travel to chile advisory

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Requirements for entering to Chile

Feb 8, 2022 | News

All foreign person before arriving in to Chile will have to complete the following requirements:

Negative PCR taken 72 hours before boarding.

In flights with stopovers, the last boarding point is considered. In case of entering by land, it cannot be older than 72 hours from the taking of the sample. This requirement is for every person over the age of 2.

Complete the “Traveler’s Affidavit” form

form online up to 48 hours before boarding, where you will provide contact, health, and travel information. This form will provide a QR code as a means of verification and is available at  www.c19.cl 

Health insurance

Health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 30,000 that includes coverage for any expenses arising from Covid-19. Please ask Us or directly to [email protected]

Completed a vaccination program and must be validated in Chile

To have completed a vaccination program ( 2 doses ), which must be validated at mevacuno.gob.cl before entering Chile. Here, travelers will request the validation and learn when it will be approved. The vaccination approval period will be informed to the traveler at the time of making the request, procedure that may take up to 30 calendar days. Children under the age of 6 and non-resident foreigners who comply with one or more of the special requirements in  Decree 102 of the Ministry of the Interior  may enter without a complete vaccination program.

Mandatory PCR test performed upon arrival to Chile

All persons over two years of age, regardless of their citizenship, must undergo a mandatory PCR test performed upon arrival to Chile and keep a quarantine until a negative result of the PCR or antigen is obtained. People who do not have their vaccines validated must  undergo quarantine for 7 days, even if the result of the PCR is negative.  All travelers entering must comply with the mandatory tracking for 7  days.

by Monica VC | Feb 8, 2022

Cruce Lagos Andino

1 día de viaje (11 horas) Ticket Cruce Lagos Andino desde Puerto Varas hasta Bariloche o vice versa

Viaje a Chile y Argentina

11 Días / 10 Noches Viaje desde Santiago de Chile – Puerto Varas – Cruce Lagos Andinos – Bariloche – Buenos Aires.

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Plan Fronteras Protegidas (Protected Borders Plan) to come into effect this Monday with restrictions to enter and leave Chile

One of the measures contained in the plan is for travelers holding a pase de movilidad (mobility pass) to undergo a mandatory ten-day quarantine at home upon returning to chile. those who do not hold a mobility pass must isolate in a quarantine hotel..

The new Plan Fronteras Protegidas came into effect on Monday, July 26. The plan lists the requirements and conditions that travelers must comply with if they want to leave and return to Chile. It requires that all travelers entering the country must undergo a strict and mandatory ten-day isolation period. 

Who can leave Chile? 

1) Chileans and foreign residents in Chile with: 

Mobility pass authorized. This does not include minors without a mobility pass (only via Arturo Merino Benítez Airport) 

or special permission to leave the country, obtained and approved via the Comisaría Virtual (virtual police station). There are four motives to apply for this permission: 

Humanitarian grounds 

Essential health reasons 

Activities fundamental to the country 

To reside abroad 

2) Foreign non-residents leaving Chile with passport from their country of origin

*A mobility pass or permission from the Comisaría Virtual will be required to pass through international police control. 

Requirements to enter Chile 

Who can enter chile .

1) Chileans and foreign residents in Chile 

2) Foreign non-residents in Chile (only exceptions): 

Safe conduct from the Chilean consulate in country of origin 

Decree 102 from the Interior Ministry 

Requirements for entering Chile 

Sworn Statement: travelers must complete the “Traveler’s Sworn Statement” online form 48 hours before boarding. On this form the traveler will provide contact information, health and travel information and will accept the conditions for entry into Chile. The form is available at www.c19.cl and will be required by the airline on boarding the aircraft and by health authorities upon arrival in Chile.  

PCR Test: travelers must attach a negative PCR SARS-CoV-2 test to the Traveler’s Sworn Statement. The negative result must be provided from a test taken no more than 72 hours before boarding the flight arriving in Chile. If entering the country by land, the test must be taken no more than 72 hours before entering Chile. The test result will be required by the airline on boarding and by health authorities upon arrival. Children under two years of age are excluded from the PCR requirement. 

Travel Insurance: this is required only of foreign non-residents in Chile who will be allowed entry under exceptional circumstances or with a safe conduct from the Chilean consulate in the country of origin. The traveler must attach a travel insurance certificate to the Traveler’s Sworn Statement. Insurance must cover medical assistance, hospitalization and repatriation for the length of stay in Chile, as well as any other cost associated with COVID-19. The minimum coverage for health-associated costs must be US$ 30,000. The insurance certificate must be attached to the Traveler’s Sworn Statement before entering Chile. 

Health measures upon entering Chile 

1. Ten days of strict mandatory isolation: 

a. At home 

Who can quarantine at home? 

■ People with mobility pass authorized at the time of entering Chile. 

■ Families traveling with minors. All of the family must reside at the same address. 

Requirements: 

■ All cohabitants of the declared address must also quarantine for ten days. No one can enter or leave the house during the ten-day period. 

■ Direct transfer to the declared address must be in a private vehicle and take no more than five hours after entering Chile. Public transfer in trains, buses and planes is prohibited. Transfer in official taxis and private transfer companies that work at the Arturo Merino Benítez Airport is permitted, following strict health protocols. Only groups traveling together can share vehicles. 

■ Information regarding the quarantine address and its cohabitants must be entered on the Traveler’s Sworn Statement before arrival in Chile, available at www.c19.cl .

b. Quarantine hotel 

Who must isolate in a quarantine hotel? 

■ Mandatory for adults without a mobility pass authorized before entering the country. 

■ People with a mobility pass authorized who do not have a declared address that can be reached within five hours of arrival by private transport. 

■ The cost of the ten-day isolation in a quarantine hotel is the responsibility of the traveler (including those who left the country before March 28, 2020). 

■ Reservation information must be entered on the Traveler’s Sworn Statement before entering the country, available at www.c19.cl .

■ At airport border controls, transfer from the point of entry to the quarantine hotel will be provided by the Regional Secretary of the Health Ministry. 

■ Warning: the mobility pass is only available for those who have been vaccinated in Chile. Isolation at home is not an option for those vaccinated abroad and they must do so in a quarantine hotel. 

To consider: traveler isolation is stricter than territorial quarantine. It is equivalent to having provided a positive test result or having been in close contact with someone who has (but without medical leave). This means that during the isolation period travelers and cohabitants CANNOT: 

■ Leave the house 

■ Leave the hotel room or hotel when isolation is being carried out in a quarantine hotel 

■ Have visitors 

■ Make use of the Choose to Live Healthily sports hour 

■ Walk pets 

■ Go to work 

■ Go to school 

■ Use public transport 

■ Use Comisaría Virtual permissions, Health Passport or Mobility Pass 

2. 14-day Traveler Monitoring 

a. Reporting: 

Each person that enters the country must complete a symptoms report for 14 days. Travelers will receive an email on arrival to register on the official platform, where they must complete a daily health and location report. The traveler will receive a daily email from health authorities reminding them to complete the form. 

Those who present COVID-19 symptoms should remain isolated, report their symptoms on the online form and wait to be contacted by health authorities. 

If symptoms include a fever over 37.8°C or sudden loss of smell or taste, the traveler should seek medical assistance straight away and comply with all necessary health measures, including the use of a mask and avoiding public transport. If there are any doubts, please call Salud Responde on 600 360 7777. 

b. Testing: 

Travelers may be subject to various COVID-19 diagnostic tests, either at the point of entry into Chile or at any moment over the following 14 days. These may be PCR and/or antigen tests. Genotypification studies may also be carried out. 

c. Monitoring 

Travelers undergoing mandatory isolation will be monitored at their declared address to ensure compliance on any day and at any time during the isolation period. The inspector will verify that all declared cohabitants on the Traveler’s Sworn Statement are present and that there is nobody present that has not been declared. 

In the case of non-compliance with any of the previous measures, the traveler will be sanctioned according to the provisions of Book X of the Health Code, the Penal Code and Law 20.393 accordingly. The amount of the fine applied for infringement of health code regulations could total 1000 UTM (Unidad Tributaria Mensual: an indicator used for tax purposes whose value in pesos is defined by law and is adjusted each month in accordance with the Consumer Price Index) (50,000,000 Chilean pesos or US$ 65, 796). 

In addition to the fine, the mobility pass of all travelers and cohabitants who do not comply with the health measures will be blocked. 

d. Isolation in healthcare residences for positive cases: 

Travelers who test positive in any of the tests taken over the 14-day monitoring period, as well as their close contacts, must carry out a mandatory isolation in a healthcare residence for as long as health authorities deem necessary. This includes minors. 

It is important to remember that these measures are under constant evaluation and can be modified depending on the current epidemiological situation. It is the responsibility of each person to comply with the health requirements in force at the moment of entering the country. 

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Warnings and insurance

This travel advice page also covers Rapa Nui (Easter Island).

The Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office ( FCDO ) provides advice about risks of travel to help British nationals make informed decisions. Find out more about FCDO travel advice .

Before you travel

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How to Travel to Chile: Advice for Foreign Travelers

Update: as of september 1, 2022, chile’s travel requirements were amended to make it easier for foreign travelers. while we strongly recommend presenting proof of vaccination (as it is equivalent to a mobility pass), you may also present a negative pcr test dated within 48 hours of departure to enter chile. there are no requirements for travelers under 18 years old. view the latest on our covid-19 travel update ..

Dispatch from Dec. 23, 2021: I flew into Chile from the US on December 2, 2021 – a single day after the most recent changes to the country’s pandemic-related travel requirements due to Omicron variant uncertainty. Here’s a firsthand account of what to expect as a foreign traveler along with a list of Chile’s current requirements, and links to best sources for up-to-date travel information. The bottom line: Do not be intimidated, intrepid travelers – there’s still no better place in the world than Patagonia, Chile to plan your escape to the wilderness – but do be prepared.  

CHILE TRAVEL DECODED: LOTS OF HOOPS, BUT ALSO HIGH EFFICIENCY

First, some good news:  My experience navigating the various health screenings and ‘Sanitary Checkpoints’ to successfully enter southern Chile was surprisingly clear and efficient. There are many hoops to clear at the Santiago airport in particular, but each station was highly staffed (in contrast to earlier this year), with well-marked lines to move you along. While you must take a PCR exam upon landing (in my case, at the Santiago airport), you’re now permitted to continue onto your domestic flight before having the result (assuming you have all other requirements in order), which means you can nab your same day connecting flight to Balmaceda (BBA) airport.  

The bad news:  Prepare for an impressive series of hoops to jump through, in which producing the proper paperwork is critical for making it to your destination (details below).  This process is not complex or difficult, but careful planning ahead is a must  to avoid getting blocked by the diligent rule enforcement. Expect online forms, QR code validations, and follow up calls from health workers.

CHILE’S LATEST TRAVEL REQUIREMENTS

If you haven’t been following, Chile’s response to the pandemic has been both more organized and stricter than many countries. More than  80 percent of the over 18 population has been fully vaccinated , and doses for children as well as booster shots are underway. This also means that validated proof of vaccination is required of  all  travelers with very few exceptions. Whether for better or worse (and it depends on who you ask), the  measures directed by Chile’s Ministry of Health  reflect a vigilant effort to limit and track exposure to the Coronavirus. 

Here are 6 key requirements for travel to Chile, as of Dec. 1, 2021: 

As always, travel requirements may change, so view the links at end for up-to-minute info as well as additional detail.

1. Proof of full vaccination  (two doses) that is validated in Chile before entering the country, known as your  Chilean Mobility Pass . Obtain your Mobility Pass by completing a fairly straightforward online form at  https://mevacuno.gob.cl (English among the many language options), which will give you a certificate with QR code. 

* If you are traveling with kids , know that from six years old they must also have a complete vaccination program (children under six are exempted).

* Caution on planning ahead:  Expect up to 30 days for the Mobility Pass approval process (although several friends received theirs within 5-15 days). 

2. Negative PCR exam taken 72 hours before boarding , counting from the last boarding on flights with stopovers. (This means your Balmaceda connection should be within the 72-hour window.) Note: While most airlines allow you to travel with a negative antigen test, this is not sufficient for entry into Chile, and in my experience, they are unrelenting about having a negative  PCR exam . 

3. “International Traveler’s Affidavit”  form, to complete at  www.c19.cl  up to 48 hours before boarding. This simple online form solicits contact (email and phone), health, and travel information, including location destination. You’ll be asked to create an account (you can use your email, and English is among many language options). Upon completion, you’ll receive a QR code by email as a means of verification at the Sanitary Control upon arriving in Chile. 

4. Health insurance  with a minimum coverage of $30,000 USD that includes coverage for any expenses arising from Covid-19.

5. Mandatory PCR test  performed upon arrival to Chile. And while you can board your connecting regional flight before knowing your airport PCR exam results (assuming you have all other above requirements), you are obligated to “quarantine at your destination” until receiving a negative result. That said, results from the PCR exam at Santiago airport are now available online within a day at  www.sclbionet.cl   (in my case, same day – about seven hours).

*A note on timing with connecting domestically:  You’d be wise to give yourself at least three hours between connecting flights  – that was sufficient for me, but barely. 

6. Daily self-reporting for 10 days following entry.  Among the pesky fine print is a mercifully brief but mandatory health and location survey, which you’re obligated to complete every day for 10 days. There’s an app for that, in English, and it takes roughly 30 seconds to breeze through the questions, but connectivity is a must. Note that Patagonia Frontiers has adapted to support your daily check ins – yes, even from the wilderness.

read more about  our Covid-19 protocols , or view the following sources for the latest requirements:  

Ministerio de Salud  (Spanish)  

Travel to Chile Plan  (English)

US Embassy in Chile : Covid-19 Info 

Don’t hesitate to reach out to the team at Patagonia Frontiers for help planning your trip or field any questions you’re encountering the process. We look forward to welcoming you to the wilderness – and we feel confident it will be worth the effort. 

WE ARE CURRENTLY BOOKING TRIPS AND ENROLLING PROGRAMS FOR THE 2022-2023 SEASON AND  INVITE YOU TO GET IN TOUCH  TO  PLAN YOUR ADVENTURE . 

By Welling Savo Justin

Welling Savo Justin is a freelance writer and native of Seattle (USA) based in Pucón, Chile, whose latest Patagonia Frontiers adventure was with her husband and their children, ages 7 and 10 years old. Founded in 1999, Patagonia Frontiers connects people with wilderness through education, conservation, and adventure. We offer education and mountaineering programs as well as multi-day trekking, horseback trips, and climbing in the heart of Chilean Patagonia.

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Chile Traveler View

Travel health notices, vaccines and medicines, non-vaccine-preventable diseases, stay healthy and safe.

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After Your Trip

There are no notices currently in effect for Chile.

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Check the vaccines and medicines list and visit your doctor at least a month before your trip to get vaccines or medicines you may need. If you or your doctor need help finding a location that provides certain vaccines or medicines, visit the Find a Clinic page.

Routine vaccines

Recommendations.

Make sure you are up-to-date on all routine vaccines before every trip. Some of these vaccines include

• Chickenpox (Varicella)
• Diphtheria-Tetanus-Pertussis
• Flu (influenza)
• Measles-Mumps-Rubella (MMR)

Immunization schedules

All eligible travelers should be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccines. Please see  Your COVID-19 Vaccination  for more information. 

COVID-19 vaccine

Hepatitis A

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers one year old or older going to Chile.

