Question 1

What languages are spoken in Chile?

Accepted Answer

The official language in Chile is Spanish. However, English is widely understood and spoken by many in the tourist industry.

Question 2

What currency is accepted in Chile?

Accepted Answer

The currency used in Chile is the peso. If you want to obtain currency before you travel, we would recommend taking US dollars to change into pesos once in Chile; the smaller the denomination the better.

Question 3

How should I pay?

Accepted Answer

There is a shortage of change, so keep a supply of small denomination coins. The easiest way to obtain cash is by using ATMs (in major cities), which operate under the sign Redbanc. They take Cirrus, Visa and Mastercard.

Regarding credit cards, Diner’s Club, Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted. American Express is less recognised.

Question 4

What is the time zone in Chile?

Accepted Answer

UTC -4, or UTC -3 in the summertime.

Question 5

Do I need a visa to visit Chile if I’m a US citizen?

Accepted Answer

No, you do not need a visa if you’re a US passport holder and are visiting Chile for less than 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay.

Once you arrive in Chile, immigration authorities will give you a form called ‘Tarjeta de Turismo — Tourist Card’. Keep this with you and give it back to the immigration authorities when you leave the country.

Question 6

Is Chile safe for tourists?

Accepted Answer

Chile is relatively safe for tourists. The crimes most likely to occur are muggings, bag snatchings, and pickpocketing, so keep your possessions secure and avoid leaving valuables like phones out where thieves can see them.

Always pre-book taxis instead of hailing them from the street. There have been instances of unlicensed taxi drivers robbing passengers, or charging them too much.

Question 7

When should I go to Chile?

Accepted Answer

You'll find temperature and rainfall information, together with a month-by-month guide on visiting, on our guide for when to go to Chile.

Question 8

How long does it take to fly to Chile?

Accepted Answer

From the west coast (Los Angeles), it takes 10 to 11 hours to fly to Santiago, Chile. From the east coast (New York), it takes just over 10 hours to fly to Santiago, Chile.

Question 9

How can I get more travel advice?

Accepted Answer

Our specialists can advise on any safety concerns you may have. For current information, please refer to the Travel.State.Gov website.

Question 10

Can I fly directly to Chile from the US?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You can take direct flights to Chile from New York, Miami, Atlanta, Houston and Los Angeles. Flights with layovers are also available from many airports across the US.

Question 11

Do I need vaccinations to visit Chile?

Accepted Answer

You must be up to date with the routine vaccinations and boosters recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Aside from these, you shouldn’t need any other vaccinations unless you’re at highest risk for Hepatitis B or Rabies.

Please also check the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website prior to travel for the latest health advice.

Question 12

Do I need to visit my doctor prior to travel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Your doctor will be able to advise you if there are any precautions you need to take.

Question 13

Where should I stay in Chile?

Accepted Answer

Our specialists can suggest a variety of places to stay, from luxury properties to family-run guesthouses and hotels in restored historic buildings.

Visit our Chile accommodation page for more information.

Question 14

What should I pack for a trip to Chile?

Accepted Answer

The items you should pack depend on where in Chile you’re visiting and the time of year you plan to travel. Temperatures can vary dramatically, so layers, gloves, sunglasses and sunscreen will ensure you’re prepared for all weathers. Pack supportive hiking shoes if you plan to spend a lot of time outdoors.

Question 15

What can I do in Chile?

Accepted Answer

Chile’s varied landscapes offer a variety of things to do. Adventurous types can climb the Villarrica volcano or hike to the base of Torres del Paine, while more relaxing activities include stargazing in the Elqui Valley or wine tasting in the Maipo Valley.

For more information, visit our things to do page.

Question 16

What kind of food do they eat in Chile?

Accepted Answer

Understandably, considering the length of Chile's coastline, there is lots of fine seafood on offer. The delicious congrio fish is a national dish, and caldillo de congrio (a soup served with a massive piece of congrio, onion and potato balls) is very tasty.

Another typical Chilean dish is cazuela de ave, a nutritious stew containing large pieces of chicken, potatoes, rice and maybe onions and green peppers. Other traditional dishes are humitas — mashed corn, wrapped in corn leaves and steamed — and pastel de choclo, a pie made of chicken topped by sweetcorn and sugar and baked in the oven.

Question 17

Can I drive in Chile with a US license?

Accepted Answer

Yes, you can drive with a valid US license for the duration of your tourist permit (90 days). You must keep your passport and entrance card with you while driving.

Question 18

What animals live in Chile?

Accepted Answer

Chile has a diverse range of wildlife, including elephant seals, whales, dolphins, alpacas, armadillos, foxes, pumas, penguins, Chilean mockingbirds, and flamingos.

Question 19

Are there dangerous animals in Chile?

Accepted Answer

The most dangerous animals in Chile are the Chilean recluse spider (also known as the corner spider or brown spider) and the black widow spider, which are both venomous.

Question 20

What is a pudu deer?

Accepted Answer

The pudu are two species of deer: the northern pudu and the southern pudu. They are the world’s smallest deer, at 13 to 17 inches tall and up to 33 inches long.

Question 21

Where do pudu deer live?

Accepted Answer

The northern pudu is found in Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. The southern pudu is found in southern Chile and southwestern Argentina.

Question 22

Are pudu deer endangered?

Accepted Answer

Pudu are classified as vulnerable, which means their population is decreasing.

