CHILE custom travel guide made just for CruiseLuxurious.com from August until September ,
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Chile. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Understand. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 Regions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 Cities. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Attractions. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 Talk. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10 Get in. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Get around. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 Buy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 Eat. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 Drink. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 Sleep. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15 Stay Safe. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Stay Healthy. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 16 Respect. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Contact. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 Quick Facts. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17
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Useful info. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Sunrise/Sunset. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18 Useful phrases. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
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References. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
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Chile
Chile
Chile · Understand Culture
Understand History Chile has been populated since 12,000 BC. In 16th century, Spanish colonizers began to subdue the region of present dayChile. The territory became a colony from 1540 until it finally gained its independence from Spain on February 12, 1818. Chile was governed during most of its first 150 years of independent life by different forms of restricted government, where the electorate was carefully vetted and controlled by the elite. Failure to address the economic and social disparities plus the increasing political awareness of the less-affluent population led to a political polarization under Socialist President Salvador Allende. Such events resulted in the 11 September 1973coup leading to the military dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet. Pinochet’s 17-year regime was responsible for numerous human rights violations and deep market-oriented economic reforms. In 1990, Chile made a peaceful transition to democracy. People The people of Chile are called Chileans. The Chileans are mainly a mixture of Spanish and Amerindian descent with small but significant traces of 19th and 20th century immigrants from Europe. A strong correlation exists between the ancestry and ethnicity with the socioeconomic situation of Chileans. There are notable differences observed between the lower classes of high Amerindian ancestry and the upper classes of mainly European ancestry.
Mapuche Poncho
Chile is a multiethnic society. It is home to people of many different ethnic backgrounds. Studies on the ethnic structure of Chile vary significantly from one another. As in other Latin American countries, from the onset of Spanish colonization and settlement, race mixing or mestizaje was the norm rather than the exception. Giant Moai Statues on Easter Island
Chile is regarded as one of the most homogeneous nations in Latin America. Unlike many of its Latin American neighbors, it has not experienced any strong regionalism nor conflicting regional identities partly due to its migration pattern. Since the late 19th century, the northern and southern parts of the country have been mainly populated by people coming from the central region thus, contributing to the country’s cultural homogeneity despite the existence of distinct regional ethnicities and culture such as the Aymará Indians (near Bolivia), Mapuche Indians (southern region) and some Polynesian cultural traditions (Eastern Island).
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Religion According to a 2011 survey, 63% of the population was Roman Catholic and 15% of those surveyed declared to be Protestant. All the other religions comprised 4% and the people who were indifferent regarding religion constituted approximately 25% of the population.
Economy The economy of Chile is ranked as an upper middle income economy by the World Bank and is one of South America's most stable and prosperous nations. It leads the Latin American nations in human development, competitiveness, income per capita, globalization, economic freedom and low perception of corruption. However, it has a high economic inequality.
Chile · Understand Visitors are encouraged to come during spring from late September to early December and from March to June as both seasons have pleasant weather and the destinations are generally less crowded. However, for those who are planning to visit the capital city of Santiago, the summer season is considered a great time to do so as majority of the local people tend to head out of the city for their vacation thus, dropping the rates of most hotels.
Location
In May 2010, Chile became the first South American country to join the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) which is a leading international economic organization comprising of countries espousing democracy and free market economy.
Climate The climate of Chile comprises a wide range of weather conditions across a large geographic scale. Making generalization is difficult. Chile within its borders hosts major climatic subtypes. Its climate depending on the specific geographical location ranges from Desert (north), Semi-arid, Mediterranean, Humid Subtropical (Easter Island), Temperate Oceanic (South) to Subpolar Oceanic (Central Chile). In Central Chile, the country’s capital of Santiago has an average monthly temperatures are about 19.5 °C in the summer months of January to February and 7.5°C in the winter months of June to July. By contrast, in Concepción the average monthly temperatures are somewhat lower in the summer at 17.6°C but higher in the winter at 9.3°C. Along the coast, the weather is mild and dry, ranging from 16°C to 32°C during the summer. There are four seasons in most of the country: summer (December to February), autumn (March to May), winter (June to August) and spring (September to November).
Best Time to Visit For visitors planning to visit during the summer, it is recommended to make the necessary bookings in advance. Brazilians and Argentines normally vacation during the summer from mid December until the end of February, mid July and the week before Easter Sunday as these dates coincide with their school vacations. Consequently, prices during such dates are inflated and popular tourists spots will be overcrowded with vacationers.