Infants 6 to 11 months old should also be vaccinated against Hepatitis A. The dose does not count toward the routine 2-dose series.

Travelers allergic to a vaccine component or who are younger than 6 months should receive a single dose of immune globulin, which provides effective protection for up to 2 months depending on dosage given.

Unvaccinated travelers who are over 40 years old, immunocompromised, or have chronic medical conditions planning to depart to a risk area in less than 2 weeks should get the initial dose of vaccine and at the same appointment receive immune globulin.

Hepatitis A - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep A

Hepatitis B

Recommended for unvaccinated travelers younger than 60 years old traveling to Chile. Unvaccinated travelers 60 years and older may get vaccinated before traveling to Chile.

Hepatitis B - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Hep B

Cases of measles are on the rise worldwide. Travelers are at risk of measles if they have not been fully vaccinated at least two weeks prior to departure, or have not had measles in the past, and travel internationally to areas where measles is spreading.

All international travelers should be fully vaccinated against measles with the measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) vaccine, including an early dose for infants 6–11 months, according to  CDC’s measles vaccination recommendations for international travel .

Measles (Rubeola) - CDC Yellow Book

Chile is free of dog rabies. However, rabies may still be present in wildlife species, particularly bats. CDC recommends rabies vaccination before travel only for people working directly with wildlife. These people may include veterinarians, animal handlers, field biologists, or laboratory workers working with specimens from mammalian species.

Rabies - CDC Yellow Book

Recommended for most travelers, especially those staying with friends or relatives or visiting smaller cities or rural areas.

Typhoid - CDC Yellow Book

Dosing info - Typhoid

Avoid contaminated water

Leptospirosis

How most people get sick (most common modes of transmission)

• Touching urine or other body fluids from an animal infected with leptospirosis
• Swimming or wading in urine-contaminated fresh water, or contact with urine-contaminated mud
• Drinking water or eating food contaminated with animal urine
• Avoid contaminated water and soil

Clinical Guidance

Avoid bug bites, chagas disease (american trypanosomiasis).

• Accidentally rub feces (poop) of the triatomine bug into the bug bite, other breaks in the skin, your eyes, or mouth
• From pregnant woman to her baby, contaminated blood products (transfusions), or contaminated food or drink.
• Avoid Bug Bites

Chagas disease

Airborne & droplet

• Breathing in air or accidentally eating food contaminated with the urine, droppings, or saliva of infected rodents
• Bite from an infected rodent
• Less commonly, being around someone sick with hantavirus (only occurs with Andes virus)
• Avoid rodents and areas where they live
• Avoid sick people

Tuberculosis (TB)

• Breathe in TB bacteria that is in the air from an infected and contagious person coughing, speaking, or singing.

Learn actions you can take to stay healthy and safe on your trip. Vaccines cannot protect you from many diseases in Chile, so your behaviors are important.

Eat and drink safely

Food and water standards around the world vary based on the destination. Standards may also differ within a country and risk may change depending on activity type (e.g., hiking versus business trip). You can learn more about safe food and drink choices when traveling by accessing the resources below.

• Choose Safe Food and Drinks When Traveling
• Water Treatment Options When Hiking, Camping or Traveling
• Global Water, Sanitation and Hygiene | Healthy Water
• Avoid Contaminated Water During Travel

You can also visit the  Department of State Country Information Pages  for additional information about food and water safety.

Prevent bug bites

Bugs (like mosquitoes, ticks, and fleas) can spread a number of diseases in Chile. Many of these diseases cannot be prevented with a vaccine or medicine. You can reduce your risk by taking steps to prevent bug bites.

What can I do to prevent bug bites?

• Cover exposed skin by wearing long-sleeved shirts, long pants, and hats.
• Use an appropriate insect repellent (see below).
• Use permethrin-treated clothing and gear (such as boots, pants, socks, and tents). Do not use permethrin directly on skin.
• Stay and sleep in air-conditioned or screened rooms.
• Use a bed net if the area where you are sleeping is exposed to the outdoors.

What type of insect repellent should I use?

• FOR PROTECTION AGAINST TICKS AND MOSQUITOES: Use a repellent that contains 20% or more DEET for protection that lasts up to several hours.
• Picaridin (also known as KBR 3023, Bayrepel, and icaridin)
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus (OLE) or para-menthane-diol (PMD)
• 2-undecanone
• Always use insect repellent as directed.

What should I do if I am bitten by bugs?

• Avoid scratching bug bites, and apply hydrocortisone cream or calamine lotion to reduce the itching.
• Check your entire body for ticks after outdoor activity. Be sure to remove ticks properly.

What can I do to avoid bed bugs?

Although bed bugs do not carry disease, they are an annoyance. See our information page about avoiding bug bites for some easy tips to avoid them. For more information on bed bugs, see Bed Bugs .

For more detailed information on avoiding bug bites, see Avoid Bug Bites .

Stay safe outdoors

If your travel plans in Chile include outdoor activities, take these steps to stay safe and healthy during your trip.

• Stay alert to changing weather conditions and adjust your plans if conditions become unsafe.
• Prepare for activities by wearing the right clothes and packing protective items, such as bug spray, sunscreen, and a basic first aid kit.
• Consider learning basic first aid and CPR before travel. Bring a travel health kit with items appropriate for your activities.
• If you are outside for many hours in heat, eat salty snacks and drink water to stay hydrated and replace salt lost through sweating.
• Protect yourself from UV radiation : use sunscreen with an SPF of at least 15, wear protective clothing, and seek shade during the hottest time of day (10 a.m.–4 p.m.).
• Be especially careful during summer months and at high elevation. Because sunlight reflects off snow, sand, and water, sun exposure may be increased during activities like skiing, swimming, and sailing.
• Very cold temperatures can be dangerous. Dress in layers and cover heads, hands, and feet properly if you are visiting a cold location.

Stay safe around water

• Swim only in designated swimming areas. Obey lifeguards and warning flags on beaches.
• Practice safe boating—follow all boating safety laws, do not drink alcohol if driving a boat, and always wear a life jacket.
• Do not dive into shallow water.
• Do not swim in freshwater in developing areas or where sanitation is poor.
• Avoid swallowing water when swimming. Untreated water can carry germs that make you sick.
• To prevent infections, wear shoes on beaches where there may be animal waste.

Keep away from animals

Most animals avoid people, but they may attack if they feel threatened, are protecting their young or territory, or if they are injured or ill. Animal bites and scratches can lead to serious diseases such as rabies.

Follow these tips to protect yourself:

• Do not touch or feed any animals you do not know.
• Do not allow animals to lick open wounds, and do not get animal saliva in your eyes or mouth.
• Avoid rodents and their urine and feces.
• Traveling pets should be supervised closely and not allowed to come in contact with local animals.
• If you wake in a room with a bat, seek medical care immediately. Bat bites may be hard to see.

All animals can pose a threat, but be extra careful around dogs, bats, monkeys, sea animals such as jellyfish, and snakes. If you are bitten or scratched by an animal, immediately:

• Wash the wound with soap and clean water.
• Go to a doctor right away.
• Tell your doctor about your injury when you get back to the United States.

Consider buying medical evacuation insurance. Rabies is a deadly disease that must be treated quickly, and treatment may not be available in some countries.

Reduce your exposure to germs

Follow these tips to avoid getting sick or spreading illness to others while traveling:

• Wash your hands often, especially before eating.
• If soap and water aren’t available, clean hands with hand sanitizer (containing at least 60% alcohol).
• Don’t touch your eyes, nose, or mouth. If you need to touch your face, make sure your hands are clean.
• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue or your sleeve (not your hands) when coughing or sneezing.
• Try to avoid contact with people who are sick.
• If you are sick, stay home or in your hotel room, unless you need medical care.

Avoid sharing body fluids

Diseases can be spread through body fluids, such as saliva, blood, vomit, and semen.

Protect yourself:

• Use latex condoms correctly.
• Do not inject drugs.
• Limit alcohol consumption. People take more risks when intoxicated.
• Do not share needles or any devices that can break the skin. That includes needles for tattoos, piercings, and acupuncture.
• If you receive medical or dental care, make sure the equipment is disinfected or sanitized.

Know how to get medical care while traveling

Plan for how you will get health care during your trip, should the need arise:

• Carry a list of local doctors and hospitals at your destination.
• Review your health insurance plan to determine what medical services it would cover during your trip. Consider purchasing travel health and medical evacuation insurance.
• Carry a card that identifies, in the local language, your blood type, chronic conditions or serious allergies, and the generic names of any medications you take.
• Some prescription drugs may be illegal in other countries. Call Chile’s embassy to verify that all of your prescription(s) are legal to bring with you.
• Bring all the medicines (including over-the-counter medicines) you think you might need during your trip, including extra in case of travel delays. Ask your doctor to help you get prescriptions filled early if you need to.

Many foreign hospitals and clinics are accredited by the Joint Commission International. A list of accredited facilities is available at their website ( www.jointcommissioninternational.org ).

In some countries, medicine (prescription and over-the-counter) may be substandard or counterfeit. Bring the medicines you will need from the United States to avoid having to buy them at your destination.

Select safe transportation

Motor vehicle crashes are the #1 killer of healthy US citizens in foreign countries.

In many places cars, buses, large trucks, rickshaws, bikes, people on foot, and even animals share the same lanes of traffic, increasing the risk for crashes.

Be smart when you are traveling on foot.

• Use sidewalks and marked crosswalks.
• Pay attention to the traffic around you, especially in crowded areas.
• Remember, people on foot do not always have the right of way in other countries.

Riding/Driving

Choose a safe vehicle.

• Choose official taxis or public transportation, such as trains and buses.
• Ride only in cars that have seatbelts.
• Avoid overcrowded, overloaded, top-heavy buses and minivans.
• Avoid riding on motorcycles or motorbikes, especially motorbike taxis. (Many crashes are caused by inexperienced motorbike drivers.)
• Choose newer vehicles—they may have more safety features, such as airbags, and be more reliable.
• Choose larger vehicles, which may provide more protection in crashes.

Think about the driver.

• Do not drive after drinking alcohol or ride with someone who has been drinking.
• Consider hiring a licensed, trained driver familiar with the area.
• Arrange payment before departing.

Follow basic safety tips.

• Wear a seatbelt at all times.
• Sit in the back seat of cars and taxis.
• When on motorbikes or bicycles, always wear a helmet. (Bring a helmet from home, if needed.)
• Avoid driving at night; street lighting in certain parts of Chile may be poor.
• Do not use a cell phone or text while driving (illegal in many countries).
• Travel during daylight hours only, especially in rural areas.
• If you choose to drive a vehicle in Chile, learn the local traffic laws and have the proper paperwork.
• Get any driving permits and insurance you may need. Get an International Driving Permit (IDP). Carry the IDP and a US-issued driver's license at all times.
• Check with your auto insurance policy's international coverage, and get more coverage if needed. Make sure you have liability insurance.
• Avoid using local, unscheduled aircraft.
• If possible, fly on larger planes (more than 30 seats); larger airplanes are more likely to have regular safety inspections.
• Try to schedule flights during daylight hours and in good weather.

Medical Evacuation Insurance

If you are seriously injured, emergency care may not be available or may not meet US standards. Trauma care centers are uncommon outside urban areas. Having medical evacuation insurance can be helpful for these reasons.

Helpful Resources

Road Safety Overseas (Information from the US Department of State): Includes tips on driving in other countries, International Driving Permits, auto insurance, and other resources.

The Association for International Road Travel has country-specific Road Travel Reports available for most countries for a minimal fee.

Maintain personal security

Use the same common sense traveling overseas that you would at home, and always stay alert and aware of your surroundings.

Before you leave

• Research your destination(s), including local laws, customs, and culture.
• Monitor travel advisories and alerts and read travel tips from the US Department of State.
• Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) .
• Leave a copy of your itinerary, contact information, credit cards, and passport with someone at home.
• Pack as light as possible, and leave at home any item you could not replace.

While at your destination(s)

• Carry contact information for the nearest US embassy or consulate .
• Carry a photocopy of your passport and entry stamp; leave the actual passport securely in your hotel.
• Follow all local laws and social customs.
• Do not wear expensive clothing or jewelry.
• Always keep hotel doors locked, and store valuables in secure areas.
• If possible, choose hotel rooms between the 2nd and 6th floors.

Healthy Travel Packing List

Use the Healthy Travel Packing List for Chile for a list of health-related items to consider packing for your trip. Talk to your doctor about which items are most important for you.

Why does CDC recommend packing these health-related items?

It’s best to be prepared to prevent and treat common illnesses and injuries. Some supplies and medicines may be difficult to find at your destination, may have different names, or may have different ingredients than what you normally use.

If you are not feeling well after your trip, you may need to see a doctor. If you need help finding a travel medicine specialist, see Find a Clinic . Be sure to tell your doctor about your travel, including where you went and what you did on your trip. Also tell your doctor if you were bitten or scratched by an animal while traveling.

For more information on what to do if you are sick after your trip, see Getting Sick after Travel .

Map Disclaimer - The boundaries and names shown and the designations used on maps do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries. Approximate border lines for which there may not yet be full agreement are generally marked.

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• Huasco Valley
• San Pedro de Atacama
• Elqui Valley
• Antofagasta
• Limarí – Fray Jorge National Park
• Bahía Inglesa
• Alto El Loa
• La Serena and Coquimbo
• Copiapó Valley
• Tagua Tagua – Almahue Valley
• Alto Colchagua Universidad Glacier 
• Cachapoal Valley
• Portillo Ski Resort
• Pirque and Maipo Valley
• Aconcagua Valley
• Valle Nevado Ski Resort
• El Colorado Ski Resort
• Curicó Valley
• Maule Valley
• San Antonio/Leyda Valley
• Colchagua Valley and Santa Cruz
• Casablanca Valley
• Viña del Mar
• Cajón del Maipo
• Robinson Crusoe Island
• Rancagua and Sewell
• La Parva Ski Resort
• Rano Raraku
• Llanquihue Lake
• Chillan Ski Resort
• Puerto Montt
• Osorno and Puyehue
• Valdivia and Corral
• Pucón and Villarrica
• Panguipulli
• Temuco and Lago Budi
• Arauco Territory
• Puerto Varas
• Chilean Antarctic Destination
• General Carrera Lake
• Tierra del Fuego
• Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén
• Carretera Austral
• Torres del Paine
• Puerto Natales
• Punta Arenas
• Family recreation
• Coastal beaches
• Lakeside Beaches
• Hot Springs
• Spa and relaxation
• Patagonian cruises
• Lake sailing
• International cruises
• Visits to observatories
• Astronomical facilities
• Indigenous Peoples and Ethnotourism
• World Heritage Sites
• Archaeology
• Paleontology
• Poetry and Literature
• Typical gastronomy
• Gastronomy of the world
• Hiking y trekking
• Skiing and snowboarding
• Mountainbike
• Horseback Riding
• Mountain and rock climbing
• Sport fishing
• Kitesurfing and water sports
• Ice walking
• Overland 4×4
• Paragliding and aerial sports
• Wildlife watching
• Landscape photography

National Parks

• Bird Watching

Updated the day 17 January, 2024

• Entry Requirements

Frequently asked questions

Requirements for entering chile.

As of May 9th, the Protected Borders Plan is no longer in effect. This means that the request for a PCR test and random tests in the entry to Chile are eliminated. A current vaccination certificate will not be required when entering Chile.

Chile opened several of its border crossings for tourists, including Santiago, Iquique, Antofagasta, and Punta Arenas airports. You can check the terrestrial open border crossings here: at this link .

