Chile: practical information to prepare your trip

CHILE

Capital: Santiago
Language: Spanish
Currency: Chilean peso. Exchange rate: 1 CLP = ± 0.013 EUR
Tourist Office:chile.travel
Belgian Embassy in Chile: chile.diplomatie.belgium.be
Driving licence: Belgian tourists in Chile must have a valid Belgian or international driving licence to drive or rent a car.
Card Stop (lost or stolen credit cards): 0032 78 170 170
Doc Stop (Belgian ID card or passport lost or stolen): 00800 2123 2123 or + 32 2 488 2123
Emergency numbers:

• Police: 133
• Ambulance: 131
• Fire brigade: 132

Assistance: Redion (Belgium):

• Tel.: +32.(0)2/533.75.75 (general number)
• Website: http://www.redion.be
• For medical and technical assistance only: Email: help.be@redion.com

Basic expressions / common words:

• Hi: Hola
• Goodbye: Adiós
• Please: Por favor
• Thank you: Graciás
• Yes / no: Sí / No
• Do you speak English?: Habla Inglés?
• I don't understand you: (Yo) no entiendo
• How much does it cost?: Cuanto vale?

Did you know?

In Algarrobo, a few kilometres from Santiago, you'll find the largest swimming pool in the world. This gigantic pool measures 1,000 metres long and 115 metres deep. It holds at least 66 million litres of water, and you can even go sailing in it!

Are you travelling to Chile? Here are a few useful tips:

Travel documents and customs formalities

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after your arrival in Chile. A visa is not required for tourist stays of less than 90 days.

Anyone carrying more than 10,000 US dollars in cash must declare it. Travellers entering Chile must fill in a form declaring any import of animal or plant products. It's advisable to fill in these forms with great care, as checks are thorough and strict.

The healthcare system in Chile

The standard of healthcare is fairly good in Chile. Given the high cost of medical services, however, it's advisable to take out good insurance in advance to cover any medical expenses and repatriation to Belgium.

Safety in Chile

Although the country is considered relatively safe, there are cases of petty crime, particularly in the suburbs of major cities. On the border with Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, there are areas with minefields. Travelling there is strongly discouraged.

Chile has more than 3,000 volcanoes, around a hundred of which are active, making it a country with a high seismic risk. During the winter season (from June to September), air pollution (smog) in the capital, Santiago, is so high that it can pose a risk to the respiratory system.

Before you leave, be sure to check the latest travel advice for Chile on the website of the Belgian Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs.

It is recommended that you register your trip to Chile on Travellers Online. This allows the Federal Public Service for Foreign Affairs to contact you should an emergency arise.

Climate and religion in Chile

Seasons are reversed compared to Europe. Summer runs from December to February and autumn from March to May. Winter and spring therefore run from June to August and September to November, respectively. For a visit to the southern regions of Chile, the best months are December and January; for the central regions of Chile, the period between September and February. The north has no ideal visiting period, given the desert climate that characterises this part of the country.

Most of the Chilean population is Catholic. Protestantism is also widespread.

Chilean cuisine

Chile has one of the best cuisines in South America. Not only because of the variety of produce (meat, fish, vegetables and fruit) and how it's prepared, but also thanks to the influence of Indian and French cooking. The main dishes are “lomo”, “empanadas”, “parrillada” and “asado”, often served with rice or beans.

What's more, in coastal areas, you can enjoy grilled fish and fish soup. Chile is the leading producer and exporter of fruit in the southern hemisphere. Plums, blueberries, grapes and peaches are therefore particularly delicious there. Chilean wines are very popular worldwide. Don't forget to enjoy a good glass of wine during your trip!

Which travel insurance should I choose for a trip to Chile?

At Redion, you can take out either temporary or annual travel insurance.

All travel insurance policies include the following benefits:

• Reimbursement of medical expenses
• Organisation of, and assistance with, your repatriation and that of your travelling companions if necessary
• Early return in the event of hospitalisation or death of a relative in Belgium
• Assistance in case of lost documents

If you only travel abroad once a year, temporary travel insurance may be useful. If you travel several times a year, annual travel insurance will be the more cost-effective option.