How to get to Chile cheaper. Traveling to Chile, tips for tourists
As soon as our plane began to descend and the snow-capped peaks of the Andes appeared, I could no longer tear myself away from the window!
Such a mysterious and such a distant country of Chile. But whoever decides to conquer it, I assure you, will definitely not be disappointed. With a length of more than 4,000 km and a width not exceeding 430 km, the territory of Chile stretches in a narrow strip in South America, sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. Without leaving the borders of one state, you can soak up the sun on the beaches of the Pacific coast and ski at first-class ski resorts, see the amazing landscapes of the Atacama Desert and enjoy the views of the lakes and volcanoes of Chile, watch the life of king penguins on Tierra del Fuego and admire the size of the glaciers of Patagonia . And if all this is accompanied by a glass of first-class Chilean wine...
By bus
Bus service in Latin American countries is very developed. Therefore, you can get to Chile from neighboring countries by bus. So, let’s say, an almost 24-hour trip from Buenos Aires to Santiago will cost 60,000 pesos ($90). And from the capital to the capital of Chile 75,000 pesos ($110) and 2 days on the road. However, it is worth noting that the buses are very comfortable, and the views from the window will not let you regret the time spent.
Buses arrive at the main bus terminal in the center of Santiago at Avenida Libertador Bernardo O'Higgins, 3850. The Universidad de Santiago metro station is conveniently located nearby. There you can change to a domestic bus and continue exploring the amazing lands of this country. The two largest bus companies are Pullman Bus and Tur Bus.
By car
Of course, Chile is connected by roads to neighboring Latin American countries. But personally, I would not recommend this method. Firstly, large areas without any roadside infrastructure, secondly, expensive gasoline, and thirdly, in Chile there are toll and expensive roads.
Tourist regions
In Chile, if not a place, it is a tourist region. Therefore, no matter where you start exploring the country, amazing, primarily natural, beauty awaits you. Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on the planet. But when you gradually explore these lands, dissonance arises: you encounter lakes, salt marshes, and a fairly rich world of fauna and flora. This is simply because the tourist region is closer to the Andes, where it sometimes rains and mountain rivers descend. Thus, this region offers many different excursions.
central region visited by almost every tourist who comes to Chile, since the capital of the state, Santiago, is located here. There are many national parks and ski resorts around the city. The nearest cities on the ocean - and Vina del Mar - are just over 100 km away. And of course, you can spend more than one week getting to know all the vineyards and wineries that are countless in this region. IN lake area, which is located south of the capital, united the cultures of the local Mapuche Indians and the Germans, whose wave of emigration occurred in the 19th century. The influence of immigrants from Germany is felt in everything: architecture, cuisine and even in the faces of many local residents. White hair and skin contrast greatly with the dark complexion of the Chileans. The region is ready to offer such types of entertainment as hiking and rafting, mountaineering and hot springs. And the always cold water in the ocean makes the lakes a popular vacation spot during the summer months. You can book a hotel, rent a cabana on the beach, or pitch a tent at one of the many campsites. Just don't forget to book in advance, guys. I usually look for hotels on, and you can compare prices from different sites. For those who want to immerse themselves in the local flavor, there is the opportunity to rent an apartment from private owners -. 
Easter Island
It is the most remote island in the world where people live, and is known to us thanks to its stone idols - moai. You can find a detailed history of this island and practical information in another.
Tierra del Fuego
This romantic name was given to the island by Ferdinand Magellan. Or rather, its name was no less romantic Tierra del Umo (Land of Smoke), because of the smoke that rose from the fires of the local residents. The navigator mistook the fires for fires of volcanic origin. Later the island was given the name Tierra del Fuego ().
This island is divided between two countries - Chile and Argentina. The Argentine part is more popular, however, the Chileans also offer quite interesting one-day tours. You can buy it from numerous agencies in Punta Arenas. It will cost you about $80 per person. I do not recommend doing this in advance via the Internet, since ferries may be canceled due to strong winds. The journey takes from 30 minutes to 2 hours depending on where you cross the Strait of Magellan. Tierra del Fuego is usually visited because of the colony of king penguins that live on the island. It is simply impossible to get close to them in the National Park, but watching these important individuals, of which there are a lot, and lying on the grass, escaping from the strongest, knocking down winds, is an adventure that you will never forget. And the fact that you are at the ends of the earth? Pack your bags, friends!
Chiloe
The island of Chiloe is part of the Chilean archipelago and until the mid-19th century was practically isolated from the mainland, which allowed the formation of a unique culture, unlike the rest of the country. These places are very humid and rainy, so the best time to visit is from November to March.
From Puerto Montt and Puerto Varas, which, by the way, also deserve your attention, you can buy a one-day tour to the island of Chiloe. It costs about $50 and includes an introduction to the cities of Chacao and Castro or Ancud to choose from. The town of Kastro is the administrative center of the island and is famous for its houses on stilts - palafitos. There were once similar houses in Ancud, but the powerful earthquake of 1960 destroyed most of them. But the city has several beautiful beaches and the San Antonio fortress, built in 1770. And excursion bureaus from Ancud offer tours to the natural penguin park Puñihuil, which is located in a small bay.
You can save money in the standard way, without buying a tour, go by bus. So, let’s say a ticket from Puerto Montt to Castro, including ferry crossing, will cost 6,500 pesos ($10) and will take about 3.5 hours. And from here buses, sometimes in combination with ferries, go to any point, including neighboring islands.
Top attractions
Due to the endless struggle of the Spanish conquistadors with local Indians for three hundred years and countless earthquakes, Chile cannot boast of an abundance of historical monuments. But thanks to the variety of climatic conditions, it is ready to offer the sophisticated tourist many national natural parks and other natural beauties.
- Geysers of El Tatio(géiseres el tatio) are considered the third largest in the world and are the highest - 4300 meters above sea level. You can get here from San Pedro de Atacama, but you should arrive before 5 am. The most beautiful time is before dawn, when geysers throw water up to a height of 30 meters. But it should be noted that the temperature in the morning can reach -10 degrees. So don't forget to dress warmly. And keep in mind that at this altitude you may be susceptible to altitude sickness.
- If you want to see Moon Valley(valle de la Luna), then welcome again to the Atacama Desert. I think this is great - why go to the moon when it is cheaper and easier to see a similar landscape in Chile. There are sand dunes, oddly shaped rocks, and dry salt lakes. Typically, excursions begin in the afternoon so that when you finish trekking, you can enjoy a surreal sunset.
- And in order not to go far from the desert, visit Salar de Atacama(Salar de Atacama). This 3,000 km² salt marsh is one of the largest in the world and has several lagoons filled with water. In one of these you will feel like you are in the Dead Sea, where the concentration of salt is so high that it prevents you from submerging in the water and you dangle like a float.
- The Chilean land is rich in volcanoes, but the most famous of them are Villarrica(Villarica) and Osorno(Osorno). Both of them are operational, which does not prevent tourists from offering a fairly large selection of entertainment: hiking, horse riding, mountain biking, mountaineering and winter sports, depending on the time of year. Around volcanoes, as a rule, there are national natural parks where you can get acquainted with a variety of flora and fauna. Well, the best time to tickle your nerves by skiing or snowboarding down the crater of an active volcano is in July or August.
Weather
The elongation of the country, as well as the proximity of the Pacific Ocean and the Andes, determine the climate of Chile. Therefore, from north to south it differs dramatically. Do not forget that the country is located in the Southern Hemisphere, which means that summer here lasts from the end of December to the end of March, and winter, on the contrary, occurs in June, July and August.
The coastal areas of the north are characterized by cool and dry weather, slightly warmer in the summer. And the Peruvian Current in the part of the Pacific Ocean washing the shores of Chile makes swimming uncomfortable even in the most intense heat. But it allows you to see the penguins that live in northern Chile!
In the central part of the country, where the capital is located, all four seasons are distinguished. And no matter how Latin America is associated with endless warmth and sun, warm weather lasts only from November to March, and even then it is accompanied by a sharp change in temperature day and night, which cannot be ignored. That’s why it’s so easy to meet girls in boots and jackets on the street in 30-degree heat. Winter is not so much cold as it is rainy and damp. And the lack of heating in houses makes this time unattractive for tourists. It only attracts winter sports enthusiasts. Where else can you go skiing and snowboarding when the rest of the world is in hot summer?
In the south of Chile (and the south is considered to be the territory south of Santiago, up to Patagonia), the climate is more familiar to residents of the central part of Russia: summers are not very hot, accompanied by rains, which become more frequent towards winter.
In Patagonia, you can see all four seasons in one day, and high in the mountains snow can fall regardless of the season. Therefore, if you are planning to conquer the mysterious land even in the middle of summer, expect that you will need a fairly warm jacket during the day.
Money
The country's national banknote is the Chilean peso. You may encounter banknotes in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos and coins in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos. I was never able to find a use for the 1, 5 and 10 pesos coins, considering that on average prices start at 100 pesos. For example, a 0.5 liter bottle of water will cost 600 pesos. Please note that the peso sign is the same as the dollar sign so you won't be shocked at the store.
You can exchange currency at banks, which close early, or at currency exchange offices, which are usually open late and are found where tourists are found. In any case, it is better to bring dollars. They are quite often accepted as payment in tourist places. Other types of currencies are quite difficult to exchange, only in large cities.
Where there are ATMs, and this is quite common, you can withdraw money from the card. The commission will cost $5-7. The only negative is the limit on the number of banknotes you can withdraw per day - up to 200,000 pesos (about $300).
Moving around the country
As we have already learned, Chile is an elongated country, attractions are scattered throughout the country, and, accordingly, long distances will have to be covered.
