Tips for Travelers

HOW TO GET TO CHILE

Chile’s International airport, called “Nuevo Pudahuel”, or Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez, located in Santiago, is the most-frequently used and has international connections to North and South America, Europe, and Oceania.

VISAS AND DOCUMENTS

All visitors to Chile must show their identification documents (identity card or passport) and the stamped visa (depending on country of origin). Both documents (identity card or passport) must be valid for at least six months from the start of the trip.

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TRANSPORTATION

Santiago Metro is the subway system with 5 lines and it covers most of the city. It is a fast, clean, and safe service. Most of the stations connect to the Transantiago bus stops. These buses have service in the 32 municipalities that are part of Santiago. You must buy a Bip Card at any Metro Station to be able to use both means of transportation.

HOURS OF OPERATION

  • Offices are open from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. and from 2:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Banks are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
  • Money exchange offices are open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and from 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
  • Stores (both big and small) are open from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. (with no interruption in service).
  • Most businesses are closed on holidays.

CURRENCY

The currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso. It has coins of 10, 50, 100, and 500 pesos and bills of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000, and 20,000 pesos. The current rate for the U.S. dollar is roughly 680 pesos, while that of the Euro is approximately 770 pesos.

PAGES OF INTEREST

For more information about our country, you can check out the following websites:

SUGGESTIONS

  • Drink bottled water, even though tap water is completely safe to ingest.
  • Do not go out with jewels, cameras, or electronic devices in outside pockets of bags or backpacks to avoid being robbed.
  • Never change dollars or any other currency in the street; do it in authorized places of exchange.
  • Stay calm in the event of an earthquake. If you’re inside a building, remain inside and take refuge in strong structures under a table or bed, underneath a doorway and protect your head.

EMERGENCY PHONE NUMBERS

Inbound Customer Service: 56 (2) 24643311 – 56(9) 98275810

Cocha Emergency Service 24 hrs:

56(2) 2 24641200

 

Emergency

  • Ambulance 131
  • Fire Department   132
  • Police Emergency 133
  • Investigation Police 134

VACCINES

Currently no vaccines or medical tests are required to visit Chile. Although there are some recommended vaccines, such as for Hepatitis A, but only if you have not been vaccinated against this disease, and for Hepatitis B, only if you haven’t had this disease and you are performing some activity considered as a risk such as mountain sports or something of the like.

ELECTRICITY

The electrical current in Chile is 220 Volts and 50 Hertz. Adapters with three electrical terminals are rarely used; however, a converter can be boughtin any store that sells electrical parts.