Arriving
in Santiago
Getting
through customs is usually a very fast experience and you will
have no problem bringing all the personal items you need.
There
is a $131 charge to US citizens for a 90-day tourist visa. This
needs to be paid in cash in US dollars before you pass through
Immigration so be sure to have this with you.
If
you have not arranged your airport
transfer with Santiago Adventures, Tur Transfer is a good
transport service from the airport to your hotel. They offer shared
transport to passengers going to the same general location in
the city or a private van can also be arranged. Private taxis
are not recommended as they unfortunately take advantage of foreigners
not familiar with pricing. You can pay for your transport in US
dollars so there is no need to change your money at the airport
as the rates are better in the city.
Money
ATMs,
which are all over Santiago, operate in English. The exchange
rate varies from day to day but a good rule of thumb is 660 Chilean
pesos to the dollar. Daily rates from the Central Bank of Chile
are available here.
Food
and Water
No
worries about eating the fruits and vegetables in Chile. The food
you will be served on our trips is absolutely delicious and safe.
The water in Chile is also clean and safe to drink. In Santiago,
you will have to adjust to the stronger chlorine taste. For your
convenience, we provide bottled water on our trips.
In Santiago
The
most modern hotels, shops and restaurants are in Providencia and
Las Condes where we recommend you to stay. We can make your reservation
in recommended Santiago
hotels at very competitive rates.
Getting
around Santiago is safe and easy on the Metro. You can safely
visit and walk around downtown (El Centro), Bellavista, Providencia
and Las Condes during the day without worries. As always, keep
valuables in your hotel and do not let your handbag/backpack out
of your site.
Taxis
are also convenient and inexpensive. The vast majority of drivers
are honest, bringing you directly to your destination. Hail the
cabs that look newer and you should not have problems. Most hotels
also offer car service.
Outdoor
Activities
Excursions
into the mountains should be undertaken with serious consideration
of extreme weather conditions. For all of our trekking and horseback
riding excursions, we recommend that our clients be prepared for
extreme weather conditions with a Gore-Tex shell, fleece, hat
and gloves. Also, efforts to minimize sun exposure are important
as the ultraviolet rays in the southern hemisphere are much stronger
than those in the northern. Always use SPF-30 or higher in Chile.
In Patagonia, things are more extreme and throughout the year
it is possible to experience all four seasons within a few hours!
You should bring: Rain Jacket, Rain Pants, stout waterproof hiking
boots, hat, polypro underwear, gloves, warm jacket such as polar
fleece, several spare pairs of socks, and sunglasses.
Time
Zone
GMT-4 (1st Sunday after March 9)
GMT-3 (1st Sunday after October 9)
Electricity
220V 50Hz You will require an adapter for the round pin plug
Languages
Spanish; Rapa Nui and Spanish on Easter Island; English
in tourist areas
Banking
Hours
Mon-Fri, 9am to 2pm
Money
Exchange
Mon-Fri 9am to 6pm, Sat. 9am to 2pm. ATMs in Chile are
called “Redbanc”.
Important
Numbers:
US Embassy: Av. Andrés Bello 2800, Las Condes, Santiago;
Tel: 232-2600
LAN Airlines (in Chile): 600/526-2000
Chile
Links - Sites with information on Chile
Chile-wine.com
- Information on wines from Chile
Chile
on the Fly - Unique and spectacular fly-fishing adventures
in the heart of Patagonia Chile.
ContactChile
- This
Santiago based agency offers a "Chilean ABC's" and arranges
internships, Spanish courses, long-term housing, and car rental;
in English.
 Learn
Spanish
-- Free Interactive, On-Line, Spanish Language Lessons
Newen
- Spanish school in Santiago.
Refugio
Lo Valdes - in its own private woods only 77kms from the Capital
Santiago de Chile. The Refugio offers the perfect environment
with stunning views of snow-capped peaks and great access to climbing,
mountaineering, backcountry skiing and trekking. Throughout the
year, bird watching, fossil hunting or just relaxing. Pato is
a great chef too!
Salvaje
Corazon - Unique
customized trips in central Patagonia - photo safaris, southern
icefields, mountains, lakes and rivers.
Ski
Arpa - Backcountry Snowcat Skiing in Chile
Trekking
Chile - Comprehensive trekking information for Chile.
Woodward
Institute - Spanish classes and a website with lots of info
about Chile.
Other
Sites - Travel
directories and sites we have links with:
About.com
- South America for Visitors site hosted by guide Bonnie Hamre.
An
on-line map source at InfoHub.com
- Maps of worldwide destinations.
eRobertParker.com:
The Independent Consumer's Guide to Fine Wine
LocalWineEvents.com
- Wine and Food events by city, worldwide. Spirits and Beer events
as well. Post your own event or sign up to be notified when new
events are posted to your area.
Nat
Decants FREE Newsletter: Wine picks, articles and humor from
Natalie MacLean,
recently named the World's Best Drink Writer at the World Food
Media Awards in Australia. There are no ads and all e-mail addresses
are kept confidential. To sign up, visit www.nataliemaclean.com.
www.travel-quest.co.uk:
the travel-quest
specialist travel directory lists activity, special interest
and adventure holidays and vacations worldwide.
Travel
Guide - A comprehensive travel resource. Find a travel site
and service locally.
Travel
Masters - Directory of discount travel for airfare, car rentals,
vacation packages, hotels, cruises and more.
iTravelnet
Travel Directory - Directory for travel related web sites.
Destination guides, travel news and travelogues. Book cheap airfares,
discount hotels and car hire.
Travel
Notes - Travel directory providing country/state information,
reviewed web sites, regular travel articles, and online ticketing
for car hire, hotel reservations and discounted flights.
Listed
@ Travel Notes
The Online Guide to Travel
Ultimate
Ski - The ultimate guide to the best skiing and snowboarding
destinations.
A WildThings.com
Destination
The
Wine Doctor:
regularly updated wine writing by Chris Kissack
Wine-Online-Review.com
- Provides information about travels and tours in Patagonia.
Discover Glaciers in the End of the World and enjoy Big Circuit
Trekking in
Torres del Paine.
World
Travel Travel & Tourism Guide
- Provides info on travel, vacations, tourism and tours around
the world. |