Chile Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know Before You Go

Is a Trip to Chile Worth It?

When we traveled to Chile, people kept asking us: Why Chile of all places? Simple! The country is breathtakingly beautiful and incredibly diverse.

The Patagonia region in the south is one of the most stunning natural landscapes we’ve ever seen. The Torres del Paine National Park is simply awe-inspiring, and the dry Atacama Desert in the north is unlike anything you’ll find in Europe.

And between these two extremes, Chile offers over a thousand volcanoes and the sprawling metropolis of Santiago de Chile — just wow!

Another great thing about Chile is that it’s one of the safest countries to travel in South America. That makes it a perfect starting point for a first vacation in South America.

In short: Chile is ideal for first-time South America travelers and nature lovers.

Entering Chile

Entering Chile is pretty straightforward. For a stay of up to 90 days, you don’t need a visa — regardless of whether you’re coming from the US, UK, Australia, or most of Europe.

All you need is a passport that’s valid for at least six months from your entry date. You’ll also need to fill out an arrival form, which you usually receive on the plane. Just your basic details — name, passport number, that kind of thing.

When you get your passport stamp, you’ll also be issued the Tarjeta Única Migratoria. This is essentially your 90-day permit, and you should on no account lose it — you’ll need it when you leave the country.

Heads up: The Tarjeta Única Migratoria looks like a simple cash register receipt (no joke). Keep it somewhere safe so you don’t accidentally throw it away.

There’s also a handy trick if you want to stay in Chile for more than 90 days: leave the country once within that period and re-enter. You’ll automatically get another 90-day permit.

You could, for example, take a short trip to Argentina. Since Chile is such a narrow country, the border is never far away.

Getting to Chile

There are no direct flights to Chile from most of Europe or North America — plan on at least one stopover. From Europe, direct flights are available from cities like Madrid or Paris.

The flight time from Europe is around 13 to 14 hours. If you’d rather break it up, you can connect through Brazil or the USA — that at least gives you a chance to stretch your legs.

All international flights land at the international airport in Santiago (SCL), which is well connected to the city center and all its attractions in Santiago.

From the airport, you can take a taxi directly to your hotel or hop on the public bus operator Turbus to a metro station. Turbus tickets are available right at the airport.

We always search for flights to Chile on Skyscanner — it’s our go-to for finding the best deals.

Search for flights to Chile on Skyscanner

Paying and Currency in Chile

The currency in Chile is the Peso Chileno. One euro is worth approximately 1,000 pesos — which makes the mental math pretty easy.

Paying by credit card is widely accepted in Chile, much more so than in many other South American countries. You can pay by card at virtually every tourist spot. The main exception is public transportation — city buses, the Santiago metro, and long-distance buses almost always require cash.

When paying by card, you’ll be asked: “Débito o Crédito?” Say Crédito for a credit card, or Débito for a debit card.

Depending on your card, a foreign transaction fee may apply. To avoid this, look for a travel-friendly card that waives international payment fees — there are plenty of good options out there. You’ll find all our recommendations on the best travel credit cards in a dedicated article.

Heads up: ATM withdrawal fees in Chile are very high regardless of your card. A single withdrawal typically costs around 7,000 pesos (about 8 euros).

One exception is certain Scotiabank ATMs — as far as we know, these are the only ATMs in Chile where you can withdraw money without fees. Ask at your accommodation whether there’s one nearby.

Note: On weekends, it can be surprisingly hard to get cash. Many ATMs are simply not accessible then. If you need cash over the weekend, try shopping malls, bus stations, or the airport.

Tipping in Chile

It’s customary in Chile to leave a 10% tip (in Spanish: propina). When paying by card, you’ll usually be asked whether you’d like to add the propina — if you say yes, 10% gets added to the total and charged to your card. Tipping in cash is equally common.

Travel Costs in Chile

Chile is on the pricier side by South American standards. Accommodations, restaurants, and transportation are a bit cheaper than in Western Europe, while supermarkets can actually be slightly more expensive.

In a separate article, we’ve put together real price examples from Chile and worked out what a typical Chile vacation actually costs.

Read our Chile travel costs breakdown

Where to Stay in Chile

Accommodation in Chile is on the expensive side compared to other South American countries. Prices vary by region — generally, the south is slightly pricier than the north, and tourist hotspots cost more than off-the-beaten-path areas.

For a double room in a decent hotel, budget around 60 euros. More comfort means significantly more. A bed in a hostel dorm typically runs around 20 euros.

As a rough guide, accommodation prices in Chile are a bit cheaper than in Western Europe — but not dramatically so.