Chile and its unusual shape
Chile is situated in the southern part of South America, bordering the South Pacific Ocean and a small part of the South Atlantic Ocean. Chile's territorial shape is most unusual. On a map, it looks like a long ribbon reaching from the middle of South America's west coast straight down to the southern tip of the continent, where it curves slightly eastward. Chile's neighbors are Peru and Bolivia (north) and Argentina (east).
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Regions
Chile · Regions tain ranges is the Central Valley, which contains some of the richest agricultural land in the country, especially in its northern portion. The area just north and south ofSantiago is a large producer of fruits, including the grapes from which the best Chilean wines are produced. The South/ Sur de Chile: Although many lovely lakes can be found in the Andean and coastal regions of centralChile, the south is definitely the considered the country’s lake district. The lakes in this region are remarkably beautiful. The snow coveredAndesform a constant backdrop to vistas of clear blue or even turquoise waters. The rivers that descend from theAndesrush over volcanic rocks, forming numerous white water sections and waterfalls. The vegetation, including many ferns in the shady areas, is a lush green. The Far South/ Chile Austral: Although the area generally is chilly and wet, the combination of channels, fjords, snowcapped mountains and islands of all shapes and sizes within such a narrow space makes for breathtaking views. The far south contains large expanses of pastures that are often used for raising sheep, even though overgrazing is an issue in some areas. The area's other main economic activity is oil and natural gas extraction from the areas around the Strait of Magellan. This strait is one of the world's important sea lanes because it unites the Atlantic and Pacific oceans through a channel that avoids the rough open waters off Cape Horn. In terms of governance, Chile is divided into 15 regions which are the country's first level administrative division. Each region is headed by an intendant (intendente) and an indirectly elected body known as regional board (consejo regional). The 15 Basic Administrative Divisions:
Map of Chile with its color coded natural regions
There are 5 major natural regions in Chile each with its own distinct vegetation, fauna and topography. The Natural Regions: The Far North/ Norte Grande: It mainly contains the Atacama Desert, one of the driest areas in the world. The kinds of fruits that grow well in the arid tropics thrive. However, the region's main economic foundation is its great mineral wealth. The Near North/ Norte Chico: It extends from the Copiapó River to just north of Santiago. It is a semi arid region whose central area receives an average of about 25 mm (0.98 in) of rain during each of the four winter months and with trace amounts for the rest of the year. The higher elevations in the interior sections are covered with shrubs and cacti of various kinds. Central Chile/ Chile Central: It is home to the majority of the population, including the three largest metropolitan areas of Santiago, Valparaíso and Concepción. The topography of central Chile includes a coastal range of mountains running parallel to the Andes. Lying between the two moun-
I Tarapacá II Antofagasta III Atacama IV Coquimbo V Valparaíso VI Libertador General Bernardo O'Higgins VII Maule VIII Bío Bío IX La Araucanía X Los Lagos XI AyséndelGeneral Carlos Ibáñez del Campo XII Magallanes y la Antártica Chilena XIV Los Ríos XV Arica y Parinacota RMSantiagoMetropolitan Note: XIII is not used.
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Chile · Cities
Images from top to bottom: Atacama Desert in Norte Grande, Copiapó River in Norte Chico, Andes foothills in Central Chile, Haverback Canal in Sur de Chile and Torres del Paine in Chile Austral
Cities Santiago: the capital and largest city of the country Concepción: Chile's second largest city Iquique: tourist center in northern Chile La Serena: is the country's second oldest city after the national capital ofSantiago Valparaíso: main Chilean port and a UNESCO World Heritage Site Valdivia: called the "City of Rivers", rebuilt after the strongest earthquake on history Punta Arenas: the capital city of Chile's southernmost region of Magallanes and Antartica Chilena
Attractions Easter Island Isla de Pascua (Spanish) or Rapa Nui (Polynesian) is one of the most isolated islands on Earth. Early settlers called the island "Te Pito O Te Henua" (Navel of the World). Officially a territory of Chile, it lies far off in the Pacific Ocean, roughly halfway to Tahiti. It is known as a sacred site. It is most famous for its enigmatic giant stone busts which were built centuries ago to reflect the history of the dramatic rise and fall of the most isolated Polynesian culture. Most of the accommodations on Easter Island are guest houses. Representatives of the guest houses will normally come to the airport to greet the tourists and offer them lodging. Rates are usually quite reasonable. The proprietors of these guest houses will be happy to help the visitors find places to eat, drink, hire cabs and generally get around. Getting Around: Easter Islandis extremely small and getting around is fairly easy. There are rental jeeps in Hanga Roa as well as a few dirt bikes and bicycles. Most hosts will also rent out their jeep to visitors at competitive rates. For those who want
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to bike around, note that aside from the main paved roads in Hanga Roa or the single smooth paved road to Anakena, roads to many main sites are of dirt and sometimes quite uneven and potholed. Exploring using a car cannot be overstated for some parts of the island. Getting Here: The only regular domestic flights are via LAN Airlines available daily between Isla de Pascua and the country’s capital, Santiago. With no competition for fares on an objectively lengthy and obscure flight, fares range between USD 300 to USD 1200 round trip fromSantiago. The flight duration is approximately 4.5 hours to 6 hours.
