A Traveller's Guide to Chile

Everything you need to know about travelling to Chile

Essential Facts

Currency

The Chilean peso is the main form of currency in Chile. US dollars are also accepted in most places throughout the country. Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in major cities and tourist areas, but cash is still preferred and recommended for local markets. ATMs are easily found in most parts of the country, as are official currency exchange centres.

Language

The official language of Chile is Chilean Spanish. English is spoken by some locals in tourist areas. However, do not assume every individual you meet will be able to converse in English. If you plan on travelling to more remote areas, learning a few basic words and phrases in Spanish will be helpful. Chilean Spanish is famous for its speed and idioms, so don't be shy or embarrassed to ask people to slow down or repeat themselves.

Best Time to Go

Chile is a year-round destination and the best time to travel depends largely on what you're hoping to do or see. Chile’s summer season (December to March) is the driest and warmest season in most regions, ideal for hiking and other adventures. For visiting the Atacama Desert, June and August are the best times. For wine lovers, September to November and March to May are harvest times, with celebrations popping up around Santiago and in the main wine regions like Colchagua. The peak season for Patagonia is November to April, with February being the month to find wildlife at its most active and foliage at its peak.

Climate

Chile has a variety of different climates and experiences all four seasons: spring (September to November), summer (December to February), fall (March to May) and winter (June to August). In the north, daytime summer temperatures average around 32°C/90°F, while winter is around 22°C/72°F, with an average of 15mm of rainfall per year. Some areas also receive fog known as camanchaca. Easter Island is windy year-round, with summer averages around 27°C/75°F and winter around 20°C/68°F, with most rainfall in April and May. The south is the coolest part of the country, with summer averages around 22°C/72°F and winter dropping to 0°C/32°F, with even cooler wind chills. Winds can reach up to 120km/hr (74mi/hr). There is heavy rainfall in April and May and snow from June through September. In Central Chile, summers are warm and sunny with average temperatures climbing up to 30°C/86°F and winters are mild and wet with temperatures dropping down to 13°C/55°F with July being the wettest month.

Ideal Traveller

Chile is especially attractive to travellers who enjoy being outdoors. Adventure and thrill seekers, nature and wildlife enthusiasts, and photographers will find Chile a dream destination, but it also has plenty to appeal to history buffs and foodies, particularly in Santiago and Valpariso.

Getting There From North America

Major airports 

The majority of international flights fly into Arturo Merino Benitez Airport (SCL) in Santiago and from there, connect to various other destinations throughout the country.

Major Air Routes from the United States

In the United States, many airlines have direct flights to Santiago from New York, Dallas, Los Angeles, Miami, Atlanta, and Houston.

Major Air Routes from Canada

In Canada, Air Canada is the only airline that has direct flights to Santiago from Toronto. Travellers coming from the rest of Canada will have to connect via the United States or Toronto.

Essential Sights in Chile

Easter Island/Rapa Nui

This Polynesian Island and special territory of Chile is home to the mysterious Moai, monolithic statues that dot the landscape. Rich with history, this beautiful island known as Easter Island was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of an artistic and architectural culture that emerged from a society that was completely isolated from outside influences.

Torres Del Paine National Park

Named after the three peaks (towers) of the mountain ranges that dominate the area, this wonderous Torres Del Paine National Park in Patagonia is one of Chile's largest and most important national parks, with the Cordillera del Paine at the centre, Bernardo O’Higgins National Park to the west, and Los Glaciares National Park to the north in Argentina. In 1978, UNESCO named this park a World Biosphere Reserve and it’s considered one of the most beautiful and biologically uncontaminated places in the world as it hosts mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers.

Atacama Desert

The driest and oldest nonpolar desert in the world, the Atacama Desert boasts an incredibly scenic and diverse landscape that includes salt flats, thermal pools, geysers, marshes, lagoons, and volcanoes. At night, visitors can stand in awe of the endless sky and abundance of stars. Travellers can also visit the town of San Pedro de Atacama in the heart of the desert or its surrounding villages.

Santiago and Surrounding Areas 

Santiago is a modern-day cultural powerhouse that hosts many universities, as well as a thriving art, culinary, and nightlife scene. While there is much to do within the city itself, its stunning setting among the Andes offers easy trekking, hiking, kayaking, and more just beyond the city limits. The city of Santiago is also surrounded by six wine-producing valleys, so day trips to various vineyards are fun and easy.