Here’s a quick overview of accommodation types in Chile:

• Hotel: the most comfortable and most expensive option — similar to hotels you’d find in Europe.
• Hostal: the more affordable alternative to hotels. Simple, but better equipped than a typical hostel.
• Hostel: the cheapest option, with mixed dormitories. Super popular with backpackers.
• Cabañas: vacation homes and apartments — great for longer stays or groups.

Safety in Chile

How safe is Chile? Here’s the good news: Chile is a safe country to travel in. In South America, it’s consistently one of the least dangerous destinations — arguably the safest on the continent.

That said, crime rates across South America are significantly higher than in Europe, so you shouldn’t let your guard down completely. As long as you follow some basic common-sense rules, you shouldn’t have any problems as a tourist in Chile.

There’s also a natural hazard side to safety in Chile. Since the country sits in a seismically very active zone, earthquakes and minor volcanic eruptions are not uncommon — it’s just part of life here.

Getting Around Chile

Chile’s infrastructure is decent but not great. Larger cities are well connected by long-distance buses, and you can get around by car too. The catch? Roads aren’t always in great shape outside of the main highways — expect curves, potholes, and plenty of gravel.

On top of that, Chile is an incredibly long country, so road and bus journeys can take a very long time. For destinations like Punta Arenas in the far south, flying is usually the smarter move.

Driving Through Chile

Chile is one of the most popular road trip destinations in South America. Because the country is so sparsely populated yet staggeringly diverse, driving is often the only way to reach many of the best spots — especially the lesser-known gems in Chile.

You can compare rental car deals and find the best prices on Discovercars.

Compare rental car deals on Discovercars

When booking your rental car, make sure it’s suitable for off-road driving. Many roads are unpaved, so a standard compact car isn’t the right fit for a road trip through Chile.

Domestic Flights in Chile

The main domestic airlines are JetSmart, LATAM, and Sky. Flights are usually quite affordable, and there are airports all over the country. The main hub is Santiago — from the capital’s airport, you can reach any other airport in Chile.

Here’s an overview of the most important airports in Chile:

• Santiago SCL
• Punta Arenas PUQ
• Antofagasta ANF
• Puerto Montt PMC
• Iquique IQQ
• Concepcion CCP
• Arica ARI
• Calama CJC
• Temuco ZCO
• La Serena LSC
• Isla de Pascua IPC
• Puerto Natales PNT

Traveling Chile by Long-Distance Bus

Buses are the cheapest way to get around Chile — though journeys can take a very long time. There are many different bus companies, and quality varies.

We recommend Pullman, which covers routes throughout the entire country. Some less-traveled routes are only served by other operators, though.

Your best bet is to check connections and buy tickets at the bus terminals directly, since not all routes are available online. That said, you can search for buses and book tickets on recorrido.cl.

Getting Around Within Cities

Within cities, local buses are a solid way to get around. You won’t find much schedule info online though — ask at your accommodation for routes and frequencies. Tickets are paid in cash directly to the driver.

Santiago is a different story. The capital has both buses and a metro, and for public transit you’ll need the BIP card. You can pick one up at any metro station for just under 2 euros and top it up with cash.

Language and Communication in Chile

The official language of Chile is Spanish. But fair warning — not all Spanish is the same. Chileans are notorious for speaking a very fast, mumbled form of Spanish, and that reputation is honestly well-earned.

Even fluent Spanish speakers often find that they can barely understand a word at first in Chile. Don’t worry — even native speakers from other countries experience this. You’ll tune in over time.

If you don’t speak Spanish, communicating with gestures is unavoidable. English won’t get you far in everyday life in Chile — but at the major tourist attractions and in most accommodations, you’ll find at least some English speakers.

In the south of Chile, there are many communities of German descent, so you might actually come across Chileans there who can say a few sentences in German.

There are also several indigenous languages spoken in Chile. The most widely spoken is Mapudungun, the language of the Mapuche.

SIM Card, Internet, and Outlets in Chile

First, the good news on outlets: the plug type used in Chile is the same angled two-pin style used in many countries — check whether your devices are compatible before you travel, as you may need a simple adapter.

For calls and mobile data, you’ll want a Chilean SIM card.

We recommend buying your SIM from WOM. Their stores are all over Chile, and you won’t get ripped off as a tourist. A great option is the ZERO plan — for around 5 euros, you get 30 GB of data and 300 calling minutes for one month.

Sistema de Alerta de Emergencia (SAE)

There’s one important thing to know about using your phone in Chile: the Sistema de Alerta de Emergencia (SAE). This is a national emergency alert system that you’re required to register your phone with when you arrive in Chile.