Map for getting around
Chile · Attractions Pucón It is a small tourist town located in the Province of Cautín, Araucanía Region. It is 100 km to the southeast of Temuco and 780 km to the south of Santiago. It is extremely popular with both the Chileans and foreigners alike for its nightlife and the beautiful views of Volcan Villarrica. The city center is a backpacker's paradise that is filled with travel agencies offering any kind of day trips imaginable. January and February are the busiest months. Must See and Do: Climbing Volcan Villarrica: It looms majestically over Pucón at 2,840 meters (9318 feet) above sea level. It is one of Chile's most active volcanoes, rising above the lake and town of the same name. Climbing to the its snow capped top is non technical and on clear days, relatively easy. Thousands of people make the climb each year, most of them in January and February. Most of guided excursions begin at around 7 AM but some agencies offer an earlier 5 AM start to avoid the big crowds that arrive later. Agencies will provide the equipment and transportation. Note that most guides will not go further up after 2 PM so it is advisable to get up early and avoid wasting too much time on the way up. Skiing and snowboarding: The ski area on Volcan Villarrica is open during winter, around May until the beginning of October. Equipment rental is available in Pucón.
Easter Island Volcan Villarica
Glimpse into its Polynesian heritage
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Chile · Attractions Valparaíso The town is a city located 69.5 miles (111.8 km) northwest of Santiago and one of the country's most important seaports. The city is the capital of the Valparaíso Province and the Valparaíso Region. Although Santiago is Chile's official capital, the National Congress of Chile was established in Valparaíso in 1990.
Pucón Town Center
The city is widely known for its bohemian culture, brightly colored houses and beautiful seaside views. Examples of Valparaíso’s former glory include Latin America’s oldest stock exchange as well as the continent’s first volunteer fire department, Chile’s first public library and the oldest Spanish language newspaper in continuous publication in the world. Valparaiso's Historic Quarter was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003. Must Do: Going to Valparaiso and not going on the ascensores (funicular railways) is like going toVeniceand not taking a ride on a Gondola. They are of practical use as they help people in getting to the higher parts of the town easily.
Idyllic Pucón
Puerto de Pucón
Getting Here: Pucón's airport operates only during summer. The closest airport for the remainder of the year is Temuco which is about 1.5 hours away by road. Trains run to Temuco during summer from December to February. Visitors planning to come here by driving should know that from Santiago, this takes approximately 8 hours and involves passing several road tolls. The road from the turnoff to Pucón is paved and in good shape.
Getting Here: While Valparaíso itself can be a bit of a difficult city in which to drive, the area's highway system is generally of good quality. Note that there are often tolls on the highways. There are also buses from a wide variety of destinations withinChile with scheduled service to Valparaíso. The bus terminal is located close to the National Congress building. Bus travel time is approximately 1.5 hours fromSantiago and there is regular service all throughout the day. Getting Around: Colectivos are taxis painted in black with yellow roofs that run fixed routes and they are very common mode of transport between withinValparaisoand other surrounding areas. The cost of the trip, while more expensive than the bus or metro, depends upon the distance being traveled following a system of zones. There are also regular taxis that do custom rides but they are less common and more expensive. The recently completed light rail system, Metro Valparaíso or Merval, runs along the coast. It starts at Valparaiso's port and heads into Viña del Mar and other more rural locales. Ascensores are funiculars that ply between the coastal strip and hillside communities.
