Chile Currency Exchange.
The Chilean Peso it is different than the Mexican Peso, Argentinian Peso, etc. Foreign currency is usually not accepted in stores, however, some tourist places may offer change at a higher rate.
You can only use most of the ATMs. Just make sure that they display signs of the card you want to use or that they are operated by "Transbank" or "Redbanc". You will not be able to withdraw money from Banco Falabella, Banco Paris or Banco Ripley ATMs. ATMs are widely available in the city, however, in rural areas, it will be more difficult to find one and they may run out of money on during high seasons. Fees for withdrawing money on ATMs are expensive. The charge will vary from CLP$3,000 to CLP$6,000 depending on the amount and the bank that owns the ATM. All ATMs have an identical user interface. When the total fee is displayed on the screen, you will see a comment stating that 'it includes Govt. tax'; meaning that no additional tax will be applied to the fee. Half a dozen of Bureau de Change are located on Agustinas, between Bandera and Ahumada should you wish to shop around for best rates. They only operate during business hours so changing money after 6:30 pm may not be easy. Los Cobres de Vitacura, in Vitacura, has also three Bureau de Change. Hotels and the Bureau de Change at the airport charge higher fees than the ones located in the city. Convert all your leftovers to another currency (preferably not at the airport) before leaving the country since changing to another currency even in an adjacent country could trigger 40 - 50% commission. Beware of people in the streets offering to find a place to change money with better rates than official bureaus. They're scam artists who will take your currency, pretend to go change it into pesos in the nearest buildings and disappear with your cash. Many downtown buildings have posters in Spanish (and often in English too) about this common scam, stating that either there are no change bureaus inside or that the ones there don't send their employees to get clients on the streets. |
Value of the US Dollar to Chilean Peso.
In recent years, the value of the dollar has increased compared to the Chilean peso, therefore it is very convenient for American tourists (or who pay in dollars) to visit Chile. |
Entry documents to Chile.
1. ID Card.
The following countries do not require a visa or passport, only your Identity Card:
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Uruguay
Paraguay
2. Passport.
Countries that do need a valid Passport to enter Chile (not tourist Visa needed):
United States
Albania
Germany
Andorra
Armenia
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bosnia
Bulgaria
Canada
Czech Republic
Cyprus
South Korea
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
El Salvador
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Estonia
Finland
France
Grenada
Greece
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius Islands
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Nicaragua
Norway
New Zealand
Netherlands
Panama
Poland
Portugal
United Kingdom
Romania
Russia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
San Marino
San Vic and the Grenadines
Saint Lucia
Vatican
Serbia
Singapore
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Venezuela.
3. Visa.
Countries that do need Visa to enter Chile:
Afghanistan,
Angola,
Saudi Arabia,
Algeria,
Armenia,
Azerbaijan,
Bahrain,
Bangladesh,
Benin,
Bhutan,
Brunei,
Burindi,
Cape Verde,
Cambodia,
Cameroon,
Chad,
China,
Congo,
North Korea,
Cuba,
Djibouti,
Egypt,
United Arab Emirates,
Eritrea,
Ethiopia,
Georgia,
Ghana,
India,
Iran,
Iraq,
Jordan,
Kazakhstan,
Kenya,
Kyrgyzstan,
Kuwait,
Lebanon,
Liberia,
Libya,
Mali,
Morocco,
Mauritania,
Mozambique,
Namibia,
Nepal,
Nigeria,
Oman,
Pakistan,
Palau,
Qatar,
Senegal,
Sierra Leone,
Syria,
Somalia,
Sri Lanka,
Tanzania,
Tajikistan,
Togo,
Tunisia,
Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan.
4. Reciprocity Tax.
Citizens from Albania, Australia, Canada and Mexico must pay the Reciprocity Tax to be able to enter Chile. This entry tax must be paid immediately after getting off the plane and before going through immigration control. The cost of this tax depends on your nationality, so, below we detail the price per country:
Australia: US $61 (€ 53.94).
Albania: US $30 (€ 26.52).
Canada: US $132 (€ 116.71).
Mexico: US $23 (€ 20.33).
Until 2014, US citizens also had to pay the reciprocity rate; However, with the entry of the Visa Waiver Program, the obligation to pay this tax, which amounted to US $ 160, has been eliminated.
5. Minors.
What requirements are needed to enter Chile with a minor?
5.1. If the minor travels with his parents:
Passport DNI of the country of origin.
Birth certificate.
5.2. If the minor travels alone with one of the parents:
Passport DNI of the country of origin.
Birth certificate with three simple photocopies
Notarial authorization of the father who does not travel giving his consent, in original and three copies.