- It's easier and faster to do it by plane. The two main airlines serving domestic flights are LATAM and Sky Airline. The latter is positioned as a low-cost airline. And both companies often organize special, very good promotions - so, by monitoring tickets three or four months before the intended trip, you can buy, for example, a ticket Santiago - San Pedro de Atacama - Santiago for $40 instead of the usual $120. In general, plane tickets are very, very expensive.
- Rent automobile You can visit the representative offices of one of the international companies or use the services of a local one, which is always cheaper. Renting a small car is not the best option; you are probably going on a trip not to the cities of Chile, but to sights that are sometimes not so easy to get to. Therefore, a jeep or camioneta, as this type of car is called here. Again, diesel is better - a liter of gasoline will cost you from $1. Rent - from $50-80 per day with insurance. Prices for different car models can be found at. Keep in mind that companies may block a certain amount on the card as collateral. They can provide you with a car if you are over 21 years old, but if you are over 25, you can save a lot. Plus the cost of toll roads and the fact that it is impossible to travel completely across the country from north to south due to glaciers in Patagonia, you will have to go to Argentina. The only positive thing is that you don’t need an international license; you can drive on Russian ones, because Chile is a party to the Vienna Convention on Road Traffic. And as a rule, Chileans are not interested in driving experience. In general, it’s worth rethinking the feasibility of renting. Maybe a plane and a glass of Chilean wine with dinner would be better?
Connection
There are three major mobile operators in Chile - Entel, Movistar and Claro. In terms of coverage area, the first company is preferable, but keep in mind that in a country covered length and breadth by cordilleras, it is not possible to get a connection everywhere.
You can buy a SIM card at any mobile phone store. There are two types of tariffs - contract (planes), available only to residents of the country, and prepaid (prepago), available to everyone, you only need a passport. As the name implies, the principle of operation is this: we put money into the account and use it. As a rule, the more you put in, the cheaper the calls will be. You can purchase additional options in separate packages (bolsas), for example, an Internet package. Lately, traffic to all social networks and WhatsApp is free.
Language and communication
In my mind there has always been the idea that Latin America is dominated by Spanish, with the exception of Brazil with its own destiny. This is due to the Spanish colonial past. And its characteristics are quite clear. But because of these features, neighboring countries cannot understand Chilean friends! And a real Chilean will recognize a relative anywhere in the world. So if you think (like me) that you speak Spanish, you risk not understanding a word from a native Chilean. The so-called Chilinisms are to blame.
If some words, such as “bakan”, “la raja” (excellent, wonderful), “altiro” (quickly, immediately), “fome” (boring) and many others have a more or less clear translation, then find a suitable explanation for the word "weón" is impossible. Used in both good and bad senses. They use it everywhere and through the word, all that remains is to guess the meaning of the phrase. Also very Chilean and interesting for the Russian ear is the question word “cachai?” (“download?”), which can be translated as “got it?”. All these words are widely used in everyday speech and on television.
Many fruits and vegetables have a name that is different from the Spanish one. So strawberry is not “fresa”, but “frutilla”, peach is not “melocotón”, but “durazno”, cabbage is not “col”, but “repollo”, beets are not “remolacha”, but “betarraga”. So my advice is to stock up on a Spanish-Chilean dictionary, it will be much easier.
Another feature of spoken Chilean is the particle "poh". Don't think that these guys don't give a damn, it's correct to read it as "by". The particle has no meaning, but here and there you hear instead of “Si” - “Si poh” (“si po”), which means “yes”.
But if you don't speak Spanish at all, and you're in the middle of nowhere where they don't speak English, then the following words and phrases will help you a little:
- Hola! What do you think? (ola! como estas?) = hello! How are you?
- Si / No (si / but) = yes / no
- Gracias (gracias) = thank you
- Pequeño / Grande (pequeño / grande) = small / large
- Frio / Caliente (frio / caliente) = cold / hot
- Qué? / Porque? (ke?/ spanking?) = what? / Why?
- No hablo español (but ablo español) = I don't speak Spanish
- No entiendo (but entiendo) = I don’t understand
- Donde esta restaurante/ supermercado/ baño? (donde esta restaurante/ super mercado/ bagno?) = where is the restaurant/ supermarket/ toilet?
- Cuanto cuesta? (quanto questa?) = how much does it cost?
Features of mentality
Arriving in Chile for the first time, I noted how close the Chileans are to us, and these are residents of almost the most distant country from us. Having lived here, of course, you notice our differences, but they are not as strong as with the inhabitants of Europe, for example. So, about the distinctive features.
Chileans are very cheerful and optimistic people who love their country very much. Every time they meet, they will definitely kiss you, which is what they expect from you. And it doesn’t matter whether you came to a friends party or to a dance class where you see everyone for the first time - you are connected by a common cause. It’s normal to hear on a bus, for example, how some passenger says hello and is interested in the driver’s affairs - that’s how polite they are.
Residents of Chile, of course, are good family men, although they are not necessarily married. Divorce in this country has been allowed recently, apparently, this influenced the fact that, as a rule, brides and grooms have adult sons and daughters - they test their feelings, so to speak, for a long time. In general, people here really love their children, mothers and other relatives.
Local residents are not known for their punctuality - they are always late, everywhere. You can only come to terms with this and understand if you were told “tomorrow” - this could mean the day after tomorrow and next week or never, since Chileans do not know how to say “no”. They will come up with something, make excuses, but not because they are so bad, but because they do not want to offend you with a refusal.
Among the interesting features, it is impossible not to note that these guys never take off their street shoes when they come home. And it doesn't matter what's going on on the street. Very often in apartments and houses there are nanas - women who help with housework, cleaning and cooking. This phenomenon is common and is not at all an indicator of high income.
In general, anyone will get the impression of the friendliness and openness of these people. Smile, thank, prove to them that we are not at all as cold as they think about us in Latin America.
Food and drink
In Chile, two cuisines dominate almost equally - Chilean and Peruvian. If the first one is simple, then the second one can be called more sophisticated, which is probably why it is so popular in the country. And there are almost more restaurants serving Peruvian cuisine than local ones. Although Chilean is very different depending on the region - in the south, the homeland of the Mapuche Indians, it is more authentic.
If breakfast and lunch are familiar to us, then instead of dinner, Chileans prefer “once” - a meal around seven o’clock in the evening, a kind of afternoon snack. Usually for this they buy a large amount of white bread - marracheta and eat it with avocado, ham and cheese. In general, it is worth noting that they are not at all adherents of a healthy diet and happily consume huge portions of buns, French fries, pizza, washed down with various sodas. Such nutrition cannot but affect the shape of the local population, although they try to actively engage in sports.
And I have never seen such a variety of seafood in any country in the world, all because the Pacific coast covers the entire territory. Shrimp, mussels, oysters, sea urchins and scallops, many types of fish will be prepared for you in any form. It is better to buy such products in markets, although there are special seafood stores everywhere where you will always find fresh goods. In a restaurant, the average bill for two will be 40,000-60,000 pesos ($60-90). But there are also simpler establishments - picadas with home cooking, where it is not so pompous, but tasty and the prices are more reasonable - the bill for two is 20,000-40,000 ($30-60). As a rule, before meals they always bring bread with pebre sauce made from tomatoes, onions, garlic, cilantro and olive oil with lime juice. You can eat in peace - you don’t have to pay for it. But if you liked the service, it’s worth leaving a tip - 10% of the amount. If you don't have change, don't worry, they can be included when you pay by credit card.
5 dishes worth trying
- Empanadas are pies with different fillings: meat, chicken, pinot (minced meat with onions), cheese, seafood and various combinations of these products. For example, you should try empanadas with cheese and shrimp. They come fried and baked, small and large. And you can find it in street eateries on trays, and in expensive restaurants as a snack. Price from 700 to 3000 pesos ($1-4).
- Pastel de choclo is a corn casserole with minced meat. Some housewives can add egg and olives to the filling. It usually comes with added sugar, which gives the dish a special taste. Prepared and served in earthenware. The dish is very filling and will cost you 4,000-10,000 pesos ($6-15) depending on the establishment.
- Cazuela. This dish is widespread in the south of the country, and it’s understandable - eating a bowl of hot soup in cold weather is priceless. As a rule, the broth is made from chicken or beef, but it can also be made from lamb and turkey with the addition of a large amount of vegetables: potatoes, corn, pumpkin, onions, etc. It should be noted that they don’t really bother themselves with cutting all this up. So, they bring you soup with a huge piece of meat, most often on the bone, and large, sometimes whole, vegetables. The portion is large and the soup itself is very tasty. The cost is similar to Pastel de Choclo.
- Asado. Chileans are incredible lovers of meat, especially beef. And not a single holiday passes without asado - this is a way of cooking meat on the grill, something like a barbecue. Without marinating the meat or adding anything, how they manage to reach such heights is unclear. And asado in Patagonia is a whole show; they mainly use lamb, which is cooked entirely over fire or coals.
- Ceviche is raw fish marinated in lemon juice and onions. Unlike previous Chilean dishes, this is already Peruvian cuisine. It comes from white fish, salmon, and also “mixto” - a mixture of various seafood. The dish can be an appetizer or a separate dish; it is better to check the serving size with the waiter. Price from 4000 to 14000 ($6-20).
5 drinks worth trying
- Mote con ueshiyo(mote con huesillo) is a popular refreshing Chilean soft drink, a kind of dried fruit compote with peaches and wheat. Mostly canned peaches are used. Chileans love it very much, while ours consider it a compote with the addition of pearl barley. In any case, it's worth a try to form your own opinion.
