Entry Requirements
Visa requirements for Chile depend on which passport you hold. Check the Traveller visa tool to see whether your passport needs a visa and, if so, how long you can stay.
Check if you need a visa for ChileEmergency Numbers
- General
- 133 (police)
- Ambulance
- 131
- Fire
- 132
Currency
- Name
- Chilean Peso
- Code
- CLP
- Symbol
- $
ATMs widely available in Santiago and tourist areas. Cards accepted in cities and major tourist destinations. Cash preferred in rural Patagonia, Atacama, and Easter Island. USD can be exchanged at banks.
Power Outlets
- Outlet types
- Type C, Type L
- Voltage
- 220V
- Frequency
- 50Hz
Time Zone
CLT (UTC−3) — CLST (UTC−3) in summer — but Easter Island is UTC−6/−5
Best Time to Visit
November–March is the Southern Hemisphere summer — best for Patagonia (Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares), the Lake District (Puerto Varas, Chiloé), and the Atacama (San Pedro de Atacama — though the Atacama is diveable year-round). Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is best February–April. Santiago and the wine valleys (Maipo, Colchagua) are pleasant year-round.
Tipping Customs
| Venue | Typical | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Restaurants | 10% | 10% propina is standard — included in the bill at upmarket restaurants |
| Taxis | Round up | — |
| Tour guides | 5,000–10,000 CLP per day | — |
Dress Code
- Layers for Patagonia — weather changes rapidly
- UV protection essential in the Atacama
- Smart casual for Santiago's Vitacura and Lastarria restaurants
Social Etiquette
- Chile is the world's longest country (4,300km north to south) — the geographic diversity is extraordinary: Atacama (driest desert), Central Valley (wine), Lake District (volcanoes), Patagonia (glaciers and granite), Easter Island (3,700km offshore)
- Torres del Paine in Patagonia is one of the world's great hiking destinations — the W Trek (4 days) and O Circuit (8–9 days) are bucket-list experiences
- Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is 3,700km from the South American mainland — the moai statues are more complex than they appear; most face inland, watching over their communities
- Chilean wine (Carménère, Cabernet Sauvignon from the Maipo Valley) is world-class and extraordinary value
Local Laws
Laws change. Verify current rules with your country's official travel advisory before departure.
- LGBTQ+ rights: Chile has civil unions (2015) and moved toward marriage equality (2022 — first South American country after Colombia and Brazil); generally tolerant in cities
- Patagonia camping: fires are strictly regulated — Chile has suffered catastrophic wildfires caused by careless camping
Common Phrases
| English | Local | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Hello (Chilean Spanish) | Hola! / Buenas! | OH-lah / BWEH-nahs — 'Buenas' is the universal Chilean abbreviation for any time of day |
| What's up? (Chilean slang) | Que onda? | keh ON-dah — the standard Chilean informal greeting |
| Cool / Great (Chilean slang) | Bacán / Filete | bah-KAHN / fee-LEH-teh — both mean 'excellent' |
| Thank you (Chilean Spanish) | Gracias / Cachái? | GRAH-syahs; 'Cachái?' is 'do you understand?' / 'you know what I mean?' |
| Cheers! (Chilean) | Salud! | sah-LOOD — with pisco sour (the national drink) ideally |
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