Getting Around: There are available taxis to take the visitors to places out of town. The town itself is small enough to walk. Cycling is easy as there are cycle lanes along the main road. There are also plenty of public buses.
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Chile · Talk in hundreds of years. A prototype for a Mars rover was even tested here by scientists because of the valley's dry and forbidding terrains. Entrance is around 2000 Chilean Pesos. Getting Here: No airlines fly directly to San Pedro de Atacama. The nearest commercial airport is in another town named Calama. Three airlines serving Calama are LAN, Sky Airline and PAL. Travel time from Calama Airport to San Pedro is about 90 minutes by bus. If visitors are planning to travel by land fromSantiago, be reminded that the nearest route going to San Pedro is approximately covering a distance of 1600 plus kilometers. From San Pedro, visitors not planning to avail of organized tours may find bike rentals in town.
Ascensores
Reminders: If planning to go by bike from San Pedro, it is best to leave early from town and bring the following: flashlight, helmet with headlight (which is available in most bike rental shops) and drinking water. Getting Around: Once in the town, nearly all points of interest such as restaurants and services are within walking distance with the exception of a few outlying hotels. Downtown comprises twelve small blocks.
Valle de la Luna
Talk
Valparaíso
Valle de la Luna Also called as Valley of the Moon, is located 13 kilometres (8 miles) west of San Pedro de Atacama in the Atacama desert. It is a part of the Reserva Nacional los Flamencos. It has various stone and sand formations as well as dry lakes where the composition of salt makes a white covering layer of the area. It presents diverse saline outcrops which appear like man made sculptures. The valley is also considered one of the driest places on earth, as some areas have not received a single drop of rain
Spanish is the official language in the country and is spoken everywhere. Chileans use a distinct dialect called Castellano de Chile with a variety of differences in pronunciation, grammar, vocabulary and slang usage. Spanish speaking foreigners will not have a problem understanding it although it may sound funny to them. On the other hand, Spanish is the official language and while not the first language of choice, local people would generally be fairly fluent. English is widely understood in large cities especially in Santiago. It is also understood albeit to a lesser extent in the other towns of Valparaíso, Concepción and La Serena. Since learning English is now mandatory in schools, younger people are far more likely to speak English than the elderly. Locals 40
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years old and above are unlikely to speak any English, unless they are tourist industry workers.
Travel Options
Various indigenous languages are spoken in Chile but only between indigenous people, who comprise less than 5% of the population. Even many people belonging to such indigenous groups are also not able to speak their native language and use Spanish instead. Some people understand French, Italian and Portuguese. There are some German speakers especially in the south of the country, due to the arrival of the German migrants during the second half of the 19th century.
By Plane: The most common entry point for overseas visitors is through the Arturo Merino Benítez InternationalAirport (IATA code: SCL) which is located approximately 15 km (9.3 miles) north-west of downtown Santiago. It is the largest aviation facility in Chileand one of the busiest in South America in terms of passenger traffic (over 11 million in 2010). It is a major connecting point going to Latin America and is served by non-stop international service, mainly from Europe, the Americas and Oceania.
Get in Entry Requirements Citizens of the following countries may be exempted from tourist visa requirements: Up to 90 days: Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Holy See, Honduras, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, the Republic of Macedonia, Malta, Mauricio, Mexico, Monaco, Montenegro, the Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Noruega, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, South Korea, Spain, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Turkey, the United Kingdom, the United States, Uruguay and Venezuela Up to 60 days: Grenada, Greece, Indonesia and Peru Up to 30 days: Belize, Bolivia, Jamaica, Malaysia and Singapore Up to 21 days: Dominica Citizens of other nationalities, including several African and Asian nationalities, will not be able to enter Chile unless they apply for a special visa from a Chile consulate before entry. Citizens of four countries must pay a reciprocity fee of varying amounts. The fee is USD 132 for Canadian citizens, USD 140 for American citizens, USD 61 for Australian citizens and USD 15 for Mexican citizens. The fees are equivalent to the amount that the aforementioned countries require for entry visas from Chilean citizens. The fee is only for tourists entering by plane. For accurate information regarding entry requirements and fees, please visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs at: www.minrel.gob.cl
Chile · Get in
Airlines serving this international airport are LAN Airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas, AirCanada, AirFrance, American Airlines, Avianca, Copa, Delta,I beria, Pluna and TACA. Other airports in Chile with international service are located in Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, Concepción, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas. The Mataveri International Airport onEaster Island receives only LAN Airlines flights. By Bus: For travellers who are already in South America, a cheaper and reliable way is to go by bus to Chile. Buses from Argentina depart daily from Mendoza, Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes and weekly from Buenos Aires. Buses also come from Peru, Bolivia and Brazil.
Get around Travel Options By Plane: Chile has a rather good airport infrastructure. The main hub for flights in Chile is the ArturoMerinoBenitezInternationalAirportinSantiagofrom where several airlines serve even the remotest corners of the country. The three Chilean airlines with expansive domestic routes are LAN Airlines, Sky Airline and Principal Airlines. Because of the shape and the expanse of the country, many routes are subject to several time consuming layovers. By Intercity Bus: The bus system is pretty sophisticated and provides a cheap and comfortable way to get from town to town. Keep in mind that local companies will usually stop at many stations along the way. Travellers can always ask if there is a non-stop option called directo. Bus companies that cover almost the entire country are Turbus (www.turbus.cl) and Pullman (www.pullmanbus.cl). Travellers should keep in mind that prices vary on a daily basis. They are usually more expensive on weekends and holidays than on weekdays. The quality of service varies quite a lot. Check if the bus has cama (bed), semi-cama (heavily inclining seats) or ejecutivo (executive with slightly inclining seat). Toilets are not always available and if available, they are not always working.
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By Micro: It is the local bus that will take its passenger to the different points within the city. In Chile, the price for riding it is fixed regardless of the distance. The fare for one block is equivalent to the fare for going across the entire city. This fixed price fare varies from city to city. In Santiagothe fare is pegged at 550 Chilean Pesos or approximately less than USD 1.20 as of November 2011. For detailed instruction how to use the micro: www.southamerica.cl/Chile/Santiago/Local_Buses.htm By Driving: Car hires are available from major cities and airports but not necessarily from smaller towns. Rental rates vary depending on the location. Rates in the bigger cities tend to be more affordable compared to those in smaller towns. For comprehensive road maps, please contact the Automóvil Club de Chile in Santiago via www.automovilclub.cl or by phone on (2) 431 1000. Usually a credit card, a valid driver's license and a passport, all three issued to the same person, are needed to rent a car. An international driving permit is also necessary to legally drive in Chile eventhough some rental companies do not require it.
General Driving Reminders Must Do: Driving is on the right with overtaking on the left. Always give way to vehicles on the right. Avoid the rush hour in the cities which are normally from 7 AM to 9 AM and from 5 PM to 8 PM. Must Avoid: Smoking while driving Using a mobile phone without the hands free option while driving Listening to music using a headset while driving If caught with a violation, never attempt to bribe the police.
Chile · Buy
Buy Currency and Exchange: Chile's currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP). Although other currencies are not widely accepted, most cities have exchange bureaus called casas de cambio with reasonable rates for the Euro and the US dollar. The rates should be published on widely visible boards and exchanging money on the streets should be avoided. Although foreign currency exchange is also available in hotels as well as the airports, the rates are much less competitive than what the exchange bureaus in the cities will offer. As of 2013, 1 USD is approximately equivalent to 473 CLP. ATM and Banking: Banco Santander has a monopoly on all the ATMs located at the airports and will add a surcharge of 2500 Chilean Pesos or around USD 1.00 for retrieving cash. The ATM network inChile is respectable in coverage. Visitors must be aware that different banks will have varying charges for extracting cash with the usual fee pegged at USD 1.00. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in most of the major cities and in all chain stores regardless of location. Of the foreign commercial banks in the country, HSBC and Scotiabank have the largest coverage. Banking Hours: Banks are normally open from 9 AM to 2 PM during weekdays. ATMs operate usually on a 24 hour basis. Prices: Traveling in Chile is not cheap by South American standard but it is still comparably cheaper than in Europe and North America. Sample of Approximate Prices as of 2013: Bottle of beer in a bar: USD 1.00 Bottle of beer in a store: USD 0.90 Standard McDonald’s meal: USD 5.00 Cup of coffee: Less than USD 2.00 Large bottle of water: USD 0.70 Internet access per hour: USD 1.20 Local call per 3 minutes: USD 0.40 Taxi ride per 0.62 mile: USD 0.50 Midrange hotel room per night: USD 21.00 to USD 42.00 What to buy: Aside from its world class wine, jewelries and ornaments made of lapis lazuli stones and Mapuche silver are the must buy items when visiting Chile. It is recommended to buy the semiprecious lapis lazuli stones from reputable jewelry shops. In Santiago, the best place to shop for such items is the area surrounding Patio Bellavista. For travellers going to the Lake District in Southern Chile, Mapuche silver necklaces and ornaments should not be missed.