5.3. If the minor does not travel with his parents:
Passport DNI of the country of origin.
Birth certificate with three simple photocopies
Notarial authorization of the father who does not travel giving his consent, in original and three copies.
Death certificate in case of death of parents in original and three copies.
Authorization of the Family Court that corresponds, giving consent for the trip of the child, in original and three simple photocopies.
6. Customs and import.
All international citizens must go through customs control to enter the country. There is a regulation regarding what is allowed to enter and what is not. In what follows we expose this information.
6.1. What is allowed.
Baggage and personal items: personal items, whether new or used, carried by any traveler and for personal use or for gifts will be considered as luggage. Any merchandise that due to its quantity or value is presumed to be destined for commercialization will be excluded. An adult can pass customs control with a maximum of 400 units of cigarettes, 500 grams of pipe tobacco, 50 units of cigars and 2.5 liters of alcoholic beverages. The following items will not be considered as luggage: household furniture, crockery, household goods, lingerie, paintings, musical instruments, electronic devices or appliances, and office facilities.
Duty-free items: items that are not for commercial purposes purchased at the duty-free airport of arrival up to a maximum amount of US $ 500.
6.2. Special items.
Vehicles and cars: you are only allowed to enter Chile with a vehicle or car if the stay will not exceed 90 days.
Domestic animals: tourists can enter Chile with domestic animals such as dogs and cats provided a Certificate of Vaccination of these against rabies and distemper is presented, which must be approved by the corresponding Chilean Consulate in the country of origin .
6.3.What is not allowed.
Natural products not processed: products of animal origin, fruits, vegetables and seeds that have not been processed. If we want to enter into Chile any product of these characteristics, we will have to declare it or else we will be sanctioned with a fine of 3 to 300 UTM ($220 - $150,000 dollars).
In order to declare these products, we will first have to fill out the Joint Customs / SAG Affidavit, which must be delivered to the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG). Once this is done, our baggage will be reviewed by the SAG, an organization that will determine if these products can enter the country or not.
Weapons: explosives, ammunition and firearms.
Drugs: any kind of illegal drug.
1. ID Card.
The following countries do not require a visa or passport, only your Identity Card:
Argentina
Bolivia
Brazil
Colombia
Ecuador
Peru
Uruguay
Paraguay
2. Passport.
Countries that do need a valid Passport to enter Chile (not tourist Visa needed):
United States
Albania
Germany
Andorra
Armenia
Antigua and Barbuda
Australia
Austria
Bahamas
Barbados
Belgium
Belize
Bosnia
Bulgaria
Canada
Czech Republic
Cyprus
South Korea
Costa Rica
Croatia
Denmark
El Salvador
Slovakia
Slovenia
Spain
Estonia
Finland
France
Grenada
Greece
Guatemala
Haiti
Honduras
Hong Kong
Hungary
Indonesia
Ireland
Iceland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Latvia
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macao
Malaysia
Malta
Mauritius Islands
Mexico
Moldova
Monaco
Mongolia
Montenegro
Nicaragua
Norway
New Zealand
Netherlands
Panama
Poland
Portugal
United Kingdom
Romania
Russia
Saint Kitts and Nevis
San Marino
San Vic and the Grenadines
Saint Lucia
Vatican
Serbia
Singapore
South Africa
Sweden
Switzerland
Thailand
Tonga
Trinidad and Tobago
Turkey
Venezuela.
3. Visa.
Countries that do need Visa to enter Chile:
Afghanistan,
Angola,
Saudi Arabia,
Algeria,
Armenia,
Azerbaijan,
Bahrain,
Bangladesh,
Benin,
Bhutan,
Brunei,
Burindi,
Cape Verde,
Cambodia,
Cameroon,
Chad,
China,
Congo,
North Korea,
Cuba,
Djibouti,
Egypt,
United Arab Emirates,
Eritrea,
Ethiopia,
Georgia,
Ghana,
India,
Iran,
Iraq,
Jordan,
Kazakhstan,
Kenya,
Kyrgyzstan,
Kuwait,
Lebanon,
Liberia,
Libya,
Mali,
Morocco,
Mauritania,
Mozambique,
Namibia,
Nepal,
Nigeria,
Oman,
Pakistan,
Palau,
Qatar,
Senegal,
Sierra Leone,
Syria,
Somalia,
Sri Lanka,
Tanzania,
Tajikistan,
Togo,
Tunisia,
Turkmenistan,
Uzbekistan.
4. Reciprocity Tax.
Citizens from Albania, Australia, Canada and Mexico must pay the Reciprocity Tax to be able to enter Chile. This entry tax must be paid immediately after getting off the plane and before going through immigration control. The cost of this tax depends on your nationality, so, below we detail the price per country:
Australia: US $61 (€ 53.94).
