Tourist Information Chile - G |
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Getting There
By Air
About a dozen European and North American airlines serve Santiago, some even daily. For flights from Europe the lower limit is around USD 600 and USD 900 roundtrip, depending on the season; direct flights from New York, Miami or Los Angeles start at USD 500 to USD 600. The Airpass from Lan Chile for in-country flights can only be booked through an agency abroad (see In-country flights).
By Land
For travel from Peru, Bolivia or Argentina, you can choose any of the border crossings. From May through September, inquire ahead of time about the road conditions for the Andean passes in Central and Southern Chile. Especially between Mendoza (Argentina) and Los Andes (Chile), you have to be prepared for snow drifts.
Tourist Card
Citizens of Australia, New Zealand, Great Britain, Canada, the USA, South Africa, as well as most EU countries do not need a visa, just their passport. Upon entry, they will receive a "Tarjeta de Turismo" (Tourist Card) which is valid for 90 days and has to be presented when leaving the country. Find a safe place for this inconspicuous piece of paper! If you loose it, get a replacement in plenty of time before your departure (Policía Internacional in Santiago, General Borgoño 1052, or at a police station in other regions). Those trying to leave without the card will most likely miss their flight or be kept waiting at the border for a long time.
Citizens of most African, Asian and formerly Soviet States will need a tourist visa that can be applied for at any Chilean Consulate.
Fees
Citizens of the USA, Canada, Australia and Mexico have to pay an entry fee when travelling through Santiago airport (not at any other point) that corresponds to the amount Chileans are charged when travelling to the respective country: US citizens USD 61.00, Canadians USD 55.00, Australians USD 30.00, Mexicans USD 17.00.
Extension
The Tourist Card is easiest extended by leaving and re-entering the country (can be done on the same day). Many foreigners use this loophole to extend their stay in Chile with this totally legal procedure that can theoretically be repeated virtually forever. However, there have been cases in which the border officials became suspicious the third or forth time, started asking uncomfortable questions, and renewed the Tourist Card only for 30 days.
An official extension through a police station (without leaving the country) is only meant to be done once for another 90 days, and it has to be applied for one month before the card expires from the Extranjería in Santiago or any regional capital. The price is USD 100.00; Santiago address: Teatinos 950, back of the building, close to Cal y Canto Metro station.
Luggage
Most airlines will now let you check two pieces of luggage at 32 kg each in addition to one piece of carry-on luggage - but do inquire beforehand to make sure! This means that you might be able to check a surfboard or a bike as your second piece. Taking them as additional luggage will cost you USD 70.00 to USD 90.00. Make sure to find out from your airline in plenty of time what requirements they might have for such items; i.e. bikes will generally need to be boxed, and you need to prepare for the required disassembly and assembly.
Customs Regulations
You can bring the following items into the country duty-free: unlimited amounts of cash, 400 cigarettes, 2 ½ liters of spirits, as well as all personal use items. Illegal are fresh food such as fruit, vegetables and milk products, as well as illegal drugs, and pornography. Plants and animals require a special permit from the health authorities, which has to be applied for in advance from any Chilean Consulate.
Guidebooks
From the travel books about Chile we recommend the Chile Handbook from Footprint Press which is updated every other year, or their South American Handbook published new every year. The Australian publisher Lonely Planet has also published several good guide books on Chile; most recently, the handy Santiago Guide. The Chilean travel guide Turistel which is updated annually has lots of detailed information (in Spanish) and good maps. It comes in three volumes plus road and camping maps, and can be bought from bookstores and kiosks.
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