You register through the Multibanda website. Skip this step and your SIM card may stop working after a while.

The SAE sends alerts if a disaster — earthquake, tsunami, wildfire, or volcanic eruption — is threatening your area. Your phone will sound an extremely loud alarm. Don’t be alarmed (pun intended) if it goes off.

Time Zones and Best Time to Visit Chile

Chile is generally four to six hours behind Central European Time, depending on the time of year — both regions observe daylight saving time, but they shift in opposite directions (Chile is in the southern hemisphere), so the gap changes.

Easter Island — one of the most remarkable places in Chile — is on its own time zone, running an additional two hours behind the mainland.

The best time to visit Chile is during the Chilean summer, November through April. Since the country stretches so far from north to south, the climate varies dramatically by region. We cover the best time to visit each area in more detail in separate articles.

Food and Drink in Chile

Let’s talk food — one of our favorite parts of any trip. Here’s what Chilean cuisine is all about, what locals actually eat day to day, and what you need to know about drinking water.

Chilean Specialties

Eating your way through a country’s food scene is simply part of the experience. Here’s a quick rundown of Chilean dishes you shouldn’t leave without trying.

Typical Chilean food

• Pastel de Choclo: corn casserole with ground beef, onions, eggs, and raisins
• Cazuela: traditional soup with chicken, corn, squash, and potatoes
• Empanada: filled pastry pockets — cheese and ham are classic fillings, and also a beloved staple in Argentina
• Completo: the Chilean hot dog — loaded with avocado and an impressive amount of sauce
• Paila Marina: seafood soup
• Sopaipilla: fried round bread rolls
• Pie de Limón: lemon cake

These are the traditional dishes you absolutely have to try. Beyond these, there are a few other things that aren’t strictly traditional but are wildly popular in Chile.

Chileans eat a surprising amount of hamburgers and hot dogs — we always thought that was a USA thing, but it’s just as much part of everyday life here. Chileans are also obsessed with fries, avocado, and corn.

Typical Chilean drinks

• Pisco Sour: Chile’s iconic drink — the high-proof spirit Pisco mixed with simple syrup, lime juice, and egg white. Don’t leave without trying one.
• Piscola: At parties and get-togethers, especially among younger Chileans, Piscola (Pisco and Coke) is the go-to drink.
• Mote con Huesillo: peach juice with wheat berries and dried peaches — honestly, we’re still not sure whether to call it food or a drink.
• Kunstmann Beer: The most popular beer in Chile, from a brewery founded by German immigrant Kunstmann in the city of Valdivia. You’ll find it sold throughout the country.
• Jugo natural: Fresh fruit juices are available at every restaurant and are wonderfully refreshing, especially in the north.

Drinking Water in Chile

Tap water is drinkable in some areas but not others — so always check.

In Santiago and north of the capital, the tap water is generally not safe to drink.In southern Chile, the water is usually excellent quality and safe to drink — but not always.

When in doubt, ask at your accommodation. It takes two seconds and could save you a miserable day.

What to Pack for Chile

Here are the most important things to keep in mind when packing for Chile — no exhaustive list, just the stuff that really matters.

#1 Pack for both freezing cold and intense heat

It’s entirely possible that during your trip you’ll find yourself at 13,000 feet above sea level early in the morning, where it’s bitterly cold — and then sweating through temperatures above 86°F the same afternoon. Extreme temperature swings are the norm in Chile, so layer up.

#2 Bring rain gear and windproof clothing

Southern Chile gets a lot of rain, so a rain poncho and waterproof shoes are essential. Coastal areas are also seriously windy, so pack accordingly.

#3 Skip the flashy jewelry and designer clothes

Even though Chile is one of the wealthier countries in South America, there is real poverty here. Avoid drawing attention to your valuables — leaving expensive clothes and jewelry at home is one of the easiest ways to avoid becoming a target for theft.

Vaccinations and Illnesses

No additional vaccinations are required for Chile, but vaccines against Hepatitis A, Hepatitis B, and rabies are recommended — especially if you’re planning to spend time in rural areas.

Chile is considered malaria-free, and a yellow fever vaccination isn’t required either. Dengue fever can occur but is very rare among tourists.

Travel Health Insurance for Chile

You should absolutely take out travel health insurance before your trip. As in most countries, you’ll need to pay for medical care upfront in Chile and then claim reimbursement from your insurer.

Make sure your policy covers emergency medical treatment and evacuation — especially if you’re planning to hike in remote areas like Patagonia.

To the HanseMerkur travel health insurance

To our article on the best travel health insurance options