- Wine(vino) is considered one of the symbols of Chile. Favorable conditions for growing wine are determined by its geographical location; the country has natural borders: desert in the north, ocean in the west, mountains in the east, Antarctica in the south. Only in Chile, for example, is the Carmenère wine grown, which has been destroyed throughout the world by harmful insects. This is already a great reason to try local wine.
- Pisco sour(pisco sour). Like pisco, there is debate over this cocktail between Chile. But the fact that it is one of the best cocktails in Latin America is a fact. In any restaurant you will be served it as an aperitif. Although it won’t be too difficult to prepare it yourself: 1 serving of lime juice, 2 servings of pisco, 1 serving of sweet syrup, ice and egg white, then mix everything in a blender. There are cocktails with the addition of mango, passion fruit, mint and much more.
- Terremoto(terremoto) - translated means earthquake, which is true. This traditional Chilean cocktail is made with sweet wine, grenadine and pineapple ice cream and is usually served in a large glass. After the first one, you already begin to feel how the ground begins to move under your feet, but the Chileans are a people accustomed to such natural phenomena and usually decide to respond.
- Cola de mono(cola de mono) has nothing to do with the famous carbonated drink and is translated from Spanish as “monkey tail.” This traditional Christmas drink is made from milk, coffee, vodka or pisco, vanilla, cinnamon and cloves. You can cook it yourself or buy it ready-made at the supermarket. They drink it chilled, apparently because New Year and Christmas here fall at the height of summer.
Shopping
Chile is hardly suitable for shopping. Of course, here you will find all the world's famous brands, but, firstly, only in the largest cities, and secondly, the prices leave much to be desired. The country cannot be called cheap, and accordingly, prices for world brands are high. But if you need to buy something, then you should choose one of the three largest retail chains - Ripley, Paris, Falabella. These stores are present throughout the country and sell almost everything, including clothing, sports equipment, electronics, furniture, and household goods. Each of the networks has its own Visa or MasterCard, keep in mind that almost all discounts (and they are sometimes up to 90%) are on these cards. But you shouldn’t look for Tax Free in Chile, it simply doesn’t exist here.
From everything we conclude that it is better to limit ourselves to buying souvenirs, while leaving the rest of the shopping to the recognized leaders in this matter. As a rule, finding souvenirs in tourist regions is not difficult. If this is a market, bargaining is welcome; if this is a store with fixed prices, you understand.
There is no particular ban on exporting anything from the country, and there will not be much checking. It’s better to worry about how to bring it to us. For example, the Chilean side is unlikely to limit you in the amount of alcohol or the availability of coca leaf tea, but Russian or European customs officers will probably have many questions. And maybe not only questions.
What to bring from this country
- Products from lapis lazuli or lapis lazuli(lapis lazuli) you will find both in expensive jewelry stores and at artisans. Jewelry is made from this rare stone: necklaces, pendants, earrings, bracelets, and is also used to create interior items.
- Wool products They are made not only from sheep wool, but also from alpaca wool. You can buy a scarf or socks as an inexpensive souvenir in a tourist shop. Or spend money at the Kuna store and buy an amazingly beautiful coat or sweater made from young alpaca wool.
- According to one version, homeland poncho is just Chile, a tribe of Mapuche Indians. Even if you don’t want to be particularly close to this tribe, it’s worth paying attention to this wardrobe item. The fact is that here you will find not only a multi-colored cape, which you cannot wear except for a costume party, but also stylized ponchos, quite modern and stylish things.
- Chile is one of the leaders in copper mining, so you will also find products made from it on souvenir counters, and most often this copper utensils.
Safety
Chile is one of the safest countries in Latin America. But as anywhere else, in crowded places, scammers can operate, so you should be attentive to your belongings and wallets. The center of Santiago and the port city of Valparaiso are considered unfavorable areas, where you should not walk alone in the evenings and at night and do not bring trouble with jewelry.
Natural disasters are much more dangerous for this country. This is how Chile pays for the amazing landscapes it has:
- Volcanic eruption. A large number of volcanoes in the country are accompanied by a special warning system - volcano traffic lights. If the light is green, there is nothing to worry about. Yellow - Prepare essentials, including documents and water, and listen for information. A red light means immediate evacuation. There are signs everywhere indicating a safe route.
- Forest fires usually occur in the central region due to dry summers.
- Heavy rainfall may result in flooding in some regions of the country.
- Chile is one of the most earthquake-prone countries in the world. Thus, the strongest earthquake in the world was recorded in the Chilean city of Valdivia in 1960 - 9.5 points on the Richter scale. But, as a rule, tremors of 5-6 points are practically the norm, and this does not affect local residents. But those who are not used to it will be scared, I assure you. You should know that buildings are built using a special “flexible” technology, so during earthquakes they can sway strongly, but they are strong and will not collapse. And yet, before the trip, it is worth refreshing your memory of the school curriculum on the basics of life safety, the section “my actions during an earthquake.”
- Earthquakes provoke tsunamis, and almost more people die from this. With such a threat, coastal areas are always evacuated. In any case, in dangerous areas you can find special street signs indicating that you should not be in this part of the city when there are large waves.
It is worth noting that the sun in Chile is very dangerous, due to its proximity to the ozone hole and strong ultraviolet radiation. Therefore, be sure to use sunscreen even if you want to tan. The sun here is “burning” and not “sunbathing”, unfortunately.
5 things you must do in this country
Nearby countries
Friends, you often ask, so we remind you! 😉
Flights- You can compare prices from all airlines and agencies!
Hotels- don’t forget to check prices from booking sites! Don't overpay. This !
Rent a Car- also an aggregation of prices from all rental companies, all in one place, let's go!
Anything to add?
Today I will move a little away from the description of our trip to Chile and the beauties of this wonderful country and focus on tips that may be of interest to someone...
1. The first and most important tip is - do not try to see the entire country from north to south plus Easter Island in one trip. This can probably be realistic if you have at least three or four weeks. The country is so beautiful and unusual in its natural features that it is worth taking time and attention to study it more thoroughly. We had a little over 2 weeks, so we decided to remove Patagonia from the program, because during this period the off-season began there and the penguins left their places, and hotels were closed everywhere.
3. You should have clothes of very different warmth in stock. During our 2 and a half weeks of travel in May, the temperature varied from +27 to minus 8. Ideally, have a Polarov (fleece) jacket + a windbreaker - this greatly simplifies the options for possible insulation. And definitely a headdress like a baseball cap, I almost never took it off my head, because... The level of insolation in Atacama is extremely high. I will say even more, on the salt lakes, where there was still a huge reflective factor, I took with me a black umbrella from the rain and you can’t imagine what envious glances other tourists gave me, being in the unbearably bright sun reflected from the surface of the salt.
4. Regarding shoes - definitely trekking shoes, although of course tourists from Japan manage to wear flip-flops even in such places. But I once wrote in one of my posts about buying a pair of excellent men's shoes from Rockport. Believe it or not, there hasn’t been a day that I haven’t thanked this company for its impeccable quality. They are the lightest and very comfortable for any mountain surface, and besides, the fabric is so soft that I didn’t even wear socks for two weeks and wore the boots on bare feet, which once again proves the impeccable quality of these shoes (so I highly recommend them).
5. Always carry a bottle of water with you, because it is very difficult to buy water in remote tourist places, especially in the Atacama Desert because the humidity in Atacama is unique and is 0%, i.e. absent at all. But with such things as public toilets, things are just perfect on Easter Island and even in the Atacama Desert. At all natural attractions, even the most high-mountainous and remote ones, where tourists come, you are sure to find this establishment, in the cleanest condition and completely free.
6. I do not recommend going on an independent trip to Chile without knowing English or Spanish. There are very big problems with understanding English even in 5-star hotels in the capital, not to mention the regions. In restaurants, the entire menu is in Spanish and it was often difficult to understand what kind of food was offered.
7. Because Chile is the most earthquake-prone country in the world; be sure to check the situation in the country before departure, or even better, find special sites for seismic activity on the planet to always be aware of events. From my own experience, I can say that during the earthquake that we once experienced in Japan, it is not possible to understand what is happening due to a lack of understanding of the language, because... all news and announcements were in Japanese.
8. VERY IMPORTANT!!! The wonderful airline LAN (serving the entire Pacific coast of South America) constantly uses overbooking on its flights (which in common parlance means that they deliberately sell many more air tickets than there are seats on the plane). This is done in order to avoid possible losses from unused air tickets. Therefore, you need to arrive at the airport 4 hours before the flight, but this will not mean that if you have air tickets in hand you will get on the flight; be sure to do online check-in a day before departure.
9. Despite the admonitions of the BeeLine company that my phone will not work there, I add that BeeLine works there, and everywhere, even on Easter Island. My husband’s MTS reception was much worse.
10. By hotels. My clear recommendations for Easter Island and Atacama are the lodges. We stayed specifically: on Easter Island at Explora Rapa Nui, in Atacama at the Alto Atacama lodge. They are of course not cheap, but the country itself is expensive to fly due to its remoteness. But in the lodges, absolutely everything is included in the price of your stay, from food to alcoholic drinks, bottles of water and all excursions from morning to evening, as well as transfers to/from the airport. The attention from all the staff at these hotels is simply impeccable.
11. A good choice at the end of our trip was to check into a hotel at the airport upon arrival from Atacama to Santiago on an evening flight. The next morning we had to fly home, and there was a long transatlantic flight ahead, and spending the night almost across the road from the airport saved us a lot of our energy and time. In addition, in the evening we were able to wander around the airport and buy souvenirs for friends in a relaxed atmosphere without being burdened with them during the entire trip.
