ON-SITE ADVICE AND INFORMATION

Here is some practical information you need to know when you arrive in Chile.

DOCUMENTS

Keep it in a safe place or carry it with you on your trip to Chile:

✅ your passport.
✅ the ticket immigration form given on the plane. It is required on leaving the country and in some hotels.
✅ your Chile Travel Programme with the timetable and emergency number shown above.

PHONE

From France to Chile: Dial 00 + 56 + city code + the caller's number.

Mobile phones begin with "09".

From Chile to France: Dial 00 + 33 + the caller's number without the 0.

If your phone is unlocked, you can purchase a SIM card for a few euros.

The WhatsApp application is widely used. Most hotels have Wi-Fi. In large cities, it's easy to find hotspots in cafes and restaurants.

ELECTRICAL SOCKETS

In Chile, electrical sockets are type C (two round pins) or L (three round pins in line).

SAFETY

Chile is certainly the safest country in Latin America. However, it is advisable to take a few basic precautions:

Leave the originals of your identity papers in the safe in your hotel room and take a copy with you.
✅ Avoid any outward signs of wealth.
✅ Go out with as little money as possible and be vigilant when paying.
✅ Take particular care with your belongings in transport, markets and crowded places.

CHILEAN COOK

Here are some ideas for dishes you can enjoy on the spot:

Pastel de choclo: viande hachée cuite avec des raisins et des oignons couverte de purée de maïs et gratinée.
Cazuela: bouillon accompagné d'un morceau de viande, de pommes de terre, maïs, légumes, potiron.
Empanadas: chausson farci 'aliments au choix. La classique est avec de la viande hachée, oignons et olives.
Ceviche: plat de poisson cru mariné avec du citron vert, de la coriandre et des oignons. Servi en entrée.
Biéres: les deux bières locales sont la Kunstmann et l'Austral.
Pisco: boisson nationale, c'est une eau-de-vie de raisin blanc, servi le plus souvent en cocktail : le pisco sour.
Vins chiliens: le cépage le plus connu, le Carménère. Pastel de choclo: Ground beef cooked with raisins and onions, topped with corn puree and served au gratin.
Cazuela: Broth served with a piece of meat, potatoes, corn, vegetables, or pumpkin.
Empanadas: Pastries filled with any food. The classic is made with ground beef, onions, and olives.
Ceviche: Raw fish marinated with lime, cilantro, and onions. Served as an appetizer.
Beers: The two local beers are Kunstmann and Austral.
Pisco: The national drink is a white grape brandy, most often served in a cocktail: the pisco sour.
Chilean Wines: The most famous grape variety is Carménère.

Learn more about the chilean cook.

TIP

Tipping traditions exist because service is not included.

💲 Restaurants: Tipping is optional but customary, generally 10% (the propina). It is increasingly included in the bill.

💲 Hotels: A minimum of 2,000 CLP (€2.50) per service provided.

💲 Guides: 5,000 to 10,000 CLP (€6-9) per day, and drivers: around 3,000 to 6,000 CLP (€4-7) per day. This is a decreasing amount if the service is provided over several days. With taxis, you can round up the fare.

SOUVENIRS

Mapuche silver jewelry and jewelry set with lapis lazuli (the national gemstone).

Weavings and ponchos, woolens (llama or alpaca wool).

Pomaré pottery. Avocado oil (for cooking). Palm honey. A bottle of Pisco (alcohol) and/or a bottle of Chilean wine.