Other Highlights of Chile Off the Beaten Path

Valparaiso

Located just northwest of the capital, Valparaiso is one of the country’s most important sea ports as well as a hub of Chilean culture. Built upon steep hillsides that overlook the Pacific Ocean, the unique architecture found in the city has resulted in the nickname “The Jewel of the Pacific” and a UNESCO World Heritage listing in 2003. Former home of Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, this bohemian and colourful city has plenty for travellers to discover.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is the capital city of the country’s southernmost region, located on the north shore of the Strait of Magellan. Due to its location, this city’s port is often used for cruise ships and is a starting point for Antarctic expeditions, but it is also a good starting base for exploring Torres Del Paine National Park. Punta Arenas is relatively laid back during the day but offers an energetic nightlife. Two major penguin colonies are also accessible nearby. Seno Otway is home to around 3,000 penguins and Isla Magdalena, the larger of the two, has an estimated 100,000 penguins.

Puerto Varas

The tourist capital of Chile’s Lake region, Puerto Varas is located on the western shore of Llanquihue Lake in the Los Lagos region of Southern Chile. It’s a great place for outdoor adventure and sports enthusiasts. Kayaking, climbing, canyoning, hiking, and even skiing at the Osorno Volcano's ski resort are all popular activities in this region. With noted German influences, incredible cuisine and architecture are also hallmarks of this charming village. It's also a great starting point to see the best of the lakes region like Chiloe Island.

Top Activities and Experiences in Chile

Wine tasting

Chile, famous for its wines, has many wine-producing regions to explore. Many of the wine regions are easily accessible from Santiago, making a tasting expedition an easy day trip. Microclimates in the area create conditions amenable to a wide variety of wines, but Chile's Cabernet Sauvignon and Carménère are particularly well regarded

Stargazing in the Atacama Desert 

The Atacama Desert is the perfect place for stargazing due to its high altitude, lack of air and light pollution, and near complete absence of clouds. These are the ideal conditions to ogle at the stars that are rarely seen in other parts of the world.

Hiking in Patagonia

A hiker’s playground, Torres Del Paine is the perfect outdoor escape. With towering peaks, groaning glaciers, forested valleys, and crystal clear lakes, Patagonia has plenty of activities for travellers within its pristine landscape.

Essential Chilean Foods to Try

Cazuela

A traditional dish with both Spanish and Indigenous Mapuche origins, this tasty broth is made with large pieces of tender beef or chicken along with potatoes, pumpkin, corn noodles, and cilantro. It’s great for colder evenings or anytime you’re craving a bit of soul food.

Choripan

A Chilean barbecue staple that can be found at any local corner store, choripanes are grilled sausages wrapped with fresh bread and covered with a variety of topping like mayonnaise, mashed avocado, and pebre (a spicy Chilean condiment made with pureed peppers, chopped onions, garlic, olive oil, and cilantro).

Humitas

This is a native South American dish that can be found throughout South America that originated from pre-hispanic Andean cultures. Reminiscent of a Mexican tamale, this sweet steamed corn cake is made with corn flour, butter, onion, and basil wrapped in corn husks.

Mote con huesillos

A traditional Chilean summer drink made with mote, which is made with dried peaches cooked in sugar, water, and cinnamon that is cooled and mixed with huesillos (fresh cooked husked wheat).

Tips for Sustainable Travel

As you explore Chile's parks, know that your park fees all go back into conserving this unique environment. Respect that campfires are banned in many Chilean parks, especially in windier regions like Patagonia. In remote areas, waste disposal can be a big issue, so be mindful of your waste. Try using refillable water bottles, avoid plastic bags, and try to take rubbish with you when you can. A good mental note: if it came in your luggage, it can leave in your luggage. When in Chile, try to buy Chilean. Visit local communities and buy souvenirs where you know items are handcrafted by local artisans so that money goes back into the local communities. Also, make sure the company you are booking your tour or trek through treats their guides and porters fairly. Don't be afraid to ask questions about how they respect the cultures and environments their tours are based in. Book with tour operators who are dedicated to sustainable travel and are committed to responsible and ethical practices. Without spending a fortune, can also stay in eco-lodges and hotels when possible as these focus on minimizing tourism's potential negative impacts on the local environment and the locals living there.

Where to Go After Chile

Chile borders Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, all of which are outdoor playgrounds in their own right. it is easy for travellers to add stopover trips or another destination to their holiday itinerary. Travellers can choose from exciting destinations such as La Paz and the Uyuni salt flats in Bolivia, Machu Picchu and Lima in Peru, or Iguassu Falls and Buenos Aires in Argentina. Alternatively, take a trip of a lifetime and head to Punta Arenas to begin your journey to Antarctica and visit the South Pole.