12. If you are planning to visit the natural attractions of the Atacama Desert, I recommend staying in the village of San Pedro de Atacama - 100 km. from Calama airport or 238 km. from Antofagasta. From this place it is most convenient to make trips to all attractions. We visited (for those who are interested) the following places, indicating the altitude above sea level:
- Chaha Lagoon(Chaxa lagoon): Located in the Los Flamencos National Reserve, Chaxa is one of the many lagoons and lakes in the Atacama Salt Flat (3,000 square km). This is a unique place where you can see one of the three rare species of flamingos, which feed here on brine shrimp (a type of small shrimp). Altitude: 2,300 meters above sea level (7,545 feet).
- Volcano Lascar(Lascar Volcano): The most active volcano in Chile. Altitude 5,592 meters above sea level (18,346 feet). Located on the inner plateau of the Central Andes in the region of Antofagasta (Chile). The name of the volcano comes from the Kunsa language, which was spoken by the indigenous people of the Atacama Desert, and translates as “TONGUE OF FIRE.”
- Volcano Licancabur(Licancabur volcano): one of the most impressive and picturesque volcanoes is located near the village of San Pedro de Atacama. Its perfect conical shape makes a lasting impression. Licancabur means "MOUNTAIN OF PEOPLE". Its altitude is 5,930 meters above sea level (19,455 feet). Now almost 70% of the volcano’s surface is located in Chile, and the remaining part belongs to Bolivia (eastern slope).
- Toconao Village(Village of Toconao): Toconao translates to "STONE PLACE". The village has a population of 600 people, and the main activities of its inhabitants are lithium mining from the Atacama salt flats, agriculture and farming, as well as other activities. Altitude: 2,000 meters above sea level (6,560 feet)
- Tropic of Capricorn and Inca Road(Tropic of Capricorn and the Inca Trail): An important route point on the way to the high lagoons is the Tropic of Capricorn. This is one of the reasons for the formation of the driest desert on earth. It is also home to the Inca Road, a complex network of roads built by the Incas to maintain order and ensure the development of all the tribes that made up their vast empire. In the Inca Empire, there was a system of messengers-runners, who were called “CHASKI”. Messengers traveling along these roads delivered messages to the Inca ruler in the imperial capital of Cusco (Peru). To mark this complex network of communication routes with signs, the Chaskis erected thousands of towers along the roads from stacked stones three meters high and one and a half meters in diameter. Such turrets are called APACETA.
- Sokaire village(Village of Socaire): The main attraction of this small community of 300 people is the hundreds of terraces where locals grow various vegetables and grains such as QUINOA, GREEN BEANS, CORN and POTATOES. Altitude: 3,200 meters above sea level (10,498 feet)
- High mountain lagoons (MISKANTI and MINIKES)(Highlands Lagoons (MISCANTI and MEÑIQUES): a vast plateau on the inner plateau of the Central Andes is called ALTIPLANT (high plateau). Here you can see two lagoons. The first one to climb will be the Miscanti Lagoon. Its area is 15 square km., and in winter it is completely Freezes over. Then comes the 5 square km Lagoon Miniques. Both lagoons offer stunning high-altitude views with wild foxes, vicuñas and Andean ostriches. Altitude: 4,200 meters above sea level (13,779 feet).
- DEATH VALLEY/ night excursion) (Valle de la muerte (DEATH VALLEY): : This area is located in the valley of the Salt Mountains, and was formerly called the Valley of Mars, because this mountain formation is really very reminiscent of the landscapes of the red planet. The fame of this valley is due to the sand dunes, excellent for sandboarding - riding a board on sandy slopes. Height: 2,400 meters above sea level (7,870 feet).
- Lagoon Tebenkis(Tebenquiche Lagoon): This is one of the largest lagoons in the salt marsh area. Depending on the time of year, the lagoon either dries up or fills with water. When all the water evaporates in the summer, the ground turns white due to the high concentration of minerals.
- "The Eyes of the Salt Marsh"(Eyes of the saltflat): Two natural pools formed by erosion due to groundwater in the middle of the salt flat. Here the salt concentration is not so high.
- Sejar Lagoon and Rock Lagoon(Cejar and Stone Lagoons). These are the two most popular places on the salt marsh. Due to the high salt content in the water of these lagoons, you can simply swim on their surface.
- Moon Valley(Moon Valley): Located within the Los Flamencos National Reserve, Moon Valley is the main and most important tourist attraction in San Pedro de Atacama. Moon Valley is located in the middle of the Salt Mountains range. Very close to this famous place there are other attractions such as the “Canyon” and the Salt Caves, formed as a result of the numerous rains and rivers that once flowed here, as well as the “Amphitheater” - a massive formation near the Valley of the Moon, and finally the “ Three Marys”, located behind the hill, where you can see three pillars formed under the influence of winds and rains. This plateau is rich in minerals such as salt, carbonates, sulfates, lithium, clay and gypsum.
- Gorge of giant cacti: (cacti/night photography) (Cardon's Gorge) This is a unique place in the desert because there is a river flowing through here, which makes it more green than other places. The main type of local vegetation is cacti, the most beautiful of which are called CARDON. They grow just 1 centimeter per year, and cacti can be seen as tall as 10 meters (32 feet). All known species of cacti on earth grow in America, with the exception of only one species, which grows in South Africa. Altitude: 3,000 meters above sea level (9,842 feet)
- Valley of Geysers Tatio(Geyser del Tatio): more than 500 geysers are concentrated on an area of 10 square kilometers. The most attractive thing about this landscape is the numerous jets of steam that escape from the water, boiling at a temperature of 85 degrees Celsius. This valley of geysers is the highest in the world, at 4,300 meters above sea level (14,107 feet); and the largest in the southern hemisphere. On the way back you can see a variety of animals and birds such as vicuñas, foxes, llamas, ducks, Andean geese, and we will also make a stop in the original village of Machuca, where you can see the traditional way of life and old houses made of volcanic stone.
- Volcano Llullaillaco(LlullaillacoVolcano). This is a very significant mountain in local history. It was on the top of this mountain that the Incas performed human sacrifices. The small children of the Incas who were sacrificed on this mountain we call MUMMIES OF LLULLAYLLACO.
Without a doubt, Chile is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. However! Flying there takes forever and, most importantly, is expensive. Is it possible to save money when traveling around Chile?
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Easter Island and the mysterious moai statues, glaciers and lakes with crystal clear water, cascading waterfalls and the most beautiful national parks of Chile traditionally attract increased attention from tourists to this country. Without a doubt, Chile is one of the most beautiful places on the planet. However! Flying there takes forever and, most importantly, is expensive. Is it possible to save money when traveling around Chile?
Santiago airport
Chile's main international airport is located 15 km from the country's capital, Santiago. It bears the name of the Chilean pilot and founder of the Chilean Air Force Arturo Merino Benitez. Unfortunately, there are no direct flights from Russia to this South American country. The most convenient connection options for Russian travelers are the following:
- Moscow - New York - Santiago;
- Moscow - Rome - Santiago;
- Moscow - Madrid - Santiago;
- Moscow - Paris - Santiago;
- St. Petersburg - London - Santiago.
The minimum cost of a flight with a transfer in Madrid is 68,000 rubles. Air ticket prices directly depend on the season, special offers and occupancy of a particular flight. The “shortest” flight is considered to be one with a transfer at Paris airport. You will spend no more than 20 hours on the road. However, time will have to pay more: from 75,000 rubles. There are also options with two transfers. Of course, not everyone can withstand such a road, but the savings are obvious. The most optimal connections are:
- Moscow - Barcelona - Madrid - Santiago;
- Moscow - Prague - Madrid - Santiago;
- Moscow - Vienna - Madrid - Santiago;
- Moscow - Barcelona - Rome - Santiago;
- Moscow - Amsterdam - Paris - Santiago.
The minimum cost of a flight with two transfers will cost a tourist 56,000 rubles, but the time spent on the road can be up to 38 hours.
Carriel Sur Airport
Several Chilean airlines operate from an international airport near the city of Concepción. Among them: LAN Airlines, Sky Airline and PAL Airlines. You can get here from our country only with several transfers, at least two. Air carriers offer the following options:
- Moscow - Madrid - Santiago - Concepcion;
- Moscow - London - Santiago - Concepcion;
- Moscow - Frankfurt am Main - Santiago - Concepcion;
- Moscow - Paris - Santiago - Concepcion;
- Moscow - Rome - Santiago - Concepcion.
I must say that it takes longer and... more expensive. A flight with a transfer in Madrid will cost approximately 70,000 rubles. Travel time - 58 hours! The fastest two-stop option is to fly at London Airport and then on to Santiago. You will spend no more than a day on the road, but you will have to pay much more - about 135,000 rubles.
Mataveri Airport
Another Chilean airport is located on Easter Island. It is called from Mataveri and is the most remote in the world. Russian tourists can get here only with two or even three transfers. Passengers are offered the following flights:
- Moscow - Madrid - Santiago - Easter Island;
- Moscow - Amsterdam - Santiago - Easter Island;
- Moscow - Helsinki - New York - Santiago - Easter Island;
- Moscow - Warsaw - New York - Santiago - Easter Island;
- Moscow - Zurich - Miami - Santiago - Easter Island.
The fastest route is considered to be through Helsinki and New York. You will spend about 34 hours on the road. The ticket price is at least 400,000 rubles. Yes, and the most important thing: to connect to the USA you must have an American visa. The cheapest option is through Madrid and Santiago. The approximate ticket price is 137,000 rubles. This cost is due to the duration of the flight - passengers will have to spend at least 51 hours on the way, taking into account fairly long connections: about 12 hours in Madrid and at least 14 hours in Santiago.
