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Arriving in Santiago
Getting through customs is usually a very fast experience and you will have no problem bringing all the personal items you need.
There is a $131 charge to US citizens for a 90-day tourist visa. This needs to be paid in cash in US dollars before you pass through Immigration so be sure to have this with you.
Money
ATMs, which are all over Santiago, operate in English. The exchange rate varies from day to day but a good rule of thumb is 500 Chilean pesos to the dollar. Daily rates from the Central Bank of Chile are available here.
Food and Water
No worries about eating the fruits and vegetables in Chile. The food you will be served on our trips is absolutely delicious and safe. The water in Chile is also clean and safe to drink. In Santiago, you will have to adjust to the stronger chlorine taste. For your convenience, we provide bottled water on our trips.
In Santiago
The most modern hotels, shops and restaurants are in Providencia and Las Condes where we recommend you to stay. We can make your reservation in recommended hotels at very competitive rates.
Getting around Santiago is safe and easy on the Metro. You can safely visit and walk around downtown (El Centro), Bellavista, Providencia and Las Condes during the day without worries. As always, keep valuables in your hotel and do not let your handbag/backpack out of your site.
Taxis are also convenient and inexpensive. The vast majority of drivers are honest, bringing you directly to your destination. Hail the cabs that look newer and you should not have problems. Most hotels also offer car service.
Outdoor Activities
Excursions into the mountains should be undertaken with serious consideration of extreme weather conditions. For all of our trekking and horseback riding excursions, we recommend that our clients be prepared for extreme weather conditions with a Gore-Tex shell, fleece, hat and gloves. Also, efforts to minimize sun exposure are important as the ultraviolet rays in the southern hemisphere are much stronger than those in the northern. Always use SPF-30 or higher in Chile. In Patagonia, things are more extreme and throughout the year it is possible to experience all four seasons within a few hours! You should bring: Rain Jacket, Rain Pants, stout waterproof hiking boots, hat, polypro underwear, gloves, warm jacket such as polar fleece, several spare pairs of socks, and sunglasses.
Time Zone
GMT-4 (1st Sunday after March 9)
GMT-3 (1st Sunday after October 9)
Electricity
220V 50Hz You will require an adapter for the round pin plug
Languages
Spanish; Rapa Nui and Spanish on Easter Island; English in tourist areas
Banking Hours
Mon-Fri, 9am to 2pm
Money Exchange
Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat. 9am to 2pm. ATMs in Chile are called “Redbanc”.
Important Numbers:
US Embassy: Av. Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago; Tel: 232-2600
LAN Airlines (in Chile): 600/526-2000
Chile Links - Sites with information on Chile
Chile-wine.com - Information on wines from Chile
Chile on the Fly - Unique and spectacular fly-fishing adventures in the heart of Patagonia Chile.
ContactChile - This Santiago based agency offers a "Chilean ABC's" and arranges internships, Spanish courses, long-term housing, and car rental; in English.
 Learn Spanish -- Free Interactive, On-Line, Spanish Language Lessons
Newen - Spanish school in Santiago.
Refugio Lo Valdes - in its own private woods only 77kms from the Capital Santiago de Chile. The Refugio offers the perfect environment with stunning views of snow-capped peaks and great access to climbing, mountaineering, backcountry skiing and trekking. Throughout the year, bird watching, fossil hunting or just relaxing. Pato is a great chef too!
Salvaje Corazon - Unique customized trips in central Patagonia - photo safaris, southern icefields, mountains, lakes and rivers.
Ski Arpa - Backcountry Snowcat Skiing in Chile
Trekking Chile - Comprehensive trekking information for Chile.
Woodward Institute - Spanish classes and a website with lots of info about Chile.
Other Sites - Travel directories and sites we have links with:
About.com - South America for Visitors site hosted by guide Bonnie Hamre.
An on-line map source at InfoHub.com - Maps of worldwide destinations.
eRobertParker.com: The Independent Consumer's Guide to Fine Wine
LocalWineEvents.com - Wine and Food events by city, worldwide. Spirits and Beer events as well. Post your own event or sign up to be notified when new events are posted to your area.
Nat Decants FREE Newsletter: Wine picks, articles and humor from Natalie MacLean,
recently named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food Media Awards in Australia. There are no ads and all e-mail addresses are kept confidential. To sign up, visit www.nataliemaclean.com.
www.travel-quest.co.uk: the travel-quest specialist travel directory lists activity, special interest and adventure holidays and vacations worldwide.
Travel Guide - A comprehensive travel resource. Find a travel site and service locally.
Travel Masters - Directory of discount travel for airfare, car rentals, vacation packages, hotels, cruises and more.
iTravelnet Travel Directory - Directory for travel related web sites. Destination guides, travel news and travelogues. Book cheap airfares, discount hotels and car hire.
Travel Notes - Travel directory providing country/state information, reviewed web sites, regular travel articles, and online ticketing for car hire, hotel reservations and discounted flights.
Listed @ Travel Notes
The Online Guide to Travel
Ultimate Ski - The ultimate guide to the best skiing and snowboarding destinations.
The Wine Doctor: regularly updated wine writing by Chris Kissack
Wine-Online-Review.com - Provides information about travels and tours in Patagonia.
Discover Glaciers in the End of the World and enjoy Big Circuit Trekking in
Torres del Paine.
World Travel Travel & Tourism Guide - Provides info on travel, vacations, tourism and tours around the world.
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