Albania: US $30 (€ 26.52).
Canada: US $132 (€ 116.71).
Mexico: US $23 (€ 20.33).
Until 2014, US citizens also had to pay the reciprocity rate; However, with the entry of the Visa Waiver Program, the obligation to pay this tax, which amounted to US $ 160, has been eliminated.
5. Minors.
What requirements are needed to enter Chile with a minor?
5.1. If the minor travels with his parents:
Passport DNI of the country of origin.
Birth certificate.
5.2. If the minor travels alone with one of the parents:
Passport DNI of the country of origin.
Birth certificate with three simple photocopies
Notarial authorization of the father who does not travel giving his consent, in original and three copies.
5.3. If the minor does not travel with his parents:
Passport DNI of the country of origin.
Birth certificate with three simple photocopies
Notarial authorization of the father who does not travel giving his consent, in original and three copies.
Death certificate in case of death of parents in original and three copies.
Authorization of the Family Court that corresponds, giving consent for the trip of the child, in original and three simple photocopies.
6. Customs and import.
All international citizens must go through customs control to enter the country. There is a regulation regarding what is allowed to enter and what is not. In what follows we expose this information.
6.1. What is allowed.
Baggage and personal items: personal items, whether new or used, carried by any traveler and for personal use or for gifts will be considered as luggage. Any merchandise that due to its quantity or value is presumed to be destined for commercialization will be excluded. An adult can pass customs control with a maximum of 400 units of cigarettes, 500 grams of pipe tobacco, 50 units of cigars and 2.5 liters of alcoholic beverages. The following items will not be considered as luggage: household furniture, crockery, household goods, lingerie, paintings, musical instruments, electronic devices or appliances, and office facilities.
Duty-free items: items that are not for commercial purposes purchased at the duty-free airport of arrival up to a maximum amount of US $ 500.
6.2. Special items.
Vehicles and cars: you are only allowed to enter Chile with a vehicle or car if the stay will not exceed 90 days.
Domestic animals: tourists can enter Chile with domestic animals such as dogs and cats provided a Certificate of Vaccination of these against rabies and distemper is presented, which must be approved by the corresponding Chilean Consulate in the country of origin .
6.3.What is not allowed.
Natural products not processed: products of animal origin, fruits, vegetables and seeds that have not been processed. If we want to enter into Chile any product of these characteristics, we will have to declare it or else we will be sanctioned with a fine of 3 to 300 UTM ($220 - $150,000 dollars).
In order to declare these products, we will first have to fill out the Joint Customs / SAG Affidavit, which must be delivered to the Agricultural and Livestock Service (SAG). Once this is done, our baggage will be reviewed by the SAG, an organization that will determine if these products can enter the country or not.
Weapons: explosives, ammunition and firearms.
Drugs: any kind of illegal drug.
Climate and Weather in Chile.
Climate:
Chile is in the southern hemisphere, and the climate varies tremendously from north to south.
Northern Chile has a desert climates with some of the earth's driest places. It is warm all year round. There is a very large daily range of temperate, up to 30 degrees celsius. Central Chile has a mediterranean type climate with long, hot summers and cool, wet winters. The best seasons are spring, September-November and fall, March-May. Southern Chile has a more rainy climate, particularly in Northern Patagonia, in the far south, around Punta Arenas is drier. The winter temperatures are quite cold, often below 0 celsius in Patagonia and it can be very windy. The summer temperatures are mild in Patagonia and warmer in Southern Continental Chile. Coastal Chile is much cooler than the interior valleys, despite the narrowness of the country, due to the influence of the cold Humboldt current. The Pacific Ocean is really not suitable for bathing in the southern part except in central and northern Chile. The Andes mountains are permanently snow covered and in the winter, June through August, offer excellent skiing. There are well-developed ski resorts in Central and Southern Chile. Weather:Santiago:
Summer: 16°C - 35°C Spring: 8°C - 29°C Fall: 3°C - 22°C Winter: -1°C - 18°C Northern Chile: Summer: 20°C - 38°C Spring: 13°C - 29°C Fall: -1°C - 27°C *Winter: -2°C - 25°C *depending if it is coast or desert, temperatures can be higher or lower. Southern Chile: Summer: 15°C - 35°C Spring: 8°C - 29°C Fall: 3°C - 22°C Winter: -4°C - 19°C Patagonia: Summer: 11°C - 32°C Spring: 4°C - 24°C Fall: -5°C - 16°C Winter: -8°C - 14°C |