How to save money when buying air tickets?
As you can see, the cost of air tickets is quite high. In addition, in some cases additional costs are required, for example: issuing an American visa, a room for a long layover in Madrid. Is it even possible to talk about saving money when buying air tickets? Some tips from TURIZM:
- It is better to purchase tickets in advance. As a rule, the cheapest ones can be purchased 3-4 months before departure;
- Some airlines periodically hold various promotions during which you can buy tickets at a favorable price;
- When choosing tickets, don’t be lazy to check the cost for the next “neighboring” days. Prices may vary significantly.
In any case, you need to start planning a trip to Chile by purchasing air tickets, namely: by searching for convenient routes, calculating the arrival and departure times of connecting flights, and monitoring the best prices for each segment. Have a comfortable and safe flight!
What attracts people from all over the world to Chile? First of all, this is, of course, Easter Island and its mysterious Moai statues, which is also the most remote inhabited island on the planet. Chilean Patagonia features extraordinary jagged granite peaks, glaciers, lakes, waterfalls and Torres del Paine National Park, recognized as one of the most unique and beautiful parks in the world. Breathtaking landscapes of the Atacama Desert - the driest desert on the planet, more like a lunar landscape from a science fiction film. This is actually why one of the places in this desert is called the Moon Valley. Chilean cuisine with the most delicious seafood and world-famous Chilean wines. And this is just the beginning...
In this section you will find all, or almost all, the necessary information, as well as tips and recommendations for those who are planning to travel to Chile.
Visas to Chile for tourists
Most travelers, including Russian citizens, do not require a visa. To enter Chile you must fill out a migration card. As a rule, the card is issued on board the plane, or you can pick it up at Santiago airport. The completed card must be kept until the end of the trip. Upon arrival, the tourist is given a stamp in his passport, giving the right to stay in the country for up to 90 days. Visit the Chilean Consulate page for more information.
Customs regulations
To enter Chile, you must fill out a customs declaration. As a rule, the declaration is issued on board the plane, or you can receive it at the airport upon arrival. After receiving your luggage, before leaving the arrivals area, all luggage, including hand luggage, undergoes customs inspection.
The import of animal products, fruits, vegetables and flowers is prohibited without an appropriate certificate issued by the Ministry of Agriculture of the sending country. The import and export of counterfeit products and pornographic materials is also prohibited.
When entering the territory of Chile, duty-free import of cigarettes is allowed - 400 pcs. or cigars - 50 pcs. or tobacco - 500 g; alcoholic drinks - 2.5 l.; perfumes - a reasonable amount; local and foreign currency (amounts over 10,000 USD must be declared).
Please note that the visa and customs information provided here is for guidance only.
Only the information provided by the consulate of the country you plan to visit is official, accurate and correct.
Flight information to Chile
In the capital of Chile - Santiago, the main international airport named Arturo Merino Benitez (SCL) is located. The main airlines operating international flights to Chile are Air France, American Airlines, Avianca, Copa, Delta, Iberia, LAN and TACA. There are no direct flights to Santiago from Moscow. With one transfer and a convenient time to change flights, you can reach Santiago with Iberia and Air France. Flights can be operated jointly with alliance partner airlines. The main airline in Chile is LAN. The airline is also the only carrier between the continent and Easter Island.
The flight from Santiago to Easter Island takes approximately 5 hours 40 minutes (there) to 4 hours 50 minutes (back). The flight from Santiago to Punta Arenas takes 4 hours 20 minutes.
Please note that some airlines do not include airport tax in the airfare price. The airport tax for departure on an international flight from Santiago is 30 USD. Check with your airline to see if this fee is included in the airfare.
Chile weather information
Chile occupies a long strip of land located between the southern waters of the Pacific Ocean and the world's longest mountain range, the Andes. The coastline is 6435 km. In the east of the country, the Andes separate Chile from Argentina. In the north, Chile borders Peru and Bolivia. Due to its large extent from north to south, the country's climate is quite varied and changes with changes in latitude. In the north there are hot tropical deserts, the central part, near Santiago, is similar to the Mediterranean, the south of the country is cool Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Do you want to go to Chile, but don’t know when is the best time to do it? Since Chile's climate varies radically depending on the region of the country, you can always find a place suitable for your trip. The world's largest desert, the Atacama Desert in the north of the country, is warm all year round, so you can go here at any time. The central region has a temperate climate with distinct seasons. Thus, the best time to travel is spring, from October to November, or autumn, from March to May. The best time to travel to Patagonia and the Valley of the Lakes (south of Puerto Varas) is summer, from October to March. However, if you want to go skiing, the best time here is from June to August.
Currency and prices in Chile, budget
The national currency of Chile is the Chilean peso (CLP). Chile has a very efficient and stable banking system, and the inflation rate is low. You can easily find banks and ATMs in any major city. As a rule, banks charge a commission when withdrawing cash from ATMs, so for tourists who have Russian bank cards, it is best to withdraw cash through Scotiabank and Banco del Estado, which allow you to withdraw cash without additional costs (only the commission of the bank that issued the card is charged). You can freely exchange dollars and euros at exchange offices (or casas de cambio), which offer the most favorable exchange rates, as well as at bank offices, hotels and restaurants. Credit cards can be used in many places, but you will need cash to buy souvenirs or make tips. Notify your bank before your trip that you are going to Chile.
In Patagonia, south of Puerto Montt, ATMs are not as common and credit cards are not accepted everywhere. Therefore, we recommend that you take the necessary amount of cash with you. There is only one ATM in Futaleufu National Park that accepts Mastercard or Cirrus cards. There are several ATMs on Easter Island and San Pedro (Atacama), but sometimes they run out of cash.
Chile is not a cheap country by South American standards, but a holiday here will be cheaper than in Europe and North America. During the peak season, from late December to mid-March, prices can be up to twice as high as during the rest of the year. You can have dinner or lunch in a normal restaurant for about 20 USD per person. At lunchtime, many restaurants, including expensive ones, offer set lunches, the cost of which is significantly lower. For just a few dollars you can purchase a three-course meal. However, please note that prices on Easter Island and San Pedro (Atacama) may be slightly higher. No VAT is charged.
Restaurant service charge is not included in the bill, please add approximately 10% gratuity. In small local restaurants, leaving a few extra hundred pesos is enough. It is not customary to tip taxi drivers, but drivers can expect you to round up the amount to the equivalent of 100 pesos. It is customary to leave 1,000 pesos for suitcase porters in hotels. It is also customary to tip the guide or tour leader, as well as the tour bus driver. The tip amount at your discretion can be 3-5 USD for the guide or tour leader, and 2-3 USD for the driver for 1 day of the excursion tour.
Language of Chile
The official language of Chile is Spanish. In large cities such as Santiago, quite a lot of people can communicate in English, as it is compulsory to study in schools. Young Chileans love to practice English with foreigners. Staff in hotels, restaurants and tourist places speak English quite well.
By learning a few basic phrases in Spanish, you will make your trip to Chile more enjoyable and easier. We recommend that you take Spanish for travelers lessons at one of the language learning centers, or use a computer program to learn the language. Many guidebooks include a short language section, which can also be helpful.
Food and drink Chile
Traditional Chilean cuisine is distinguished by its variety of flavors and ingredients. Thanks to its geographical location and varied climates, Chilean cuisine features a wide range of agricultural products, fruits and vegetables. However, the most important component is, of course, seafood, which is due to the presence of a coastline length of more than 6 thousand km. Special types of fish, shellfish, crustaceans and algae make Chile's cuisine truly unique, and its traditional seafood dishes are some of the most delicious in the world.
Seafood. As for seafood, you should definitely try “Centolla Chilena” - a large sweetish crab from the extreme south, “Locos” - fleshy white shellfish. It is best, of course, to try seafood on the coast, for example in Punta Arenas. In addition, on the menu of traditional restaurants you will find many soups and stews made from shellfish, eel, mussels and other marine life. A traditional Easter Island dish is “Umu Rapa Nui” - a thick soup made from fish, crustaceans, chicken, pork, lamb, beef and potatoes. The dish is very similar to "Curanto", popular in the south of the country.
Meat dishes. Meat from the pastures of Patagonia and the Valley of the Lakes is also some of the best in the world. A very popular dish among Chileans is "Lomo a lo Pobre" - a large piece of beef with two fried eggs on top along with fried potatoes. Also very popular is the “Cazuela de Ave” dish, which is a chicken soup with spices, potatoes and rice. This simple but very tasty dish is on the menu of almost every restaurant. “Empanadas de Pino” are very tasty - baked Chilean pies with meat, onions, olives and eggs. Pastel de Choclo, a sweet corn pastry filled with a mixture of meat, egg and onion, is quite popular in the central region, but is generally only made in the summer.
Dessert. Among the desserts, it is worth noting “Dulce de leche”, or boiled condensed milk. “Mote con Huesillo” is a cross between a drink and a dessert, a cold compote of boiled dry peaches and wheat.
Beverages. Chile's climate and location make the country a unique place for growing vineyards. And centuries-old winemaking experience, dating back to the times of the Spanish conquest, has made Chile one of the world's largest wine producers. However, wine is not the only traditional drink of Chile: in the north of the country they produce strong grape vodka “Pisco”, and in the south they brew good beer.
National cuisine restaurants can be found in every corner of Chile. You can enjoy traditional dishes at affordable prices in the many small restaurants "Picadas" or in the fast food restaurants "Fuentes de Soda", which can be found throughout the country.
