Chile

Unfathomably long and topographically irrational, home to both the highest, driest desert on Earth and the ice fields of Tierra del Fuego, Chile is a bewitching place of extremes. Collectively, our specialists have explored it head to toe. They’re brimming with ideas for your Chile tour and how you can best get to know this safe country — whether you’re intent on stargazing in the Elqui Valley, trekking in Torres del Paine, or viewing Polynesian-esque Easter Island’s moai.

For a total change of pace, we can suggest the most relaxing vineyard properties in Chile’s central wine regions, where you can while away a few days debating the merits of local cabernet sauvignons over carmeneres. Flying is compulsory if you wish to explore several regions during a holiday to Chile. Yet certain areas, such as the northern Lake District, lend themselves to self-driving, which our specialists can help you arrange.

BEST TIME TO VISIT

For visitors heading to Patagonia in the south of Chile, October to March are the warmest and most accessible months. Santiago, the Central Valleys and the Atacama Desert are truly year-round destinations. June to August are popular for skiers in the mountains around Santiago, whilst April’s displays of autumnal leaves in Chile’s winelands make this month an appealing time for a visit.

What to Pack

Things to do and see

Food and drink

Understandably, considering the length of Chile’s coastline, there is much fine seafood. The delicious congrio fish is a national dish, and caldillo de congrio (a soup served with a massive piece of congrio, onion and potato balls) is very tasty. Another typical Chilean dish is cazuela de ave, a nutritious stew containing large pieces of chicken, potatoes, rice and maybe onions and green peppers. Other traditional dishes are humitas – mashed corn, wrapped in corn leaves and steamed – and pastel de choclo, a pie made of chicken topped by sweetcorn and sugar and baked in the oven.

 

How to Get Around

Due to the length of their shared border, Chile lends itself perfectly to being combined with Argentina, and we can tell you about the many options for crossing from one to the other from the desert in the north, Santiago, the Lake District, or Patagonia, dependent upon your preferences and plans.

VISA

UK passport holders require a Cuban Tourist card to visit Cuba: we can arrange this on your behalf. As well as being a fantastic country to visit in its own right Cuba can very easily be combined with Costa Rica or Mexico.

Language

The official language is Spanish. English is widely understood and spoken by many in the tourist industry.

money and expense

The currency is the peso. There is a shortage of change so keep a supply of small denomination coins. If you want to obtain currency before you travel, we would recommend taking US dollars to change into pesos once in Chile; the smaller the denomination the better. The easiest way to obtain cash is by using ATMs (in major cities) which operate under the sign Redbanc, they take Cirrus, Visa and Mastercard. Regarding credit cards Diner’s Club, Visa and Mastercard are commonly accepted. American Express is less recognised.

Tipping

Tipping for good service is an accepted fact. Amounts are obviously discretionary. It is common to be expected to tip the service you receive whilst eating in a restaurant. A tip of around 10% is acceptable for good service.

Social etiquette

Please ask permission before taking photographs.

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