Inside a Micro
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Lapis Lazuli Stones
Chile · Eat
Cazuela de Vacuno
Eat Traditional Food Pastel de choclo: corn casserole filled with ground beef, onions, chicken, raisins, hardboiled egg, olives, and topped with sugar and butter. Empanada de pino: a baked pie filled with ground beef, onion, raisins, a piece of boiled egg and a black olive Empanada de queso: a deep-fried pastry packet filled with cheese. Found everywhere, including McDonald's Cazuela de vacuno: beef soup with a potato, rice, a piece of corn and a piece of squash. Cazuela de ave or de pollo: chicken soup with a potato, rice, a piece of corn and a piece of squash. Porotos granados: stew made with fresh beans, squash, corn, onion and basil Lomo a la pobre: beefsteak with fried potatoes, egg and onions
Empanada
Variety of Chilean food
Pastel de Choclo
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Chile
Chile · Drink
Besides typical foods, you should expect food normally found in any Western country. The normal diet includes rice, potatoes, meat and bread. Vegetables and fruits are abundant in central Chile. Typically, portions increase the farther south one travels. Also, with such an enormous coastline, travellers can expect fish and seafood almost everywhere. Although Locals eat raw shellfish, visitors should be cautious of eating it raw because of the frequent outbreaks of red tides. Chileis the world's second largest producer of salmon, as well as a number of other farmed sea products including oysters, scallops, mussels, trout and turbot. Local fish include corvina (sea bass), congrio (conger eel), lenguado (flounder), albacora (swordfish) and yellow fin tuna.
Drink
Terremoto
Wine Production
Pico Sour
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Chile
Alcohol
Chile · Sleep ed for tourist rental. For additional information, visit: http:// www.residenciales.cl/
Wine: Chile is a renowned wine producer competing with France, California, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand for world market share. Red wines such as Cabernet Sauvignon and Carmenere along with the white wine from the Casablanca Valley are the notable wines produced by this country. There are several popular drinks made of wine such as Borgoña (red wine with strawberries), Jote (wine with Coke), Melon con Vino (hollowed out melon with white wine poured inside), Navegado (heated red wine with orange and sugar) and Terremoto (pineapple ice cream mixed with pipeño white wine) among others. Chilean Pisco: This is a brandy made from Muscat grapes. Popular brands are Capel, Alto del Carmen, Mistral and Campanario. This is very popular and is mixed to make a variety of alcoholic drinks such as Pico Sour (with lemon juice and sugar), Piscola (with Coke) and Mango Sour (with mango juice).
Sample of a hostel room
Drinking Reminders Chileans drink a lot of alcohol. However, unlike other Latin American countries, the laws are much stricter. It is illegal to drink in unlicensed public areas such as public parks or streets. Vendor hours are also implemented. Normally, selling of alcohol is prohibited between 3 AM to 9 AM depending on the day of the week. The legal drinking age is 18. When looking for bars, beware that the English word "night club" literally means brothel in Chile.
Sleep
Hotel Sheraton
Accommodation Options Hotels and Resorts: There are several hotel chains and boutique hotels meeting western standards available particularly in Santiago. The cost of lodging in the capital is much higher. During summer holidays from January to March, making advance booking particularly in coastal resort areas is recommended. Hotels in the country are graded using the 5 to 2 star grading system with 5 as the highest rating denoting luxurious facilities. Backpacker Hostels: They continue to materialize throughout Chile mostly due to the increase of younger tourists coming to the country. Typically cheap, however standards greatly vary depending on the amenities available. There are hostels offering the bare basics as well as additional luxuries for the more discriminating traveller. For additional information, visit: www.backpackerschile.com/index.php/en/
Portillo Ski Resort
Residenciales: These are popular and cheap type of lodging in which in the rooms of local homes have been convert-
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Chile
Chile · Stay Safe
Carabineros
Palafito Hostel
Stay Safe Common Crimes Pickpocketing, muggings and other thefts are common especially inSantiago. It is advisable for tourists to avoid going to the downtown area wearing expensive jewelries as well as carrying laptops even during day time. It is recommended to wear backpacks placed in front of the body and to use the internet cafés instead of using laptops in public places.