Thanks to political and economic stability, a strong police force, Chile is a very safe place in South America. However, there are quite a few pickpockets in Santiago. To make your stay as safe as possible, follow a few simple rules:
- behave the same way as the people around you;
- do not wander alone in the dark;
- do not carry large sums of money with you, especially in your pockets, as well as all bank cards;
- It is better to leave all valuables, jewelry, money, passport in the hotel safe;
- do not engage in conversation with beggars;
- Be careful when withdrawing cash from an ATM.
Taking care of your health
Tap water in Chile is safe to drink, but if you are unsure about the purity of the water, drink only bottled water.
Telephone and Internet
Many hotels have Internet access and international telephone connections. However, to call home it is much cheaper to use a data-based connection over the Internet, such as Skype.
In big and small cities it is quite easy to find internet cafes. Just ask "cafe de Internet." In Santiago, many cafes, restaurants and bars located in the central areas of Bellas Artes and Lastarria offer free Wi-Fi. There is also free Wi-Fi at Universidad de Chile (line 1) and Baquedano (lines 1 and 5) metro stations.
Please contact your mobile operator prior to travel for roaming availability in Chile.
Chile is one of the most distant countries from Europe, located in the southwest of South America, stretching out as a long narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. This mysterious, remote and isolated country offers its guests a wide range of tourist attractions.
Visa to Chile Russians have not needed it for a long time. Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Chile without a visa for ninety days.
Chile Customs Regulations
Chile has fairly strict customs regulations, primarily related to sanitary control. The following items and products are prohibited from being imported into the country:
- Fruits, seeds, vegetables and animal products that have not been cooked;
- Raw smoked sausages;
- Meat and fish products without can packaging;
- Firearms, ammunition and explosives;
- Drugs;
- Wooden products if they contain insects (must be declared and inspected by sanitary workers).
Current time in Santiago:
(UTC -3)
It should be borne in mind that sanitary control in Chile is very strict; upon entering the country, all luggage at the airport undergoes a thorough inspection using the latest equipment, and specially trained dogs are also used for this. If you try to bring prohibited products into the country, you will be charged a fine of $200 or more.
How to get to Chile
It makes the most sense to start your trip from the country's capital - it is the largest city, and flights there will be much cheaper and more frequent than to other cities in Chile.
The easiest and most logical option is to fly to Santiago ( Arturo Merino Benitez Airport) from Russia - these are flights of one of the European airlines with a connection at its home airport. These are Iberia, Air France and Chilean Lan. The latter carrier, however, only flies to Madrid, but thanks to code-share agreements you can fly to Madrid on S7, and all this will be issued with one ticket. You can also take one-stop flights with Delta and American Airlines via New York. However, due to the small number of airlines on the route, the prices are not at all encouraging. Therefore, to save money, you can consider the option of flying through neighboring countries. It can be both cheaper and richer in terms of impressions.
Recently, tourists are increasingly combining visits to Chile with Argentina and Peru. The most convenient way to get from Santiago to Buenos Aires (and, accordingly, vice versa) is by direct airline flights. Today, this airline is considered the undisputed leader in the Latin American aviation market. LAN is famous for its impeccable service and reliable aircraft, but its ticket prices are quite high. The average cost of an economy class flight on the route Santiago - Buenos Aires - Santiago is about $300. The Argentine airline is less popular on this route. From time to time, these airlines hold sales and promotions where you can snag tickets for as little as $200. The flight lasts only an hour and a half, so it is not surprising that among residents of these two South American capitals it is common to fly back and forth on weekends.
You can fly from Santiago to Lima and back for about $400, provided you buy a ticket a few months before departure. Just before departure, prices can reach $700. Travel time is four hours.
Information about the main air gates of the country (photos, descriptions of terminals, ways to get to the city) - on the page Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport .
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Cities and regions
Administratively, the territory of Chile is divided into 15 regions, which in turn are divided into numerous provinces and communities. Each region has its own interesting specifics and features, both natural-geographical and cultural-historical.
| № | Region | Capital |
| 1 | Tarapaca | Iquique |
| 2 | Antofagasta | Antofagasta |
| 3 | Atacama | Copiapo |
| 4 | Coquimbo | La Serena |
| 5 | Valparaiso | Valparaiso |
| 6 | O'Higgins | Rancagua |
| 7 | Maule | Talc |
| 8 | Bio-Bio | Concepcion |
| 9 | Araucania | Temuco |
| 10 | Los Rios | Valdivia |
| 11 | Los Lagos | Puerto Montt |
| 12 | Aisen | Coyhaique |
| 13 | Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica | Punta Arenas |
| Santiago (region) | Santiago (city) | |
| 15 | Arica y Parinacota | Arika |
Arica and Parinacota (Fifteenth Region)
This region, designated number 15, was created by the Government of Chile relatively recently - in 2007, thereby breaking the historical numbering structure. Bordered to the north by Peru and to the east by Bolivia, Region 15 covers an area of 16,873 km² and is home to approximately 192 thousand people. Traditionally, the region's economy has been based on natural resource extraction, mainly copper, as well as fishing and fishmeal production. In the past, the main wealth of this zone was saltpeter.
From a geographical point of view, this region of Greater Northern Chile is characterized by a desert landscape. Landscapes and climate vary greatly as you move from the coast into the region. The coastal climate is very mild, with average temperatures throughout the year ranging from 20 to 25 degrees. At high altitudes and in the desert there are very sharp fluctuations in day and night temperatures. Precipitation here is extremely rare and in small quantities.
Notable cities and/or attractions in the region:
Tarapaca (First Region)
In the historical numbering structure of Chile, this region is number one. In fact, this is the second region of the country from the north, located between the Pacific Ocean and Bolivia. This region of Greater Northern Chile has an area of 42,225.8 km² and a population of more than 314 thousand people. The region is characterized by an arid and barren climate and a very narrow coastal zone. The rest of its territory is occupied by high plateaus and hills. A distinctive feature of this region is the large number of salt marshes and salt lakes. There are also many volcanoes and lagoons and quite a rich fauna - llamas, guanacos, vicunas and flamingos are found here in abundance.
Antofagasta (Second Region)
It is the third region of Chile's Greater North, located between the Pacific Ocean and the border with Bolivia and Argentina, covering an area of 126,049.1 km². The population of this region is approximately 575 thousand people. The relief and geography of the Second Region of Antofagasta have much in common with the First Region of Tarapacá. The area's economy is based primarily on copper mining and is home to some of the country's largest open-pit mines, including the largest open-pit mine in the world, Chuquicamata. In addition to copper, this region has many other natural resources, such as gold, silver, iron and iodine. Particular emphasis is placed on the fishing industry, especially the production of fishmeal. The population of this region is dominated by descendants of Croatian settlers, so do not be surprised that most of the locals look completely European.
- Atacama Desert
- Atacama Salt Marsh and Lagoons
Atacama (Third Region)
This region should not be confused with the Atacama Desert, which is located in the Second Region of Antofagasta. The Third Atacama Region, the last region in the classification of the Great North natural zone, is located between the Pacific Ocean and Argentina over an area of 75,452 km² and is a major mining center of the country, the economy of which is based on the extraction of copper and silver. It is one of the least populated regions of Chile, with a population of approximately 290 thousand people.
- Copiapo
Coquimbo (Fourth Region)
This region, which covers an area of 40,579 km², is part of a natural area called Little North Chile. The population of the Coquimbo Region is approximately 718 thousand people. The region's economy is based on agriculture, fishing, mining and tourism.
- Punta Choros Marine Reserve
Valparaiso (Fifth Region)
The Fifth Region of Valparaiso is the most important industrial, port, agricultural and tourist region of the country with a population of 1,734,917 people. The area of this region is 16,396 km², and territorially it is part of the Central Natural Zone of Chile. The capital of the Fifth Region, Valparaiso, which has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is picturesquely located in the hills along a huge Pacific bay.
In this region, it is also interesting to visit such resort towns as Viña del Mar and Algarrobo, where the house-museum of Pablo Neruda is located in the town of Isla Negra. The Fifth Region includes the two main islands of Chile - the Juan Fernandez archipelago and Easter Island.
Santiago (Capital Region)
The largest and most developed economic and tourism region of the country, which includes six provinces. Located in the very center of Chile, the Capital Region was excluded from the established numbering scheme for the country's regions. Instead of numbers, he was given the initials RM (Region Metropolitana), which means Metropolitan Region in Spanish. As of 2012, the population of the Capital Region was 6,685,685 people.
The main region of the country covers an area of 15,403 km². The name of this region speaks for itself - the country's capital, Santiago, is located here. This is the richest and most developed region of the country in all respects, where large financial capital, international companies, various industrial production, excellent tourism infrastructure, and well-developed agriculture, in particular winemaking, are concentrated. The Casablanca Valley around Santiago is home to numerous wineries that are sure to be a delight to visit. The most famous wineries in this region are Morande, Indomita, Veramonte and Casas del Bosque. In this region, literally an hour's drive from Santiago, there are the best ski resorts in the country, such as Valle Nevado, El Colorado, Farellones and La Parva. Lovers of nature and mountain landscapes will be interested in a trip to the picturesque Maipo Gorge, not far from Santiago.
O" Higgins (Sixth Region)
An important mining and agricultural region of the country with a population of 883,368 people and an area of 16,387 km². The development of this region is largely due to its proximity to the Capital Region - the capital of the Sixth Region, the city of Rancagua, is only 96 km from Santiago.