Question 23

Who are the Mapuche?

Accepted Answer

The Mapuche are the largest group of Indians in South America. The majority of the Mapuche live in the Central Valley of Chile, but some live in the Neuquén province in Argentina.

Question 24

How much of Chile’s population is indigenous?

Accepted Answer

Over two million Chilean people identify as indigenous, out of a population of 19.12 million.

Question 25

What should I wear?

Accepted Answer

The weather in Chile varies from region to region, so check what kind of temperatures you can expect before you travel. Avoid wearing short shorts and skirts, and sleeveless or low-cut tops.

In colder temperatures, a base layer, a sweater and a waterproof jacket are essential, as are lightweight, insulated trousers.

For warmer temperatures, substitute some T-shirts and lighter trousers, but keep the sweater in case of cooler evenings.

If you’re traveling from place to place, pack plenty of layers so you can warm up or cool off as needed.

You can find out more about the temperatures in Chile on our best time to visit page.

Question 26

Do I need to tip?

Accepted Answer

Tipping for good service is standard practice, and it is common to be expected to tip the service you receive whilst eating in a restaurant. Amounts are discretionary, but a tip of around 10% is acceptable for good service.

Question 27

Where is the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

The Atacama Desert is in northern Chile, on the Pacific coast.

Question 28

How can I get to the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

The easiest way to get to the Atacama Desert is by plane. You can fly from Santiago to El Loa Airport, Calama, in around two hours.

Question 29

How can I get to the Valle De La Luna?

Accepted Answer

The Valle De La Luna (Moon Valley) is located in the Atacama Desert. From El Loa Airport, it’s around an hour and 15 minutes in the car. Be aware that there’s no public transport available.

Question 30

What is the average temperature in the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

The average temperature in the Atacama Desert is 64°F, which is relatively mild.

Question 31

How big is the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

The Atacama Desert is 105,000 sq km, and is between 600 and 700 miles long from north to south.

Question 32

Do people live in the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

Yes, approximately one million people live in the Atacama Desert. There are towns, fishing villages and mining areas, and many residents make a living by growing produce.

Question 33

What grows in the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

Despite the lack of rainfall, there are some plants growing in the Atacama Desert, including black bush, black sage, chrysothamnus, ferns, little leaf horsebrush, mesquite trees, rice grass, saltbush, tola shrubs, and tufted grass.

Every five years or so, the Desert Blooms flower and you can see purple, white and yellow flowers in Llanos de Challe National Park.

Question 34

What’s unusual about the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

The Atacama Desert is the driest non-polar desert in the world (i.e. the driest desert which isn’t in an ice cap climate). It’s also classified as a fog desert, which means fog drip provides the moisture needed by flora and fauna. Its dry landscape is often used as a stand-in for the planet Mars in film and TV.

Question 35

What should I pack for a trip to the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

Light, warm weather clothing
Sun hat
Sunglasses
Sunscreen
Sweater
Fleece
Trousers
Jacket
Windbreaker
Gloves
Hat
Supportive hiking shoes
Binoculars
Camera and equipment
Backpack

Question 36

What animals live in the Atacama Desert?

Accepted Answer

Butterflies, desert wasps, grey foxes and red scorpions live in the Atacama Desert. A few more species can be found on the Pacific side of the desert, including pelicans, penguins, and sea lions.

Question 37

When is the best time to visit the Torres del Paine?

Accepted Answer

April is a great time to spot wildlife, and there will be fewer visitors. If larger crowds don’t bother you, December to February is also a good time to visit the Torres del Paine. The days are longer and the temperatures are milder, around 50°F.

Question 38

How difficult is the hike in Torres del Paine?

Accepted Answer

There are three hikes in Torres del Paine: the W trek, O trek, and Q trek, each with an increasing level of difficulty. The W trek can be completed in 3 to 5 days. The O trek takes slightly longer at 6 to 9 days and includes the challenging Paso John Gardner crossing, which sometimes closes due to bad weather. The Q trek covers the same route as the O trek, plus an extra day of hiking along Lake Pehoe.

Question 39

How can I visit the Torres del Paine?

Accepted Answer

The most direct way to reach the Torres del Paine is to fly to Santiago, then catch a connecting flight to Punta Arenas, which takes three-and-a-half hours. From there, you can take a bus directly to your destination.

Many of our Chile tours include time spent in the Torres del Paine.

Question 40

Where are the Andes mountains?

Accepted Answer

The Andes mountains are located along the entire west coast of South America. The range covers seven countries: Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, and Chile.

Question 41

How long are the Andes mountains?

Accepted Answer

The Andes mountain range is approximately 4,500 miles long.

Question 42

How old are the Andes mountains?

Accepted Answer

The Andes mountains are over 50 million years old.

Question 43

How were the Andes mountains formed?

Accepted Answer

The Andes mountains were formed when the South American and Nazca tectonic plates collided. The Nazca plate was more dense and so went beneath the South American plate, which folded upwards and formed mountains.

Question 44

What’s being done to protect the tropical Andes?

Accepted Answer

Programmes are working to conserve the biodiversity and ecosystems in the area.

Question 45

What other mountain ranges are in Chile?

Accepted Answer

There are over 25 mountain ranges in Chile, stretching all over the country. For example, the Chilean Coast Range runs from north to south along the Pacific coast, parallel to the Andes mountains.

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