The people who oversee this supervision are the authorities in charge of migratory control at airports, border controls, etc. (Policía de Investigaciones, mainly), and it will take place upon entry registration in the country.

Every foreigner who enters the country as a holder of a temporary residence permit must prove before the control authority that they have the legal means for survival that allow for their stay in the country during the period of validity of their permit, as well as that of people subject to their dependency who accompany them.

The way to prove the amount can be shown in different ways, including cash, a bank account statement, a credit card, etc.

Travelers shall have their Single Entry Form (FUI) , their round-trip ticket, and a reservation at a tourist service registered in SERNATUR or an invitation letter from the Provincial Delegation.

Protocols for your favorite attractions

The new post-Covid-19 tourism will demand strict standards of hygiene and sanitation of spaces, therefore, the invitation is to adopt these recommendations and adopt a new travel culture

PROTOCOLS FOR TOURIST LODGING

WHAT SHOULD TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY WITH THEM?

When you arrive and check-in…

• Observe the social distancing required.
• Allow establishment to take your temperature and disinfect your hands.
• Avoid exchanging papers, brochures, or pencils.
• Prefer digital pre-checking.
• Wear face mask at all times.
• Pay with bank card or via electronic transfer.

During your stay…

• Always remember to wear face mask.
• Wash your hands frequently. The hotel should have areas enabled to wash hands with soap or hand sanitizer gel dispensers.
• Leave keys or cards in the containers provided.
• Prefer activities or meetings in open spaces.
• Notify hotel staff if you have Covid-19 symptoms or suspect you have them.

When going to eat…

• Self-service should be kept to a minimum. Ideally, the tourist should not handle food.
• Ideally, buffet breakfast should not be available. If they cannot be eliminated, make sure that safety measures are available to implement.

Ski Centers

SKI CENTER GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES

• Ski centers have special structure and operation features; hence you will find that measures vary based on the activity.
• Observe the instruction of each establishment or activity. If, for instance, you go to a restaurant, the rules will be the same as those that are implemented throughout the country and observing allowable capacity, social distancing, use of face mask, and washing of hands is prioritized.

If you are at the establishment’s ticket office or entrance…

• Prioritize buying tickets online to help minimize overcrowding.
• Observe the minimum recommended distancing.
• Clean your hands. There will be hand sanitizer gel dispensers available in the ticket control area and throughout the center.
• Learn the rules implemented by the establishment.
• Remember to use snow gloves and “face mask type” protection suitable for the location, otherwise you will not be able to enter.
• Allow your temperature to be taken and complete the health self-survey.
• Locker rooms will not be available, arrive ready from home.
• Each center will have sanitization guidelines such as glove disinfection. Observe the instructions of the establishment’s instructors and staff.

Facilities or equipment rental…

• Rental services will only operate if physical distancing and maximum capacity are ensured and if entrances are controlled with unidirectional flow per station.
• Prefer contactless card payment.
• If there is a digital pre-rental plan available, use that option.
• Respect the minimum distancing established.
• Everything must be properly disinfected. You can help by avoiding touching objects with your hands.

Restaurantes and coffee shops

GASTRONOMIC SECTOR PROTOCOLS

WHAT SHOULD TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY?

• Do not enter the premises while at full allowed capacity.
• Let the establishment take your temperature and disinfect your hands.

When sitting…

• You should always wear face mask, but when taking it off to eat you should not leave it on the table.
• Remember that everything will be disinfected and you must observe the distance with whom you are attending.  Menu will not be on printed paper.
• Observe the number of people allowed per table.

If you go to the restroom…

• Everything will be disinfected.  However, avoid touching handles and faucets directly with your hands.
• Prefer drying with paper towel, which should be available to users.

When leaving…

• Prefer bank card or electronic transfer payment.
• Remember to wear face mask.
• Maintain social distancing and leave through approved exits.

The restaurant must sanitize tables after each customer use and make sure that all utensils are disinfected and ensure kitchen and restroom cleanliness.  Ventilation of areas is the restaurant’s responsibility and recommended protocol must be followed in its entirety.

Adventure tourism

GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES FOR ADVENTURE TOURISM

WHAT MUST TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY WITH THEM?

In public service offices…

• Observe the number of people allowed inside.
• Make pre-reservations via digital channels or telephone.
• Allow temperature to be taken.
• Avoid exchanging printed material.
• Wash your hands constantly. Disinfectant dispensers should be available in the establishment.

During the activity…

• Notify if you have any Covid-19 symptom.
• If possible, buy travel insurance coverage for the type of activity.
• Number of people per group and capacity as per the recommendations of the health authorities. Observe them.
• Find information on the safety practices and restrictions of the company you are hiring.
• If you are in an enclosed area, remember to wear face mask.

GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES FOR CAMPING

Upon arrival…

• Remember that the use of face mask is mandatory.
• Observe the area’s entrances and the instructions provided upon your arrival.
• Wash your hands properly and constantly.
• Keep the recommended social distancing.
• If you made reservations, remember that you should have previously accepted the establishment’s contingency plan terms.
• If you did not make reservations, you will be sent a document electronically on the contingency plan, which you must accept to formalize your stay.
• Prefer electronic transfers or bank card payments.
• If possible, communicate with the person in charge of the campsite by phone to avoid moving around the establishment.
• Observe the posted signs with information on restrictions.
• If the campsite includes dining room or common areas, remember that said areas must be closed if ordered by the health authorities.
• Be aware of health care centers around you and inform the staff if you have any Covid-19 symptoms.

Mice Tourism

GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES FOR MICE TOURISM

Meeting venues…

• Everything must be previously disinfected and ventilated.
• Entrances and exists must be defined and restricted if several are available.
• Observe distancing allowed while standing and sitting.
• Observe the number of attendees allowed.
• Wash your hands constantly.
• Avoid exchanging pencils, papers, or folders.

Coffee breaks…

• Avoid exchanging objects with other attendees.
• Everything will be disinfected and utensils will be disposable. Observe this restriction and contribute to its enforcement.
• Remember, always maintain the recommended distancing.
• Upon arrival, allow the establishment to take your temperature and find out about the practices implemented by the venue. Remember that you must fill out a health statement truthfully and report if you have coronavirus symptoms.

Rural Tourism

GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES FOR RURAL TOURISM

• Remember to always wear face mask.
• Observe the recommended social distancing.
• Find out about the venue’s rules and read brochures or posters on restrictions.
• Avoid touching the venue’s objects.
• Remember to fill out your health statement online.
• Allow the venue to take your temperature.

If you decide to use rural tourist lodging…

• Do not forget your face mask and hand washing.
• Observe the venue’s restrictions and social distancing.
• Avoid the exchange of printed material.
• If possible, make reservations in advance through websites, social networks, WhatsApp or telephone.
• Prefer bank card or electronic transfer payments.
• If you use keys, place them in their assigned containers.
• Objects such as carpets or cushions will be removed from rooms.
• Observe these changes which are intended to prevent the spread of the virus.
• If you use food services, remember to observe the allowed capacity.

If you use trails…

• Ask what tours, circuits, and activities are allowed.
• Observe the frequency established for their use.
• Remember the maximum number of people allowed per tour and observe that restriction.

Tour guides

GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES FOR TOUR GUIDES

WHAT MUST TOURISTS KNOW?

• Tour guides operating independently must decide the tenor of the tour, sanitary measures, regulations, etc.
• Before formalizing your reservation, you must read and accept the implemented regulations and guidelines.

WHAT MUST TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY WITH THESE GUIDELINES?

Before starting the tour…

• You must fill out a document in which you accept the terms of the activity, declare your physical condition, and health history.
• Let them take your temperature and check for coronavirus symptoms.
• Listen carefully to all the information that the tourist guide provides you.
• You should never remove face mask.
• Remember to wash hands constantly. If there are not facilities or hand sanitizer gel available, the tour guide should provide them.
• Observe the number of people allowed per tour.
• Observe all the instructions provided taking into account that if you enter a place it may have different rules. Read them and follow them.
• If you interact with other tourists, remember to keep the recommended social distancing.
• The tourist guide will inform you about health services near the area. Keep them in mind in case of an emergency and tell the tourist guide if you have any Covid-19 symptom.

PROTOCOLS FOR CEREMONIES

• Observe the maximum capacity allowed and find out about the district’s phase where the ceremony is held. The number of people allowed in the venue will be based on that.
• Make sure that the ceremony does not last more than 2 hours.
• Remember that wearing face mask is mandatory at all times.
• Avoid overcrowding and observe social distancing.
• Sanitize your hands frequently.

Swimming pools

PROTOCOLS FOR THE USE OF PUBLIC SWIMMING POOLS

Before arriving…

• Book tickets online or buy them in advance to avoid crowds.
• Make sure that you do not have any symptoms or have not been in contact with anyone that is infected.
• Organize going to a public swimming pool with your closest family group and avoid socializing with other people.
• Avoid bringing too many accessories and implements that can be shared. Bring just the necessary things.

While in the premises…

• Observe the allowed capacity, exits and entrances, and social distancing.
• Do not take face mask off, except when entering the pool.
• Remember that you cannot use slides or games.
• Arrive with swimsuit on, remember that lockers will not be available to change clothes.
• When using restrooms, observe the corresponding queue to avoid overcrowding and remember to wash your hands.
• Do not stay in the pool too long. It will be controlled to avoid overcrowding.

Commerce and services

PROTOCOLS FOR TRADE AND SERVICES ESTABLISHMENTS

• Wear face mask always.
• Observe the site’s recommended physical distancing.
• Prefer bank card payments and sanitize your hands after use.
• Disinfect your hands.
• Allow the venue to take your temperature and check your health upon arrival.
• Observe the venue’s allowed capacity and implemented safety measures.

GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR BEACHES

WHAT SHOULD TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY WITH GUIDELINES?

In the area…

• Observe the distance defined by the concession holder. At least one meter, avoiding all physical contact.
• Remember that the use of face mask is still mandatory, except when entering the sea.
• Follow the authorities’ self-care recommendations.
• If you go with children, avoid using the children’s playgrounds and, if they do, clean contact areas before using.
• Hand washing is still permanent even if you are at the beach.
• Clean and disinfect personal items at all times.
• Don’t litter. Discard waste at the assigned areas.
• Remember to bring and take care of cleaning supplies, such as hand sanitizer gel, face mask, and disinfectant wipes. When you leave, do not leave them discarded.
• Avoid sharing lotions or personal items, as well as food or fluids.
• If you buy items, buy them in approved establishments that comply with health protocols and, if possible, pay with bank cards.
• If you use chairs or beach chairs, avoid sharing them and make sure they are properly sanitized.

AIRPORT PROTOCOL

WHAT SHOULD TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY WITH PROTOCOL?

At the terminal:

• The use of face mask is always mandatory.
• Remember to sanitize your hands.
• Observe, in any terminal area, the one-meter distance with a passenger of another group.
• Fill out the Passenger Location Form accurately.
• Enter the passenger terminal alone, with the exception of minors, senior adults, or people requiring assistance.
• Follow the health authorities’ instructions of and obtain information on the venue’s protocols.

Before flying:

• Observe the one-meter distance and floor markings installed for this purpose.
• Distancing between people of a same household will not be required.
• Avoid touching the venue’s handles, devices in place and your face.
• Follow the instructions of aviation personnel.
• Carry the least number of items in your pockets to avoid overcrowding the control area. If this is not possible, keep them in your hands so that they can be quickly placed on trays.
• Queue only if you are called to board.
• Keep at least one meter away from the boarding queue.

After the flight…

• Remove your luggage only when instructed.

Urban parks and aquares

URBAN PARKS AND SQUARES PROTOCOL

Before arriving:

• Coordinate visits and avoid going in large groups.
• Find out about the corresponding allowed capacity of each area you wish to visit.
• If you must buy a ticket, prefer purchases in advance and online.
• If possible, bring your own disinfecting items plus a bottle of water to avoid sharing with others.

On the venue:

• Observe the allowed capacity of each park, trail, or square.
• You cannot remove your face mask, as its use is always mandatory.
• Keep the recommended distance of at least 1 meter between people of a same group and 5 meters between different groups.
• Avoid touching surfaces. If not possible, remember to disinfect your hands and do not touch your face.
• Observe the instructions of each area, such as the use of benches, special exercise areas for seniors, facilities, or safety tapes.
• Do not leave waste in the area. Discard waste in the nearest waste container.

MUSEUM, CULTURAL CENTER, AND ART GALLERY PROTOCOLS

Establishment…

• Prefer buying or booking tickets online.
• Find out sanitary measures of each place and observe them.
• Comply with physical distancing rules.
• Remember to wear face mask at all times.
• Sale and consumption of food is prohibited inside these establishments to prevent visitors from taking off their masks.
• If you enter a coffee shop or store inside the establishment, observe their instructions and protocols.
• Everything must be properly sanitized. Contribute to cleanliness and wash your hands frequently with water or hand sanitizer gel.
• Observe the maximum capacity allowed. If you must wait outside to enter, maintain social distancing and respect the line.
• If you can schedule a guided tour, prefer that option. This way schedules will be maintained and crowds will be avoided.

During your tour…

• Do not remove your face mask.
• Maintain physical distancing.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid touching objects, handles, or gadgets.
• Observe the instructions provided by tour guides or those posted by the establishment.
• Prefer electronic or bank card payments.

PROTOCOL FOR ZOOS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC

WHAT MUST TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY?

• Do not remove your mask at any time.
• Comply with entry protocol focused on checking your health status.  Allow the establishment to take your temperature.
• If possible, bring your own alcohol or hand sanitizer gel plus a bottle of water.
• Prefer groups of few people.
• Observe the instructions and safety measures of each place.
• Maintain a minimum distancing of 1 meter from other groups of visitors.
• If you enter an allowed enclosed area, observe the allowed capacity.
• Keep the allowed distance from animals and observe boundaries.

PROTECTED WILDLIFE AREA PROTOCOLS

• Let the establishment take your temperature.
• You must enter with a face mask and wear it inside the site.
• Help preventing overcrowding.
• Listen carefully to safeguard instructions provided at the beginning of the visit.
• Remember to keep your distance.  Two meters recommended for groups or families.
• Your group cannot exceed 15 people.
• Be aware of cleaning and self-care measures.
• Do not have direct contact with park rangers, people from local communities, or others without the mandatory security measures.
• Don’t forget to frequently wash your hands and sanitize your personal items such as backpacks, clothes, bottles or others after the activity.
• You must attend the mandatory prevention induction sessions.  They may be online or in person.
• Collaborate with the park ranger’s instructions and safety measures such as taking the temperature.

Facilities…

• Long or difficult trails may be closed to minimize not only contagion risks, but also accidents that could increase the work load of health care systems, police, or firemen.
• When using individual trails, maintain the recommended physical distancing.
• It is very likely that lookouts will be closed since they may be a source of contagion.  Observe the instructions of each area you visit.
• If you decide to eat in the destination’s assigned areas, observe physical distancing at each table.
• In case of grills, there will be an allowed capacity to observe distancing.

