Travel Chile

Everything You Need to Know About Travelling in Chile.

Everything you need to know for your trip to Chile! What’s the best time to go, and where can you find vegetarian or vegan food? What is the currency in Chile, and do you need to protect yourself against mosquitos? And more questions answered about travelling in Chile in this ultimate guide.

📍Geography & Places to Visit in Chile

Chile is the world’s longest, thinnest country, stretching over 4,300km from north to south. This makes it especially interesting to travel for two reasons: firstly, there are really only two routes you can take (south to north, or north to south), and secondly, the climate changes hugely throughout the country. Here are a few of the main destinations in Chile:

Santiago de Chile

Also a bit more informally known as just “Santiago”, Santiago de Chile is Chile’s capital city and main entry point. Whilst Santiago is quite an industrial city, and you will hear that there’s not much to see and do here, it does have a character and it is set against a stunning backdrop: the snowcapped Andes mountains.

Santiago is mostly known for its proximity to things, such as the coastal cities of Valparaiso and Viña del Mar, and numerous wine valleys, although it does have some great museums. I only stayed here for two nights at the very end of my trip in South America, so I mostly just saw the city’s restaurants and the inside of quite a swanky hotel!

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar

Valparaíso and Viña del Mar are just a bus ride away from one another, although they are distinct cities with distinct vibes.

Valparáiso was Chile’s first port town, and is known for its colourful houses, street art and funiculars. For this reason its often compared to many European cities, including Lisbon (the funiculars especially reminded me of home when I was there!). We were warned about safety a couple of times here, but had no problems ourselves. I found it to be a really vibrant city with a lot to see and do.

Just a short bus ride away is Viña del Mar which is more touristy, more upscale, and has access to some really nice beaches. We basically just went there to visit the beach – apparently there’s not much more to do there, which makes it a great day trip from Valparaíso.

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is, of course, in the Atacama desert which is in the north of Chile. Some highlights that you can see here in San Pedro are the Moon Valley (Valle de la Luna), geysers at El Tatio, the salt flats (people often do this on their way to or from Bolivia), and some of the world’s best stargazing.

The general consensus I’ve heard from many Chileans is that this is about the only place worth visiting north of the Santiago district in Chile.

Puerto Varas & the Lake District

Puerto Varas serves as a base for visiting Chile’s Lake District, an incredible region of Patagonia that’s home to the Osorno Volcano, thermal springs, and the island of Chiloé. It’s in the north of the Patagonia region, so if you want to visit Patagonia during winter without much fuss this is a good place to go.

Torres del Paine

Torres del Paine is Chile’s most famous national park, and the main attraction of the Chilean side of Patagonia. It’s known for its distinctive granite towers that give it its name (Torres del Paine is “towers of blue” in the indigenous language of Tehuelche). It is home to some really famous hiking trails and offers opportunities to see some really interesting wildlife like guanacos and Andean condors.

Torres del Paine is in the deep south of Patagonia, so it’s more easily accessible during the summer months. It can be done during the winter with some preparation, but be prepared for some snow!

Easter Island (Rapa Nui)

Despite being over 3,700km from mainland Chile, I had to give Easter Island a mention as one of the world’s most isolated inhabited islands. Of course, you’re not likely to make it here if you’re just planning a jolly around mainland Chile (and I haven’t been, so I can’t tell you much about it), but I didn’t want to leave it out all together!

🌎 Chile’s Borders

Chile borders three countries: Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina. They are all quite easily crossable, although some border crossings are used more than others.

Always remember to get your passport stamped when you’re going in and out of Chile.

Chile-Peru border

This border is at the very north of Chile, so is quite short. The main crossing is between Arica-Tacna, which is quite an organised route and well-trodden by travellers. That being said, most of the travellers that I met went through Bolivia to catch some of the sights to see there, as well as the famous Salar de Uyuni.

Chile-Bolivia border

By far the most used route between Chile and Bolivia goes from San Pedro de Atacama to Uyuni, usually done as part of a tour of Salar de Uyuni (the salt flats in Bolivia). This is definitely the way I would do the crossing (and it had been my plan, until I took an unexpected detour to Argentina). Remember that, whether you go via Uyuni or not, you’ll climb to some high altitudes on this crossing, so be prepared for altitude sickness and some very cold nights!

Chile-Argentina border

There are plenty of border crossings between Chile and Argentina, as Argentina is Chile’s longest border. That being said, all of these crossings take you over the Andes, so it takes a long time to cover a relatively short distance and you could end up with some motion sickness or altitude sickness as you traverse the mountains.

