First Time in Chile: The Essential Guide to Planning Your Perfect Trip

If it is your first time in Chile, welcome to one of the most extraordinary countries on the planet. I say that having lived there for nearly four years, explored almost every corner of it, and still felt like I barely scratched the surface. Chile is 4,300 km long, stretching from the driest desert on Earth in the north to glaciers and fjords in the south, with volcanoes, lakes, vineyards, Pacific beaches and some of the most dramatic landscapes anywhere in between. It is a country that requires a little planning and rewards it enormously.

Here is everything I wish someone had told me before I arrived.

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What you should know before your first time in chile

Visas

If you are a citizen of South America, the European Union, the United States, Canada or Australia, you do not need a visa to enter Chile as a tourist. Most nationalities receive a stamp on arrival valid for 90 days, with the option to extend once for an additional 90 days from within the country.

Since September 2025, some countries now require prior authorisation even for short stays, so if your nationality is not on the straightforward visa-free list, check with the nearest Chilean consulate well in advance of your trip.

Always verify the current requirements before you travel as visa policies change. The official Chilean tourism website is the most reliable source. Overall, I found Chile to be one of the most complicated countries when it comes to crossing the border and I have a priveliged passport.

Currency in Chile

The official currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso, with the code CLP. In stores and restaurants prices are shown simply as “$” which can be confusing at first, but always double check whether you are looking at pesos or dollars.

Credit cards are widely accepted across Chile, but cash is still essential for rural areas, local markets and smaller towns where card payments are unreliable or unavailable. ATM fees in Chile can be high, so withdraw larger amounts less frequently rather than making multiple small withdrawals.

The best exchange rates are found at casas de cambio in downtown Santiago rather than at airports or hotels. If you are arriving from abroad, exchange a small amount at the airport to cover immediate costs and find a better rate once you are in the city.

You must know that Chile is not a cheap country. Be prepared for that from the start and budget accordingly.

Tipping culture in Chile

Tipping is common in Chile. A 10% tip is standard in restaurants, taxi drivers do not typically expect tips though rounding up the fare is appreciated, and tour guides are generally tipped around USD 10 per day.

One thing I learned after several months of living there: the tip is almost always included as an optional line on the bill and you are given two totals. It is your choice whether you add extra or not. If you pay with a larger note and do not specify your intentions, waiters will often assume the change is a tip. Worth knowing before your first restaurant meal.

However, I always felt, at least most of the time, that the tip was not deserved. And I lived in Chile for nearly fours years. The service, in general, was not very good. Even in shops, the staff would not help me (like allowing me to see a handbag from a top shelf) if I did not commit to buying it first without looking at this properly.

Vaccinations

Not knowing enough about vaccine requirements caused me some problems in the past, so it is always important to check it out what vaccinations you need well in advance. Fortunately, there is no medical tests or vaccines required before entering Chile.

Earthquakes

Earthquakes are frequent in Chile. Most are just temblors that locals barely notice, but if you are experiencing your first ever tremor it can be scary. My first experience of a 5.2 magnitude shake was not particularly pleasant. Stay calm, observe what locals are doing, and follow their lead. They have been living with this their entire lives and will know immediately whether it is worth paying attention to.

Chile is one of the best prepared countries for earthquakes, especially that it is a daily occurrence. We had an earthquake and tsunami drill every year and the locals know what to do. They don’t panic like in some other countries. Besides, most if not all new buildings are earthquake resistant.

Electrical plugs

Chilean plugs have three round holes in a triangular arrangement. You will need an adaptor for most European and North American devices. Some two-pin plugs fit, but many do not. Buy an adaptor before you arrive rather than trying to find one on the ground.

When to go to Chile

Every season in Chile offers something different, which is both the joy and the challenge of planning a trip to such a long country.

The south, including Patagonia and Torres del Paine, is best between November and April. Winter in the south is cold and some trails close, though it has its own dramatic beauty.

The middle of Chile, including Santiago and the wine valleys, is most pleasant in spring and autumn. Santiago in summer can be brutally hot and the city does not handle it gracefully.

The north, including the Atacama Desert and San Pedro de Atacama, can be visited any time of year. Even in summer the Atacama feels cooler than Santiago. Winter temperatures are pleasant in the lower areas, though high altitude sites like El Tatio and the altiplanic lagoons get very cold regardless of season.

February and March in the far north can bring the Altiplano winter with heavy rain and occasional flash flooding. It passes quickly but is worth factoring into your timing.

Health

Altitude is the biggest health consideration if you are heading to the Atacama or the Andean regions. Many of the best sites sit above 4,000 metres. Give yourself time to acclimatise, drink water constantly, avoid alcohol for the first day at altitude, and do not push through symptoms. Read my full guide to surviving altitude sickness before you go.

👉 Read my guide to altitude sickness here

Sun is a year-round concern in Chile, particularly in the north. The UV radiation at high altitude in the Atacama is extreme even when it does not feel particularly hot. Sunscreen, a hat and sunglasses are not optional anywhere north of Santiago.

Safety in cities requires the usual awareness. Cases of drink spiking and express kidnapping have been reported in Chile, so exercise the same degree of caution you would in any major South American city. Santiago is generally safe in the main tourist and residential areas but stay aware of your surroundings, particularly at night and on public transport. I did not have any unpleasant situations living in Antofagasta, although I remember one time, that there was a shooting on the street (however I did not witness it).

Travel insurance is essential. My recommended provider is World Nomads, which covers a wide range of activities including hiking, water sports and adventure activities that other policies often exclude.

Bringing food into Chile

Chile has a strict biosecurity policy on bringing food and plant products into the country. You must declare everything on the Agricultural and Livestock Service form provided on arrival. Failing to declare a product is a serious offence and you risk confiscation and potentially very high fines. Some items like sealed chocolate are generally fine but check the current rules before you pack anything food-related.

Language

You do not speak Spanish? You will manage, but it will help enormously to learn at least the basics before you go. Not many Chileans outside the main tourist areas speak English, and even native Spanish speakers from other countries find Chilean Spanish challenging at first. It is fast, heavily accented, drops the endings of words, and uses slang that exists nowhere else. Think of it like going to Scotland for the first time when you only know textbook English. Charming, occasionally baffling, and entirely worth the effort of engaging with.

👉 Read my guide to speaking Chilean Spanish here

How much time do you need to see the country

Chile is 4,300 km long and distances are enormous. Three weeks gives you enough time to cover the main highlights without feeling completely rushed. Here is a rough breakdown:

• Santiago and Valparaíso together deserve around four days. You will not explore either in depth but you will get a strong feel for both. However, I must admit that Santiago wasn’t my favourite place and I would rather explore other areas longer.
• San Pedro de Atacama and the north requires at least eight days. The Atacama alone justifies four days and the distances between the best sites are significant. There is so much to see there.
• Easter Island needs four days. The flights are expensive and the journey is long. Do not rush it.
• Patagonia and Torres del Paine deserve at least a week, more if you want to do any serious trekking.

If you want to do everything properly, a month is more realistic than three weeks. And if you add winter sports, sandboarding, kayaking or any serious hiking, add more time on top of that.

Accommodation in Chile

Chile is not cheap and accommodation reflects that. A simple room in a mid-range hotel can cost what you would pay for something considerably nicer in Europe. That said, the standard is generally good. I never stayed in a filthy room in Chile, which is more than can be said for some other countries I have travelled through.

The Tierra chain of hotels across Chile, including Tierra Atacama and Tierra Patagonia, represents some of the finest accommodation in the country. The prices are high but the locations and experience are exceptional. We went a couple of times to Tierra Atacama hotel and it is truly amazing.

moving around Chile

Flying is the quickest option for covering long distances. LATAM is the main carrier for domestic routes and has frequent connections between Santiago and the main regional airports. Book in advance for the best prices.

Buses are significantly cheaper and cover almost every corner of the country. Night buses between major cities are comfortable, well equipped and a good way to save both money and hotel nights. I travelled by bus in Chile only a couple of times and I did not really like it. Besides, staying at bus stations at night was a bit scary, as there are no comfortable facilities in many cities.

Driving is how I explored most of the country and it is by far the most rewarding way to travel, particularly in the north and in Patagonia. The freedom to stop when something catches your eye, take detours, and reach places that buses simply do not go is worth the cost of the rental many times over. So if you can, rent a car. Driving around Chile is not that difficult.

A few things to know about driving in Chile. Drivers are generally calm and reasonable compared to many other South American countries. However, petrol stations in the north can be very far apart. During my years in Atacama I drove stretches of 400 km without seeing a station. Fill up at every opportunity and do not assume there will be another one soon. Carrying a spare wheel is strongly advisable on unpaved roads in the north, where the salt crystals on the salars can shred a tyre without warning. Always have water and a blanket in the car, particularly in remote areas.

Public transport connects the main cities well but does not reach the remote corners that are often the most worthwhile. In the Atacama particularly, buses will get you to San Pedro but not to the places worth going.

Have you traveled to Chile? What would you add to that list, so others can benefit from? Don’t keep it to yourself and share it with fellow travelers. All lovely tips and ideas are always much appreciated.

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