Astrotourism

GOOD PRACTICE GUIDELINES FOR ASTRONOMY CENTERS AND ASTROTOURISM

Before the tour:

• Book tickets online or by phone in advance.
• Find out about the safety measures and protocols implemented for your experience. Help make sure that everything is observed.
• Face masks are mandatory for the entire experience.
• Maintain a distance of 1.5 to 2 linear meters with another person.
• Observe markings installed at each area. Follow the venue’s rules and safety instructions as well.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer gel when necessary.
• Avoid handling objects.
• Carry and protect your personal and hygiene items.
• Remember to bring warm clothes. Tours are at night and the company may not provide these items to avoid contagion.
• If you visit enclosed facilities, observe the venue’s rules.
• When using restrooms, use disposable paper towels to dry your hands.
• Prefer electronic or bank card payment.

PROTOCOL FOR CASINOS, GAMBLING, AND ENTERTAINMENT ESTABLISHMENTS

WHAT MUST TOURISTS DO TO COMPLY WITH THE PROTOCOL? Inside the venue… • Observe the allowed capacity as well as physical distancing and recommendations issued. • Remember that the use of face mask is mandatory at all times. • Avoid generating agglomerations. • Disinfect hands constantly, especially after handling shared objects. • Find out the stage of the venue’s community. The operation must observe the Step by Step Plan and measures such as venue capacity or operating days may change. • Prefer bank card payments. Slot machines, bingos, and games… • You will only be able to use slot machines that have been sanitized and are not blocked or disabled. • Disinfect hands and objects continuously. Cleaning items for this purpose will be available in these areas. • Disinfect slot machines before use. Disinfecting wipes will be available on site or the staff will provide you with a cleaning kit. • Avoid exchanging tokens and other items. • Observe the venue’s demarcations. • Consumption of food and beverages is prohibited.

Agencies and tour operators

TRAVEL AGENCIES AND TOUR OPERATORS GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES

Before going to a place…

• Check schedule online or by phone.
• Schedule in advance your service to avoid overcrowding the place.
• Make sure you do not have any coronavirus symptoms before going.

When you are in a place…

• Remember to use face mask and observe recommended distancing.
• Wash your hands frequently and avoid touching objects.
• Allow your temperature to be taken while entering the place.
• Your cell phone will be the option to inform you when you are at the place to avoid using brochures or printed material.
• When paying prefer electronic transfers or bank card payments.
• If you use cash, wash your hands thoroughly before and after doing transaction.

During the tour…

• Follow the instructions of your tour guide and observe the imposed restrictions.
• Remember that not all destinations are enabled.
• Avoid close contact with other people and touching objects in places.

GOOD PRACTICES GUIDELINES FOR ENOTOURISM

Upon arrival to the vineyard, remember that…

• You must allow the establishment to take your temperature and fill out an online health statement.
• You must carry your identification. The venue’s personnel will request identification for preventive and traceability purposes.
• Wearing face mask is mandatory.
• Hand washing is essential to prevent the spread of Covid-19.
• Keep the required social distancing.
• It is your obligation to find information on the measures implemented by the venue. Read posted signs.
• If you make reservations online, you are helping to minimize contagion.
• Each area should be properly disinfected, however, avoid touching handles, keys, or tables to minimize contagion.
• If you use the venue’s rest rooms, dry your hands with paper towel.
• Always listen to the Tourist Guide, he/she will inform you about safety measures.
• Groups cannot exceed 10 people. Contribute observing this rule.
• The vineyard will redistribute parking lots and spaces to avoid overcrowding. Contribute observing this measure.
• Prefer bank card payments, electronic transfers, and online reservations.

Touring the vineyard…

• Take advantage of the natural resources that the vineyards offer.
• Avoid manipulating objects, lids, or signs.
• During wine tasting, the tour guide should use gloves and avoid, for example, touching glasses with the bottle’s neck.
• Use hand sanitizer gel and clean your hands before entering the wine tasting area.
• If you are assigned a tasting glass, keep it in a safe place and remember that it is for your personal use.
• Observe allowed capacity and recommended social distancing.
• Avoid manipulating the available products.
• Wash your hands and remember to wear face mask.

Chile takes care of you

Check out the indispensable recommendations for your next trip to our country. here

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More travel information for Chile

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Chile

• Sports and Outdoor activities in Chile
• Eating and drinking in Chile
• Getting around Chile: Transportation Tips

As you might expect given its incredibly long, thin shape, Chile encompasses a wide range of climates (and micro climates). Its seasons are the reverse of those in Europe and North America, with, broadly speaking, winter falling in the June to September period and summer in the December to March period.

Crime and personal safety

Electricity, entry requirements, chilean embassies abroad, gay and lesbian travellers, living and/or working in chile, opening hours and public holidays, tourist information, government websites, other useful websites, travellers with disabilities, travelling with children, the media in chile, tailor-made travel itineraries for chile, created by local experts.

11 days  / from 4896 USD

Luxurious Chile - Atacama Desert & Easter Island

Explore two of Chile's extraordinary highlights: the Atacama desert with its salt flats and lagoons and Easter Island. The island is famous for its stone monoliths and source of mystery for many. Your stay will be complemented in the best hotels, making this trip even more special.

10 days  / from 2650 USD

Chile Explored: From Santiago to Torres del Paine

The vast expanse of Patagonia is home to extreme landscapes, from jagged mountains, stark glaciers, clear blue lakes, and grassy fields. You will find them all in Torres del Paine, a huge contrast to the start of the trip in the historical, bustling city of Santiago.

14 days  / from 3800 USD

Self-Drive Santiago, Wines & Lakes

Discover the beauty of Chile independently in your own rental car. Start in Santiago before heading to Pucon, Huilo Huilo and Puerto Varas. As you'll be in your own car, you can plan each day at your liking - hikes, relaxing or cultural exploration? Decide spontaneously.

Tailor-made trips for   Chile

Chile is an expensive country compared with most of South America. Accommodation is relatively expensive, but eating out is relatively good value if you avoid the flashier restaurants and take advantage of set lunch menus. Transport is relatively inexpensive.

In general, per week, you'll need to allow US$250 to get by on a tight budget; around US$600 to live a little more comfortably, staying in mid-range hotels and eating in restaurants most days; and upwards of US$1000 to live in luxury.

The most widespread hidden cost in Chile is the IVA (Impuesto al Valor Agregado), a tax of 19 percent added to most goods and services. Although most prices include IVA, there are many irritating exceptions. Hotel rates sometimes include IVA and sometimes don't; as a tourist, you're supposed to be exempt from IVA if you pay for your accommodation in US dollars. Car rental is almost always quoted without IVA. If in doubt, you should always clarify whether a price quoted to you includes IVA.

Once obtained, various official and quasi-official youth/student ID cards soon pay for themselves in savings. Full-time students are eligible for the International Student ID Card (ISIC; isiccard.com).

Chile is one of the safest South American countries, and violent crime against tourists is rare. The kind of sophisticated tactics used by thieves in neighbouring Peru and Bolivia are extremely uncommon in Chile, and the fact that you can walk around without being gripped by paranoia is one of the country's major bonuses.

That's not to say, of course, that you don't need to be careful. Opportunistic pickpocketing and petty theft is common in Santiago and major cities such as Valparaíso, Arica and Puerto Montt, and you should take all the normal precautions to safeguard your money and valuables, paying special attention in bus terminals and markets – wear a money belt, and keep it tucked inside the waistband of your trousers or skirt, out of sight, and don't wear flashy jewellery, flaunt expensive cameras or carry a handbag. It's also a good idea to keep photocopies of your passport, tourist card, driving licence, air tickets and credit card details separate from the originals – whether it's safer to carry the originals with you or leave them in your hotel is debatable, but whatever you do, you should always have some form of ID on you, even if this is just a photocopy of your passport.

Chile's police force, the carabineros , has the whole country covered, with stations in even the most remote areas, particularly in border regions. If you're robbed and need a police report for an insurance claim, you should go to the nearest retén (police station), where details of the theft will be entered in a logbook. You'll be issued a slip of paper with the record number of the entry, but in most cases a full report won't be typed out until your insurance company requests it.

220V/50Hz is the standard throughout Chile. The sockets are two-pronged, with round pins (as opposed to the flat pins common in neighbouring countries).

Most foreign visitors to Chile do not need a visa. The exceptions are citizens of Cuba, Russia, Middle Eastern countries (except Israel) and African counties (except South Africa).

Visitors of all nationalities are issued with a 90-day tourist entry card ( Tarjeta de Turismo ) on arrival in Chile, which can be extended once for an additional 90 days. It will be checked by the International Police at the airport or border post when you leave Chile – if it's expired you won't be allowed to leave the country until you've paid the appropriate fine at the nearest Intendencia (up to US$100, depending on the number of days past the expiry date). If this happens when you're trying to fly out of the international airport in Santiago, you'll have to go back downtown to Moneda 1342 (Mon–Fri 9am–1pm; t 2 672 5320).

If you lose your tourist card, ask for a duplicate immediately, either from the Fronteras department of the Policía Internacional, General Borgoño 1052, Santiago ( t 2 698 2211) or from the Extranjero's department of the Intendencia in any provincial capital. There's no charge for replacing lost or stolen cards.

If you want to extend your tourist card, you can either pay US$100 at the Intendencia of Santiago or any provincial capital, or you can simply leave the country and re-enter, getting a brand-new 90-day Tarjeta de Turismo for free.

A tourist card does not allow you to undertake any paid employment in Chile – for this, you need to get a work visa before you enter the country, which can either be arranged by your employer in Chile or by yourself on presentation (to your embassy or consulate) of an employment contract authorized by a Chilean public notary. You can't swap a tourist card for a work visa while you're in Chile, which means that legally you can't just go out and find a job – though many language schools are happy to ignore the rules when employing teachers. Other points to note are that under-18s travelling to Chile without parents need written parental consent authorized by the Chilean Embassy, and that minors travelling to Chile with just one parent need the written, authorized consent of the absent parent.

Australia 10 Culgoa Circuit, O'Malley, Canberra ACT 2606 t 02 6286 2098, chileabroad.gov.cl/australia/.

Canada 50 O'Connor St, suite 1413, Ottawa, ON K1P 6L2 t 613 235 4402, chile.ca.

New Zealand 19 Bolton St, Wellington t 04 471 6270, chileabroad.gov.cl/nueva-zelanda/en/

South Africa 169 Garsfontein Rd Ashlea, Delmondo Office Park Block C, Gardens, Pretoria t 012 460 1676, chileabroad.gov.cl/sudafrica/.

UK 12 Devonshire St, London W1N 2DS t 020 7580 1023, chileabroad.gov.cl/reino-unido/en.

US 1732 Massachusetts Ave NW, Washington, DC 20036 t 202 785 1746.

Chilean society is extremely conservative , and homosexuality is still a taboo subject for many Chileans. Outside Santiago – with the minor exceptions of some northern cities such as La Serena and Antofagasta – there are no gay venues, and it is advisable for same-sex couples to do as the locals do and remain discreet, especially in public. Machismo, while not as evident here as in other Latin American countries, is nevertheless deeply ingrained and mostly unchallenged by women, despite a growing feminist movement. That said, gay-bashing and other homophobic acts are rare and the government has passed anti-discrimination legislation. The International Gay and Lesbian Association (iglta.org) has information of gay- and lesbian-friendly travel companies in Chile (and around the world). santiagogay.com is another good source of information.

You'd do well to take out an insurance policy before travelling to cover against theft, loss and illness or injury. Before paying for a new policy, however, it's worth checking whether you are already covered: some all-risks home insurance policies may cover your possessions when overseas, and many private medical schemes include cover when abroad.

After checking out the possibilities above, you might want to contact a specialist travel insurance company , or consider the travel insurance deal we offer. A typical travel insurance policy usually provides cover for the loss of baggage, tickets and – up to a certain limit – cash or cheques, as well as cancellation or curtailment of your journey. Most exclude so-called dangerous sports unless an extra premium is paid; in Chile this can mean scuba-diving, white-water rafting, windsurfing and trekking, though probably not kayaking or jeep safaris. If you take medical coverage, ascertain whether benefits will be paid as treatment proceeds or only after you return home, and if there is a 24-hour medical emergency number. When securing baggage cover, make sure that the per-article limit will cover your most valuable possession. If you need to make a claim, you should keep receipts for medicines and medical treatment, and in the event you have anything stolen, you must obtain an official statement from the police.

Chile is one of the most wired Latin American nations. Cybercafés are everywhere, and broadband ( banda ancha ) access is quite common. Most hotels and many cafes and restaurants provide wi-fi access, often for free.

There are plenty of short-term work opportunities for foreigners in Chile; the difficultly lies in obtaining and maintaining a work visa. You can only apply for one once you have a firm job offer, with the result that many people enter on a tourist visa and hold off on applying until they've actually found work.

If you're pre-planning a longer stay, consult the websites of the Overseas Jobs Express (overseasjobs.org) and the International Career and Employment Center (internationaljobs.org); both list internships, jobs and volunteer opportunities across the world.

Many students come to Chile taking advantage of semester or year-abroad programmes offered by their universities. Go to studyabroad.com for links and listings to study programmes worldwide.

Teaching English

Demand for native-speaking English teachers in Chilean cities is high and makes language teaching an obvious work option. Though it can be competitive, it's relatively easy to find work either teaching general English in private language schools or business English within companies. A lucky few get by with minimal teaching experience, but with an EFL (English Language Teaching)/ TEFL (Teaching English as a Foreign Language) qualification you're in a far better position to get a job with a reputable employer. CELTA (Certificate in English Language Teaching to Adults) courses are among the best and you can qualify before you leave home or even while you're abroad. The most lucrative work is private, one-to-one lessons, which are best sought through word-of-mouth or by placing an ad in a local newspaper. The British Council website ( britishcouncil.org/work/jobs.htm ) has a list of vacancies.

Volunteering

Opportunities for work need not be limited to language teaching. You can easily become a volunteer in Chile, but you'll often have to pay for the privilege. Many organizations target people on gap years (at whatever stage in their lives) and offer placements on both inner city and environmental projects. For free or low-cost volunteer positions have a look at the excellent volunteersouthamerica.net .

Study and work programmes

AFS Intercultural Programs afs.org. Intercultural exchange organization with programmes in over 50 countries.

Amerispan w amerispan.com. Highly rated educational travel company that specializes in language courses, but also runs volunteer programmes all over Latin America.

British Council britishcouncil.org. Produces a free leaflet which details study opportunities abroad. The website has a list of current job vacancies for recruiting TEFL teachers for posts worldwide.

Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE) ciee.org. Leading NGO offering study programmes and volunteer projects around the world.

Earthwatch Institute earthwatch.org. Scientific expedition project that spans over 50 countries with environmental and archeological ventures worldwide.

Rainforest Concern rainforestconcern.org. Volunteering opportunities protecting threatened habitats in South and Central America. The Chilean project is based in the Nasampulli Reserve in the south of the country.

Raleigh International raleigh.org.uk. Volunteer projects across the world for young travellers.

The Chilean postal service is very reliable for international items, but can be surprisingly erratic for domestic items. A letter from Santiago takes about five days to reach Europe, a little less time to reach North America and usually no more than a couple of weeks to more remote destinations. Allow a few extra days for letters posted from other towns and cities in Chile. Do not send any gifts to Chile using regular post; theft is extremely common for incoming shipments. For important shipping to Chile try express services such as FedEx and DHL.

Post offices are marked by a blue Correos sign, and are usually on or near the Plaza de Armas of any town; postboxes are blue, and bear the blue Correos symbol.

No two road maps of Chile are identical, and none is absolutely correct. The bulk of errors lie in the representation of dirt roads: some maps mark them incorrectly as tarred roads, some leave out a random selection of dirt roads altogether, and some mark them quite clearly where nothing exists at all.

