Introduction
Play hard in the scorching sun or Andean snow in this land of extremes. From salty desert top to glacier-crowded bottom, Chile is a gobsmacking reminder of nature's beauty and power. This narrow trickle of a country is jammed with enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes to keep adventure nuts slavering for a lifetime.
Destination Facts
Capital: Santiago
President: Michelle Bachelet
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT -4
Area: 757000
Population: 16284741
Languages: Latin American Spanish
Roman Catholic (89%), Protestant (10%), Jewish (1%)
Currency: Chilean Peso (Ch$)
Country Dialing Code: 56
Getting There
Chile always has a region or two ripe for exploration whatever the season. But if your heart is set on one part of the country, pick your trip dates carefully. Santiago and Middle Chile are best in the verdant spring (September through November) or during the fall harvest (late February into April), while Chile's southern charms, Parque Nacional del Paine in Magallanes and the lakes region are best in summer (December through March). The parched Atacama Desert can be explored year-round, although summer days sizzle and nights are bitterly cold at higher altitudes throughout the year. In the northern altiplano, summer is the rainy season, though this usually means only a brief afternoon downpour. Chile in the winter can be a wonderland for skiers; the country's resorts attract hordes from July through September. Easter Island is cooler, slightly cheaper and much less crowded outside the summer months. The same is true of the Juan Fern á ndez archipelago, which can be inaccessible if winter rains erode the dirt airstrip; March is an ideal time for a visit. Summer is high season. Many of the country's best festivals, including Semana Musical, Fiesta de Candelario and Carnaval, are held in February, so consider this a good time to come if you want to hang out with the locals.
Getting there and away
Chile is linked by air to North America, Europe and Australasia with most international flights arriving in Santiago. Chilean departure tax for international flights is about 20.00. Chile's border-crossing points with Peru and Bolivia are few and far between. The crossing between Arica in Chile and Tacna in Peru provides the only land access to Peru; road and rail connections link Chile with Bolivia, passing through Arica, Visviri, Tambo Quemado or Calama. Except in Patagonia, every crossing into Argentina involves crossing the Andes. Routes include Calama-Salta, Copiap ó -Tucum á n via Catamarca; La Serena-San Juan; and Santiago-Mendoza. More interesting are the many Lakes District and southern Patagonian routes, with buses and ferries servicing the crossing points between Chile and Argentina.
Getting around
Travel within Chile is easy. Fast, punctual and comfortable buses travel the main highways, and flights are frequent; the long-neglected railways have improved in recent years. Competition has lowered expensive domestic air fares somewhat, and regional airlines and air taxis traverse the country's long extent.Cycling can be a great way to see Chile; Chilean drivers are usually courteous; ferries and buses, as well as some airlines, can accommodate bikes if you're bringing your own.With all that coastline you'd think there'd be boats galore, but sea travel opportunities for travelers exist mainly in the south. Traveling by boat around the many islands, coves and bays is almost a necessity for making the most of a visit to Chile.
Visa:
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Western European countries do not require a visa, although US citizens do pay a fairly hefty, cash-only 'reciprocity fee' (around 100.00). Canadians pay around 135.00 and Australians about 60.00, while there is no fee for EU or New Zealand residents. This fee is good for the life of the holder's passport. A 90-day entry permit, renewable for another 90 days, is received on entering the country and must be presented to officials on leaving.
Weather
Chile's mountainous geography spanning over 30° of latitude makes for some strange climatic variation. Summer and winter in Chile's north are quite restrained with temperatures in the 15-25° C (63-77° F) range throughout the year with only slight seasonal change. Rain is of no concern as this coast-to-desert landscape is one of the driest in the world, despite heavy cloud cover from April to December. Central Chile has far more pronounced seasonal change with average daily highs of 29° C (85° F) from December to February and dropping to around 14° C (58° F) in June. Rainfall is heaviest in the winter months but still only moderate and falling on a few days at this time. Down south rainfall increases dramatically, peaking in June with most days succumbing to the wet. Temperatures in this region are slightly cooler with low 20° C (around 70° F) summer highs and plunging into the single digits (around 42° F) in the middle of the year.
Warning
On 14 November, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the north of Chile, causing damage to roads, buildings and power supplies, as well as considerable injuries. While recovery efforts are ongoing, travelers may encounter disruptions to transport and services.