Interestingly, the world-famous philanthropist and industrialist Solomon Guggenheim left his mark in Chile. It was he who founded the Bradden Copper Co. copper mining company in Sewell. and did a lot for the development of industry in this country. It is not surprising that Guggenheim is loved and revered in Chile.
The sixth region has long been famous for its winemaking. On the territory of the largest wine-growing valley, Colchagua (Valle de Colchagua), there are such famous wineries as Viu Manent, Santa Rita, Cono Sur, Lapostolle. Thermal holidays are represented here by two of the oldest traditional thermal complexes - Termas de Cauquenes and Termas del Flaco. It should be noted that thermal recreation in Chile is very developed; There are a lot of health complexes here, and almost every region can boast of miraculous thermal springs with a wide variety of healing waters.
The Reserva Nacional Rio de los Cipreses National Park is also located here, where you can see the typical flora and fauna of the Cordillera ecosystem. For active recreation, all kinds of water sports and fishing, Lake Rapel, the largest artificial lake in the country, 102 km from Rancagua, is perfect. Here you can rent wooden cabanas; this type of holiday is very common among Chileans.
Maule (Seventh Region)
The Seventh Region of Maule is located in the heart of the central zone of Chile, 258 km south of Santiago. The population of this region is 968,336 people, and the territory is 30,269 km². This is, first of all, a rich agricultural area where apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots and, of course, grapes are grown.
Maule Valley — This is the most important wine-growing region of Chile, here are many famous wineries, both traditional family-run and modern, new generation. The wine road passing through this valley attracts many wine tourism lovers. The most famous wineries of the Maule Valley - Valdivieso, San Pedro, J. Bouchon, Gillmore - offer everyone visits to their cellars and vineyards, as well as tastings of their wines. The Maule Valley is also the largest asparagus growing region.
Almost on the border with Argentina, there is another interesting natural place in this region - the huge Laguna del Maule, whose bright blue waters abound with trout.
Bio-Bio (Eighth Region)
This is the second most important economic and demographic region of the country. Region Eight covers an area of 37,068.7 km² and is home to approximately 1,971,998 people. There are also many important ports of the country concentrated here, the main one being the military port of Talcahuano. This region opens the list of regions that make up the natural region called Southern Chile.
- Termas de Chillan thermal resort
Araucania (Ninth Region)
This region of Southern Chile is known primarily as the homeland of the country's indigenous Mapuche Indian population. The ninth region covers an area of 31,843 km², and approximately 970 thousand people live on its territory.
- Villarrica National Park
- El Kanyi Nature Reserve
Los Rios (Fourteenth Region)
This region breaks with Chile's historical administrative numbering structure, and the reason for this is that it only recently separated from the Tenth Region of Los Lagos. The Fourteenth Region of Los Rios got its name due to the large number of rivers flowing through its territory. The River Region covers an area of 18,429 km² and is home to approximately 380 thousand people. The economy of this region of Southern Chile is represented mainly by the wood processing industry and cattle breeding.
Los Lagos (Tenth Region)
It’s easy to guess that this region got its name from the large number of local lakes. And, indeed, there is more water here than land. On the territory of the Chilean Lake District there are 12 large lakes and several more small ones. The lakes are of glacial-tectonic origin and are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and varied palette of colors - dark blue, turquoise, emerald ponds surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, connected by rivers. The extraordinary natural beauty of this region has contributed to its prosperity and tourism development.
Today it is one of the most developed regions of the country in terms of tourism and the most popular tourist destination among Chileans and foreign tourists. The Lake District also has the reputation of being the most Europeanized region of the country, the appearance of which was greatly influenced by German colonists. In the middle of the 19th century, the Government of Chile allocated considerable funds for the development of this region. The mass settlement of these desert lands by German settlers began, who created cities here in a typically German architectural style and boosted the economy of this region. Today, many descendants of German settlers live in this region, so do not be surprised to see typically Aryan faces on the streets.
The area of the Lakes Region is impressive in size, it is 48,585 km², and approximately 836 thousand people live on its territory. The economy of the lake district is represented mainly by fishing and agriculture. Geographically, the region consists of four provinces - Chiloe, Llanquihue, Osorno and Palena.
Aisen (Eleventh Region)
This region opens up the geographical zone of Patagonia in the Far South of Chile. Located in upper Patagonia, the Aisen region covers an area of 108,494.4 km² and is home to no more than 100 thousand people. It turns out that this is the least populated region of the country. Administratively, the region is divided into five communes - Aisen, Capitan Prat, Coyhaique and General Carrera. The capital of the region is the city of Coyhaique, the second most important city is Puerto Aisen.
There are several versions regarding the origin of the name of this region. According to the most common of them, Aisen translated from English means “end of the ice” (iceend), and Captain Fitz Roy gave this name to these lands during his expedition. Other theories attribute the origin of this name to local Indian dialects, which in some cases meant crooked fjords, and in others, inland fjords.
The legendary Carretera Austral, or Antarctic Road, the most scenic road in Chile, runs through the Eleventh Region. The 1,240 kilometers of this road connect Puerto Montt with Villa O'Higgins in the far south of the region, passing by forests, canals, fjords, colorful lagoons and lakes, rivers, waterfalls and glaciers. Carretera Austral was built relatively recently, about thirty years ago, and before that, during the winter, the population of the Aisen region was completely isolated from the rest of Chile. In summer, transportation was carried out by water. It is not surprising that isolation from the outside world is one of the features of local life.
Due to its glacial origin, the rugged terrain of this region is filled with hills, canyons, meadows against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, representing a peculiar mix of Alpine, Altai and Siberian landscapes. The climate in these parts is harsh and inhospitable, characterized by cold and long snowy winters, rainy autumns with strong winds and short moderate summers. On the coast the climate is oceanic, while inland it is cold steppe.
Due to its isolation, the Aisen region cannot be called an economically developed region of the country; the population is mainly engaged in cattle breeding and the forestry industry. It is interesting that the way of life and traditions of the local residents are very close to the way of life of the Argentine gauchos, which is understandable - the border with Argentina is just a stone's throw away, this closeness determined such historical similarities. Residents of border areas constantly travel back and forth for shopping, have relatives here and there, which naturally contributes to the similarity in their lifestyle, habits and traditions. This is a feature of the lifestyle of the population of this region.
In recent years, the Chilean government has been relying on the development of the tourism potential of this region, but today Aisen is still completely unpromoted in terms of tourism, and its tourism infrastructure is, if not in its infancy, then certainly in a diaper state. We can say that this most beautiful natural region of Chile is only taking its first steps in the tourist direction, but this does not make it lose any of its attractiveness and pristine charm. It is quite possible that in a few years tourism will begin to flow here, which will inevitably affect the pristine nature of the region.
To get to this region from Santiago, you must first fly to the city of Balmaceda, and then take a bus or taxi to the city of Coyhaique (65 km), where all routes around this marvelous region begin.
The normal fare for the Santiago-Balmaceda-Santiago route costs approximately US$150. Travel time is a little over two hours.
Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica (Twelfth Region)
Located in the far south of the country, the Twelfth Region includes 4 provinces and 11 communes. It consists of two regions - continental and Antarctic. The continental zone is home to the bulk of the region's population, and its area is 132,033.5 km². Antarctic territory with an area of 1,250,257.6 km² is separated from the continental part by the Drake Passage. Thus, the total territory of the Twelfth Region, taking into account the area of the Antarctic commune, is 1,382,291.1 km², and the population is slightly more than 158 thousand people (2010). This is one of the least populated regions of the country due to its harsh climatic conditions. The Magallanes region consists of four provinces: Antarctica, Magallanes, Tierra del Fuego and Ultima Esperanza. The population of the region is mainly engaged in cattle breeding, especially sheep breeding, and fishing. The oil and gas industry is also developing here, due to the discovery of oil and gas deposits on the territory of Tierra del Fuego in the forties.
The history of these lands is very interesting and instructive. Magellan discovered these places in 1520, when his expedition was trying to find a way out to the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. Initially, he christened it the Strait of All Saints, and called the lands around the strait the land of the Patagonians in honor of the local peoples, whose size reminded him of the mythical giant Patagon. Hence the common name for these places - Patagonia. The Strait of Magellan is shaped like the Latin letter S, and separates the Brunswick Peninsula, where the regional capital of Punta Arenas is located, from the island of Tierra del Fuego, which is so close to the mainland that its outline is visible from the Punta Arenas promenade. Magellan’s merits in the history and development of this region are so great that it is not at all surprising that local residents immensely revere the great navigator. They even call themselves not Chileans, but Magellans, in honor of Magellan. Colonization of these lands really began quite late, in 1843, when President Manuel Bulnes ordered an expedition to be sent from Ancud (Island of Chiloe) to explore these remote territories. This is how the first settlement arose - Fort Bulnes. Later, sheep were brought here from the island of Chiloe and the Falkland Islands, which gave impetus to the development of sheep farming. At the end of the last century, active colonization of these places began, a huge amount of land was distributed, and large farms were created. But if mainly German settlers came to the Lakes Region, Croats and English prevailed here. The most famous and wealthy settlers of these places are the Brown, Menendez and Nogueira families.
Punta Arenas is still decorated with the magnificent palaces of these families. The other side of this policy was the almost complete extermination of the local Yagan and Selknam tribes, the seizure of their lands by settlers and, as a result, the fabulous enrichment of the colonists.
Chilean Antarctica
Chilean Antarctica is a province within Region Twelve. In turn, it consists of two communes - Cabo de Hornos and Antarctica. The administrative center of the Chilean Antarctic is the city of Puerto Williams, which competes with the Argentinean Ushuaia for the title of the southernmost city in the world. Harsh climatic conditions prevent the mass settlement of these lands; for example, the population of Chilean Antarctica is only 2,392 people. This is the closest point to Antarctica.
