Capital: Santiago
Time zone: GMT – 4 (GMT – 3 from second Sunday in October to second Sunday in March).
Easter Island: GMT – 6 (GMT – 5 from second Sunday in Oct to second Saturday in March)
Telephone services: Country Code: 56
Outgoing Code: 00
Emergency telephone numbers: Police – 133, Fire – 132.
Tourist information: Servicio Nacionale de Turismo (SERNATUR), Casilla 14082, Avenida Providencia 1550, Santiago, Chile Tel: (2) 236 1416 or 236 1420. Fax: (2) 236 1417 or 251 8469.
Passport information: Required by all except nationals of:- Argentina, Brazil, Columbia, Paraguay and Uruguay who can enter with a special identity card for short term visits, and nationals of Taiwan, Mexico, and Peru who have an official travel document issued by the organisation of American States. Passports have to remain valid for 6 months after departure. NOTE: Passports of children must contain a photo and state the nationality. Return Ticket Required. Requirements may change at short notice. Contact the embassy before departure.
Visa information: As the regulations are always subject to change at short notice it is advisable to check with the Chilean Consulate for the latest information.
Health information: Polio, Typhoid: Vaccination recommended.
Food & drink: Water is untreated and not safe to drink. Avoid dairy products as they are not pasteurised. Fruit and vegetables should be peeled before consumption.
Currency: Peso (Ch$) = 100 centavos.
Exchange: Many outlets will exchange currency. NOTE: Visitors should avoid black market exchange rates.
All major credit cards are accepted. Travellers cheques in US dollars are preferred, but they must be exchanged before midday.
ATM availability: Over 1 000 locations.
Cost of living: Chile is no longer a bargain. Modest lodgings, food and transport however are still cheaper than Europe, North America or Argentina.
Languages: Spanish. English is also widely spoken.
Weather: No information at present
Electricity: 220 Volts AC 50 Hz. 3 pin plugs and screw type bulbs are used.
Post: Daily airmail services to Europe take approximately 3 – 4 days.
Transport: FLIGHTS: There are frequent services to main towns. The southern part of the city relies heavily on air links. Reservations are essential. ROADS: Generally in good condition . It is advisable in remoter areas to carry spare parts, and petrol. Tyres must be hard wearing in the remoter areas. DOCUMENTATION: IDP is required. BUSES: Inter-city buses are cheap and reliable. TAXI: Agree the fare in advance.
Special information: Violent crimes are rare but purse snatching in Santiago is not unusual. British Nationals should be cautious due to the arrest of the former dictator General Pinochet in Britain which has caused great animosity and occasionally street violence. Crime is common in the beach resorts during the summer. Always carry your identification and contact your embassy for advice. PHOTOGRAPHY: Avoid taking photographs of anything connected to the military.