You'll find a number of reliable country maps, including the Rough Guides ' detailed, waterproof Chile map. The comprehensive TurisTel map is printed in the back of its guides to Chile and also published in a separate booklet. Sernatur produces a good fold-out map of the whole of Chile, called the Gran Mapa Caminero de Chile, on sale at the main office in Santiago, and an excellent map of the north, called the Mapa Rutero Turístico Macroregión Norte, free from Sernatur offices in Santiago and the north. Other useful maps include Auto Mapa's Rutas de Chile series, distributed internationally. Outside Chile, also look for the Reise Know-How Verlag and Nelles Verlag maps of Chile, which combine clear road detail along with contours and colour tinting.

You can pick up free and usually adequate street plans in the tourist office of most cities, but better by far are those contained in the Turistel guidebooks, with a map for practically every town and village you're likely to want to visit. Bookshops and kiosks sell street-indexed maps of Santiago, but the most comprehensive A–Z of Santiago appears in the back of the CTC phone directory.

The best ones to use for hiking are the series of JLM maps, which cover some of the main national parks and occasionally extend into Argentina. They're produced in collaboration with Conaf and are available in bookshops and some souvenir or outdoor stores.

The basic unit of currency is the peso, usually represented by the $ sign (and by CH$ in this book, for clarity). Many hotels, particularly the more expensive ones, accept US dollars cash (and will give you a discount for paying this way; For more information, see Hotels). Apart from this, you'll be expected to pay for everything in local currency. You may, however, come across prices quoted in the mysterious "UF". This stands for unidad de fomento and is an index-linked monetary unit that is adjusted (every minute) daily to remain in line with inflation. The only time you're likely to come across it is if you rent a vehicle (your liability, in the event of an accident, will probably be quoted in UFs on the rental contract). You'll find the exchange rate of the UF against the Chilean peso in the daily newspapers, along with the rates for all the other currencies.

Credit and debit cards can be used either in ATM s or over the counter. MasterCard, Visa and American Express are accepted just about everywhere, but other cards may not be recognized. Alternatively, pick up a pre-paid debit card such as Travelex's Cash Passport (travelex.co.uk).

Travellers' cheques should always be in US dollars, and though most brands are accepted, it's best to be on the safe side and take one of the main brands such as American Express, Citibank or Thomas Cook. You will have to change them in a casa de cambio (exchange bureau), usually for a small commission.

Most shops and services are open Monday to Friday from 9am to 1pm and 3pm to 6pm or 7pm, and on Saturday from 10am or 11am until 2pm. Supermarkets stay open at lunchtime and may close as late as 11pm on weekdays and Saturdays in big cities. Large shopping malls are often open all day on Sundays. Banks have more limited hours, generally Monday to Friday from 9am to 2pm, but casas de cambio tend to use the same opening hours as shops.

Museums are nearly always shut on Mondays, and are often free on Sundays. Many tourist offices only open Monday to Friday throughout the year, with a break for lunch, but in summer (usually between Dec 15 and March 15) some increase their weekday hours and open on Saturday and sometimes Sunday; note that their hours are subject to frequent change. Post offices don't close at lunchtime on weekdays and are open on Saturdays from 9am to 1pm.

February is the main holiday month in Chile, when there's an exodus from the big cities to the beaches or the Lake District, leaving some shops and restaurants closed. February is also an easy time to get around in Santiago, as the city appears half-abandoned.

Major holidays

January 1 New Year's Day ( Año nuevo )

Easter Good Friday, Easter Saturday and Easter Sunday are the climax to Holy Week ( Semana Santa )

May 1 Labour Day ( Día del Trabajo )

May 21 Combate Naval de Iquique . A Remembrance Day celebrating the end of the War of the Pacific after the naval victory at Iquique

June 15 Corpus Christi

June, last Monday San Pedro and San Pablo

August 15 Assumption of the Virgin

September 18 National Independence Day ( Fiestas Patrias ), in celebration of the first provisional government of 1810

September 19 Armed Forces Day ( Día del Ejército )

October 12 Columbus Day ( Día de la Raza ), marking the discovery of America

November 1 All Saints' Day ( Todos los Santos )

December 8 Immaculate Conception

December 25 Christmas Day ( Navidad )

Landline telephone numbers are six or seven digits long, depending on where you are in the country. If you are making a long-distance call you need to first dial a "carrier code" (for example "188" for Telefónica or "181" for Movistar), then an area code (for example "2" for the Santiago metropolitan region or "32" for the Valparaíso region) and finally the number itself. Mobile phone numbers have eight digits. When calling from a landline to a mobile, dial "09" and then the rest of the number (for mobile to mobile calls, the "09" is not necessary).

Using phonecards is a practical way to phone abroad, and it's worth stocking up on them in major cities, as you can't always buy them elsewhere. Alternatively there are dozens of call centres or centros de llamadas in most cities. Another convenient option is to take along an international calling card . The least expensive way to call home, however, is via Skype.

The cheapest way to use your mobile is to pick up a local sim card, though you may also have to get your phone unlocked to ensure it works. The main operators are Movistar, Entel and Claro, and you'll find several branches of each in the larger cities.

From the end of October to late March, Chile observes Daylight Saving Time and is three hours behind GMT; the country is four hours behind GMT the rest of the year. Easter Island is two hours behind the mainland.

Chile's government-run tourist board is called Sernatur . There's a large office in Santiago, plus branches in every provincial capital. It produces a huge amount of material, including themed booklets on camping, skiing, national parks, beaches, thermal springs and so on. In smaller towns you're more likely to find a municipal Oficina de Turismo , sometimes attached to the Municipalidad (town hall) and usually with a very limited supply of printed information to hand out. If there's no separate tourist office it's worth trying the Municipalidad itself. Another source of information is the excellent series of TurisTel guidebooks, published annually by the Chilean phone company CTC, and available at numerous pavement kiosks in Santiago, and CTC offices in Chilean cities. They come in three volumes, covering the north, the centre and the south, and give extremely detailed information on even the tiniest of places, with comprehensive street plans and road maps. The English translation, available at many kiosks, however, suffers from infrequent updating.

Australian Department of Foreign Affairs dfat.gov.au.

British Foreign & Commonwealth Office fco.gov.uk.

Canadian Department of Foreign Affairs international.gc.ca.

Irish Department of Foreign Affairs foreignaffairs.gov.ie .

New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs mfat.govt.nz.

South African Department of Foreign Affairs dfa.gov.za.

US State Department travel.state.gov.

Chilean Patagonia chileaustral.com . Website dedicated to tourism in Chilean Patagonia, including city guides, national parks, hotels and weather forecasts.

Chile Hotels chile-hotels.com. A long list of Chilean hotels, with online booking facilities, plus brief descriptions of the towns and cities.

El Mercurio emol.com. The long-established, rather conservative daily newspaper, online in Spanish.

Foody Chile foodychile.com . Well-written blog on what and where to eat in Chile.

I Love Chile ilovechile.cl . Useful website with news, features, music and blogs, plus its own online radio station.

South American Explorers saexplorers.org . Useful site of the long-established travel NGO. Offers travel advisories and warnings, trip reports, a bulletin board and links with other sites.

Chile Travel chile.travel . Descriptions of the major attractions in each region, with some historical and cultural background.

Chile makes very few provisions for people with disabilities, and travellers with mobility problems will have to contend with a lack of lifts, high curbs, dangerous potholes on pavements and worse. However, Chileans are courteous people and are likely to offer assistance when needed. Spacious, specially designed toilets are becoming more common in airports and the newer shopping malls, but restaurants and bars are progressing at a slower pace. New public buildings are legally required to provide disabled access , and there will usually be a full range of facilities in the more expensive hotels. It is worth employing the help of the local tourist office for information on the most suitable place to stay. Public transport on the other hand is far more of a challenge. Most bus companies do not have any dedicated disabled facilities so, given that reserved disabled parking is increasingly common, travelling with your own vehicle might be the easier option.

Families are highly regarded in Latin American societies, and Chile is no exception. Chile's restaurants are well used to catering for children and will happily provide smaller portions for younger mouths. In hotels, you should try to negotiate cheaper rates. The main health hazards to watch out for are the heat and sun. Very high factor suncream can be difficult to come by in remote towns so it is best to stock up on sunblock at pharmacies in the bigger cities. Always remember that the sun in Chile is fierce, so hats and bonnets are essential; this is especially true in the south where the ozone layer is particularly thin. High altitudes may cause children problems and, like adults, they must acclimatize before walking too strenuously above 2000m. If you intend to travel with babies and very young children to high altitudes, consult your doctor for advice before you leave.

Long-distances buses charge for each seat so you'll only pay less if a child is sitting on your knee. On city buses , however, small children often travel for free but will be expected to give up their seat for paying customers without one. Airline companies generally charge a third less for passengers under 12 so look out for last-minute discount flights – they can make flying an affordable alternative to an arduous bus ride.

Chile is a fairly risk-free country to travel in as far as health problems are concerned. No inoculations are required, though you might want to consider a hepatitis A jab, as a precaution. Check, too, that your tetanus boosters are up to date. Many travellers experience the occasional stomach upset, and sunstroke is also quite common, especially at high altitudes.

Chile is well endowed with pharmacies ( farmacias ) – even smaller towns usually have at least a handful. If you need to see a doctor, make an appointment at the outpatient department of the nearest hospital, usually known as a clínica. The majority of clínicas are private, and expensive, so make sure your travel insurance provides good medical cover.

Rabies, though only a remote risk, does exist in Chile. If you get bitten or scratched by a dog, you should seek medical attention immediately. The disease can be cured, but only through a series of stomach injections administered before the onset of symptoms, which can appear within 24 hours or lie dormant for months, and include irrational behaviour, fear of water and foaming at the mouth. There is a vaccine, but it’s expensive and doesn’t prevent you from contracting rabies, though it does buy you time to get to hospital.

Altitude sickness

Anyone travelling in Chile’s northern altiplano, where altitudes commonly reach 4500m – or indeed anyone going higher than 3000m in the cordillera – needs to be aware of the risks of altitude sickness, locally known as soroche or apunamiento . This debilitating and sometimes dangerous condition is caused by the reduced atmospheric pressure and corresponding reduction in oxygen that occurs around 3000m above sea level. Basic symptoms include breathlessness, headaches, nausea and extreme tiredness, rather like a bad hangover. There’s no way of predicting whether or not you’ll be susceptible to the condition, which seems to strike quite randomly, affecting people differently from one ascent to another. You can, however, take steps to avoid it by ascending slowly and allowing yourself to acclimatize. In particular, don’t be tempted to whizz straight up to the altiplano from sea level, but spend a night or two acclimatizing en route. You should also avoid alcohol and salt, and drink lots of water. The bitter-tasting coca leaves chewed by most locals in the altiplano (where they’re widely available at markets and village stores), can help ease headaches and the sense of exhaustion.

Although extremely unpleasant, the basic form of altitude sickness is essentially harmless and passes after about 24 hours (if it doesn’t, descend at least 500m). However, in its more serious forms, altitude sickness can be dangerous and even life-threatening. One to two percent of people travelling to 4000m develop HAPO (high-altitude pulmonary oedema), caused by the build-up of liquid in the lungs. Symptoms include fever, an increased pulse rate, and coughing up white fluid; sufferers should descend immediately, whereupon recovery is usually quick and complete. Rarer, but more serious, is HACO (high-altitude cerebral oedema), which occurs when the brain gets waterlogged with fluid. Symptoms include loss of balance, severe lassitude, weakness or numbness on one side of the body and a confused mental state. If you or a fellow traveller display any of these symptoms, descend immediately and get to a doctor; HACO can be fatal within 24 hours.

Sunburn and dehydration

In many parts of Chile, sunburn and dehydration are threats. They are obviously more of a problem in the excessively dry climate of the north, but even in the south of the country, it’s easy to underestimate the strength of the summer sun. To prevent sunburn, take a high-factor sunscreen and wear a wide-brimmed hat. It’s also essential to drink plenty of fluids before you go out, and always carry large quantities of water with you when you’re hiking in the sun. As you lose a lot of salt when you sweat, add more to your food, or take a rehydration solution.

Hypothermia

Another potential enemy, especially at high altitudes and in Chile’s far southern reaches, is hypothermia. Because early symptoms can include an almost euphoric sense of sleepiness and disorientation, your body’s core temperature can plummet to danger level before you know what has happened. Chile’s northern deserts have such clear air that it can drop to -20°C (-4°F) at night, which makes you very vulnerable to hypothermia while sleeping if proper precautions aren’t taken. If you get hypothermia, the best thing to do is take your clothes off and jump into a sleeping bag with someone else – sharing another person’s body heat is the most effective way of restoring your own. If you’re alone, or have no willing partners, then get out of the wind and the rain, remove all wet or damp clothes, get dry, and drink plenty of hot fluids.

Chile’s shellfish should be treated with the utmost caution. Every year, a handful of people die because they inadvertently eat bivalve shellfish contaminated by red tide, or marea roja, algae that becomes toxic when the seawater temperature rises. The government monitors the presence of this algae with extreme diligence and bans all commercial shellfish collection when the phenomenon occurs. There is little health risk when eating in restaurants or buying shellfish in markets, as these are regularly inspected by the health authorities, but it’s extremely dangerous to collect shellfish for your own consumption unless you’re absolutely certain that the area is free of red tide. Note that red tide affects all shellfish, cooked or uncooked.

Media output in Chile is nothing to get excited about. If you know where to look, journalistic standards can be high but you might find yourself turning to foreign TV channels or papers if you want an international view on events.

Newspapers and magazines

The Chilean press has managed to uphold a strong tradition of editorial freedom ever since the country’s first newspaper, La Aurora, was published by an anti-royalist friar in 1812, during the early days of the independence movement. One year before La Aurora folded in 1827, a new newspaper, El Mercurio, went to press in Valparaíso, and is now the longest-running newspaper in the Spanish-speaking world. Emphatically conservative, and owned by the powerful Edwards family, El Mercurio is considered the most serious of Chile’s dailies, but still has a minimal international coverage. The other major daily is La Tercera, which tends to be more sensationalistic. The liberal-leaning La Nación is the official newspaper of the state. The online English-language Santiago Times is a good read, though you’ll need to subscribe to get full access.

Chile also produces a plethora of racy tabloids as well as ¡Hola!-style clones. For a more edifying read, try the selection of Private Eye-style satirical papers, such as The Clinic and the weekly magazine Siete más 7.

In Santiago you can usually track down a selection of foreign papers, though elsewhere you’ll generally have to rely on online editions.

Television and radio

Cable TV is widespread, offering innumerable domestic and international channels. CNN is always on offer, and BBC World is widely available. Of the five terrestrial channels, the top choice is Channel 7, the state-owned Televisión Nacional, which makes the best programmes in Chile. Generally, however, soap operas, game shows and, of course, football, predominate.

Voice of America and Radio Canada can both be accessed but unfortunately the BBC no longer broadcasts its World Service in Chile.

The Rough Guides to Chile and related travel guides

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Places the U.S. Government Warns Not to Travel Right Now

You may want to reconsider traveling to these countries right now.

Do Not Travel to These Countries

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Crime, civil unrest and terrorism are common risk factors for countries that end up on the State Department's "Do Not Travel" advisory list.

In 2024, tourism across the globe is “well on track” to return to pre-pandemic levels, according to projections by UN Tourism.

