Mexico are required to pay a reciprocity tax on entering Santiago airport before passing through Customs. Fees are US$61 for Australians, US$132 for Canadians, US$131 for US nationals and US$23 for Mexican passport holders. This tax must be paid in US dollars cash; it is paid once and remains valid until the passport expires (for Canadians and Americans) or for three months (for Mexicans and Australians).

Entry Requirements

• No visa is required by US nationals for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$140 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until the passport expires. A passport is required for travel to Chile.
• UK nationals do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 days. A passport is required.
• No visa is required by Canadians for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$132 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until expiry of passport. A passport is required for travel to Chile.
• No visa is required by Australians for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$95 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid for three months. A passport is required.
• South African nationals must hold a passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.
• Irish nationals must hold a passport, but a visa for a stay of up to 90 days is not required.
• New Zealand nationals must hold a passport. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days.

Health

There are no vaccination requirements for entry to Chile, but a typhoid vaccine is recommended for travellers other than short term travellers who restrict their meals to major restaurants, hotels or cruise ships. Dengue fever is on the increase and visitors should take precautions against mosquito bites. Water is generally safe in the cities, but should be treated in the rural areas; bottled water is widely available for drinking. Santiago is severely polluted and this could cause respiratory problems or eye irritations, particularly from May to August. Travellers visiting the Andes Mountains should be aware of altitude sickness, and ascend slowly to allow the body to adjust. Healthcare in urban areas is adequate, but hospitals and clinics are extremely expensive and usually require payment in cash. Health insurance is strongly recommended.

Embassy Consulates

• Embassy of Chile, Washington DC, United States: +1 202 785 1746.
• Embassy of Chile, London, United Kingdom: +44 (0)20 7222 2361.
• Embassy of Chile, Ottawa, Canada: +1 613 235 9940.
• Embassy of Chile, Canberra, Australia: +61 (0)2 6286 2430.
• Embassy of Chile, Pretoria, South Africa: +27 (0)12 460 8090.
• Embassy of Chile, Dublin, Ireland: +353 (0)1 667 5094.
• Embassy of Chile, Wellington, New Zealand: +64 (0)4 471 6270.

Foreign Embassies

• United States Embassy, Santiago: +56 (0)2 330 3000
• British Embassy, Santiago: +56 (0)2 370 4100.
• Canadian Embassy, Santiago: +56 (0)2 652 3800.
• Australian Embassy, Santiago: +56 (0)2 550 3500.
• South African Embassy, Santiago: +56 (0)2 8200 300.
• Honorary Consul of Ireland, Santiago: +56 (0)2 245 6616.
• New Zealand Embassy, Santiago: +56 (0)2 616 3000.