If you are interested in more information about one of our Explorer Tours, please submit a reservation request and we will send you a trip application and complete details about the tour. If you are interested in one of our Day Tours, please submit a reservation request and we will contact you shortly regarding availability. Below is additional information we hope will be helpful in planning your trip to Chile. Please feel free to contact us with any questions you might have.

Travel to Chile

We recommend Lan Chile, rated Latin America’s best airline. The airport designator for Santiago is SCL. We recommend spending one day in Santiago to rest and catch your breath before traveling further. When traveling to Patagonia, the flight from Santiago to Puerto Montt (PMC) takes about one-and-a-half hours, and from Santiago to Coyhaique (BBA) takes about three hours.

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 $100 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.

TransVIP is a good transport service from the airport to your hotel. It is $3,700 pesos (about $6.50 US) per person for a shared van with up to six people going to the same general location. A private van is $15,000 ($25 US) and will take you directly. If you want to get a private taxi, you should not pay more than $8,000 "ocho mil" (about $12 US).

You can pay taxi drivers in US dollars so there is no need to change your money at the airport as the rates are better in the city.

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 600 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. Our favorite hotel is the Orly Hotel.

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.

Chile Links - Recommended sites in Chile

ContactChile - This Santiago based agency offers a "Chilean ABC's" and arranges internships, Spanish courses, long-term housing, and car rental; in English.

The English Reader - Santiago's largest collection of used English books. They also have a cozy cafe.

Newen - Spanish school in Santiago.

Salvaje Corazon - Unique customized trips in central Patagonia - photo safaris, southern icefields, mountains, lakes and rivers.

Trekking Chile - Comprehensive trekking information for Chile.

Woodward Institute - Spanish classes and a website with lots of info about Chile.

Travel Sites - Travel directories and sites we have links with:

About.com - South America for Visitors site hosted by guide Bonnie Hamre.

InfoHub.com Hunting Lodge Guide - A comprehensive listing of hunting lodges and hunting resorts around the world. 

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

 
A WildThings.com Destination

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.