Currency
The official currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso, divided into 100 cents. Unlike other South American countries, Chile rarely accepts US dollars.

Foreign currency can be exchanged at a ‘casa de cambio’ or currency-exchange offices or in banks. ‘Casas de cambio’ are open from 9am to 6pm Monday through Friday (closing 1-3pm for lunch) and Saturday until 1pm. Banks in Santiago are usually open weekdays from 9am to 4pm. Casa de cambio can be found near the center of every major city, but note that they are scarce in small towns. Generally rates offered by banks are lower than at ‘casas de cambio’.

ATMs, travelers’ checks and credit cards
Automatic teller machines (ATM) are known as a ‘Redbanc’ are readily available in the larger towns and cities.
Redbancs are compatible with a variety of networks, including Visa, MasterCard, Cirrus and Plus. Note that many banks assess a 1% to 3% ‘transaction fee’ on all charges you incur abroad, so check with your bank institution before you go.
Visa, MasterCard and American Express are widely accepted throughout Chile. Travelers’ checks can be exchanged in ‘casas de cambio’ and banks, but you will usually receive a poorer rate and/or be charged an additional fee.

Tipping
A tip in Chile like in most of the countries in South America is given to reward good service. Tipping is expected by tour guides, porters and other tourist industry workers, though not by taxi drivers. Porters in hotels and airports expect approx. 1 US dollar for 2 pieces of luggage. In restaurants, it is customary to tip about 10% of the bill.

Taxis
Taxis are plentiful. These should have meters and the fares displayed, but for long journeys, fares should be agreed beforehand. A surcharge of 50% applies on Sundays after 9pm. Taxis are black with a yellow roof. Tipping is not expected.

Bargaining
Bargaining is not practiced in street markets or stores.

Phone calls and internet access
The international access code for Chile is +56. A number of telephone companies offer different rates for national and international calls, depending on the time of day. Public phones are widely available and international call centers or ‘centro de llamadas’ are available in most shopping malls. Call centers are usually less expensive then the coin operated phones. Mobile phone companies have roaming agreements with most international cell phone companies. Otherwise mobile phones can easily be rented. A GSM network is in operation. Internet cafes are widespread, particularly in the big cities.

Electricity
Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Round two-pin plugs are standard

Airport Taxes
For flights leaving Chile, there is an airport tax of USD 18. The airport tax for national flights varies between USD 10 and USD14 depending on the destination, but this tax is usually included in the airline ticket. Check before you leave.

Passengers with a passport from Australia, Canada, United States or Mexico are required to pay a reciprocity tax on entering the airport. Australians: USD 30, Canadians: USD 132, US citizens: USD 100 and Mexicans: USD 15. The receipt is valid for the life of your passport. This tax is applied to countries that charge Chilean citizens a fee to process visas.

Immunizations
Chile poses few health risks to travelers. There are no diseases such as malaria or dysentery, so no special vaccinations are required. Most travelers receive inoculations for Hepatitis A, Typhoid Fever and Tetanus. For the most current information, please consult your doctor and/or or visit the website www.cdc.gov/travel of the Center for Disease Control for current updates. Santiago is severely polluted and this could cause respiratory problems or eye irritations. The most severe pollution occurs from May to August. Travellers visiting the Andes Mountains should be aware of altitude sickness, and if possible ascend slowly to allow the body to adjust. Health care in urban areas is adequate, but hospitals and clinics are expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure.

Food & Drink
The standards for health and hygiene in the larger cities and touristy regions are relatively high. Nevertheless, travelers should drink only bottled water, which is widely available throughout Chile. Do not drink tap water, even in major hotels, and try to avoid drinks with ice. If you’re trekking in the mountains or visiting remote rural areas where bottled water is not available, boil water to purify it or use water-purification tablets.

You are safer eating fruits that you can peel or salads and fruits washed with purified water, as well as foods that have been thoroughly cooked. Your best bet is to eat at clean restaurants and to avoid food vendors.

Altitude sickness
First signs of altitude sickness may already emerge upon your arrival to altitudes higher than 2,800m (6,500ft). The lack of oxygen causes many individuals to suffer headaches, nausea, shortness of breath, physical weakness. You are advised to take it easy for the first few days and to avoid alcoholic beverages for the first day or two. Try to eat light food and drink a lot of water, especially the local coca tea is recommended in case of altitude sickness.

The Chile’s position between the Andes and the Pacific fosters several micro-climatic zones. Your packing list will vary depending on the regions you are travelling to.

The north is desert, warm during the day but very cool at night. Santiago and the Central Valley enjoy a Mediterranean climate. The south is cold, bitterly so in winter, and often wet.

The North - Atacama Desert
The north, which contains the Atacama Desert, is characterized by hot and arid weather. Summer temperatures from December to February in this region can top 38°C (100°F), then drop dramatically at night to -1°C (30°F). Winter days, from mid-June to late August, are crisp in the sunshine but bitterly cold in the shade and when the sun drops. Along the coast, the weather is mild and dry, ranging from 16°C-32°C (60°F to 90°F). Rain is of no concern as this coast-to-desert landscape is one of the driest in the world.

The Central Zone – Santiago, Central Valley and Lake District
The central zone extending about 1,450 km (900 mi) from 30°to 43°S, has seasons that are better defined. Temperatures in this region range from 0°C to 13°C (32°F - 55°F) in the winter, and 16°C to 35°C (60°F - 95°F) during the summer. Rainfall is heaviest in the winter months but still only moderate and falling on a few days at this time. Santiago and the Central Valley enjoy a Mediterranean climate, whereas the Carretera Austral and the Lake District undergo soaking wet winters, especially in the regions around Valdivia, Puerto Montt, and Chiloé. Average annual rainfall increases, and temperatures decrease, as one moves further south.

Patagonia
Weather in Patagonia varies greatly depending on the regions through which you will be traveling. The weather is extremely erratic in Patagonia. In the summer and prime time (from October to March) you can expect some warm sunny weather, as well as cold, rainy, windy days. Weather changes in a matter of minutes, and returning to sunshine just as quickly. Wind is the one consistent factor in Patagonian weather. Windstorms can reach upward of 120kmph (74 mph), and it’s not unusual to experience heavy rain during the summer. The windiest months are from mid-December to early February, but it can blow any time between October and April. Winters are calm, with irregular snowfall and temperatures that can dip to -15°C (5°F).

Easter Island
The climate is moist and there is sporadic rain, which becomes more intense in May. While it rarely gets any hotter than 29°C (85°F), it can feel very muggy and uncomfortable in the austral summer (December through March). February is the hottest month. Winters are mild, with a low of around 14°C (57°F). Heavy rainfall and storms occasionally hit the island in July and August, which are the coolest months.

Staying safe
Chile is a politically stable and remarkably safe country with very few threats to the traveller. Nevertheless visitors should take the same security precautions that they would in any major city in the world. Petty crime, such as pick pocketing and purse snatching, has increased since the beginning of 2007 in urban centers. Thieves are active in crowded tourist locations, markets, metro (subway) stations, trains, buses and taxis. Daylight muggings have been reported in Cerro San Cristóbal and Cerro Santa Lucia, which should be avoided after dark. The possibility of having a bad experience can be greatly reduced by taking a few simple precautions: