Chile
Chile stretches some 4,300 km from the Atacama, the driest non-polar desert on Earth, to the granite towers and glaciers of Patagonia. Between them lie Santiago's mountain backdrop, the wine valleys, Valparaíso's painted hills, volcano-ringed lakes and the misty island of Chiloé, with Easter Island a five-hour flight offshore. Pack for several climates in a single trip.
Overview
Chile is a ribbon of land squeezed between the Andes and the Pacific, averaging less than 180 km wide, and a trip here is shaped by distance. The north is the Atacama, with salt flats, geysers and altiplano lagoons around San Pedro de Atacama; the centre holds Santiago, the Casablanca and Colchagua wine valleys and the port of Valparaíso; further south come the Lakes District, Chiloé and the Carretera Austral; and at the bottom lies Patagonia, home to Torres del Paine. Most first trips combine Santiago with one end of the country, or use domestic flights to reach both.
Chile is one of South America's more expensive countries — accommodation and Patagonian tours cost roughly what they would in southern Europe — but infrastructure is reliable, buses are comfortable and the wine is excellent value. January and February are the Chilean summer holidays, when Torres del Paine's refugios and campsites book out and Easter Island prices peak; November, December and March are calmer. Expect fierce Patagonian wind, cold desert nights at altitude and fast, slang-heavy Spanish ('¿cachai?'). It suits hikers, stargazers, wine lovers and road-trippers prepared to cover big distances.
Map of Chile
Top 5 highlights
- 1Nature
Torres del Paine National Park
Granite spires, turquoise lakes and the Grey Glacier make this Chile's most famous park. Hike the four- to five-day W Trek or the longer O Circuit, booking refugios or campsites well ahead; day tours run from Puerto Natales.
- 2Nature
Atacama Desert and San Pedro de Atacama
This adobe oasis town is the base for the Atacama's salt flats, flamingo lagoons, Valle de la Luna and the El Tatio geysers at dawn. Altitude and clear skies also make it one of the world's great stargazing spots.
- 3History
Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
Around 900 moai dot this remote Polynesian island. Watch sunrise behind the fifteen figures of Ahu Tongariki, visit Rano Raraku, the quarry where they were carved, and allow at least three full days.
- 4Nature
Volcán Osorno and Lago Llanquihue
The near-perfect cone of Osorno rises above Lago Llanquihue, whose lakeshore towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar show off the region's German settler heritage. Hike, kayak or raft near the Petrohué falls in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park.
- 5Architecture
Chiloé's wooden churches
Sixteen of the island's shingled wooden churches, built by local carpenters following Jesuit missions, are UNESCO-listed. Combine them with Castro's palafitos — stilt houses over the water — curanto feasts and the penguin colonies at Puñihuil.
Biggest cities
Santiago
Snow-capped Andes on clear days, hilltop views from Cerro San Cristóbal and Cerro Santa Lucía, and the Barrio Lastarria and Bellavista food scene make Santiago worth two or three nights.
Concepción
A university and industrial city on the Biobío River, more practical than picturesque; most visitors pass through en route south, though its university murals and the coal-mining heritage of nearby Lota reward a day.
Valparaíso
Chile's historic port climbs steep hills by funicular, its alleys covered in street art; the UNESCO-listed old quarter and Pablo Neruda's house, La Sebastiana, make it a classic overnight from Santiago.
Greater Concepción and Greater Valparaíso (which includes Viña del Mar) are close in size, and their order depends on how each metro area is defined; figures are rounded 2017 census totals.
When to go to Chile
Best time: Nov–Dec, Mar.
Average climate in Santiago
Festivals & events
- FebTapati Rapa Nui
Easter Island's two-week cultural festival in early February features canoe races, body painting, traditional song and the haka pei, in which young men slide down a hillside on banana-trunk sleds.
- JulFiesta de La Tirana
Around 16 July, the desert village of La Tirana, east of Iquique, fills with tens of thousands of pilgrims and masked dance troupes honouring the Virgen del Carmen to the sound of brass bands.
- SepFiestas Patrias
Independence celebrations around 18–19 September: fondas, or party tents, serve empanadas and chicha, couples dance the cueca and much of the country takes a long weekend.
How much does Chile cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Pastel de choclo
A summer favourite baked in a clay dish: minced beef, onion, olives, chicken and hard-boiled egg under a sweet, basil-scented corn crust.
Empanada de pino
Baked pastry stuffed with beef, onion, raisins, a black olive and egg; the essential snack, especially during September's Fiestas Patrias.
Curanto
Chiloé's feast of shellfish, meat, sausage and potato breads (milcao), steamed in a pit over hot stones under nalca leaves.
Getting around
Long-distance buses run by firms such as Tur-Bus and Pullman are comfortable and frequent, with semi-cama and cama reclining seats for overnight runs. Distances push most visitors onto domestic flights — LATAM, Sky and JetSMART link Santiago with Calama, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas, and LATAM flies to Easter Island. Hire a car for the Lakes District or Carretera Austral; in Santiago use the Metro, Uber, Cabify or DiDi.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CL220V — bring a UK-to-C/L adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +56
- Time zones
- UTC-4, UTC-3, UTC-6 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Generally safe to drink
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Bills show a suggested 10% propina and staff will ask whether to include it; say yes unless service was poor. Tip trekking guides and hotel porters too.
- Etiquette
- Greet with a single cheek kiss (or a handshake between men) and say 'buenas' on entering shops. Dinner runs late, often after 9pm, and the early-evening 'once' — tea, bread and cheese — is a cherished ritual.
- Main airports
- Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), Santiago
Visas & entry for Chile
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Chile for up to 90 days without a visa.
The Chilean immigration authorities will give you a tourist card (‘tarjeta de turismo’), an A5-sized white form. Keep it safe and give it to immigration when you leave the country. If you lose it, Chilean police investigations (PDI) allows you to request a copy online (choose ‘Duplicado de tarjeta de turismo’). You can also go to the nearest PDI office.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Tetanus
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- RabiesTyphoid
- Yellow fever certificate
- No yellow fever certificate is required to enter.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Chile
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sat 31 Oct 2026 | Reformation Day |
| Sun 1 Nov 2026 | All Saints' Day |
| Tue 8 Dec 2026 | Immaculate Conception |
| Fri 25 Dec 2026 | Christmas Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Fri 26 Mar 2027 | Good Friday |
| Sat 27 Mar 2027 | Holy Saturday |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Fri 21 May 2027 | Navy Day |
| Mon 21 Jun 2027 | National Indigenous Peoples Day |
| Mon 28 Jun 2027 | Saint Peter and Saint Paul's Day |
| Fri 16 Jul 2027 | Our Lady of Mount Carmel |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Assumption Day |
| Fri 17 Sep 2027 | National Holiday |
| Sat 18 Sep 2027 | Independence Day |
| Sun 19 Sep 2027 | Army Day |
| Mon 11 Oct 2027 | Meeting of Two Worlds' Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Spanish
| English | Spanish | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | Hola | OH-lah |
| Thank you | Gracias | GRAH-see-ahs |
| Please | Por favor | por fah-VOR |
| Excuse me | Disculpe | dees-KOOL-peh |
| How much is this? | ¿Cuánto cuesta? | KWAN-toh KWES-tah |
Know before you go
- Foreign tourists paying in US dollars are usually exempt from the 19% VAT (IVA) on hotel rooms; ask at check-in, show your passport and compare dollar and peso prices.
- Chile's agricultural inspectors (SAG) X-ray luggage on arrival and at land borders; declare all fruit, meat, honey and seeds or risk a hefty fine.
- Book Torres del Paine refugios and campsites months ahead for December to March, and pack layers everywhere: Patagonian wind, Atacama nights and Andean passes can all be bitterly cold.
Chile travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Chile?
The best time to visit Chile is generally Nov–Dec, Mar. Peak months are March, November and December. Average highs in Santiago range from 15°C to 31°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Chile cost per day?
Roughly £45 a day on a tight budget, £105 mid-range and £230+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Chile?
Chilean peso (CLP).
What plug type does Chile use?
Type C and L sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Chile?
Traffic drives on the right in Chile, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Chile?
Generally safe to drink.
Do I need a visa for Chile?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Chile for up to 90 days without a visa. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Chile before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/chile/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Chile?
TravelHealthPro recommends Tetanus for most travellers, with Rabies and Typhoid sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