Global conflicts and natural disasters , ranging from a series of coups across Africa to catastrophic earthquakes in the Middle East affected international travel patterns throughout 2023. Still, international tourist arrivals reached 87% of pre-pandemic levels in 2023, according to estimates by UN Tourism .

In January 2024 alone, about 4.6 million U.S. citizens left the country for international destinations, 17% higher than the same month in 2019, according to the International Trade Administration . But some destinations warrant more caution than others.

On Oct. 19, 2023, following the outbreak of war between Israel and Gaza and flaring tensions in the region, the U.S. State Department issued a worldwide caution advisory due to “increased tensions in various locations around the world, the potential for terrorist attacks, demonstrations or violent actions against U.S. citizens and interests.” Prior to this update, the most recent worldwide caution advisory was issued in 2022 after a U.S. strike killed Ayman al-Zawahiri, Osama bin Laden’s successor as leader of Al Qaeda, causing “a higher potential for anti-American violence.” The worldwide caution advisory remains in effect.

The U.S. State Department also issues individual travel advisory levels for more than 200 countries globally, continually updating them based on a variety of risk indicators such as health, terrorism and civil unrest. Travel advisory levels range from Level 1, which means exercise normal precautions, to Level 4, which means do not travel there.

About 10% of countries – 19 total – have a Level 4: “Do Not Travel” advisory as of Mar. 4. In Level 4 countries, the U.S. government may have “very limited ability” to step in should travelers’ safety or security be at risk, according to the State Department. Crime, civil unrest, kidnapping and terrorism are common risk factors associated with Level 4 countries.

So far in 2024, the State Department made changes to the existing Level 4 advisories for Myanmar, Iran and Gaza, and moved Niger and Lebanon off of the Level 4 list.

Places With a Level 4 Travel Advisory

These are the primary areas the U.S. government says not to travel to right now, in alphabetical order:

Jump to Place: Afghanistan Belarus Burkina Faso Central African Republic Myanmar (formerly Burma) Gaza Haiti Iran Iraq Libya Mali Mexico North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) Russia Somalia South Sudan Sudan Syria Ukraine Venezuela Yemen

Afghanistan: The Central Asian country is wrestling with “terrorism, risk of wrongful detention, kidnapping and crime,” according to the State Department. U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for wrongful detention and kidnapping. In 2022, the government reinstituted public floggings and executions, and women’s rights are disappearing under Taliban control. The U.S. Embassy in Kabul halted operations in August 2021. Since the Taliban took control , many forms of international aid have been halted . Meanwhile, in 2023, some of the year’s deadliest earthquakes killed more than 2,400 in Afghanistan while the country continues to face a years-long extreme drought.

Belarus: Belarus, which shares a western border with Russia and a southern border with Ukraine, has been flagged for “Belarusian authorities’ continued facilitation of Russia’s war against Ukraine, the buildup of Russian military forces in Belarus, the arbitrary enforcement of local laws, the potential of civil unrest, the risk of detention, and the Embassy’s limited ability to assist U.S. citizens residing in or traveling to Belarus.” The U.S. Embassy in Minsk halted operations in February 2022.

Burkina Faso: Terrorism, crime and kidnapping are plaguing this West African nation. Terrorist attacks may target hotels, restaurants and schools with little to no warning, and the East and Sahel regions of the country are under a state of emergency. In late November 2023, hundreds died in clashes between state security forces and rebels near the country’s border with Mali. In June, more than 2 million people in Burkina Faso were displaced due to “violence linked to al-Qaida and the Islamic State group.”

Central African Republic: While there have not been specific incidents of U.S. citizens targeted with violence or crime, violent crime and sudden closure of roads and borders is common. The advisory states that “Embassy Bangui’s limited capacity to provide support to U.S. citizens, crime, civil unrest, and kidnapping” is a factor in its assessment. Recent data from UNICEF suggests the country has the worst drinking water accessibility of all countries in 2022.

Myanmar (Formerly Burma): Armed conflict and civil unrest are the primary reasons to not travel to this Southeast Asian country, which experienced a military coup in early 2021. Limited health care resources, wrongful detentions and “areas with land mines and unexploded ordnance” are also listed as risk factors. After Ukraine and Israel, Myanmar had the highest conflict-related death toll in 2023.

Gaza : Hamas, a foreign terrorist organization as designated by the State Department, controls much of the Gaza Strip, which shares borders with both Israel and Egypt. On Oct. 7, 2023, Hamas fighters broke across the border into Israel, killing hundreds of civilians and soldiers in a brazen attack that stunned Israelis. On Oct. 10, Israel hit the Gaza Strip with “the fiercest air strikes in its 75-year conflict” according to Reuters . The conflict has since escalated into war between Israel and Hamas, with regular Israeli airstrikes leading to extensive civilian casualties in Gaza. As of mid-December, nearly 85% of Gaza’s population were displaced from their homes, according to UN estimates . The region continues to face shortages of food , water, electricity and medical supplies , with conditions deemed “far beyond a humanitarian crisis.” The State Department warns of terrorism and armed conflict within Gaza’s borders.

Haiti: In July 2023, the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Port-au-Prince in response to the increased risk of kidnapping and violent crime in the country , as well as armed conflict between gangs and police. The travel advisory states that cases of kidnapping “often involve ransom negotiations and U.S. citizen victims have been physically harmed during kidnappings.” The travel advisory also states that “U.S. citizens in Haiti should depart Haiti as soon as possible” given “the current security situation and infrastructure challenges.” A series of gang attacks in late September 2023 caused thousands to flee their homes, and many aid groups have been forced to cut or suspend operations amid escalating violence in recent months.

Iran: Terrorism, kidnapping and civil unrest are risk factors for all travelers to Iran, while U.S. citizens are specifically at risk for “arbitrary arrest.” U.S.-Iranian nationals such as students, journalists and business travelers have been arrested on charges of espionage and threatening national security. Executions in Iran rose sharply between 2021 and 2022, bringing the country’s total to nearly 580 people over the year, according to a report by Amnesty International released in May 2023.

Iraq: The State Department cites “terrorism, kidnapping, armed conflict [and] civil unrest” as cause for the country’s Level 4 distinction. Iraq’s northern borders, and its border with Syria, are especially dangerous. Since the escalation of conflict in neighboring Israel in October, there has been an increase in attacks against Iraqi military bases, which host U.S. troops and other international forces. In October 2023, non-emergency U.S. government personnel and eligible family members were ordered to leave the U.S. embassy in Baghdad.

Libya: Following the end of its dictatorship over a decade ago, Libya has been wrought with internal conflict between armed groups in the East and West. Armed conflict, civil unrest, crime, kidnapping and terrorism are all risk factors. U.S. citizens have been targets of kidnapping for ransom, with terrorists targeting hotels and airports frequented by Westerners. The U.S. Embassy in Tripoli halted operations in 2014. In mid-September 2023, floods, which some say were intensified by climate change , killed thousands in eastern Libya. Clashes between armed factions escalated across the country in the latter half of 2023, including in the capital city of Tripoli and in Benghazi.

Mali: After experiencing military coups in 2020 and 2021, crime, terrorism and kidnapping are all prevalent threats in this West African landlocked nation. In July 2022, non-emergency U.S. government employees and their families were ordered to leave the country due to higher risk of terrorist activity. A U.N. report in August 2023 said that military groups in the country, including both Mali security forces and possibly Russian Wagner mercenaries, were spreading terror through the use of violence against women and human rights abuses. Democratic elections were supposed to occur in February 2024, but Mali’s military junta postponed the plans indefinitely. In December, the U.N. officially ended a decade-long peacekeeping presence in the country, which had been among the agency’s deadliest missions, with hundreds of the mission personnel killed since 2013.

Mexico: Each state in Mexico is assessed separately for travel advisory levels. Six of the 32 states in Mexico are designated as Level 4: Colima, Guerrero, Michoacan, Sinaloa, Tamaulipas and Zacatecas. Crime and kidnapping are listed as the primary risk factors throughout the country. Nearly 112,000 people were missing across the country as of October, a number the U.N. has called “alarming.”

North Korea (Democratic People’s Republic of Korea): U.S. passports are not valid for travel “to, in, or through” this country, home to one of the world's longest-running dynastic dictatorships. The travel advisory states that the Level 4 distinction is due to “the continuing serious risk of arrest and long-term detention of U.S. nationals.” In July 2023, a U.S. soldier fled across the border into North Korea, where he is believed to be in North Korean custody, the first American detained in the North in nearly five years. He was returned to U.S. custody in September 2023.

Russia: The travel advisory for Russia cites its invasion of Ukraine , harassment of U.S. citizens by Russian government officials and arbitrary law enforcement as a few of the reasons for the Level 4 designation. Chechnya and Mount Elbrus are specifically listed as Level 4 regions. Terrorism, civil unrest, health, kidnapping and wrongful detention are all noted as risks.

Russia Invades Ukraine: A Timeline

Somalia: A severe drought resulting from five failed rainy seasons in a row killed 43,000 people in 2022, and caused a famine amid conflict with Islamist insurgents . Violent crime is common throughout Somalia , pirates frequent its coast off the Horn of Africa, and medical facilities, where they exist, have limited capacity. Crime, terrorism, civil unrest, health and kidnapping are all risk factors. In January 2024, some passengers aboard a U.N.-contracted helicopter were taken hostage by al-Shabaab militants after the vehicle crashed in central Somalia.

South Sudan: Crime, kidnapping and armed conflict are the primary risk factors for South Sudan, which separated from Sudan in 2011, making it the world’s newest country . Weapons are readily available, and travelers have been victims of sexual assault and armed robbery.

Sudan: The U.S. evacuated its embassy in Khartoum in April 2023, and the country closed its airspace due to the ongoing conflict in the country, only permitting humanitarian aid and evacuation efforts. Fighting has escalated in the region between two warring generals seeking to gain control after a military coup in 2021 ousted the country’s prime minister. Civil unrest is the primary risk factor for Africa’s third largest country by area. Crime, terrorism, kidnapping and armed conflict are also noted. The International Criminal Court began investigating alleged war crimes and violence against African ethnic groups in the country in 2023. Millions have fled their homes due to conflict, and the U.N. has said its efforts to provide aid have been hindered by a lack of support, safety and resources. As recently as December 2023, the United Nations warned of catastrophic famine , with millions of children at-risk for malnutrition .

Syria: The advisory states that “No part of Syria is safe from violence,” with terrorism, civil unrest, kidnapping, armed conflict and risk of unjust detention all potential risk factors. U.S. citizens are often a target for kidnappings and detention. The U.S. Embassy in Damascus halted operations in 2012. Fighting in neighboring Israel has escalated since October, and the conflict has spilled over into Syria, where the U.S. has carried out air strikes following drone and rocket attacks against American troops in Syria and Iraq, triggered by the Israel-Hamas war.

Ukraine: Russian setbacks in their invasion of Ukraine buoyed hopes in Ukraine in 2023. However, Ukraine is a Level 4 country due to Russia’s invasion, with crime and civil unrest also noted as risk factors. The country’s forces shot down two Russian fighter jets on Christmas Eve 2023, in a move Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said “sets the right mood for the entire year ahead.”

Venezuela: Human rights abuses and lack of health care plague this South American nation, which has been in a political crisis since 2014. In 2019, diplomatic personnel were withdrawn from the U.S. Embassy in Caracas. Threats in the country include crime, civil unrest, kidnapping, wrongful detention and poor health infrastructure.

Yemen: Six of the nine risk factors defined by the State Department – terrorism, civil unrest, health risks, kidnapping, armed conflict and landmines – are all present in Yemen. Despite private companies offering tourist visits to the Yemeni island of Socotra, the U.S. government argues those arranging such visits “are putting tourists in danger.” Civil war and cholera are also both present throughout the country. The U.S. Embassy in Sanaa halted operations in 2015. The country has experienced a relative lull in the civil war fighting, but as peace negotiations have gotten traction, flare ups in the fighting have jeopardized progress. Most recently, the U.S. and U.K. have carried out a series of airstrikes in the country, targeting Iran-backed Houthi sites.

Other Countries to Watch

Since Jan. 1, the State Department has updated travel advisories for 17 different countries as well as for the West Bank and Gaza, adding information about specific regions or risk factors, or simply renewing an existing advisory. Travel advisory levels can change based on several factors in a nation, such as increased civil unrest, policies that affect human rights or higher risks of unlawful detention.

The State Department has given about 25 countries an assessment of Level 3, meaning it recommends people “reconsider travel” to those destinations.

On Oct. 14, one week after the deadly Hamas attack on Israel, Israel and the West Bank were both moved from Level 2 to Level 3, while Gaza remains at Level 4. The region’s travel advisory was updated in November to reflect travel restrictions for certain government employees who have not already left the area, and it was updated again on Jan. 3.

Following the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war in early October, the U.S. State Department raised Lebanon ’s travel advisory level from a Level 3 to a Level 4 level due to “the unpredictable security situation related to rocket, missile, and artillery exchanges” between Israel and Hezbollah or other militant groups. In December, the U.S. Embassy in Beirut returned to normal staffing and presence, and on Jan. 29, the country was moved back to Level 3. Crime, terrorism, armed conflict, civil unrest, kidnapping and unexploded landmines are listed as the country’s primary risk factors. However, the country’s borders with Syria and with Israel, as well as refugee settlements within Lebanon, are specifically noted as Level 4 regions.

China became a Level 3 country in late 2020, with an update in December 2022 citing “the surge in COVID-19 cases, arbitrary enforcement of local laws, and COVID-19-related restrictions” as the reason for the advisory. In June 2023, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (SAR) was moved from the Level 3 to the Level 2 list, but travelers are still advised to be cautious in the area due to “arbitrary enforcement of local laws.” Meanwhile, Macau remains at Level 3.

Following an attempted coup in August 2023, Niger was elevated to Level 4 in August and the Department of State ordered all non-emergency U.S. government personnel and family members to leave the U.S. Embassy in Niamey. In early January 2024, the overall risk level for the country was lowered back to Level 3. Despite the new classification, the State Department still asks non-emergency government personnel and eligible family members to depart the country.

In mid-December 2023 there was an explosion at Guinea’s main fuel depot which has since affected access to health care and basic goods and services. The country was subsequently designated a Level 3 nation after having previously been Level 2. Concerns about civil unrest, health, crime and fuel shortages impacting local infrastructure were listed as the primary risk factors contributing to the change.

Several Level 3 countries are among the worst countries for human trafficking, as designated by the State Department’s annual Trafficking in Persons Report . Level 3 countries on this list include Papua New Guinea, Guinea Bissau, China and Chad. There are also nine Level 4 countries designated as among the worst for human trafficking: Afghanistan, Belarus, Iran, Myanmar, North Korea, Russia, Syria, South Sudan and Venezuela.

Over 70 countries are currently at Level 2, meaning the State Department recommends travelers “exercise increased caution” when traveling to those destinations.

Botswana became the newest Level 2 country on Feb. 26 after having previously been Level 1, with crime noted as the primary risk factor.

France, which saw nationwide protests throughout 2023, has civil unrest and terrorism noted as risk factors for its Level 2 status, and Sweden’s Level 2 status is associated with risks of terrorism.

