Chile

The unit of currency in Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP).

Please check websites such as www.oanda.com or www.xe.com for up to date exchange rates prior to your departure.

Although no specific vaccinations are required for Chile travel and no proof of any vaccination is required to enter the country, we recommend that you visit your doctor or a traveller’s medical centre for current information specific to those places that you will be travelling through.

A yellow fever vaccination certificate is not required for mainland Chile but it is required if you are travelling to Easter Island from yellow fever infected areas in Africa or the Americas. Measles occurs worldwide and is common in developing countries. As a general guide we recommend the following:

• Yellow Fever - if travelling to Easter Island from an infected area
• Measles, mumps, rubella (MMR)
• Hepatitis - Both A and B (twinrix)
• Typhoid
• Diphtheria
• Cholera
• Rabies
• Tetanus

Spanish is the official language of Chile with over 85% of the population speaking Spanish as their first language. The Spanish spoken in Chile differs from that in neighbouring countries due to it being distinctively accented with the use of local slang. Several indigenous languages are spoken in Chile including Mapudungun, Quechua, Aymara, Huilliche and Rapa Nui.

In Chile the standard voltage is 220V and standard frequency is 50Hz. Power sockets are of types C and L.

Please visit the below link for more information: http://electricaloutlet.org/

The official religion of Chile is Roman Catholicism, and the majority of Chileans are Catholic, with an estimated 55-60% of Chileans belonging to the Catholic Church. There are also Protestants in Chile, and some Mapuche Indians who still practice their traditional religion.

What you need to pack will depend on when and where you plan on travelling and on the activities that you plan to include whilst on your Chile tour.

The following should act as a useful checklist of essential items:

• Passport, photocopy of passport & spare passport photos
• Travel Insurance documents  
• Air tickets and itinerary
• Foreign Currency (US$) and/or debit/credit cards, traveller’s cheques
• Money belt 
• Small daypack
• Basic first aid kit 
• High UVA sun block 
• Sunglasses & sunhat
• Mosquito spray & insect repellent
• Comfortable walking shoes/boots
• Sandals 
• Long sleeve tops and trousers 
• Light-weight clothing
• Warm clothing (depending on itinerary and time of year)
• Camera with spare battery and memory cards
• Security code padlock
• Adaptor 
• Small torch

The level of fitness needed will depend on the Chile tour that you choose to take in terms of places to be visited and the types of activities to be included on your itinerary. Chile offers great opportunities for outdoor activities set against spectacular backdrops. They range from hiking ad trekking to climbing, skiing, white-water rafting, kayaking and fishing. Many of the best treks are to be found in the Lake District and National Parks such as the spectacular Torres del Paine National Park where the trails range from easy to difficult, with treks ranging from a few hours to many days.

Most South American countries have now recognized that tourism plays an important part in their economies and governments have taken great steps to change South America’s poor security image. Violent crime is rare in Chile but there are the usual risks of pickpocketing in crowded areas and bag theft. 

To minimise security risks we recommend the following: 

• do not show any outward signs of wealth or wear expensive jewellery
• keep your valuables in your hotel in safety deposit boxes
• keep any valuables that you must carry with you hidden, as pickpockets can be present in crowded areas and around tourist areas
• use only registered taxis with official identification
• avoid going on your own to remote areas or where tourists would not be expected to go
• always keep your day pack and camera close to you and never leave them unattended

Due to rules and regulations constantly changing we recommend you visit the relevant country government websites for up to date information on visa and entry requirements. We are constantly updating our Travellers Guides with information, but it is still recommended to double check current advice.

You could spend anything from a few days to a few weeks on your Chile travels, depending on whether you plan to explore the entire country or just focus on one experience such as Torres del Paine National Park, the Lake District or a wine tour. Chimu Adventures offers itineraries to suit every time frame.

Our Chile tours include breakfast daily and many other meals may also be included in your itinerary. As a rough guide for additional spending money based on having moderately-priced lunches and dinners and buying a few souvenirs at local markets, we suggest a budget of 30-40 USD per day per person.