Despite the fact that Antarctica is the most severe climatic region on Earth, recently this continent has become the object of close attention of tourists from all over the world. And this is not at all surprising, because sophisticated travelers have already explored all the tourist corners of the Earth, and the poles still remain blank spots on the map.
The ideal time to travel to Antarctica is December-January, when there are the most clear days. Currently, the Antarctic territory is divided between 7 countries: Great Britain, France, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Chile, but does not belong to any state. Only scientific activities are permitted on its territory.
Cruise ships depart from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, but the cost of such cruises is simply astronomical. A more economical alternative may be commercial flights between November and April. There is a choice of both one-day and two-day similar tours. Planes usually land at the Frey meteorological base, which is located next to the Russian Bellingshausen base. Flights and organization of stay at the station are provided by the Chilean airline. The cost of such flights is quite high - from 3 to 4 thousand dollars, but compared to expensive cruises, this option will in any case be more economical. During a one-day air tour, travelers usually visit King George Island (Isla ReyJorge), the peculiar capital of the South Pole, where the President Frey scientific station is located, as well as the village of Villa Las Estrellas with a population of 120 people in the summer and 80 people in the winter.
Antarctica has a huge field of activities for curious and active travelers: here you can take a tour of the Antarctic ice fields, fly in a helicopter over glaciers, take a cruise along the coast, cruising between giant icebergs, and enjoy the marine fauna of the generous Antarctic waters, which give shelter to populations of blue whales , elephant seals, seals, fur seals and emperor penguins.
What to see
A visit to Chile usually begins from the capital. Therefore about Santiago attractions and other places worth visiting in the city you can read in separate material. The rest of the country's interesting places are quite scattered. Below you will find links to various attractions in Chile, from almost the equator to almost Antarctica.
National Parks of Chile
Chile is famous for its pristine nature and boasts unique natural parks in a wide variety of geographical areas. This is the main asset of the country, which is carefully protected and supported by the state. In total, there are 33 natural parks in Chile, the most famous of which are the following:
- Torres del Paine National Park
- Laguna San Rafael National Park
- Rapa Nui National Park(Easter Island)
- Juan Fernandez Archipelago National Park
- Villarrica National Park
- Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
- Pan de Azucar National Park
- Lauca National Park(Lake Chungara)
- Isluga Volcano National Park
Attractions
Museums and galleries
Entertainment
Parks and Recreation
Leisure
Transport
Wellness holiday
Private guides in Chile
Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Chile in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.
Things to do
Wine tourism (wine tourism)
This is a new direction in tourism, the purpose of which is to get acquainted with the culture and history of the regions through the study of winemaking traditions. In recent years, enotourism has become extremely popular in Chile, expanding the ranks of its adherents both among Chileans themselves and among foreign guests.
March is a special month in Chile, when the whole country celebrates the Vendimia harvest. Such celebrations are held in different wine-growing regions of the country, usually in the first half of March. In the central region, very interesting and colorful Vendimias take place in the cities of San Fernando, Santa Cruz and Pirque. Gastronomic pleasures and wine tastings at such holidays are usually accompanied by musical performances, the election of a Queen from among local girls, competitions in the national cueca dance, rodeos and demonstrations of local cowboy outfits, the Huaso. During the Vendimia festival, it is customary to press grapes in barrels. The barrels are freely accessible to everyone, so you can come and press to your heart’s content.
Thermal holidays in Chile
It is not surprising that thermal holidays are very popular in Chile, because the country is rich in springs with a wide variety of characteristics and healing properties. Thermal complexes are scattered throughout the country, each region boasting its own unique thermal water. Among the thermal complexes closest to Santiago, we can recommend the following:
- Termas de Jahuel;
- Termas de Corazon;
- Termas de Cauquenes.
From other regions of the country, the following thermal resorts are very popular:
- Termas de Puyeue in the Los Lago Region c
- Termas de Chillan in the Bio Region - Bio
- Termas de Panimavida in the Maule Region
- Termas de Quinamavida in the Maule Region
Ski resorts in Chile
Alpine skiing began to develop in Chile relatively recently, at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, lovers of this winter sport come to Chile to enjoy the beautiful slopes, pistes and relax among the snow-white plains of the Andes. The ski season in Chile begins in June and ends at the end of September, and in the south of the country it ends in mid or late October.
The best ski resorts in the Central Zone are the following (follow the links for a lot of detailed information):
Here you will find a well-developed tourist infrastructure, hotels for every taste and budget, modern ski lifts, long trails, as well as ski equipment rental. The ski season in Chile is quite short, usually lasting from mid-June to the end of August. But, nevertheless, this is one of the few places on the Latin American continent where snow generally falls and you can ski, so it is in considerable demand, especially among neighbors from hot Brazil. The resorts of Portillo, La Parva, El Colrado and Valle Nevado are an hour's drive from Santiago and you can come here either by yourself in a rented car or by public transport. The main advantage of these resorts is that if the weather is good, you can ski and sunbathe on the Pacific Ocean in one day.
There are also other resorts in Central Chile, but they are less equipped and there are fewer trails and lifts.
- Chapa Verde
- Pucon
- Antillanca
Resorts outside the central part of Chile, but also interesting and popular. However, the number of difficult trails (red and black) here is much less than in the resorts of the central part of the country. This is compensated by excellent opportunities for off-piste skiing, and is complemented by the possibility of swimming in thermal waters in the open air.
- Lagunillas
- Antuco
- Corralco
- El Fraile
- Cerro Mirador
Getting around the country
Public transport in Chile is quite well developed and is represented by planes, buses, trains and ferries.
Aircraft
The main mode of transportation across such a long country is, of course, air. It makes no sense to travel by car or bus from Santiago to the far north or south, it will be a pointless waste of time. Moreover, LAN airline’s policy of promoting domestic tourism makes flights between cities in the country relatively inexpensive. If you purchase tickets from this airline in advance, you can find very attractive offers on various tourist destinations within the country. For comparison, here is the average cost of tickets for the most popular domestic routes (round trip):
- Santiago - Calama: USD 150
- Santiago - La Serena: USD 60
- Santiago - Temuco: USD 90
- Santiago - Puerto Montt: USD 120
- Santiago - Balmaceda: USD 140
- Santiago - Punta Arenas: USD 170
- Santiago - Iquique: USD 160
- Santiago - Easter Island: USD 400
Basically, all flights are carried out through the capital of Chile, Santiago. If you need to get from Calama, say, to Arica, you will first have to return to Santiago and from there fly north again - this is an obvious inconvenience.
In the southern direction, the situation is different. Here you can conveniently combine visits to several cities at once. For example, go from Santiago to Puerto Montt, spend a few days there, and then from there go to Balmaceda or Punta Arenas. Prices for such domestic flights are quite low, from 50 to 120 dollars, of course, subject to early purchase.
Trains
Rail transport in the country is rather poorly developed. During Pinochet's time, many railways fell into disrepair. It makes sense to use trains only for a short section from Santiago to Talca and Chillan.
Buses
Bus service between the country's cities is excellent. The bus is the most popular mode of transport in the country. The most reliable and popular bus company is . The network of Turbus bus routes covers almost the entire territory of the country.
It makes sense to use bus service when traveling relatively short distances. Bus routes from Santiago to nearby cities such as Valparaiso, La Serena, Chillan, Concepcion are very popular. Buses are comfortable and economical. For example, you can travel from Santiago to La Serena and back by bus for only 16 thousand pesos, although the one-way journey will take more than six hours.
There are different types of buses and seats, the most popular of which are semi-flat seats - semicama and fully reclining seats - cama.
Chilean culture
In the regions of the south of the country, especially in Patagonia, the signature dishes are traditionally roasted whole lamb on a spit (Corderoal Palo) and delicious crabs (centolla), which are rich in the waters of the Strait of Magellan. Homemade jam made from wild berries calafate, tart and sour small berries that grow everywhere in its forests, is very popular in Patagonia.
In the Lakes Region, be sure to try the local salmon, especially with shrimp and krill béchamel sauce, as well as the local hake (merluza austral).
The main cuisine of this region was formed under the influence of German gastronomic traditions and is famous for all kinds of sausages, bacon, sauerkraut rolls and excellent homemade pies with fruits and berries kuchen.
Safety in Chile
In terms of security, Chile is considered the most peaceful country on the entire South American continent. The people here are extremely law-abiding and are distinguished by their friendliness and willingness to help guests of their country, especially in the Chilean province. Crime and corruption rates in Chile are the lowest in Latin America.
But still, even in this calm country, sometimes unpleasant incidents happen, so you should not relax completely, but it is advisable to take certain precautions:
- In restaurants and cafes, do not leave bags unattended, do not hang them on the back of a chair, it is best to keep the bag on your lap under the table.
- In crowded places, especially in the center of Santiago, keep a close eye on bags, photographic equipment and wallets.
- Do not change money on the street, even if they offer a better rate.
- On some streets of Santiago and Valparaiso there are homeless people, beggars and vagrants. And although they are not particularly aggressive, it is still better to stay away from them.
- The Valparaiso Beach has a huge number of stray dogs that it would be wise to avoid.
As for Easter Island, the concept of safety simply does not exist there - a completely relaxed, peaceful atmosphere reigns on the island and you can calmly walk everywhere all night long. The same applies to tourist centers such as San Pedro de Atacama, Puerto Varas, Puerto Natales, Coyhaique and Frutillar. In general, the country is conducive to a calm, safe holiday.