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Play hard in the scorching sun or Andean snow in this land of extremes. From salty desert top to glacier-crowded bottom, Chile is a gobsmacking reminder of nature's beauty and power. This narrow trickle of a country is jammed with enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes to keep adventure nuts slavering for a lifetime.
Destination Facts
Capital: Santiago
President: Michelle Bachelet
Government: republic
Time zone: GMT -4
Area: 757000
Population: 16284741
Languages: Latin American Spanish
Roman Catholic (89%), Protestant (10%), Jewish (1%)
Currency: Chilean Peso (Ch$)
Country Dialing Code: 56
Getting There
Chile always has a region or two ripe for exploration whatever the season. But if your heart is set on one part of the country, pick your trip dates carefully. Santiago and Middle Chile are best in the verdant spring (September through November) or during the fall harvest (late February into April), while Chile's southern charms, Parque Nacional del Paine in Magallanes and the lakes region are best in summer (December through March). The parched Atacama Desert can be explored year-round, although summer days sizzle and nights are bitterly cold at higher altitudes throughout the year. In the northern altiplano, summer is the rainy season, though this usually means only a brief afternoon downpour. Chile in the winter can be a wonderland for skiers; the country's resorts attract hordes from July through September. Easter Island is cooler, slightly cheaper and much less crowded outside the summer months. The same is true of the Juan Fern á ndez archipelago, which can be inaccessible if winter rains erode the dirt airstrip; March is an ideal time for a visit. Summer is high season. Many of the country's best festivals, including Semana Musical, Fiesta de Candelario and Carnaval, are held in February, so consider this a good time to come if you want to hang out with the locals.
Getting there and away
Chile is linked by air to North America, Europe and Australasia with most international flights arriving in Santiago. Chilean departure tax for international flights is about 20.00. Chile's border-crossing points with Peru and Bolivia are few and far between. The crossing between Arica in Chile and Tacna in Peru provides the only land access to Peru; road and rail connections link Chile with Bolivia, passing through Arica, Visviri, Tambo Quemado or Calama. Except in Patagonia, every crossing into Argentina involves crossing the Andes. Routes include Calama-Salta, Copiap ó -Tucum á n via Catamarca; La Serena-San Juan; and Santiago-Mendoza. More interesting are the many Lakes District and southern Patagonian routes, with buses and ferries servicing the crossing points between Chile and Argentina.
Getting around
Travel within Chile is easy. Fast, punctual and comfortable buses travel the main highways, and flights are frequent; the long-neglected railways have improved in recent years. Competition has lowered expensive domestic air fares somewhat, and regional airlines and air taxis traverse the country's long extent.Cycling can be a great way to see Chile; Chilean drivers are usually courteous; ferries and buses, as well as some airlines, can accommodate bikes if you're bringing your own.With all that coastline you'd think there'd be boats galore, but sea travel opportunities for travelers exist mainly in the south. Traveling by boat around the many islands, coves and bays is almost a necessity for making the most of a visit to Chile.
Visa:
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and most Western European countries do not require a visa, although US citizens do pay a fairly hefty, cash-only 'reciprocity fee' (around 100.00). Canadians pay around 135.00 and Australians about 60.00, while there is no fee for EU or New Zealand residents. This fee is good for the life of the holder's passport. A 90-day entry permit, renewable for another 90 days, is received on entering the country and must be presented to officials on leaving.
Weather
Chile's mountainous geography spanning over 30° of latitude makes for some strange climatic variation. Summer and winter in Chile's north are quite restrained with temperatures in the 15-25° C (63-77° F) range throughout the year with only slight seasonal change. Rain is of no concern as this coast-to-desert landscape is one of the driest in the world, despite heavy cloud cover from April to December. Central Chile has far more pronounced seasonal change with average daily highs of 29° C (85° F) from December to February and dropping to around 14° C (58° F) in June. Rainfall is heaviest in the winter months but still only moderate and falling on a few days at this time. Down south rainfall increases dramatically, peaking in June with most days succumbing to the wet. Temperatures in this region are slightly cooler with low 20° C (around 70° F) summer highs and plunging into the single digits (around 42° F) in the middle of the year.
Warning
On 14 November, a 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck the north of Chile, causing damage to roads, buildings and power supplies, as well as considerable injuries. While recovery efforts are ongoing, travelers may encounter disruptions to transport and services.
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