I also should mention that our overnight bus from Mendoza to Santiago was cancelled last minute due to bad weather in the Andes, and all buses that weekend were cancelled. I’m not sure how common this is, but it’s something to take into account, especially if you’re travelling there outside of summer (we were there in April, which Autumn there). During the winter, crossings in the south (like Torres del Paine to Ell Calafate) close completely.

🌦 Weather in Chile & When to Go

Tourist Seasons

There isn’t really a high season for tourists in Chile, due to the varied climate throughout the country. Especially in the north and central valley, the weather stays pretty good all year round. Of course, in Patagonia, the touristy season is during their summer (December to February).

Summer Season (December-February)

The summer season, which is from December to February, is the peak season in Patagonia, and that does tend to leak out into the rest of the country. It’s also summer in Santiago, the capital. Book in advance for tours in Patagonia and be aware that Santiago, the coast and the desert can get very hot!

Winter Season (June-August)

The winter season, which is from June to August, does bring some colder weather to Santiago and the central valley, but the deserts in the north stay hot, which may make this a perfect time to visit! Patagonia gets very cold with limited services and activities, but it can still be a magical place to visit if you have the right gear and a good dose of planning!

Sunrise and Sunset in Chile

Now, this is a difficult one, because it is very different throughout the country. For example, in the south, the days are very long during the summer and very short during the winter, whereas in the north the days are about the same length all year round. I’m going to save myself listing the sunrise and sunset times of the different parts of Chile, and refer you to timeanddate.com.

🚍 Getting Around & Public Transport in Chile

Domestic Flights

I said this in my main article about Argentina, but I’ll say it again here – some people say that domestic flights are essential for getting around Chile, but I say not! The overnight buses are super comfortable and an eco-friendly, cost-effective way to get around. However, of course, many people will not agree with me here!

The main carriers in Chile are LATAM, Sky and JetSmart, and they all have reasonably priced flights that will take you both north and south from the capital.

Easter Island is, of course, only accessible by air (it’s a 5-hour flight from Santiago).

Long-distance Buses

So, buses! My best friends whilst travelling in South America. There are a lot of different bus companies in Chile, and which one you take will depend more on where in Chile you are than the level of service or comfort you want (they generally all provide a similar level of service). Overnight buses are really common and comfortable, especially if you pay to upgrade your seat to a “bed” (”cama”), which basically gets you a huge, reclining armchair to travel in.

Trains

There are a couple of trains you can take as a tourist in Chile, like the historic steam train in Temuco or the wine train (tren del vino) in Colchagua Valley, but they are more for tourism purposes than from actually getting from A to B.

Local Transport

I found the metro system in Santiago to be quite efficient but a little intimidating. You have to go up to the ticket booth to buy rides in person (no tap-on-tap-off here), and there’s quite a lot of foot traffic. I don’t know – there was something a bit disconcerting about the experience, but in the end I took the metro by myself twice and it was fine.

There are also local buses, and a great bus service to and from the Airport, which is called the Centropuerto and goes to and from several stops in the city centre.

In Santiago as well as other towns and cities in Chile, we found that Google maps was quite a reliable indicator of which busses we could take and their timetables.

Car Rental

Renting a car can be a really convenient way to get around the wine regions or the Lake District, but be careful using it for longer trips because there can be some rough roads and long, long stretches between areas of civilisation!

🍽 Food in Chile

Vegetarians & Vegans

You’ll find pretty good options for vegans and vegetarians across Chile, although mostly in restaurants rather more casual options like markets and street food. Traditional Chilean cuisine is quite meat-heavy, there are many options beyond this in cities, especially in Santiago and Valparaíso. Smaller towns are a bit more challenging, especially for vegans.

Is Street Food Safe?

Street food is generally safe, especially in established areas. Street food in Chile tends to be a bit more organised than in many other South American countries. As always, keep your wits about you and make sure everything you eat is properly cooked! Avoid things like salads and raw seafood.

Popular street foods include:

  • Completos (the Chilean take on a hot dog)
  • Empanadas
  • Sopaipillas (pumpkin fritters)

Can You Drink Tap Water in Chile?

Tap water is safe to drink in most of Chile, especialy in Santiago and other cities. In more remote areas it’s better to stick to bottled water, including in San Pedro de Atacama. If you’re not sure, check with your accommodation provider before you drink.

🤟 Languages in Chile

What Languages Do They Speak in Chile?

Spanish is the official and the main language in Chile, however Chilean Spanish is notorious for its unique accent and slang words, making it very difficult for non-native speakers. Even my native-Spanish-speaking friends tell me they find Chilean difficult! Some locals will slow down and pronounce things in a more neutral accent to help you, whilst some won’t – it totally depends on the person you’re talking to.