Police Assistance The National Police called Chilena Carabineros are very trust worthy. Unlike other South American countries, the police force here is honest and bribery is a serious offense. Emergency Police Hotline: 133
Basic Reminders Keep the coins handy as they are more frequently used when paying for basic items and services. It is much better to have the bills of higher denomination concealed unless it is necessary to bring them out. Petty thefts are common so, tourists are advised to buy local phones instead of bringing their mobile phones from home which contain important contacts. Before taking pictures of military buildings or ships, it is best to ask first. If caught, the authorities have the right to inspect and confiscate the photographs taken as well as question the tourists regarding the reason for taking the pictures. Because Chile is a fairly homogenous country, Chileans tend to stare at Black or Asian tourists. Racial attacks are infrequent though. Never ride a cab if there is already another passenger inside.
Stay Healthy Vaccinations are not required for entry except for yellow fever if coming from infected areas within 5 days. When going to rural areas, tourists should take extra precaution against the Hanta virus which is potentially fatal and is being spread by ro-
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Chile
dents. Inspect that the accommodations are free from signs of rodents. Chile has relatively good nationwide standards in medicine. However, travellers will usually find more refined resources at private medical facilities called Clinicas. Standards of hygiene are generally reasonable so food and water are safe to consume. Just know that water is produced from the mountains, so it might be harder for foreigners to drink. In that case, it is advisable to buy bottled water. Emergency Medical Hotline: 131
Chile · Respect in internet cafes as well as in call centers called centros de llamados. Prepaid cards for mobile phones and landlines are sold at most newspaper kiosks, supermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies and phone dealers. These call cards are very handy as they would allow both domestic and international calls. Chile's country code: 56. Roaming agreements exist with international mobile companies although coverage is much better inside towns. For cheaper rates, it is recommended though to buy a basic prepaid cellular phone or a GSM SIM card. No identification is required to buy a prepaid phone.
Internet Access
Respect Some Basic Reminders Dining etiquette can be quite formal at times. It is recommended to observe around especially if invited to local homes. Generally, women are seated first. Guests should wait for the host to show them their seats as well as for the host to make the first toast before drinking. Chileans hate arrogance. Being polite is always the best bet. It is best to keep one’s political opinion about Pinochet private. Due to past territorial conflicts against Bolivia and Peru, some locals still harbor ill feelings and opinions against such countries although these conflicts happened a long time ago. Be careful when asking about such sensitive historical topics.
Contact
There are cybercafes in major and midsize cities as well as in popular tourist destinations, many of such shops remaining open all day. Some libraries also offer free use of their computers with internet access. Many lodging facilities provide internet connection at a relatively cheap rate of USD 1.00 for 30 minutes. Public wi-fi hotspots are also becoming increasingly popular with free ones marked as "gratis".
Postal Services Chile's postal service is called Correos de Chile (www.correos.cl) and it is considered as generally reliable. Mailing to Europe and the US via air takes approximately 4 days to 1 week. In Santiago, post office hours are from 8:30 AM to 7 PM during weekdays and 8:30 AM to 1 PM on Saturdays. Post offices in villages tend to operate with reduced hours.
Quick Facts Official Language: Spanish Time Zone: Chile Standard Time (CLST) with daylight saving time in effect during summer Electricity: 220 volts/ 50 Hz. Electrical outlets have two openings. Bringing an adapter is recommended. Tipping: 10% in restaurants and based on guest’s discretion in hotels. It is not necessary to tip taxi drivers. Taxes: An 18% sales tax is applied to rooms when guests show their tourist cards as well as if they opt to pay in US Dollars. Shop Hours: 10 AM to 8 PM (weekdays) and 10 AM to 2 PM (Saturday) with large shopping center opening daily from 10 AM to 9 PM
Centro de Llamado
Phone Access Public phones located on streets are very likely to be tampered or vandalized. It is more convenient to use the phones available
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Useful info
Useful info · Sunrise/Sunset
Useful info
Useful info
Sunrise/Sunset Sun will rise at 07:45:49 and will set at 19:53:40 in local time.