The Level 2 travel advisory for the Bahamas was updated in January to reflect water safety concerns. The advisory warns that “activities involving commercial recreational watercraft, including water tours, are not consistently regulated” and notes that government personnel are “not permitted to use independently operated jet-ski rentals on New Providence and Paradise Islands.” It also warns visitors to be mindful of sharks, weather and water conditions. The advisory also says that crime is a primary risk factor with gang-on-gang violence contributing to high homicide rates in some areas. Visitors are asked to “be vigilant” and to not physically resist robbery attempts.

Bangladesh 's Level 2 travel advisory was updated in October 2023 to add a note about the country’s general election , which took place Jan. 7, 2024. The advisory states “demonstrations intended to be peaceful can turn confrontational and escalate into violence.” The U.S. has since claimed the country’s election was not free nor fair.

In November 2023, several Level 2 travel advisories were updated with new cautionary information. The advisory for Ghana was updated to reflect threats against LGBTQI+ travelers specifically, noting “anti-LGBTQI+ rhetoric and violence have increased in recent years.” Meanwhile, the advisory for South Africa was updated in February to note that routes recommended by GPS may be unsafe with higher risk for crime.

Turkmenistan was moved off of the Level 2 list to become the newest addition to the Level 1 list on Jan. 22, meaning normal precautions are recommended but there are no risk factors causing travelers to practice increased caution.

The State Department asks travelers to pay attention to travel advisory levels and alerts , review country information pages for their destinations and read related country security reports before going abroad.

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Latest update

Exercise a high degree of caution in Chile due to the risk of civil unrest and the threat of violent crime.

Chile (PDF 550.41 KB)

Americas (PDF 3.25 MB)

Local emergency contacts

For all emergencies, including fire and rescue services.

Police-  Call 133

Medical - Call 131

Fire and Rescue - Call 132

Advice levels

Exercise a high degree of caution in Chile.

• Politically motivated demonstrations occur regularly, particularly in Plaza Baquedano (Plaza Italia), Lastarria and Bellavista in central Santiago and the centre of Valparaiso. Outbreaks of violence may occur at any time and have also occurred in the Santiago suburbs of Las Condes, Providencia and Vitacura, where the Australian and other embassies are located.
• There are political tensions and violent incidents in the Araucanía region. Exercise caution if travelling in or near that region.
• Local law prohibits political activity by foreign nationals. Participation in protests or demonstrations may result in detention or deportation. Avoid protests and large public gatherings. These can become violent. Authorities use tear gas and water cannons.
• Mugging, armed robbery, pickpocketing and bag snatching are common. Don't walk alone, especially at night. Robberies can occur on inter-city buses while passengers are sleeping. Keep valuables with you and check everything before you leave the bus.
• Domestic terrorist acts sometimes occur, undertaken primarily by anarchist groups in Santiago. They may use explosives. Be alert and report anything suspicious.
• Natural disasters such as fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, flooding and tsunamis can occur. Monitor local media and follow the advice of local authorities.

Full travel advice:  Safety

• Altitude sickness is a risk to anyone travelling above 2,500 metres. Get advice from your doctor. Make sure your travel insurance covers medical evacuation from high altitude.
• Easter Island has had outbreaks of Zika virus and dengue. If you're pregnant, ask your doctor about the risk of Zika virus before you travel. Make sure your accommodation is insect-proof. Use insect repellent.
• Common infectious diseases include hepatitis, typhoid, influenza and rabies. Drink only boiled or bottled water. Avoid raw or undercooked food. If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.
• Levels of air pollution are highest in Santiago from April to October. Dust levels can be high between December and March. If you have breathing problems, take care when there's an air contamination alert.
• Private hospital facilities are good in Santiago and other major cities. Treatment is expensive. You may need to pay cash before treatment.

Full travel advice:  Health

• Don't use or carry illegal drugs. Drug offences carry severe penalties, including long prison sentences.
• If you're also a citizen of Chile, and entered the country using a Chilean passport, the Chilean Government may not recognise your Australian citizenship. This could affect your access to consular help and entry or exit requirements. Before travelling, check your citizenship status and any entry or exit requirements with an  Embassy or Consulate of Chile . 

Full travel advice:  Local laws

• Australian citizens must obtain a  visa  before travelling. 
• If your travel includes a transit in Chile, contact your nearest Embassy or Consulate of Chile to confirm if you need a visa for Chile.
• Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. You should contact the nearest embassy or consulate of Chile for the latest details.

Full travel advice:  Travel

Local contacts

• The  Consular Services Charter  tells you what the Australian Government can and can't do to help when you're overseas.
• Contact the  Australian Embassy in Santiago  for consular assistance.
• To stay up to date with local information, follow the Embassy’s social media accounts.

Full travel advice:  Local contacts

Full advice

Civil unrest and political tension, demonstrations and protests.

Large-scale demonstrations and protests might occur in Santiago and other cities. They may take place with little or no notice and may turn violent.

Local authorities have used tear gas and water cannons. Pay close attention to your personal security at all times and monitor the media about possible new safety or security risks. Follow the instructions of local authorities.

Demonstrations and protests can result in public transport disruptions. Public transport may be limited. Contact your airline or tour operator to determine if the situation will disrupt your travel plans. 

In the Araucanía region, people claiming to represent the Mapuche community are fighting over land and indigenous rights, with a significant increase in violent incidents (the Mapuche are Chile's largest indigenous group). A state of emergency has been declared in the ‘Macro Zona Sur' (provinces of Biobío, Arauco, Cautín and Malleco) until further notice. The military has been deployed to assist regional police during this period. You should be cautious when travelling within the ‘Macro Zona Sur’.

In recent years, attacks have targeted multinational forestry corporations and private Chilean landowners.

To protect yourself during periods of unrest:

• avoid all demonstrations, protests and large public gatherings
• be alert around days of national significance
• monitor local media and other sources for news, especially before visiting central Santiago or other major city centres
• follow the advice of local authorities
• exercise caution when travelling in the Araucanía region

More information:

• Demonstrations and civil unrest

Petty crime

Muggings and robberies  are common in urban areas.

Hotspots for thieves include:

• Viña del Mar

Foreigners are targeted for their personal belongings, and people walking alone at night are more vulnerable. 

Muggings, including with weapons, occur in Santiago around:

• Cerro Santa Lucia,
• Cerro San Cristobal Park
• Plaza de Armas
• Mercado Central
• malls/shopping centres

Pickpocketing and bag snatching is common. Be aware in crowded areas, such as:

• public transport, including the metro system
• outdoor cafes
• resort areas
• hotel lobbies
• bars and restaurants

Keep your belongings close in the tourist areas of Santiago including:

• Barrio Lastarria
• Costanera Centre Mall

There have also been a number of armed holdups of stores.

Violent crime

Robberies,  assaults  and threats with weapons happen mainly at night. Take particular care:

• in Bellavista and Barrio Lastarria in Santiago

Carjackings can occur as residents leave their vehicles to open or close gates.

Tourists have been robbed on inter-city buses, particularly:

• from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama
• at the Calama and Santiago bus stations

Criminal groups often use distraction to rob tourists. Common scams are where:

• an elderly person 'accidentally' drops some coins and when a tourist stops to help, a thief steals the tourist's bag
• thieves squirt a substance onto a tourist and steal their bag while helping them clean up ('bird poo' scam)
• tourists are marked at the airport and followed to their hotels, where luggage theft or threats of assault and robberies can happen

Food and drink spiking occurs.

To reduce your risk of violent crime:

• avoid going out alone, especially at night
• book taxis by phone, particularly if travelling alone or at night
• keep your belongings close, especially in crowded places
• don't leave valuables in your checked luggage
• don't leave food or drinks unattended

Cyber security 

You may be at risk of cyber-based threats during overseas travel to any country. Digital identity theft is a growing concern. Your devices and personal data can be compromised, especially if you’re connecting to Wi-Fi, using or connecting to shared or public computers, or to Bluetooth.

Social media can also be risky in destinations where there are social or political tensions, or laws that may seem unreasonable by Australian standards. Travellers have been arrested for things they have said on social media. Don't comment on local or political events on your social media.

Cyber security when travelling overseas

Anarchist groups stage occasional acts of terrorism, mostly in Santiago. They may use small explosive devices or bombs.

In October 2022, an explosive device was placed outside an office building in Santiago's business district. 

In January 2019, an explosion at a bus stop in Santiago injured five people.

To protect yourself from terrorism:

• be aware of your surroundings
• take care on public transport
• report suspicious behaviour or packages to local authorities

Terrorism is a threat worldwide.

Climate and natural disasters

Chile can experience  natural disasters  and  severe weather , such as:

• forest fires
• earthquakes  and  tsunamis
• volcanic eruptions

To protect yourself during a natural disaster :

• secure your passport in a safe, waterproof location
• monitor local media and other sources, such as the  Global Disaster Alert and Coordination System
• keep in contact with friends and family
• National Emergency Service - SENAPRED (Spanish)
• SENAPRED's alerts (Spanish)
• SENAPRED’s map with threats
• SENAPRED’s twitter

Large forest fires often occur in Chile, particularly in summer.

If there's a fire close to your location, obey the evacuation orders of local authorities and monitor the situation.

Earthquakes and volcanoes

Chile is in an active earthquake zone. Earthquakes and volcanic activity may occur.

The Chilean Government uses a 3-tier system to classify volcanoes. The alerts are:

• Green – stable with no immediate risk of eruption
• Yellow – undergoing changes in activity levels
• Red – imminent risk of eruption

If there's an earthquake or volcanic eruption, contact your travel provider about disruptions.

• If t here's been an earthquake or tsunami 
• Chile Atiende (in Spanish)

Chile is at risk of tsunamis.

Be alert to warnings, as a tsunami can arrive very soon after a nearby tremor or earthquake.

Move immediately to high ground if advised by local authorities, or if you:

• feel a strong earthquake that makes it hard to stand up
• feel a weak, rolling earthquake that lasts a minute or more
• see a sudden rise or fall in sea level
• hear loud and unusual noises from the sea

Don't wait for official warnings such as alarms or sirens. Once on high ground, monitor local media.

• Pacific Tsunami Warning Center

Heavy rainfall and flash flooding can occur with little warning and may affect services and transport, including land border crossings into neighbouring countries.

In June 2023, heavy rainfall resulted in widespread flooding in the centre of Chile. Two people died and almost 10,000 people were isolated.

• Follow the orders of local authorities and monitor the situation.

Travel insurance

Get comprehensive  travel insurance  before you leave.

Your policy needs to cover all overseas medical costs, including medical evacuation. The Australian Government won't pay for these costs.

If you can't afford travel insurance, you can't afford to travel. This applies to everyone, no matter how healthy and fit you are.

If you're not insured, you may have to pay many thousands of dollars up-front for medical care.

• what activities and care your policy covers
• that your insurance covers you for the whole time you’ll be away

Physical and mental health

Consider your physical and mental health before you travel, especially if you have an existing medical condition. 

See your doctor or travel clinic to:

• have a basic health check-up
• ask if your travel plans may affect your health
• plan any vaccinations you need

Do this at least 8 weeks before you leave.

If you have immediate concerns for your welfare or the welfare of another Australian, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on +61 2 6261 3305 or contact your  nearest Australian Embassy, High Commission or Consulate  to discuss counselling hotlines and services available in your location.

• General health advice
• Healthy holiday tips  (Healthdirect Australia)

Medications

Not all medication available over the counter or by prescription in Australia is available in other countries. Some may even be considered illegal or a controlled substance, even if prescribed by an Australian doctor.

If you plan to bring medication, check if it's legal in Chile. Take enough legal medication for your trip.

Carry a copy of your prescription or a letter from your doctor stating:

• what the medication is
• your required dosage
• that it's for personal use

Health risks

Altitude sickness.

You’re at risk of altitude sickness if you travel above 2500m.

Altitude sickness can be life-threatening and can affect anyone, even if you're fit and healthy.

You're at greater risk of altitude sickness if you:

• ascend quickly or make rapid ascents at higher altitudes
• have had altitude sickness before
• exercise or drink alcohol before you get used to the altitude
• have lung problems that affect breathing

If you'll be travelling above 2,500m:

• see your doctor for specific advice
• check your insurance covers emergency evacuation from altitude and related medical costs

Insect-borne diseases

Outbreaks of  Zika virus  and  dengue  have occurred on Easter Island. 

If you're pregnant, the Australian Department of Health recommends that you:

• discuss any travel plans with your doctor
• consider deferring non-essential travel to Zika virus affected areas

To protect yourself from disease:

• make sure your accommodation is insect-proof
• use insect repellent
• wear long, loose, light-coloured clothing

Get medical advice if you have a fever, muscle pain, rash or severe headache.

Other health risks

Outbreaks of waterborne, foodborne and other infectious diseases occur sometimes. These include:

To protect yourself from illness:

• drink boiled water or bottled water with sealed lids
• avoid ice cubes
• avoid raw and undercooked food, such as salads
• avoid contact with dogs and other mammals

If you're bitten or scratched by an animal, get medical help straight away.

Get medical advice if you have a fever or diarrhoea.

• Infectious diseases

Air pollution

High levels of smog and air pollution occur in Santiago from April to October.

High levels of dust often occur from December to March.

The Chilean Government regularly issues pre-emergency alerts for air contamination.

If you have breathing problems, take extra care when there's a pre-emergency alert for air contamination.

Medical care

Medical facilities.

Medical facilities at private hospitals in Santiago and other major cities are good but very limited elsewhere.

Treatment at private clinics and hospitals is expensive.

Most large hospitals accept credit cards.

You may need to pay cash before doctors and hospitals will treat you, even in an emergency.

Fundación Honra offers an English-speaking service to victims of domestic violence and can be contacted on + 56 2 2835 6044.  

You're subject to all local laws and penalties, including those that may appear harsh by Australian standards. Research local laws before travelling.

If you're arrested or jailed, the Australian Government will do what it can to help you under our  Consular Services Charter. But we can't get you out of trouble or out of jail.

Penalties for drug offences are severe and include long prison sentences in local jails.

• Carrying or using drugs

Australian laws

Some Australian criminal laws still apply when you’re overseas. If you break these laws, you may face prosecution in Australia.

• Staying within the law and respecting customs

Dual citizenship

Chile doesn't recognise dual nationality.

If you're a dual national, this limits the  consular services  the Australian Government can provide if you're arrested or detained.

If you're of Chilean origin, you may be deemed a Chilean national under Chilean law. This may apply even if you've taken steps to renounce Chilean citizenship.

If you're considered a Chilean national under Chilean law, you may need to enter and exit Chile using a Chilean passport or ‘cédula de identidad’.

Different rules may apply to a child aged under 18 years who was born overseas to Chilean parents.

Confirm your citizenship status and entry and exit requirements with an  embassy or consulate of Chile  before you travel.

• Dual nationals

Visas and border measures

Every country or territory decides who can enter or leave through its borders. For specific information about the evidence you'll need to enter a foreign destination, check with the nearest embassy, consulate or immigration department of the destination you're entering. 

To enter Chile, Australian citizens must obtain a visa before arrival:  SAC Sistema Atención Consular - Ciudadanos .

You can't stay on Easter Island (Isla de Pascua/Rapa Nui) for more than 30 consecutive days.

Entry and exit conditions can change at short notice. Contact the  Embassy or Consulate of Chile  for details about visas, currency, customs and quarantine rules.

Important information about the visa

You must obtain your visa before you arrive in Chile. The application process can be lengthy, so allow yourself enough time before your planned travel.

If you arrive in Chile without a valid visa, you won't be able to pass the immigration point, and you'll be sent back to your last port of departure. You won't be able to obtain a visa at the airport or border entry point. 