The Mapuche language (Mapudungun) is still spoken in some southern regions, and Rapa Nui is spoken on Easter Island.

Do People Speak English in Chile?

English proficiency in Chile varies, but it’s generally not high. You’ll usually find some level of English in tourist attractions, hotels and hostels, but beyond that English is less common. I definitely recommending learning a little Spanish before you go.

Language Schools

Santiago and Valparaíso are quite popular for language learning, with many Spanish schools with a variety of programmes. Like I said above, the Chilean accent can be challenging for learners, but schools are used to helping students adapt and in some cases will have teachers or learning materials from other parts of Latin America.

💵 Money & Currency in Chile

What is the currency in Chile?

The Chilean Peso (CLP) is the official currency of Chile. Chile has one of the strongest economies in Latin America (also making it one of Latin America’s most expensive countries), but the exchange rate still can fluctuate, so check before you go.

If you’re arrive into Chile from Argentina, know that Argentinian pesos are worth very little in Chile. It’s best to exchange them into dollars before you leave Argentina.

How much does it cost to withdraw money in Chile?

Most ATMs in Chile charge for you to withdraw cash. Honestly, I wasn’t in Chile for that long so I didn’t bother doing much research, but I don’t think there are any ATMs that are free for foreign cards. A lot of ATMs, especially in tourist areas, offer US dollars as well as pesos, which can be useful for paying for tours or if you’re going on to other countries.

Do they take card in Chile?

Chile is increasingly card-friendly, and cards are widely accepted in things like hotels, restaurants, supermarkets and tourist attractions. You’ll still want some cash in pesos for things like local markets, busses and maybe smaller restaurants, too.

The Centropuerto (the airport bus in Santiago) takes card, but most public transport doesn’t.

⛑ Safety and Medical Care in Chile

Tourist Areas & the Tourist Trail

Chile is well-known to be one of South America’s safest countries (although try telling that to my Chilean friends in Europe – they all seem to think they come from a really dangerous place). Tourist areas in Chile are quite well developed, especially in Patagonia and in the north. Santiago can be a little more dangerous, but the neighbourhoods where you usually find hotels and hostels are safer. Be careful around bus stations and that sort of thing, and take some normal big-city precautions.

Pickpockets

Pickpockets are most common in busy areas like on public transport, at markets, and on busy streets. Take normal precautions, especially in crowds, and keep your valuables close to you.

Violent Crime

Violent crime very rarely affects tourists. Most people visiting Chile will not come across it, because violent attacks generally happen between people that know each other. That being said, avoid isolated areas at night and don’t go out on your own, use registered taxis or Ubers, and follow local advice if they tell you to avoid particular streets or areas.

Taking a Local Guide

I recommend taking a local guide for certain excursions in Patagonia and the Atacama desert, and it’s a must for Salar de Uyuni (although that is technically in Bolivia!). Local guides provide safety, local knowledge, and often access to places you couldn’t visit independently. It’s also a good way to make sure your money is going directly to the local economy rather than big businesses.

Can you drink the tap water in Chile?

Tap water is safe to drink in most of Chile, but check before you fill up your bottle. In remote areas and San Pedro de Atacama, you should drink bottled or filtered water only.

Travel Insurance & What to do if you get ill

Travel insurance is essential for any trip. Most travel insurance companies don’t cover certain activities in the small print, such as high-altitude hiking, winter sports, etc. so make sure you upgrade to cover everything you want to do on your trip.

Chile has really good private healthcare, especially in Santiago. Public hospitals are not available to tourists or short-term visitors, so you will have to use a private clinic if you need healthcare.

🚨 The emergency number in Chile is 131.

Altitude Sickness

In most places in Chile, you don’t need to worry about the altitude; for example, Santiago de Chile is at just 520m. Some places you will need to worry about the altitude are San Pedro de Atacama (2,400m, which is enough to get you a little breathless but is unlikely to make you sick), and in Patagonia, where some hikes will take you to quite high altitude.

As I mentioned earlier, if you’re crossing the Andes into Argentina or Bolivia, the bus will probably take you to quite high altitudes quite quickly, but it will just be for a few hours before you come back down again.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are quite common throughout Chile, although buildings are build to withstand them and locals are quite prepared. If you’re in an earthquake, don’t stand in a doorway, that’s actually outdated advice! Here’s some more information on what to do in an earthquake from the Red Cross.

Mosquitos

Mosquitos are generally not a concern in Chile, and they don’t have any prevalence of diseases such as malaria, yellow fever or dengue fever that can be an issue in other parts of South America.

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