Need to Know
For more information, see Survival Guide
Currency
Language
Visas
Money
Mobile Phones
Time
When to Go
High Season (Nov–Feb)
APatagonia is best (and most expensive) December to February.
ABeaches throng with crowds from late December through January.
Shoulder (Sep–Nov & Mar–May)
ATemperature-wise, these are the best times to visit Santiago.
ALakes District is pleasant September to November; April brings fall foliage in the south.
AWine country has grape harvests and wine festivals in March.
Low Season (Jun–Aug)
ABest time for ski resorts is June to August.
AA good time to visit the north.
AFew services on the Carretera Austral; mountain passes can be blocked by snow.
ATransportation and accommodations are busy in July.
Useful Websites
Lonely Planet (www.lonelyplanet.com/chile) Destination information, hotel bookings, traveler forum and more.
Sernatur (www.chile.travel/en.html) The national tourism organization, in English, Spanish and French.
Santiago Times (www.santiagotimes.cl) Online newspaper in English with national coverage.
Visit Chile (www.visitchile.com) General tourist information.
Important Numbers
| Country Code |  %56 |
| International Access Code | three-digit carrier + %0 |
| Directory Assistance | %103 |
| National Tourist Information (in Santiago) | %562-731-8310 |
| Police | %133 |
Exchange Rates
| Australia | A$1 | CH$475 |
| Canada | C$1 | CH$485 |
| Euro zone | €1 | CH$731 |
| Japan | ¥100 | CH$540 |
| New Zealand | NZ$1 | CH$431 |
| UK | UK£1 | CH$824 |
| US | US$1 | CH$606 |
For current exchange rates see www.xe.com.
Daily Costs
Budget: Less than CH$65,000
AInexpensive hospedaje room/dorm bed: CH$10,000
ABudget-restaurant dinner main: CH$5000
AThree-course set lunch: CH$4000–7000
Midrange: CH$65,000–80,000
ADouble room in midrange hotel or B&B: CH$50,000
AMidrange-restaurant dinner main: CH$8000
ACar rentals: start at CH$20,000 per day
Top End: More than CH$80,000
ADouble room in top-end hotel: CH$80,000
AFine-restaurant dinner main: CH$14,000
AAll-day guided outdoor adventures: CH$30,000–65,000
Opening Hours
Hours given are generally for high season. In many provincial cities and towns, restaurants and services are closed on Sunday and tourist offices close in low season.
Banks 9am–2pm weekdays, sometimes 10am–1pm Saturday
Government offices & businesses 9am–6pm weekdays
Museums Often close Monday
Post Offices 9am–6pm Monday to Friday, to noon Saturday
Restaurants Noon–11pm, many close 4pm–7pm
Shops 10am–8pm, some close 1pm–3pm
Arriving in Chile
Aeropuerto Internacional Arturo Merino Benítez (Santiago) There are frequent shuttle connections to downtown Santiago hotels (40 minutes, CH$7000). You can also catch a local bus (one hour to downtown, then transfer to the metro or Transantiago bus; CH$1700) or taxi (CH$18,000).
Getting Around
Traveling Chile from head to tail is easy, with a constant procession of flights and buses connecting cities up and down the country. What is less convenient is the service east to west, and south of Puerto Montt, where the country turns into a labyrinth of fjords, glaciers and mountains. However, routes are improving. Drivers are generally courteous and orderly. Toll highways are common.
Air A worthwhile time saver for long distances, with economical regional deals sold in-country.
Bus The best way to get around Chile: frequent, comfortable and reasonably priced, with service to towns throughout the country. Less useful for parks access.
Car Renting your own wheels can help to better explore remote regions like Patagonia.
Train Limited. A few lines can be useful for travelers in Central Chile.
For much more on getting around, see Transportation