Useful phrases English
Spanish
Welcome Hello Hello(on phone) Good morning Good afternoon Good evening Good night, Night night, Nighty Night, Good night, sleep tight, hope the bedbugs don't bite! Goodbye How are you? Reply Long time no see What's your name? My name is ... Where are you from? I come from ... Pleased to meet you Good luck Cheers! Bottoms up! Down the hatch! Mud in your eye! Bon appetit! Enjoy your meal! (frm) Enjoy! Tuck in! Get stuck in! Eat already! (inf/slang) Happy eating! Get your laughing gear round this! (inf/slang) Bon voyage / have a good journey Excuse me Sorry How much is this? / How much does this cost? Please Thank you Thank you very much Thank you kindly Thanks a lot Many thanks Thanks Cheers Ta (used mainly in northen England) You're welcome Don't mention it My pleasure No problem No probs Not a problem No worries No big deal Where's the toilet / lavatory / bathroom / restroom / powder room / gents/ladies? Where's the loo / bog / dunny / little boys'/ girls' room? (inf/slang) Have a nice day Get well soon Would you like to dance with me? I love you I don't understand Please say that again Please speak more slowly
Bienvenido (sg) Bienvenidos (pl) ¡Hola! ¡Diga! ¡Dígame! ¿Sí? ¿Bueno? ¡Hola! ¿Aló? Buenos días Buenas tardes Buenas tardes / Buenas noches Buenas noches Adiós, Hasta luego, Hasta la vista, Hasta mañana ¿Cómo está usted? (frm) ¿Cómo estás? (inf) Bien gracias, ¿y usted? (frm) Bien gracias, ¿y tú? (inf) ¡Cuánto tiempo! ¡Tanto tiempo sin verte! ¿Cómo te llamas? (inf) ¿Cómo se llama Usted? (frm) Me llamo ... Mi nombre es ... ¿De dónde eres? (inf) ¿De dónde es usted? (frm) Soy de ... Mucho gusto Encantado ¡Buena suerte! ¡Salud! ¡Buen provecho! ¡Buen apetito! ¡Que aproveche!
¡Buen viaje! ¡Perdón! ¡Perdone! ¡Discúlpe! ¡Perdón! ¡Perdone! ¡Lo siento! ¿Cuánto cuesta? ¿Cuánto cuesta esto? Por favor Gracias Muchas gracias
De nada No hay de qué ¿Dónde están los aseos ¿Dónde están los sanitarios? ¿Dónde está el baño? ¿Dónde está el cuarto de baño? ¡Que pase un buen día! Que te mejores Que te mejores pronto ¡Recupérate pronto! Pronta recuperación ¿Querría bailar conmigo? (frm) ¿Querrías bailar conmigo? (inf) ¿Quisiera bailar conmigo? (frm) ¿Quisieras bailar conmigo? (inf) Te amo / Te quiero No entiendo No comprendo ¿Me lo puede repetir, por favor? ¿Puede repetirlo, por favor? Por favor hable más despacio
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Useful info
English Can you please write it down? How do you say ... in english? Do you speak english? Yes, a little Leave me alone! Help!
Useful info · Useful phrases Spanish ¿Puede escribirlo, por favor? ¿Cómo se dice ... en español? ¿Habla usted español? (frm) ¿Hablas español? (inf) Sí, hablo un poquito de español Sí, un poco ¡Déjeme en paz! ¡Ayúdame! ¡Socorro! ¡Auxilio!
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References
References ·
Reasonable care has been taken in creating this personalized travel guide by combining information from the sources identified under the section 'references'. However, the information is provided 'as is' and there is no warranty about the information in the guide being accurate, complete or up to date. To the maximum extent permitted under applicable law, all liability arising from the use of this guide will be denied. Verifying critical information (like visas, health and safety) before you travel is recommended. References
References
Chile data is from Wikitravel, urls: – http://www.wikitravel.com City info data is from Wikipedia, urls: – http://www.wikipedia.com Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike License; additional terms may apply. See Terms of use for details. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc., a non-profit organization. Weather data is from Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation yr.no, urls: – http://www.yr.no/place/Chile/Santiago/Santiago_de_Chile/ Sunset data is from Norwegian Meteorological Institute and the Norwegian Broadcasting Corporation yr.no, urls: – http://www.yr.no/place/Chile/Santiago/Santiago_de_Chile/ Currency data is from Xavier Finance Api, urls: – http://finance.xaviermedia.com/ Maps data is from Yahoo Local Maps, OpenStreetMap, Qype, urls: – http://maps.yahoo.com – http://www.openstreetmap.org – http://www.qype.com
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Notes
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Notes
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