If you applied for a single-entry visa, and you enter Chile to then travel to another country, you won't be able to use that visa to enter Chile again. 

When travelling to Chile, you'll get a tourist card (paper) on arrival. You must keep the card and present it to immigration officials when departing Chile. You can request a new copy online if your tourist card is lost or stolen. For specific information, visit the closest  International Police (PDI) Office .

Entry into Chile

Besides having the e-visa described above, there are other requirements/technicalities at the airport:

• When going through Immigration, you'll be given a slip of paper certifying your entry. You must keep this paper carefully, as it will be requested at departure. If you lose it, you'll have to request a new one from Immigration, and your departure from Chile may be delayed for an uncertain period. 

When entering Chile, all travellers must complete the Customs (Aduanas) and Agro-sanitary (SAG) declarations and checks by following this link:  https://djsimple.sag.gob.cl

If you're a dual-national (Australian-Chilean) or a resident of Chile, you may be required to enter using your Chilean ID documents (Chilean passport, or Chilean 'cédula de identidad').

Transit through Chile

If your travel includes transiting through Chile, you should contact the nearest  Embassy or Consulate of Chile to confirm if you'll need a visa.

If you transit in Chile without a visa and miss your connecting flight, you won’t be able to pass the immigration point. You'll be required to remain airside and not leave the airport until a new onward flight has been arranged. Australians have previously been required to remain airside for several days due to missed flight connections. 

Departure from Chile

You may encounter serious difficulties if you try to leave Chile without the slip of paper given by Immigration upon entry. It will be requested when you go through their booths at departure.

If you are a dual-national (Australian-Chilean), you may be required to depart using your valid Chilean passport or Chilean 'cédula de identidad'. Chile's Migration Police (PDI) has denied the departure of dual nationals with expired Chilean passports. If you don't have a Chilean travel document upon entry, you can apply for one through  Registro Civil  while in Chile to facilitate your departure. 

Read the requirements and restrictions of the destination you're travelling to.

• Ministry of Foreign Affairs  (Spanish)

Other Formalities

Travel with children.

If you're  travelling with children  aged younger than 18, you may need to show the original, and provide a copy, of the child's birth certificate, particularly if the parent and child don't share a family name.

The article ' E-visa para Australia'  outlines the requirements for minors under 18 years of age to enter Chile:

• minors must enter the country accompanied by their mother, father, guardian or person in charge of their personal care. Otherwise, they must have written authorisation from one of the minor's parents, from a Court or the competent Authority. 
• the authorisation must be legalised by a  Chilean Consular  authority in the country of origin or include the corresponding apostilled certificate. 
• they can also present a document recognised as valid by the Chilean border control authorities in virtue of the international agreements signed by Chile, which are currently in force.

A child aged under 18 years who isn't accompanied by one or both parents must carry 3 copies of the following:

• the legalised written authorisation certifying the agreement of any absent parents
• a copy of any court order conferring custody of the child, including sole custody (if relevant)
• Note: Read ' Notarial services'  if you intend to apostille the authorisation with DFAT, as we can only apostille notarised documents serviced by an Australian Notary Public.

You also need a Spanish translation of the documents notarised no more than 3 months before travelling at either:

• the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Santiago by a Chilean consular officer, or
• a Chilean Embassy or Consulate

You can use the same document for entry and exit.

A child aged under 18 years born overseas to Chilean parents can enter Chile on an Australian passport and remain for up to 90 days as a tourist (see 'Visas').

For stays longer than 90 days, the child must obtain a Chilean passport.

See  Local law

As outlined in the requirements for  temporary admission for Australian passport holders , your Australian passport must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of arrival in Chile.

Some agencies and airlines apply the rule inconsistently. You may receive conflicting advice from different sources.

The Australian Government does not set these rules. Check your passport’s expiry date before you travel. If you’re not sure it’ll be valid for long enough, consider getting  a new passport .

Lost or stolen passport

Your passport is a valuable document. It's attractive to people who may try to use your identity to commit crimes.

Some people may try to trick you into giving them your passport. Always keep it in a safe place.

If your passport is lost or stolen, tell the Australian Government as soon as possible:

• In Australia, contact the  Australian Passport Information Service .
• If you're overseas, contact the nearest  Australian embassy or consulate .

Proof of identity

Always carry a clear copy of your Australian passport as proof of ID.

Keep your passport in a safe location when not being used.

You'll need to show your Australian passport when:

• booking a hotel or hostel
• travelling by air in Chile

Passport with ‘X’ gender identifier 

Although Australian passports comply with international standards for sex and gender, we can’t guarantee that a passport showing 'X' in the sex field will be accepted for entry or transit by another country. Contact the nearest  embassy, high commission or consulate of your destination  before you arrive at the border to confirm if authorities will accept passports with 'X' gender markers.

• LGBTI travellers

The local currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP).

Amounts higher than $US10,000 must be declared on arrival and departure. This covers all forms of currency, not only cash.

US dollars can be readily exchanged throughout Chile.

Check your change as vendors, including taxi drivers, sometimes swap denominations to short-change travellers.

ATMs are widely available. Contact your bank to find out whether your cards will work in Chile. Credit cards are widely accepted.

Local travel

Local restrictions

Border areas

If you're planning scientific, technical or mountaineering activities in areas classified as 'frontier areas', you need approval from the Chilean Government 90 days before travelling.

Unexploded mines

Anti-tank mines and landmines are a danger in national reserves and parks near northern borders, including:

• Lauca and Llullaillaco National Parks
• Salar de Surire National Monument
• Los Flamencos National Reserve

Be aware of unexploded weapons outside of military zones in the desert areas bordering Chile and Peru.

Take note of clearly marked landmine fields in the Magallanes region of southern Chile:

• between Punta Arenas and the Torres del Paine National Park
• in Tierra del Fuego

To avoid unexploded mines :

• seek advice from local authorities for these areas
• obey all warning signs
• stay on clearly identified roads

Driving permit

To drive in Chile, you need either:

• a valid Australian driver's licence, or
• an International Driving Permit (IDP)

You need to get your IDP before leaving Australia.

Road travel

Driving in Chile can be dangerous.

Hazards for drivers include:

• aggressive local driving practices
• poorly maintained secondary and rural roads
• poor street lighting
• no guardrails on mountain roads

It's illegal to drive with any blood alcohol content in Chile. Penalties can include jail.

If you intend to drive in Chile:

• check local traffic laws and practices
• use chains on mountain roads during winter
• Driving or riding

Motorcycles

Your travel insurance policy may not cover you when riding a motorbike, quad bike or similar vehicle.

Always wear a helmet. Make sure your passenger does too.

Prepaid official taxis are available at the airport.

To protect yourself from crime and overcharging:

• avoid hailing taxis on the street, particularly if travelling alone or at night
• ask your hotel to make a telephone booking for you
• make sure that the driver uses the meter.

Rideshare apps are also available. 

Public transport

Chile has a well-developed metro and bus network.

Santiago and Valparaiso are served by commuter rail. Opportunities for long-distance travel by rail are limited.

Tourists on inter-city buses, particularly from Calama to San Pedro de Atacama, have been robbed while sleeping.

If you take public transport:

• don't store valuables in overhead lockers
• keep your valuables with you at all times
• check your belongings before you get off
• Transport and getting around safely

Some international cruise liners visit Chile.

• Going on a cruise

DFAT doesn’t provide information on the safety of individual commercial airlines or flight paths.

Check  Chile's air safety profile  with the Aviation Safety Network.

Emergencies

Depending on what you need, you should contact your:

• family and friends
• travel agent
• insurance provider

Fire and rescue services

Medical emergencies.

Call 131 or go to the hospital.

Call 133 or contact the nearest police station.

Always get a police report when you report a crime.

Your travel insurer should have a 24-hour emergency number.

Chile has 2 main police agencies.

For police reports in English:

Carabineros de Chile (Primera Comisaria)

 Santo Domingo 714

 Santiago Centro

If you lose your passport and need a police report for insurance, ask for a 'Proof of Loss of Documents' (Spanish: 'Constancia de Perdida de Documentos') from:

Policia de Investigaciones (PDI)

 Eleuterio Ramirez 830

Consular contacts

Read the  Consular Services Charter  for what the Australian Government can and can’t do to help you overseas.

For consular help, contact the Australian Embassy in Santiago de Chile.

Australian Embassy, Santiago de Chile

Isidora Goyenechea 3621  13th Floor, Las Condes  Santiago de Chile  Phone: (+56 2) 2550 3500  Fax: (+56 2) 2550 3560  Email:  [email protected] Website:  chile.embassy.gov.au Facebook:  Embajada de Australia en Chile y Ecuador Twitter:  @AusEmbCL

Instagram: AusEmbCL

Check the Embass y  website for details about opening hours and any temporary closures.

24-hour Consular Emergency Centre

In a consular emergency, if you can't contact an embassy, call the 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre on:

• +61 2 6261 3305 from overseas
• 1300 555 135 in Australia

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Update April 12, 2024

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14 things you need to know before you come to Chile

Sep 23, 2023 • 7 min read

Having a Chilean adventure is easier with some inside tips © Westend61 / Getty Images

I remember the day back in 2014 when I’d just settled into my new apartment in Santiago and a powerful earthquake rattled the walls. I leaped up from my couch and ran for the door, while all the Chileans in the room just sat still and laughed at me, confident in Chile’s strong building codes and unfazed by the regular tremors.

A few days later, I learned that even the simple act of buying an empanada (stuffed pastry) could involve navigating three separate lines. As those first weeks in Chile passed, my dinner hour moved from 7pm to 8pm, eventually landing where it stands today, at around 9pm in the evening.

Chile is, in many ways, an accessible and familiar destination for many travelers. Yet, there are customs, protocols and safety issues that you’ll want to keep in mind on your trip. From cheek-kissing to the local etiquette for tipping, here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your visit to Chile.

1. Learn some basic Spanish before arriving

Chileans have a reputation for being shyer than most other Latin Americans, and local people won’t typically talk to strangers unless asked a question. Learning a bit of basic Spanish can go a long way towards breaking down barriers and getting to know the locals when you visit.

It’s also a bit of a necessity – outside of the major hotels and the business district in Santiago, you’re unlikely to find many English speakers when traveling around the country, particularly in rural areas. That said, Chileans will try their hardest to understand and help out as best they can, even if there's a language barrier.

2. Pack layers for cool evenings

It doesn’t matter if you’re staying by the coast, up in the Andes, down in Patagonia or out in the Atacama Desert , temperatures across Chile drop considerably at sundown, making layers a necessity at any time of the year. Even in the Central Valley and Santiago, a blazingly hot day can transform into a cool evening before you know it. Always pack an extra layer when going out for a full day.

3. Download WhatsApp for easy communications

It’s not uncommon to have to wait several days for a response if you send an email to a business in Chile. If you want to book a tour or a hotel or restaurant reservation, communicating via WhatsApp is always the best way to go; you may find that you get a response in just minutes.

4. Be prepared to eat late

Chileans are not big fans of early mornings, and most locals consume lunch between 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Dinner won’t begin until after 8pm, and can be as late as 10pm. If you can’t stand the thought of eating dinner that late, try Chile’s “fourth meal” – an afternoon tea, typically consisting of bread, cheese, meat, eggs, mashed avocado and something sweet. It's known locally as la once (pronounced "on-say").

5. Embrace the sobremesa

When dining out with Chileans, it’s considered rude to leave straight after finishing your meal. Instead, it’s common to linger over the table chatting, perhaps while drinking a bajativo (digestif) such as Bitter Araucano to wash down the food.

Waiters at restaurants are well used to this habit and will never try to rush you out after your meal. If you’re dining in someone’s home, even getting up to help clear the table of dishes immediately after a meal could be considered impolite. Stick around and enjoy the conversation; these long, lazy meals are one of the best parts of Chilean culture.

6. Expect to queue 

Why stand in line once when you can do it several times? In Chile, it’s not uncommon to place an order in one queue, pay in another and collect your order in a third. At a supermarket, you will be expected to queue up to weigh your bread, fruit and vegetables in separate lines before taking your items to the checkout to pay.

7. Learn to pay ‘sin cuotas’ but ‘con propina’

Credit cards are widely accepted across Chile thanks, in part, to a system of paying in cuotas (installments) for just about anything. Cashiers will always ask if you want to pay in cuotas , but when using a foreign bank card, you should always say no – " sin cuotas, por favor ."

At restaurants, waiters will ask if you would like to include a standard 10% tip, which is generally expected regardless of the quality of the service. Unless something went terribly wrong, it’s polite to say con propina – ‘with gratuity’ – when you request the bill.

8. Keep small bills handy

If paying for items in cash, always keep small bills to hand; many vendors will not be able to break a 20,000 peso note. Get into the habit of breaking large denomination bills into smaller change when you can.

9. Keep your voice down

Chileans are, on the whole, quiet and respectful people who prefer to avoid sticking out in a crowd. Loud-speaking tourists will immediately call attention to themselves, and often in a negative way. Speaking loudly in a foreign language on the streets of somewhere like downtown Santiago can also be a good way to alert pickpockets of a potential target!

10. Learn how to greet Chileans

As with many other Latin American peoples, Chileans are known for their warm greetings. It’s typical for women to greet other women, or men, with one kiss (right cheek to right cheek). Men will greet women the same way, and offer a handshake to fellow men – perhaps followed by a hug if you’ve become close.

Goodbyes are similarly enthusiastic. It’s not uncommon for someone who enters a social setting to greet everyone individually and then say goodbye to everyone individually when they leave.

11. Check for protests (and avoid them)

Protests are frequent in Chilean cities and while these are typically peaceful, they can shut down roads and public transport. Visitors should steer clear, as demonstrations can turn violent with little warning. In Santiago, water cannons and tear gas are often used to disperse crowds, particularly on dates commemorating politically charged historical events such as March 29, September 11 and October 18.

12. Know which areas of Chile to avoid 

Chile is one of the safest countries in the Americas, according to the Global Peace Index . There is, however, one area in the southern part of central Chile that you may want to avoid due to an ongoing conflict between Indigenous Mapuche land-rights activists and the Chilean state.

While forestry corporations and landowners are the main targets, the dispute over land rights can close roads and become violent at times. The area to avoid lies on the border of the Biobío and Araucanía regions, roughly between Lebu and Temuco, following the coastal range. This said, flying into Temuco to visit popular Andean resort destinations such as Pucón or Malalcahuello is usually perfectly fine.

13. Know where to drink tap water

A good rule of thumb in Chile is that the water is perfectly safe to drink from Santiago south. In fact, in Patagonia , it’s downright delicious, and used to make some excellent craft beers. Heading north into the Atacama Desert, it’s best to avoid the tap water, except in large cities such as La Serena and Antofagasta.

14. Don’t be paranoid about earthquakes

Chile is one of the most seismically active countries on earth. Indeed, the country was the site of the strongest tremor ever recorded – the 1960 Valdivia Earthquake, which registered 9.5 on the moment magnitude scale. Following the devastation of that event, Chile now has some of the planet’s strictest building codes and is better prepared for dealing with seismic events than just about anywhere else on the planet.

Most Chileans won’t even bat an eyelid unless a quake approaches 7.0 or above, and the most recent sizable earthquakes in 2014 and 2015 – with respective magnitudes of 8.2 and 8.3 – saw just 15 fatalities. You can rest assured that coastal areas will have well-marked tsunami evacuation routes, and that buildings have been created with quakes in mind.

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