Chile: General Information
The language of the country is Spanish. English is not widely spoken in the country and hence, you can expect to communicate efficiently in places such as the airport, but do not expect taxi drivers to speak fluent English (taxi drivers working with the airport might).
The currency is Chilean Peso (£1 roughly equals $1,000 pesos) – Do not get notes any higher than $10,000, and as it is a specialised currency, do give yourselves enough time to get the money exchanged.
Passport Information
You will require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of travel.
Visa Information
You will need a valid passport to enter the country for the proposed duration of your stay in Chile. Regarding visas (text taken from the office in change of the Borders): “If you are a British passport holder visiting Chile for less than 90 days, you do not need a visa. If you wish to stay longer, you should consult the nearest Chilean Embassy. On arrival in Chile the immigration authorities will issue you with a ‘Tarjeta de Turismo - Tourist Card’, an A5 sized white form. You must retain this document and present it to immigration when you leave. Once in Chile, if you decide to stay for 90 days or more, you should contact the Chilean Immigration Department located in San Antonio 580, Santiago.”
Other important things to remember are that your passport should be valid for at least six more months when you travel and you will (almost certainly) need a return ticket when you fly, or at least an onward bound ticket leaving Chile. You are not advised to arrive with a one way ticket.
Non-US citizens who fly through the USA on their way to Chile will probably need to obtain a visa
Go to - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Please make sure you check the latest updates regarding Visas & Immigration to Chile, which can change quite often without further notice.
Reminder: The purpose of your visit is for vacation, holiday or travel. Foreign immigration officials do not always understand the concept of a “study vacation” or “training field course”, which can lead to them raising questions concerning the country’s foreign labour laws and/or prompt questions about official scientific research permits and credentials, etc., to which you on your own will not be equipped to respond.
Airport information
The airport is located about 45 minutes from the centre of Santiago. You can get to Santiago by bus (about $1,800), by shared transfer (about $6,500-7,500), or by private taxi (about $15,000-20,000). All these services will be parking right outside the arrival gates at all times and are all perfectly safe. Chile has a 0% record of taxi-linked kidnapping and similar crimes of this nature. Therefore, you can get a taxi anywhere you want in the city and it is going to be perfectly safe. Taxis are in general black or black with a yellow roof.
Be sensible
As with being in any big city, be sensible in your behaviour. Do not flash cameras or money around and be alert when walking around.
Electricity/Plugs
The map shows the global distribution of power/electricity modes per country, including Chile. Please make sure you check this information.
The plus type used in Chile is commonly used in European countries too, and any “universal” plug adaptor will have the Chilean type:
The language of the country is Spanish. English is not widely spoken in the country and hence, you can expect to communicate efficiently in places such as the airport, but do not expect taxi drivers to speak fluent English (taxi drivers working with the airport might).
The currency is Chilean Peso (£1 roughly equals $1,000 pesos) – Do not get notes any higher than $10,000, and as it is a specialised currency, do give yourselves enough time to get the money exchanged.
Passport Information
You will require a passport valid for at least six months beyond the dates of travel.
Visa Information
You will need a valid passport to enter the country for the proposed duration of your stay in Chile. Regarding visas (text taken from the office in change of the Borders): “If you are a British passport holder visiting Chile for less than 90 days, you do not need a visa. If you wish to stay longer, you should consult the nearest Chilean Embassy. On arrival in Chile the immigration authorities will issue you with a ‘Tarjeta de Turismo - Tourist Card’, an A5 sized white form. You must retain this document and present it to immigration when you leave. Once in Chile, if you decide to stay for 90 days or more, you should contact the Chilean Immigration Department located in San Antonio 580, Santiago.”
Other important things to remember are that your passport should be valid for at least six more months when you travel and you will (almost certainly) need a return ticket when you fly, or at least an onward bound ticket leaving Chile. You are not advised to arrive with a one way ticket.
Non-US citizens who fly through the USA on their way to Chile will probably need to obtain a visa
Go to - https://esta.cbp.dhs.gov/esta/
Please make sure you check the latest updates regarding Visas & Immigration to Chile, which can change quite often without further notice.
Reminder: The purpose of your visit is for vacation, holiday or travel. Foreign immigration officials do not always understand the concept of a “study vacation” or “training field course”, which can lead to them raising questions concerning the country’s foreign labour laws and/or prompt questions about official scientific research permits and credentials, etc., to which you on your own will not be equipped to respond.
Airport information
The airport is located about 45 minutes from the centre of Santiago. You can get to Santiago by bus (about $1,800), by shared transfer (about $6,500-7,500), or by private taxi (about $15,000-20,000). All these services will be parking right outside the arrival gates at all times and are all perfectly safe. Chile has a 0% record of taxi-linked kidnapping and similar crimes of this nature. Therefore, you can get a taxi anywhere you want in the city and it is going to be perfectly safe. Taxis are in general black or black with a yellow roof.
Be sensible
As with being in any big city, be sensible in your behaviour. Do not flash cameras or money around and be alert when walking around.
Electricity/Plugs
The map shows the global distribution of power/electricity modes per country, including Chile. Please make sure you check this information.
The plus type used in Chile is commonly used in European countries too, and any “universal” plug adaptor will have the Chilean type: