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Chile eases entry requirements for visitors

Starting 1st May 2022 , all crossings at the national borders between Chile and neighbouring countries will be reopened and relaxed entry requirements will apply. These are the current entry requirements:

• The entry to Chile is still only possible for fully vaccinated persons.
• Although it is no longer necessary to validate vaccinations via the Mevacuno.gob.cl portal, it is advisable to do so, as this is the only way to obtain the digital mobility pass (pase de movilidad), which is still required for access to restaurants, events, cinemas, etc.
• As of 14.4.2022 , the obligation to take a PCR test before departure will no longer apply. Passengers are randomly tested upon entry.
• It is also necessary to fill in and sign an affidavit earliest 48 hours prior to entry to Chile.

The obligation to wear a mask in public spaces is suspended starting 14th April. A mask must still be worn indoors and on public transport.

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Requirements for entering to Chile

Feb 8, 2022 | News

All foreign person before arriving in to Chile will have to complete the following requirements:

Negative PCR taken 72 hours before boarding.

In flights with stopovers, the last boarding point is considered. In case of entering by land, it cannot be older than 72 hours from the taking of the sample. This requirement is for every person over the age of 2.

Complete the “Traveler’s Affidavit” form

form online up to 48 hours before boarding, where you will provide contact, health, and travel information. This form will provide a QR code as a means of verification and is available at  www.c19.cl 

Health insurance

Health insurance with a minimum coverage of USD 30,000 that includes coverage for any expenses arising from Covid-19. Please ask Us or directly to [email protected]

Completed a vaccination program and must be validated in Chile

To have completed a vaccination program ( 2 doses ), which must be validated at mevacuno.gob.cl before entering Chile. Here, travelers will request the validation and learn when it will be approved. The vaccination approval period will be informed to the traveler at the time of making the request, procedure that may take up to 30 calendar days. Children under the age of 6 and non-resident foreigners who comply with one or more of the special requirements in  Decree 102 of the Ministry of the Interior  may enter without a complete vaccination program.

Mandatory PCR test performed upon arrival to Chile

All persons over two years of age, regardless of their citizenship, must undergo a mandatory PCR test performed upon arrival to Chile and keep a quarantine until a negative result of the PCR or antigen is obtained. People who do not have their vaccines validated must  undergo quarantine for 7 days, even if the result of the PCR is negative.  All travelers entering must comply with the mandatory tracking for 7  days.

by Monica VC | Feb 8, 2022

Cruce Lagos Andino

1 día de viaje (11 horas) Ticket Cruce Lagos Andino desde Puerto Varas hasta Bariloche o vice versa

Viaje a Chile y Argentina

11 Días / 10 Noches Viaje desde Santiago de Chile – Puerto Varas – Cruce Lagos Andinos – Bariloche – Buenos Aires.

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Travel between the US and Chile will become easier with this new app

Dec 7, 2020 • 3 min read

Chile opened its borders to tourists in November (pictured: Torres del Paine National Park) ©Shutterstock

Chile is now the first country in Latin America to welcome travelers from the US under American Airlines' new digital health pass. The country opened its borders on November 23, and now the government is working alongside American Airlines to make travel a little bit easier during the pandemic.

American Airlines and the Chilean government are offering passengers the option to use a new mobile digital health app when traveling to the country. Called VeriFLY, the app can be downloaded for free on iOS and Android, and passengers can use it to securely store required travel documentation, including flight details and proof of a negative COVID-19 test. Similar to the CommonPass app that's being trailed by major airlines including United and Virgin Atlantic, the app will verify if the given information provided by the passenger matches the entry policies of the user’s destination before giving them the green light to travel.

Passengers traveling between Miami and Santiago will have the opportunity to test the new digital health pass at no cost from December 7. "Today we are promoting responsible and safe tourism through the adoption of protocols which now provide a better travel experience, helping simplify procedures while respecting health security measures," said Andrea Wolleter, director of Chile's National Tourism Service.

In addition, the airline is the first to provide customers traveling to South America with an at-home testing option through LetsGetChecked . With the service, passengers will be sent a PCR testing kit to their home address, which will be observed virtually by a medical professional. It's hoped that the combination of a health pass and pre-flight testing should make it easier and safer for US residents to travel abroad during the pandemic.

Chile reopened its borders on November 23 and is applying a measured approach to tourism with specific requirements in place for arrivals. Travelers coming into the country must have proof of a negative COVID-19 result from a test performed within 72 hours of traveling, and take out a health insurance policy that covers COVID-19 issues during their stay.

Paula Daza, undersecretary of Health in Chile said: "we are opening the borders with prudence, taking the necessary safeguards. We hope that these reunions, especially of those binational families that have been separated, can become a reality, with all the necessary self-care measures to avoid contagion. Chileans and foreigners, I ask that we take care of each other."

Chile's Santiago de Chile airport opened last month with direct flights scheduled from Amsterdam, Buenos Aires, Guayaquil, Lima, Madrid, Miami, New York, Panama and Sao Paulo. More flights are expected to be added in the coming days. Travelers are advised to keep up-to-date with local public health guidelines and be aware that local curfews may be in place. Face coverings are mandatory in public and social distancing rules apply.

This article was first published on November 16 and updated on December 7, 2020.

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Best Time to Visit

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Your Trip to Chile: The Complete Guide

South America’s skinniest country spans a volcano-fringed desert, fertile wine valleys, pristine fjords, and glacier stippled mountain ranges making it the ultimate destination for adventure travelers. This guide to Chile is a one-stop-shop for planning, covering everything from must-see places, tantalizing local cuisine, and money-saving tips to help you squeeze the most out of your trip.

Planning Your Trip

• Best Time to Visit: Most trips are timed to make the most of fine weather in Patagonia in the south, with the austral spring, summer, and early autumn (October through April) good months for clear, warm days.
• Language: Chileans speak Spanish but thanks to their penchant for slang and dropping constants at the end of words, bringing a phrasebook is recommended even for advanced Spanish speakers. Most tourist-fronting businesses have good English, as do younger Chileans residing in Santiago.
• Currency: The Chilean peso ($ CLP) is the official currency of Chile.  
• Getting Around: Chile has an extensive infrastructure of increasingly low-cost flights that connect most cities across the country and, if booked in advance, are often significantly cheaper than buses. However, most inter-city flights are indirect and pass through the capital, so expect to spend plenty of time in Santiago’s domestic terminal. For local travel, affordable and comfortable bus services cater to short and overnight journeys, while Santiago’s excellent Metro/subway system is an easy and cheap means of exploring the capital. Hiring a rental car is an excellent option in Chile, particularly for exploring Patagonia.
• Travel Tip: Chile is a vast country packed with far more than you can see in a short period of time. We know it’s tempting to cram a whole month’s worth of activities into a far shorter time period, but we strongly recommend stripping your trip down to just a small number of destinations. You’ll spend far fewer hours on flights or overnight buses and come away wowed by the deep and unforgettable moments you’ve had the time and space to experience.

Things to Do

Chile’s remarkable diversity of landscapes and culture means you’re guaranteed to find plenty to fill an action-packed vacation. The north is home to the Atacama Desert, with its world-class stargazing and otherworldly landscapes; Santiago brims with fine museums, trendy new restaurants, and a burgeoning street art scene; the Central Valley is a place of rolling vineyards and classy boutique hotels; while the Lakes region is volcano country, where the intrepid can summit a fiery giant. In the far south, Patagonia is a place of pristine national parks and outdoor adventure, while west across the Pacific brings you to Rapa Nui (Easter Island), a UNESCO World Heritage site dotted with statues of long-lost ancestors.

On a first trip to Chile, don’t miss the following:

• Spend a day exploring coastal Valparaíso ’s tumbling, street art daubed hills, dining on freshly-caught fish in its trendy eateries, and learning about the life and loves of the much-adored Chilean Nobel Prize-winning poet, Pablo Neruda.
• Strap on your hiking boots and discover Patagonia’s most striking wildernesses in Torres del Paine National Park . Clamber up to glassy lagoons or paddle a kayak across icy waters filled with bobbing icebergs to admire vast glaciers. Head out by boat to visit chattering Magellanic penguin colonies or learn how to be a cowboy at a sheep ranch before dining on local specialties of spit-roasted lamb and king crab.
• To appreciate a completely different side to Chile, take the six-hour flight across the Pacific to Rapa Nui—a Polynesian island home to almost 900 moai (stone statues)  —to tour these sacred sites, dive into warm, crystalline waters, and sample tuna ceviche.

Get more inspiration with our guide to the top destinations to visit in Chile , the best things to do in Chile , and the best things to do in Santiago .

What to Eat and Drink

Chile might not be known for its dining scene, but prepare to be surprised. This is a country with a tradition of asado (barbecue) and expertly-cooked seafood, while growing indigenous culinary influences promise truly inventive flavors.

Santiago is a hub of increasingly fine dining, with a handful of restaurants that showcase unusual Chilean ingredients now on the world’s best restaurant lists. But it’s not all fancy: traditional markets and no-frills food trucks in the capital are great places for classic Chilean meat and fish stews and savory empanadas. In the south, Chiloé Island is proud of its traditional seafood dishes including curanto (a seafood stew cooked underground), while Patagonia lays claim to juicy lamb roasted for hours over an open fire.  

Chile is home to two main alcoholic drinks: wine and pisco. A large proportion of the Central Valley is stippled with vineyards, with Colchagua and Casablanca the most sought after, for their red carménère and white sauvignon blancs respectively, and both offering tours, tastings, and even top dollar dining. Further north in the Elqui Valley, moscatel grapes are fermented to become the grape brandy, pisco, which is best sampled in the zingy cocktail, pisco sour, which any self-respecting bar across the country can whip up.  

Learn more about what to eat with our list of must-try Chilean foods .

Where to Stay

Chilean accommodations run the whole gamut of basic campsites to exclusive five-star hotels, with plenty of family-run B&Bs, boutique hotels, and rental cabins in between.

Santiago is home to a wealth of affordable B&Bs and small hotels located right in the heart of the tourist districts of Lastarria, Bellavista, and Italia, granting quick access to the metro, as well as excellent restaurants, bars, and shops on your doorsteps. In more rural parts and in national parks across the country you'll find increasingly stylish chalet-style cabins. They are a hallmark of Chile and a great option for self-catering, with many built to include hot tubs. In Chiloé, you’ll want to stay in an oceanside palafito (a traditional fisherman’s dwelling on stilts) for the best sea views.

In the south, long-distance treks through isolated national parks mean lodgings in campsites or hostel-style accommodation, although many parks are now home to at least one five-star hotel, generally tucked deep into the wilderness and offering outstanding, lavish accommodation. In more remote parts of Patagonia, sheep and cattle ranches, many of which are still operational, also provide comfortable, sometimes rustic lodgings—all with the opportunity to enjoy a traditional Patagonian barbecue feast. 

Getting There

Santiago’s one international airport, Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez, is the hub for all flights into the country with a record-setting 24.6 million people passing through the airport in 2019.   Most U.S. airports have connections with Santiago, with many offering direct flights in the summer months. These include American Airlines, Delta, and United Airlines.

If flying from within South America, budget companies including Sky Airlines and Jet Smart, as well as regional mainstay LATAM, provide the most frequent connections from hubs such as Lima in Peru and Buenos Aires in Argentina.

Rickety buses also provide an overland connection to Chile from Peru, Bolivia, and Argentina, although adventure cruise ships from Ushuaia to Punta Arenas in Patagonia in the south are a far more daring means of crossing the border.

For domestic travel, aim for budget carriers Jet Smart and Sky Airlines where possible and plan to book at least a few months in advance for the cheapest fares. If you do, you’ll often find that three-hour flights between cities are the same price, if not cheaper, than 12-hour bus journeys.

Culture and Customs

• Chileans greet family, friends, and visitors alike with a kiss on the right cheek (for women greeting women and men greeting women) or a brief one-arm hug (for men greeting men).
• Much the same as other South American countries, punctuality is not a national strength, and Chileans are known for arriving to social occasions late—although most tour operators and all transport companies pride themselves on their punctuality, so be sure to arrive on time for paid excursions or risk being left behind.
• In restaurants, a 10 percent tip is added to your bill though you’re under no obligation to pay it if the service doesn’t meet your expectations.
• Uber and other ridesharing apps are illegal but widely used in Chile with 85,000 Uber drivers across the country in 2019.   Despite the technical illegality, rideshares are a convenient means of getting around and avoiding being scammed by yellow taxi cabs (an unfortunately common occurrence in the capital). Avoid using an Uber from Santiago’s airport to the city, however; police regularly impound Ubers operating here, so you’re better off arranging an official airport shuttle instead.

Money-Saving Tips

• In popular destinations such as Rapa Nui (Easter Island) and Patagonia, prices rise considerably in January and February, so avoid these months for a chance to secure cheaper deals on airfare, hotels, and tours.
• Santiago’s excellent Metro is the fastest and cheapest means of exploring the capital - just keep a close eye on your belongings as pickpockets do operate here.
• Book domestic flights at least a few months in advance to secure the best deals. This is particularly the case for Rapa Nui (Easter Island), where prices can triple closer to the departure date.
• If traveling to Patagonia, take plenty of US dollars with you. Paying in this currency at hotels and tour agencies can save you up to 10 percent off the advertised price.
• Bringing US dollars to switch at exchange houses will also save plenty of cash as ATMs can charge up to US$10 per withdrawal, and these can often be capped at a maximum of US$150 each.
• Request small bills where possible when receiving change. Most national parks accept cash only and may refuse to change large, 20,000 peso notes. If hiring a car, you’ll also want small bills for toll booths on the highways.

Chile Travel. " Currency. "

History.com. " Easter Island ." February 28, 2020.

Arturo Merino Benítez Airport. " Santiago Airport Projects Passenger Traffic to Drop From 24.6 Million to 9 Million by 2020. " September 8, 2020.

Reuters. "Chilean Bank Ordered to Open Uber's Accounts to Taxman." October 15, 2019.

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Travel Advisory July 17, 2023

Chile - level 2: exercise increased caution.

Reissued with obsolete COVID-19 page links removed.

Exercise increased caution in Chile due to  crime and civil unrest.

Country Summary : Street crime (e.g., muggings, pick-pocketing, theft) is common in Chile. Rates of violent crime, such as assaults, homicide, carjackings, and residential break-ins, are increasing.

Large-scale demonstrations periodically occur in Santiago and other cities in Chile. Demonstrations can take place with little or no notice, and often result in disruptions to transportation, including public bus and Santiago metro services.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Chile.

If you decide to travel to Chile:

• Do not leave luggage unattended, even in locked vehicles.
• Always carry a copy of your U.S. passport and visa (if applicable).  Keep original documents in a secure location.
• Avoid demonstrations.
• Follow the instructions of local authorities including movement restrictions and obey all curfews.
• Find a safe location and shelter in place if in the vicinity of large gatherings or protests.
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Chile.
• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the U.S. Embassy and Department of State on  Facebook , Instagram,  and  Twitter .
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.

Embassy Messages

View Alerts and Messages Archive

Quick Facts

For the duration of stay

One page minimum for immigration entry stamp is required

Not required for stays of 90 days or less (tourist passports only)

Foreigners who enter Chile as tourists must prove that they have sufficient daily funds of a minimum of $46 USD to cover their expenses. Additional information can be found here

Embassies and Consulates

U.s. embassy santiago.

Avenida Andres Bello 2800, Las Condes Santiago, Chile Telephone: +(56)(2) 2330-3000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: +(56)(2) 2330-3000 (5pm-8am) Emergency Working-Hours Telephone: +(56)(2) 2330-3716 (8am-5pm) Fax: +(56)(2) 2330-3710 Email:   [email protected]

Destination Description

Learn about the U.S. relationship to countries around the world.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Your passport must be in good condition and valid for the period of your stay. You do not need a visa for a tourist or business stay of 90 days or fewer (if traveling on a tourist passport). Upon arrival, you will receive a Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo) valid for up to 90 days, which you can extend for another 90-day period by paying $100 US at the  Chilean Immigration Office . You must return the Tourist Card upon departure. Failure to return it may delay your departure from Chile. If the Tourist Card is lost or stolen, you must replace it at an  International Police Office  or at the airport before leaving. You will face a fine if you remain longer than allowed, and you will not be able to leave Chile until the fine is paid. If applicable, pay the fine before your departure by going to the  Chilean Immigration Office  or you may face significant delays. 

Travel on Diplomatic or Official Passports:   U.S. citizens traveling to or through Chile on diplomatic or official passports are required to obtain a visa before travel.

Entry / Exit Requirements for Dual Nationals: Dual nationals must enter and exit Chile using their Chilean passports, and they must enter and exit the United States using their U.S. passports.

Entry / Exit Requirements for Minors (under 18): Parents traveling with a minor must show evidence of their relationship to the child when entering or departing the country. Carry an original apostilled birth certificate.

Minors departing Chile must submit to Chilean airport officials an original notarized authorization from any non-traveling parent(s), a photocopy of the authorization, and an original apostilled birth certificate at the time of departure. For non-traveling parent(s) in Chile, the notarization can be done by a local Chilean notary public. For non-traveling parent(s) in the United States, the notarization can be done at the  Chilean Embassy or a Chilean Consulate . If a U.S. notary executes the authorization, it must be  apostilled  to be valid in Chile. An apostille should be obtained well in advance of travel as the process is lengthy.

• The  Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs  provides more information on entry and exit requirements for children. 
• Visit the  Embassy of Chile  website for the most current visa information.
• The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Chile.
• Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

Demonstrations occur frequently, especially on March 29, May 1 and 21, September 11, and October 18. Although most are peaceful, they can become violent. Avoid demonstrations if possible. Strikes are also common and can cause significant travel delays, especially if you are traveling to remote areas, such as Easter Island, Punta Arenas, or Chiloe.

Anarchist groups have placed explosive and incendiary devices in public spaces throughout Santiago, such as ATMs, metro stations, and government facilities. Remain vigilant and avoid suspicious or unattended packages.

Araucanía Conflict: Some individuals or groups claiming affiliation with the Mapuche indigenous community have sought redress for grievances by burning churches, homes, and pastures, and attacking trucks, buses, and farming/logging equipment, causing property destruction, injuries, and deaths. In 2022, the Government of Chile implemented a State of Emergency in the area that is reevaluated every 15 days. While these groups have mainly targeted forestry corporations and landowners, you should exercise caution in the Araucanía region.

Crime: Street crime, carjackings, telephone scams, credit card fraud, and residential break-ins are common, especially in Santiago, Valparaiso, Viña del Mar, Antofagasta, Calama, and Iquique. Exercise significant caution when touring Cerro Santa Lucia, Cerro San Cristobal, Mercado Central, Plaza de Armas, Bellavista, Yungay, Barrio Lastarria, Persa BioBio, Barrio Meiggs, Patronato, Centro Cultural Estación Mapocho and Los Dominicos in Santiago, or other popular tourist sites as pickpocketing and muggings occur frequently. Small bags and purses have been stolen from hotel lobbies, crowded tourist locations, Santiago’s subway, taxis, and the backs of chairs and floors at bars, restaurants, and cafés. Cell phones are often stolen from restaurant tables. Criminals have drugged and robbed U.S. citizens, leaving them with no memory of events. The murder of a U.S. citizen occurred in 2023 in the neighborhood of Yungay. Carjackings and vehicle thefts are a serious problem in Santiago, Valparaiso, and northern Chile (from Iquique to Arica). Thieves have punctured rental car tires to distract foreigners and steal their belongings from the vehicle.

Additionally, though not typical touring areas, exercise significant caution when traveling through or in Villa Francia, El Castillo, La Victoria, La Pincoya, Bajos de Mena y Mahuidanche, and the municipalities of Cerro Navia, Pudahuel, Quilicura and San Bernardo in Santiago,

In particular:

• Keep all valuables on you when taking buses, especially to or from Calama and San Pedro de Atacama. Thefts are common and are often done by people posing as bus employees. 
• Never allow your credit card to be charged outside of your view.
• Do not accept assistance if your clothes are splashed with a wet, sticky substance - keep moving and do not let go of your bags.
• Do not accept any beverages from strangers.
• Do not physically resist any robbery attempt. Criminals rarely work alone, and things are not worth the possibility of physical harm or death.
• Do not display signs of wealth, such as expensive watches or jewelry.
• Use caution when walking or driving at night, especially if alone.
• Do not use unauthorized taxi services.  Individuals should use regulated taxis with orange or yellow license plates or ride-share applications. See Travel and Transportation section for more information
• Always carry a copy of your U.S. identification (passport, driver’s license) and visa (if applicable). Keep original documents in a secure location.
• Counterfeit and pirated goods are generally illegal in Chile. Bringing them to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines. See the  intellectual property section of the U.S. Department of Justice website  for more information.
• See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams.

Victims of Crime:  Report crimes to the local police at 133 and contact the U.S. Embassy at +(56) 2 2330-3716. Local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting crimes.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• Help you find appropriate medical care
• Assist you in reporting a crime to the police
• Contact relatives or friends with your written consent
• Explain the local criminal justice process in general terms
• Provide a list of local attorneys
• Provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S.
• Provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• Help you find accommodation and arrange flights home
• Replace a stolen or lost passport

Domestic Violence: U.S. citizen victims of domestic violence may contact the Embassy for assistance or call local police at 149.

Tourism: The tourism industry is generally regulated and rules about best practices and safety inspections are regularly enforced. Hazardous areas/activities are identified with appropriate signage and professional staff is typically on hand to support organized activities. In the event of an injury, appropriate medical treatment is widely available throughout the country. Outside of a major metropolitan center, it may take more time for first responders and medical professionals to stabilize a patient and provide life-saving assistance. U.S. citizens are encouraged to purchase medical evacuation insurance.

See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage .

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties: You are subject to local laws. If you violate local laws, even unknowingly, you may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Furthermore, some laws are also prosecutable in the U.S., regardless of local law. For examples, visit our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice   website.

Arrest Notification: If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See our  webpage  for further information.

Special Circumstances: Chile is prone to major earthquakes, wildfires, landslides, tsunamis, floods, and volcanic eruptions. The Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service ( SENAPRED ) provides alerts and guidance for these types of events. There are emergency preparedness guides available on the  Ready.gov  and Federal Emergency Management Agency ( FEMA ) websites. It is important to make a plan and to keep emergency supplies accessible. There are recommendations for preparing a disaster supply kit available  here .

Citizens are advised to consult with authorities and/or hotel management if in doubt of the need to leave an area. All U.S. citizens are encouraged to monitor the news closely, including the  SENAPRED website.

There are minefields on Chile's border with Peru and Bolivia, and Argentina in Patagonia. Follow clearly identified roads and trails when in minefield areas. Consult with national park or other local officials concerning minefields.

For outdoor and adventure sports along the border with Argentina, Bolivia or Peru, register with Chile’s  Dirección Nacional de Fronteras y Limites del Estado , which can provide a permit allowing travelers to temporarily cross borders to engage in outdoor activities.

Despite the best efforts of local authorities, assisting persons lost or injured in isolated and wilderness areas is difficult. You should only undertake organized adventure activities with a well-established and insured company. If you intend to hike, never do so alone and always hire an experienced guide from a reputable company. Inform a family member or friend of your itinerary, including when you expect to return. Register with park officials, when available, or the nearest police station when pursuing outdoor activities in remote areas. Obtain detailed information on hiking trails before setting out and do not venture off marked trails. Distances between centers for outdoor sports and top-notch hospital care can be extreme. You should consider getting medical evacuation insurance.

Before you go, consult:

• Chilean Meteorological Service  (weather forecasts)
• SENAPRED (Chilean National Disaster Prevention and Response Service)
• Chilean Forestry Service  (national parks and wilderness areas)
• Federación de Andinismo de Chile  (mountain climbing)
• Chilean National Tourist Office

Under Chilean law, you can be expelled from the country for damaging national heritage objects or places. Travelers should learn and adhere to all the rules of visiting national parks.

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQIA+ Travelers: There are no legal restrictions on adult same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTQIA+ events in Chile. Since 2022, under Law 21400, same-sex marriage is legal in Chile. There have been cases of discrimination due to sexual orientation and gender identity, including cases involving violence or death. Laws also prevent transgender persons from changing gender markers on government-issued identity documents.

See our  LGBTQIA+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers Who Require Accessibility Assistance: Many public places and transportation are not adapted to accommodate the needs of persons with disabilities. For information on handicap accessible locations in Santiago and other locations, visit the Chilean  National Disability Agency  or  MapCity.com

Students: See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips

Women Travelers: See our travel tips for  Women Travelers

Medical care in Chile is generally good, though it may not meet U.S. standards in remote areas. Major hospitals accept credit cards. Santiago has one private hospital accredited by The American Hospital Association: Clinica Alemana . 

We do not pay medical bills. Be aware that U.S. Medicare does not apply overseas.

Medical Insurance: Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Most care providers overseas only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information insurance coverage overseas. We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation. If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of  Chile  to ensure the medication is legal in Chile. Always carry a sufficient supply of your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription.

Please note the following health concerns:

• Dengue Fever (endemic to Easter Island but not found on continental Chile).
• Air pollution is a concern in many parts of Chile including Santiago, Rancagua, Talca, Chillan, Los Angeles, Temuco, Osorno, and Coyhaique, and is most severe in winter (May-August).
• The ozone layer is especially thin over parts of Chile. Protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations  recommended by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety: Driving in Chile is relatively safe; road conditions vary from well-paved to gravel and dirt roads in more remote areas. Roadside assistance is widely available with local insurance. In the more remote parts of Chile, roadside assistance and gas stations may be limited; travel with at least one spare tire and extra fuel. Yellow reflective vests are required in all cars in case of a roadside emergency. Vehicular inspections are required yearly to renew your mandatory car insurance.

Traffic Laws:  Driving under the influence of alcohol in Chile is severely punished and can result in incarceration. While in Chile, you may encounter road conditions and traffic laws that differ significantly from those in the United States:

• Right-hand turns are prohibited at red lights unless otherwise posted.
• Major highways in and around Santiago collect tolls with an electronic transmitter (available at  http://www.concesiones.cl/)
• Secondary and mountain roads may be poorly maintained, poorly lit, and may lack guardrails.
• Some primary roads to remote tourist attractions are not paved, but are well maintained, with graded gravel.
• Many drivers do not signal lane changes and rarely yield to merging traffic.
• Many drivers exceed posted speed limits, do not maintain safe distances, and do not observe posted road signs.
• Major traffic arteries in Santiago may switch directions during morning and evening rush hours.
• Drivers must carry sufficient Chilean pesos to pay frequent highway tolls.
• Visitors can drive with a valid U.S. license for the duration of their tourist permit (usually 90 days). Renting a car is also possible, although insurance may not be available in some forms for drivers without a Chilean or international driver’s license. Dual nationals and U.S. citizens residing in Chile should have a Chilean driver’s license.

Public Transportation: Taxis and public transportation are generally safe, plentiful, and relatively inexpensive. Ride-share applications and taxis with orange and yellow license plates are generally safe to use. Avoid using unmetered taxis and unauthorized services outside of airports. Use of unauthorized taxi services has resulted in theft. Chile’s Ministry of Transportation maintains a list of registered taxi companies . To use the public bus system in Santiago, you need to obtain the prepaid “BIP” card, which can also be used on the Santiago  subway .

• Visit Chile’s Ministry of Transportation’s page on how to safely use taxis .
• See our  Road Safety page  for more information.
• Visit the website of Chile’s  National Tourist Office  and national authority responsible for road safety.

Aviation Safety Oversight: The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the Government of Chile’s Civil Aviation Authority as in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Chile’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA’s safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel: Mariners planning travel to Chile should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts on the  Maritime Administration  website. Information may also be posted to the websites of the  U.S. Coast Guard  and the  National Geospace Intelligence Agency  (select “broadcast warnings”).

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in Chile .  For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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Why I 'broke' quarantine in Chile — and what it's like entering the country now

With COVID-19 travel restrictions constantly in flux, even the best-laid plans can go awry.

In the days leading up to a dream trip to Chile , the rapid spread of the omicron variant — especially in the New York City area — put my entire journey at risk.

But ultimately, omicron proved to be less of a concern than expected. That's because my entry into Chile was marred not by the pandemic, but rather by an administrative issue that generated an incorrect vaccination status on my mobility pass to enter and travel around the country.

For more TPG news delivered each morning to your inbox, sign up for our free daily newsletter .

Due to that, and unbeknownst to me, the country's vaccine database indicated that I should quarantine for seven days upon arrival, which would render my entire eight-day trip moot. Yikes.

Luckily, that's not what ended up happening. Here's what transpired with my entry into Chile, how and why I technically "broke" quarantine and what you'll want to look out for if traveling here is on your agenda.

A bit of background

As a fully vaccinated U.S. traveler with a negative COVID-19 test result on arrival, I should have been free to roam around Chile. Yet throughout my travels, an incorrect vaccination status proved to be a thorn in my side.

Thankfully, I was still able to undertake a journey within the country (and had an incredible time doing so), but it wasn't without some stress along the way.

Before we get into my specific saga, though, let's walk through Chile's COVID-19 requirements.

Related: Chile now open to vaccinated visitors, dropping quarantine requirement

Overview of Chile's entry requirements

There are several steps to take to gain entry into Chile as an international visitor, and you'll want to get started on them as soon as you have firm trip plans since it can take some time for everything to process. While these access requirements are accurate as of publication, you'll want to check for the latest information here .

Before arrival

To travel freely within Chile, you must be fully vaccinated. The online process to have your vaccination status verified by the country's health ministry prior to arrival can take up to 30 days (but anecdotally, it is much shorter).

You'll also need a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours of departure along with a travel health insurance plan with a minimum of $30,000 in coverage.

What's more, you're required to fill out a "traveler's affidavit" form within 48 hours of departure. This is where you'll upload your negative PCR test and travel insurance information online.

After arrival

While your pre-arrival checklist may be complete, there are still a couple of requirements once you land in Santiago.

First, you'll take a mandatory PCR test on arrival at the airport (free of charge) and must quarantine until a negative result is sent to your email. This can take anywhere from six to 12 hours.

Additionally, you'll have to respond to a daily health questionnaire that asks if you are exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms.

My issues entering Chile

As previously mentioned, to avoid quarantine in Chile for anyone over the age of 6, you must submit proof of vaccination online prior to departure. It's recommended that you do so as soon as possible since the registration can take weeks to come through.

Thankfully, my vaccination verification only took a matter of several days, but this can vary greatly from traveler to traveler.

Once approved, visitors will be granted a digital vaccine mobility pass that displays a QR code to be used for travel to and within Chile and for activities like indoor dining and attractions. It should display the number of doses and dates of your vaccination.

Packing my negative PCR test and what I thought was my valid mobility pass, in addition to completing my traveler's affidavit, I headed to the airport for my flight to Chile, eager to explore the streets of Santiago and the wilderness of Patagonia. My documents were verified by American Airlines agents at the airport, I boarded my flight and I was on my way.

Related: When will international travel return? A country-by-country guide to coronavirus recovery

Entering Chile

Time: 11 a.m.

Here's where I first ran into trouble.

Even though both Pfizer shots are displayed on my official U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-issued vaccine card that I uploaded online, unknown to me, Chilean health authorities only registered the first dose on my pass. How this was possible, I still do not know to this day.

After an overnight flight from New York (JFK), I landed in Santiago (SCL) late in the morning. It was only at this point that I realized the extent of my predicament.

I presented my paperwork — including the digital vaccine mobility pass, the traveler's affidavit form, a negative PCR test result and my travel insurance receipt — to a health representative at the airport.

"You'll need to quarantine for seven days," she said. The reason? My second dose did not appear on the vaccine form (pictured above).

With my vaccine card physically in hand, a card that showed two Pfizer doses and an additional booster, I felt confident this piece of evidence would remove any confusion.

However, the airport health official and several other supervisors I spoke with insisted that the only way for me to avoid quarantine was to have my vaccination card approved online and a mobility pass with both my doses listed.

The official statement from airport authorities I spoke with was that there was no single person with the power to change my records within Chile's vaccination database.

Confused and more than a bit anxious, I continued through the airport to take my PCR test on arrival.

However, I knew I would have to figure out a plan once I arrived at my hotel. On the bright side, the testing process at Santiago International Airport was quite straightforward and well organized, taking mere minutes.

Once I made it through immigration and exited the airport, I immediately uploaded my vaccine card online for the second time hoping that someone at the health department would update my mobility pass to show that I'd received two doses of the vaccine.

At this point, I also began the process of reaching out to the U.S. Embassy in Chile and any contacts that I could find to get my situation sorted out or, if that proved unsuccessful, to expedite the approval of my second Pfizer dose.

An automated recording with the U.S. Embassy referred me to a generic email address. All the while, the only person who I could reach by phone at Chile's Ministry of Health told me there was no way to speak with the department that handled vaccination verifications.

In fact, the representative stated that my only course of action would be to see if I could speak to someone not from Chile but instead from the U.S. He mentioned that dozens (if not hundreds) of fully vaccinated travelers from around the world were being denied Chile's digital vaccine pass due to a backlog of requests.

Receiving my PCR test result

Time: 7 p.m.

Meanwhile, I waited for my PCR results to come through. I took an Uber to my hotel and quarantined there for the rest of the afternoon. All travelers, regardless of vaccination status, must remain in place until a negative test result is given.

By the evening, about seven hours after I was first tested at the airport, I received an email with the outcome of my test. Negative.

While I was in the clear for COVID-19, I didn't have the green light yet because of my incorrect vaccination status.

With no response from the U.S. Embassy or the Chilean Ministry of Health, I was still considering what exactly to do as I went to bed that evening.

My second dose approved

Time: 7 a.m. (next day)

Somewhat miraculously, I received an email early the following morning with verification of my second Pfizer dose.

At this point, both doses appeared on my digital mobility pass, and this one-day headache was seemingly over.

Indeed, my pass now had both doses visible (previously, there was only one), and I accepted this email as proof. Therefore, I believed I was in the clear to venture out of my Santiago hotel room, continue with my Chilean adventure and, most importantly, leave quarantine.

My quarantine inspection

Or so I thought.

While exploring Santiago and during my first few days in Patagonia, several restaurants and attractions asked to see my mobility pass at the door. In all instances, my pass was scanned and I was allowed to proceed into the establishment. Perfect.

Additionally, my hotels — both in Santiago and in Puerto Natales — requested to see the pass at check-in. At no point during my trip did I have issues with entering restaurants, hotels or attractions.

For my domestic flight within Chile between Santiago and Puerto Natales (PNT), I was never even asked to present proof of vaccination.

The email from the Ministry of Health

Imagine my shock, then, when several days later, while already three hours south of Santiago by plane in Puerto Natales, I received an email in Spanish from Chile's Ministry of Health.

Although I don't speak much of the language, I could tell what it said almost without reading it. Earlier that day, a health official conducted an inspection of my original hotel in Santiago and found that, well, I wasn't there.

Included in this email was a link to upload documentation of my whereabouts and to explain why I was no longer quarantining.

I thought my Chilean entry saga was behind me, but now with this email, I had newfound worries about what I was to do exactly. The main concern that swirled at the back of my head: Did I actually break any laws by exiting quarantine, and would I be detained at the airport in Santiago upon departure from the country?

Both my Chilean friends and the hotel staff that I spoke with reassured me that this was a misunderstanding and assisted me in uploading my proof of full vaccination along with the negative PCR result I received upon arrival in Santiago.

Still, it was certainly a bit nerve-wracking to receive an email of this nature in a foreign country, especially one where you don't speak the language.

Departing Chile

I had a long journey back from Patagonia, but thankfully, it was smooth sailing.

I took a three-hour bus ride from Puerto Natales to the Patagonian town of Punta Arenas. Once there, I caught my domestic flight to Santiago.

Again, similar to my journey from Santiago down south, my mobility pass and vaccination status were not checked while en route to Chile's capital.

In Santiago, I spent another 24 hours exploring the city before departing for the U.S. After a relaxing afternoon by my hotel pool, it was time to make the trip back to the airport.

Throughout the check-in, immigration and boarding process to New York-JFK, I wasn't asked about my quarantine or vaccination status. In fact, my departure from Santiago back to the U.S. was incredibly easy. The only COVID-19 protocol required was a negative test within one day of departure to the U.S.

While I have no idea whether I'll have issues reentering Chile in the future, I can tell you with certainty that I had no problems exiting.

Bottom line

I've visited eight countries during the pandemic, but my entry into Chile proved to be the most daunting.

Upon arrival on the ground in Santiago, I was impressed with how streamlined the PCR testing process was, and the digital vaccination form ensured that Chile stayed safe for both visitors and residents alike.

However, the online pre-arrival process was much less clear, and I was frustrated that I couldn't find a person who had the authority to fix an obvious administrative mistake while on the ground.

Nevertheless, I truly enjoyed my time in Chile. It's a naturally beautiful nation with a vibrant capital and incredibly friendly people. (More on my time in Patagonia to come.)

A word to the wise to anyone traveling to Chile: Make sure you are methodical about the entry process and, most importantly, have all of your vaccination doses clearly shown on your forms prior to departure. If you don't, you may deal with the stress of "breaking" quarantine or worse, be denied boarding when trying to return to the U.S.

Once you receive an email from Chile's Ministry of Health about an approved vaccination, check that both doses (for Pfizer and Moderna) appear. If not, resubmit your vaccination card until you are fully approved.

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Chile defies many visitors’ expectations of an Andean country. It is developed, relatively affluent and non-corrupt. Travel to Chile and you’ll discover one of the safest and most relaxing countries in South America. Its buses are comfortable and run on time; its people polite and respectful. Above all, though, visitors travel to Chile for its beautiful landscapes. The population is concentrated to the major cities, which leaves vast tracts of scarcely touched wilderness to explore.

Chile travel facts

Where to go in chile, best time to go to chile, how to get to chile, how to get around chile, best places to visit in chile, itineraries for chile, travel visa requirements for chile, food and drink in chile, festivals in chile, sports in chile, top activities in chile, national parks and reserves, shopping in chile, chile’s wildlife, what to see.

A country of geographical extremes, Chile’s diversity is reflected both in its people and its cuisine, which encompasses the tropical fruit of the arid north as well as king crab from the southern fjords. Above all, visitors head to Chile for its remote and dizzyingly beautiful landscapes. Our travel guide to Chile will provide you with everything you need to make the most of it.

• Motto: ‘ Por la razón o la fuerza ’ meaning, ‘By right or by might’.
• Population: 17.2 million people live in Chile, consisting of a fairly homogenous mestizo population with a few indigenous groups ranging from Mapuche in the Lake District, Yámana and Kawéskar (around 2,800) in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
• Economy: One of the most developed countries in Latin America, Chile has the steadiest growth in the region and the lowest level of corruption in Latin America.
• Law: Chile only legalised divorce in 2004.
• Politics: Although notorious for the Pinochet’s infamous military dictatorship during the 1970s and 1980s, Chile otherwise has a long history of parliamentary democracy.

Travel to Chile’s capital Santiago and you’ll find monuments, museums and restaurants. Whilst on the popular Central Coast, the port of Valparaíso provides a contrasting bohemian vibe. Chile’s largest beach resort Viña del Mar couldn’t be more different, with high-rises, casino and seafront restaurants.

Continue north and you’ll find a succession of idyllic beaches spread out along the dazzling fringe of the Norte Chico, which comprises semi-arid landscapes and hardy vegetation.

South of Santiago, the lush Central Valley, with its swathes of orchards and vineyards, invites you to find Chile’s best vintages, including Carmenère, the country’s signature grape. Further south, the much-visited Lake District is a postcard-perfect landscape spanning conical volcanoes to dense araucaria forests.

Just off the southern edge of the Lake District, the Chiloé archipelago is famous for its rickety houses on stilts, distinctive wooden churches and rich local mythology.

Back on the mainland, between the Carretera Austral and Campo de Hielo Sur (Southern Ice-Field), lies Patagonia , a land of bleak windswept plains bordered by the magnificent granite spires of the Torres del Paine massif, a magnet for hikers and climbers.

Across the Magellan Strait, Tierra del Fuego sits shivering at the bottom of the world, a remote place of harsh, desolate beauty, while Chile’s southernmost town, Puerto Williams, is the gateway to one of the continent’s toughest treks, the Dientes de Navarino.

No Chile travel guide would be complete without mentioning the country’s two Pacific possessions: Easter Island – one of the most remote places on earth – and the little-visited Isla Robinson Crusoe, part of the Juan Fernández Archipelago, with its dramatic volcanic peaks and a wealth of endemic wildlife.

Discover more places in Chile

• Patagonia Travel Guide
• Santiago and around Travel Guide
• The Central Valley Travel Guide
• The Lake District Travel Guide
• Tierra del Fuego Travel Guide
• Valparaíso Travel Guide

Given the variety of its climate and geography, you can travel to Chile at any time of year. The best time to visit Chile depends on what area of the country most interests you.

Santiago, northern Chile and the Atacama Desert are year-round destinations. Temperatures here tend to be hottest between January and March.

If you have your heart set on skiing around Santiago or further south, the best time is from July through to September. The season for adventure sports in the Lake District and Northern Patagonia tends to be November through to March.

The best time to visit South Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego is in warmer months of November to March. From June to September many places close and the area is difficult to navigate due to the snow.

The most straightforward way to travel to Chile is via Santiago’s modern international airport, though some travel to Chile by land from neighbouring countries, and a handful arrive by sea.

Airfares depend on the season. You’ll generally pay the most if you travel to Chile in the December-February and June-August periods, the southern and northern hemisphere’s summer holiday months, respectively. Fares drop slightly during the ‘shoulder’ months – March and November – and you’ll normally get the best prices during the low seasons: April, May, September and October.

For those travelling to Chile’s Easter Island, your flight from Santiago is likely to be cheaper if bought in conjunction with a LATAM Airlines international flight.

Getting around Chile is easy, comfortable and relatively good value. When you are there, you will most likely choose to travel by bus (or micros) due to the comfort and cost. Chile’s long-distance buses offer an excellent service thanks to the enormous amount of legroom, frequent departures and flexible itineraries.

Internal flights in Chile are useful for covering long distances in a hurry, though fares can be quite high. The country has a good road network, so hiring a car and driving is a quick and stress-free way of getting around.

Colectivos, shared taxis operating along a set route with fixed fares, are normally only slightly more expensive than local buses. These are good options when travelling in a couple or small group. Most colectivos look like regular taxis and have their route or final destination marked on a roof-board.

Taxis are normally black with a yellow roof. Foreigners are often overcharged, so check the meter has been turned on before you start a journey and get an estimate for the fare, if possible in Spanish. Fares should be shown on the windscreen.

• Atacama desert

Visit erupting geysers, crinkly salt plains and emerald lakes in the morning, and deep, mystical valleys by sunset in the driest desert on earth.

Travel advice for Chile

From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for traveling to Chile

• Sports and Outdoor activities in Chile
• Eating and drinking in Chile
• Getting around Chile: Transportation Tips
• Travel Tips Chile for planning and on the go
• Elqui Valley

Take advantage of some of the clearest skies in Chile and look at the universe through some of the world's most powerful telescopes.

Chile's rapidly evolving capital city boasts a vibrant eating out and nightlife scene, several fascinating museums, numerous cultural pursuits and a selection of excellent places to stay.

Valparaíso has a tangle of colourful houses, cobbled streets and bohemian hang-outs spread across a series of undulating hills overlooking the Pacific.

Pablo Neruda's house has been turned into a beguiling museum with an evocative collection of the Nobel Prize-winning poet's kitsch and often bizarre trinkets and knick-knacks.

Visit the numerous traditional bodegas around San Fernando and Santa Cruz, and sample some of Chile's finest vintages.

• Parque Nacional Torres del Paine

Hike the trails of Chile's most popular – and most spectacular – national park or climb the granite towers that give the park its name.

• Easter Island

Gazing down into the giant crater of the extinct Rano Kau volcano and visiting the magical moai at Ahu Tongariki and Rano Raraku are once-in-a-lifetime experiences.

• Isla Robinson Crusoe

Isla Robinson Crusoe has the end-of-the-world castaway feel that inspired Daniel Defoe's famous book.

Sample one of Chile's most memorable dishes, admire the palafitos (traditional houses on stilts) or hike through temperate rainforest on Chile's mist and legend shrouded island.

• Patagonian islands

Lose yourself in this veritable maze of fjords and tiny islets by taking to the water in a sea kayak, or take a boat trip in search of the elusive blue whale.

• Tierra del Fuego

Explore the deserted roads running through steppe and dotted with guanacos and rheas, or fish in the pristine lakes and rivers of Chile's remotest region.

• Isla Navarino

Chile's southernmost inhabited territory (barring Antarctica), where the warmth of the locals contrasts with the harshness of the landscape.

Fly over some of the world's most treacherous waters or brave a sailing trip to Chile's southernmost group of islands – the biggest nautical graveyard in the Americas.

• Parque Nacional La Campana

Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin by hiking up to the 1880m summit of Cerro La Campana, where you'll be rewarded by some of the best views in the country.

As part of our Chile travel guide we’ve drawn up some fantastic itineraries for travelling through Chile, taking you from the icy fjords and snow-tipped mountains of the south to the fertile wine-growing valleys in the centre and parched desert and highland lagoons of the north. In short, places to visit Chile abound.

Tailor-made travel itineraries for Chile, created by local experts

11 days  / from 4896 USD

Luxurious Chile - Atacama Desert & Easter Island

Explore two of Chile's extraordinary highlights: the Atacama desert with its salt flats and lagoons and Easter Island. The island is famous for its stone monoliths and source of mystery for many. Your stay will be complemented in the best hotels, making this trip even more special.

10 days  / from 2650 USD

Chile Explored: From Santiago to Torres del Paine

The vast expanse of Patagonia is home to extreme landscapes, from jagged mountains, stark glaciers, clear blue lakes, and grassy fields. You will find them all in Torres del Paine, a huge contrast to the start of the trip in the historical, bustling city of Santiago.

14 days  / from 3800 USD

Self-Drive Santiago, Wines & Lakes

Discover the beauty of Chile independently in your own rental car. Start in Santiago before heading to Pucon, Huilo Huilo and Puerto Varas. As you'll be in your own car, you can plan each day at your liking - hikes, relaxing or cultural exploration? Decide spontaneously.

Most foreign visitors who travel to Chile do not need a visa. Visitors of all nationalities are issued with a ninety-day tourist entry card ( Tarjeta de Turismo ) on arrival, which can be extended once for an additional ninety days.

If you lose your tourist card, ask for a duplicate immediately, either from the Fronteras department of the Policía Internacional, General Borgoño 1052, Santiago or from the Extranjero’s department of the Intendencia in any provincial capital. There’s no charge.

As with all countries, make sure you check on the country’s government website about your visa requirements, before you travel.

Travel to Chile and you’ll find a vast array of quality raw produce, though many restaurants lack imagination, offering similar limited menus. That’s not to say, however, that you can’t eat well here, and the fish and seafood, in particular, are superb.

On the whole, eating out in Chile tends to be good value. In local restaurants you can expect to pay around CH$4,000–7,000 for a main course. The best trick is to do as the Chileans do and make lunch your main meal of the day; many restaurants offer a fixed-price menú del día, always much better value than the à la carte options.

Most of Chile’s festivals are held to mark religious occasions or to honour saints or the Virgin Mary. What’s fascinating about them is the strong influence of pre-Spanish, pre-Christian rites, particularly in the Aymara communities of the far north and the Mapuche of the south. Added to this is the influence of colourful folk traditions rooted in the Spanish expeditions of exploration and conquest, colonization and evangelism, slavery and revolution.

In the altiplano of the far north, Aymara herdsmen celebrate Catholic holy days and the feasts of ancient cults along with ritual dancing and the offering of sacrificial llamas.

In central Chile, you’ll witness the influence of colonial traditions. In the days of the conquest, an important ingredient of any fiesta was the verbal sparring between itinerant bards called payadores , who would compose and then try to resolve each other’s impromptu rhyming riddles. The custom is kept alive at many fiestas in the Central Valley, where young poets spontaneously improvise lolismos and locuciones , forms of jocular verse that are quite unintelligible to an outsider. These rural fiestas always culminate in an energetic display of cueca dancing, washed down with plenty of wine and chicha – reminiscent of the entertainment organized by indulgent hacienda-owners for their peons.

In the south, the solemn Mapuche festivals are closely linked to mythology, magic and faith healing, agricultural rituals, and supplications to gods and spirits. Group dances (purrún) are performed with gentle movements; participants either move round in a circle or advance and retreat in lines. Most ceremonies are accompanied by mounted horn players whose four-metre-long bamboo instruments, trutrucas , require enormous lung power to produce a note. Other types of traditional wind instruments include a small pipe ( lolkiñ ), flute ( pinkulwe ), cow’s horn ( kullkull ) and whistle ( pifilka ). Of all Mapuche musical instruments, the most important is the sacred drum ( kultrún ), which is only used by faith healers ( machis ).

A list of festivals in Chile

Spaniards brought the first wooden image of San Sebastián to Chile in the seventeenth century. After a Mapuche raid on Chillán, the image was buried in a nearby field, and no one was able to raise it. The saint’s feast day has become an important Mapuche festival, especially in Lonquimay, where it’s celebrated with horse racing, feasting and drinking.

Celebrated throughout Chile since 1780, when a group of miners and muleteers discovered a stone image of the Virgin and Child while sheltering from an inexplicable thunderstorm in the Atacama. Typical festivities include religious processions and traditional dances.

This glitzy and wildly popular five-day festival is held in Viña del Mar’s open-air amphitheatre, featuring performers from all over Latin America and broadcast to most Spanish-speaking countries.

Among the nationwide Easter celebrations, look out for Santiago’s solemn procession of penitents dressed in black habits, carrying crosses through the streets, and La Ligua’s parade of mounted huasos followed by a giant penguin.

In many parts of central Chile, huasos parade through the streets on their horses, often accompanied by a priest sitting on a float covered in white lilies.

Throughout the altiplano, villages celebrate the cult of the Holy Cross, inspired in the seventeenth century by the Spaniards’ obsession with crosses, which they carried everywhere, erected on hillsides and even carved in the air with their fingers. The festivities have strong pre-Christian elements, often including the sacrifice of a llama.

A huge parade through the streets of Santiago bearing the Cristo de Mayo – a sixteenth-century carving of Christ whose crown of thorns slipped to its neck during an earthquake, and which is said to have shed tears of blood when attempts were made to put the crown back in place.

An important feast night, celebrated by families up and down the country with a giant stew, known as the Estofado de San Juan. In Chiloé, an integral part of the feast are roasted potato balls called tropones, which burn the fingers and make people “dance the tropón” as they jig up and down, juggling them from hand to hand.

Along the length of Chile’s coast, fishermen decorate their boats and take the image of their patron saint out to sea – often at night with candles and flares burning – to pray for good weather and large catches.

The largest religious festival in Chile, held in La Tirana in the Far North, and attended by over 80,000 pilgrims and hundreds of costumed dancers (see Santuario de la Tirana).

Military parades throughout Chile honour the patron saint of the armed forces; the largest are in Maipú, on the southern outskirts of Santiago, where San Martín and Bernardo O’Higgins defeated Spanish Royalists in 1818.

Thousands of Chilotes flock to the archipelago’s tiny island of Caguach to worship at a two-metre-high figure of Christ, donated by the Jesuits in the eighteenth century.

Chile’s Independence Day is celebrated throughout the country with street parties, music and dancing.

Each year, numerous dance groups and more than 10,000 pilgrims from Chile, Peru, Bolivia and Argentina make their way along a tortuous cliff path to visit a rock carving of the Virgin in the Azapa valley, near Arica. There are many smaller festivals in other parts of Chile, too.

Traditionally, this is the day when Chileans tend their family graves. In the north, where Aymara customs have become entwined with Christian ones, crosses are often removed from graves and left on the former bed of the deceased overnight. Candles are kept burning in the room, and a feast is served for family members, past and present.

A second vigil to the dead is held in cemeteries, with offerings of food and wine sprinkled on the graves. In some far north villages, there’s a tradition of reading a liturgy, always in Latin.

Celebrated in many parts of Chile, the festival of the Immaculate Conception is at its liveliest in San Pedro de Atacama, where it’s accompanied by traditional Aymara music and dancing.

More than 100,000 pilgrims from all over the north come to Andacollo, in Norte Chico, to worship its Virgin and watch the famous masked dancers (see Andacollo and around).

The Chileans are not a particularly exuberant people, but passions are roused by several national enthusiasms – chiefly football and rodeo, which at their best are performed with electrifying skill and theatricality.

El fútbol reigns supreme as Chile’s favourite sport. Introduced by British immigrants in the early 1800s, football in Chile can trace its history back to the playing fields of the Mackay School, one of the first English schools in Valparaíso, and its heritage is reflected in the names of the first clubs: Santiago Wanderers, Everton, Badminton, Morning Star and Green Cross.

Horse-racing

There are two very different types of horse racing in Chile: conventional track racing, known as hípica , and the much rougher and wilder carreras a la chilena . Hípica is a sport for rich Santiaguinos, who don their tweeds and posh frocks to go and watch it at the capital’s Club Hípico and Hipódromo Chile.

Carreras a la chilena are held anywhere in the country where two horses can be found to race against each other. Apart from the organized events that take place at village fiestas, these races are normally a result of one huaso betting another that his horse is faster.

Rodeos evolved from the early colonial days when the cattle on the large estancias had to be rounded up and branded or slaughtered by huasos. The feats of horsemanship required to do so soon took on a competitive element, which eventually found an expression in the form of rodeos. Even though ranching has long declined in Chile, organized rodeos remain wildly popular, with many free competitions taking place in local stadiums (known as medialunas) throughout the season, which runs from September to April. Taking in a rodeo not only allows you to watch the most dazzling equestrian skills inside the arena, but also to see the huasos (riders) decked out in all their traditional gear: ponchos, silver spurs and all. Added to this, the atmosphere is invariably loads of fun, with lots of whooping families and excited kids, and plenty of food and drink afterwards.

The Chilean huaso

“Of the many cowboys of the Americas, none remains as shrouded in mystery and contradiction as Chile’s huaso,” says Richard Slatta in Cowboys of the Americas. Certainly the huaso holds a special place in Chile’s perception of its national identity. But the definition of the huaso is somewhat confused and subject to differing interpretations. The one you’re most likely to come across is that of the “gentleman rider”, the middle-class horseman who, while not a part of the landed elite, is a good few social rungs up from the landless labourer. This is the huaso you’ll see in cueca performances and at rodeos.

Chile offers an enormous range of outdoor activities, including volcano-climbing, skiing, surfing, white-water rafting, fly-fishing and horseriding.

Rafting and kayaking

Chile’s many frothy rivers and streams afford incomparable rafting opportunities. Indeed, the country’s top destinations, the mighty Río Bío Bío and the Río Futaleufú, entice visitors from around the globe. Rafting trips generally range in length from one to eight days and, in the case of the Bío Bío, sometimes include the option of climbing 3160m Volcán Callaquén. In addition to these challenging rivers, gentler alternatives exist on the Río Maipo close to Santiago, the Río Trancura near Pucón, and the Río Petrohue near Puerto Varas.

Chile’s white-water rapids also offer excellent kayaking, though this is less developed as an organized activity.

For the most part, Chile is a very empty country with vast tracts of wilderness offering potential for fantastic hiking. Chileans, moreover, are often reluctant to stray far from their parked cars when they visit the countryside, so you’ll find that most trails without vehicle access are blissfully quiet. However, the absence of a national enthusiasm for hiking also means that Chile isn’t particularly geared up to the hiking scene. There are relatively few long-distance trails (given the total area) and a shortage of decent trekking maps.

That said, what is on offer is superb, and ranks among the country’s most rewarding attractions.

The north of Chile, with its harsh climate and landscape, isn’t really suitable for hiking, and most walkers head for the lush native forests of Chile’s south, peppered with waterfalls, lakes, hot springs and volcanoes. The best trails are nearly always inside national parks or reserves, where the guardaparques (rangers) are a good source of advice on finding and following the paths. They should always be informed if you plan to do an overnight hike (so that if you don’t come back, they’ll know where to search for you).

The majority of trails are for half-day or day hikes, though some parks offer a few long-distance hikes, sometimes linking up with trails in adjoining parks. The level of path maintenance and signing varies greatly from one park to another, and many of the more remote trails are indistinct and difficult to follow.

Hardly any parks allow wild camping, while the few others that now allow it have a series of rustic camping areas that you’re required to stick to – check with the guardaparque. If you do camp (the best way to experience the Chilean wilderness) note that forest and bush fires are a very real hazard. Take great care when making a campfire (having checked beforehand that they’re allowed). Also, never chop or break down vegetation for fuel, as most of Chile’s native flora is endangered.

By far the most popular destination for hiking is Torres del Paine in the far south, which offers magnificent scenery but fairly crowded trails, especially in January and February. Many quieter, less well-known alternatives are scattered between Santiago and Tierra del Fuego, ranging from narrow paths in the towering, snow-streaked central Andes to hikes up to glaciers off the Carretera Austral.

If you go hiking, it’s essential to be well prepared – always carry plenty of water, wear a hat and sun block for protection against the sun and carry extra layers of warm clothing to guard against the sharp drop in temperature after sundown. Even on day hikes, take enough supplies to provide for the eventuality of getting lost, and always carry a map and compass (brújula), preferably one bought in the southern hemisphere or adjusted for southern latitudes. Also, make a conscious effort to help preserve Chile’s environment – where there’s no toilet, bury human waste at least 20cm under the ground and 30m from the nearest river or lake; take away or burn all your rubbish; and use specially designed eco-friendly detergents for use in lakes and streams.

The massive Andean cordillera offers a wide range of climbing possibilities. In the far north of Chile, you can trek up several volcanoes over 6000m, including Volcán Parinacota (6330m), Volcán Llullaillaco (6739m) and Volcán Ojos del Salado (6950m). Although ropes and crampons aren’t always needed, these ascents are suitable only for experienced climbers, and need a fair amount of independent planning, with only a few companies offering guided excursions.

In the central Andes, exciting climbs include Volcán Marmolejo (6100m) and Volcán Tupungato (6750m), while in the south, climbers head for Volcán Villarrica (2840m) and Volcán Osorno (2652m), both of which you can tackle even with little mountaineering experience.

Fly-fishing

Chile has an international, and well-deserved, reputation as one of the finest fly-fishing destinations in the world. Its pristine waters teem with rainbow, brown and brook trout, and silver and Atlantic salmon. These fish are not native, but were introduced for sport in the late nineteenth century; since then, the wild population has flourished and multiplied, and is also supplemented by generous numbers of escapees from local fish farms. The fishing season varies slightly from region to region, but in general runs from November to May.

Chile offers the finest and most challenging skiing in South America. Many of the country’s top slopes and resorts lie within very easy reach of Santiago, including El Colorado, La Parva, Valle Nevado and world-renowned Portillo. A bit further south, but no less impressive, stands the popular Termas de Chillán.

Horse-trekking

Exploring Chile’s dramatic landscapes on horseback is a memorable experience. The best possibilities are around Santiago, and in the Central Valley, where riding has been a way of life for centuries. In addition to the spectacular scenery, you can also expect to see condors and other birds of prey. Trips are usually guided by local arrieros, who herd cattle up to high pastures in springtime and know the mountain paths intimately. You normally spend about five or six hours in the saddle each day; a lingering asado (barbecue), cooked over an open fire and accompanied by plenty of Chilean wine, will be part of the pleasure. At night, you sleep in tents transported by mules, and you’ll be treated to the most breathtaking display of stars.

The only disadvantage of riding treks in the central Andes is that, due to the terrain, you’re unlikely to get beyond a walk, and cantering is usually out of the question. If you want a faster pace, opt for the treks offered by some companies in Patagonia, where rolling grasslands provide plenty of opportunity for gallops – though the weather can often put a dampener on your trip.

Mountain biking

For most of Chile’s length, there are extremely good and little-used dirt roads perfect for cycling – although the numerous potholes mean it’s only worth attempting them on a mountain bike. For a serious trip, you should bring your own bike or buy one in Santiago – renting a bike of the quality required can be difficult to arrange. An alternative is to go on an organized biking excursion, where all equipment, including tents, will be provided. Note that during the summer, cycling in Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego is made almost impossible by incessant and ferociously strong winds.

Chile’s beaches are pulling in an increasing number of surfers, who come to ride the year-round breaks that pound the Pacific shore. By unanimous consent, the best breaks – mainly long left-handers – are concentrated around Pichilemu, near Rancagua, which is the site of the annual National Surfing Championships. Further north, the warmer seas around Iquique and Arica are also increasingly popular.

Some 18% of Chile’s mainland territory is protected by the state under the extensive Sistema Nacional de Areas Silvestres Protegidas (National Protected Wildlife Areas System), which is made up of 30 national parks, 38 national reserves and 11 natural monuments. These inevitably include the country’s most outstanding scenic attractions, so the main aim is always to protect and manage native fauna and flora. Given Chile’s great biodiversity, park objectives are as varied as protecting flamingo populations and monitoring glaciers.

National parks ( parques nacionales ) are generally large areas of unspoilt wilderness, usually featuring fragile endemic ecosystems. They include the most touristy and beautiful of the protected areas, and often offer walking trails and sometimes camping areas too. National reserves ( reservas nacionales ) are areas of ecological importance that have suffered some degree of natural degradation; there are fewer regulations to protect these areas, and “sustainable” commercial exploitation (such as mineral extraction) is allowed to take place. Natural monuments ( monumentos naturales ) tend to be important or endangered geological formations, or small areas of biological, anthropological or archeological significance.

In addition to these three main categories, there are a few nature sanctuaries ( sanctuarios de la naturaleza ) and protected areas ( areas de protección ), usually earmarked for their scientific or scenic interest.

Before heading out of the capital, head to Conaf’s head office in Santiago, where you can pick up brochures, books and basic maps. No permit is needed to visit any of Chile’s national parks; you simply turn up and pay your entrance fee (usually CH$1000–4000), though some parks are free.

Alternatively, Conaf’s Annual Pass (CH$10,000) allows unlimited access to all of Chile’s national parks and reserves – except Torres del Paine and Easter Island – for a year; it can be purchased from Conaf offices.

Ease of access differs wildly from one park to the next. Some parks have paved highways running through them, while others are served by dirt tracks that are only passable for a few months of the year. Getting to them often involves renting a vehicle or going on an organized trip, as around two-thirds of Chile’s national parks can’t be reached by public transport.

A few parks now have camping areas. These are often rustic sites with basic facilities, run by Conaf, which charge around CH$5000–10,000 per tent. In other parks, particularly in the south, Conaf gives licences to concessionaires, who operate campsites and cabañas, which tend to be very expensive. Some of the more remote national parks, especially in the north, have small refugios attached to the ranger stations – these are usually rustic, stone-built huts (from CH$5000 per person) containing around eight to ten bunk beds, hot showers and gas stoves. Some of them are in stunning locations, overlooking the Salar de Surire, for example, or with views across Lago Chungará to Volcán Parinacota. Sadly, however, they are increasingly unreliable.

While Chile’s handicrafts (artesanía) are nowhere near as diverse or colourful as in Peru or Bolivia, you can still find a range of beautiful souvenirs, which are usually sold in ferias artesanales (craft markets) on or near the central squares of the main towns. As for day-to-day essentials, you’ll be able to locate just about everything you need, from sun block to contact lens solution, in the main towns across the country.

Artesanía and other souvenirs

The finest and arguably most beautiful goods you can buy in Chile are the items – mainly jewellery – made of lapis lazuli, the deep-blue semi-precious stone found only in Chile and Afghanistan. The best place to buy these is in Bellavista, Santiago: note that the deeper the colour of the stone, the better its quality. Though certainly less expensive than lapis exports sold abroad, they’re still pricey.

Most artesanía is considerably less expensive. In the Norte Grande, the most common articles are alpaca sweaters, gloves and scarves, which you’ll find in altiplano villages like Parinacota, or in Arica and Iquique. The quality is usually fairly low, but they’re inexpensive and very attractive all the same. In the Norte Chico, you can pick up some beautiful leather goods, particularly in the crafts markets of La Serena. You might also be tempted to buy a bottle of pisco there, so that you can recreate that pisco sour experience back home – though you’re probably better off getting it at a supermarket in Santiago before you leave, to save yourself carting it about. The Central Valley, as the agricultural heartland of Chile, is famous for its huaso gear, and you’ll find brightly coloured ponchos and stiff straw hats in the numerous working huaso shops. The highlight in the Lake District is the traditional Mapuche silver jewellery, while the far south is a good place to buy chunky, colourful knitwear.

A range of these goods can also be bought in the major crafts markets in Santiago, notably Los Dominicos market. Also worth checking out are Santiago’s little flea markets.

Hard haggling is neither commonly practised nor expected in Chile, though a bit of bargaining is in order at many markets. It’s also worth trying to bargain down the price of hotel rooms, especially outside the peak months of January and February.

Top image © Erlantz P.R/Shutterstock

Chile’s diverse animal kingdom inhabits a landscape of extremes. The country’s formidable natural barriers – the immense Pacific, lofty Andes and desolate Atacama – have resulted in an exceptional degree of endemism , with a third of Chile’s mammals, such as the shy pudú (pygmy deer) not found anywhere else in the world.

Four species of camelid alone are found in Chile’s barren altiplano, namely the shaggy, domesticated llama and alpaca in the north, and their wild cousins – the Patagonia-dwelling guanaco and the delicate vicuña with its highly prized fur, restricted to the high altitudes. Chile’s biggest cat is the elusive puma , another Patagonia resident, while smaller wildcats, from the colo-colo to the guiña , also stalk these grasslands. Endemic rodents, such as the mountain vizcacha , are found in the northern highlands, while several species of fox can be spotted in the desert, altiplano and coastal forest.

A country seemingly made for birdwatchers, Chile is home to a curious mix of the small and beautiful, such as hummingbirds (including the firecrown, endemic to the Juan Fernández islands), while at the other end of the scale is the mighty Andean condor , soaring over the mountains. High in the Andes near the Bolivian border, the Chilean and James’s flamingo gather at remote saltwater lakes, while the long-legged ñandú propels itself over the Patagonian steppe. Equally impressive sea birds include the Humboldt , Magellanic and king penguins , and Chile’s coastal waters host some spectacular mammals, such as the blue whale and several species of dolphins .

Few countries, moreover, can match Chile for the sheer diversity of scenery and range of climatic zones – from the driest desert in the world to immense ice fields and glaciers. Spread between these extremes is a kaleidoscope of panoramas, taking in sun-baked scrubland, lush vineyards and orchards, virgin temperate rainforest, dramatic fjords and endless Patagonian steppes . Towering over it all is the long, jagged spine of the Andes, punctuated by colossal peaks and smouldering volcanoes . Given this geographical spread and dearth of population, it’s not unusual to stumble on steaming hot springs, gleaming white salt flats or emerald lakes, and have them all to yourself.

Lovers of the great outdoors will likewise be seduced by the almost endless possibilities for outdoor activities , whether it be jeep rides, birdwatching, skiing, horse trekking, hiking, volcano climbing, sea kayaking, whitewater rafting or fly-fishing – all offered by a large number of local outfitters, with the possibility of designing unique itineraries to suit your tastes. If you have less active plans in mind, you can sit back and take in Chile’s scenery from multi-day boat cruises through the southern fjords or jaw-dropping topography from the comfort of a plane or hot air balloon. Wilderness aside, Chile’s wine-growing regions are second to none and connoisseurs can sample a wide range of tipples, including Carmenère, Chile’s signature grape, while cultural exploration may take you from Santiago’s Salvador Allende memorial to to the Mapuche reducciones of the Lake District, the gold rush remains in Tierra del Fuego, the Chinchorro mummies in Arica’s best museum or the remains of nitrate mines around Iquique. However you do it, Chile will not disappoint you, and you can experience its diversity in whatever style you choose – this is not a developing country, and you don’t have to slum it while you’re here. There are plenty of modest, inexpensive accommodation options and camping facilities up and down the country, while those on a more generous budget will find increasing numbers of luxurious, beautifully designed boutique lodges in spectacular locations, particularly in the south.

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updated 29.12.2023

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Chile’s Government updates Protected Borders Plan with new restrictions from December 1 due to the Omicron variant

The measures include a ban on the entry of foreigners who have been in certain african countries during the past 14 days, while returning chileans and foreign residents who have been on the african continent must take a pcr test at the point of entry and carry out a mandatory seven-day quarantine. in addition, the opening of the chacalluta, pino hachado and colchane land border crossings has been postponed..

Chile’s Health Ministry announced this Monday that updates to the Plan Fronteras Protegidas (Protected Borders Plan) will come into effect from Wednesday, December 1, to include preventative measures for the new Omicron variant. This comes after international recommendations and those of its own COVID-19 advisory board. 

New restrictions include: 

1) Foreign non-residents who have been in the following African countries during the past 14 days are prohibited from entering: 

• South Africa 
• Mozambique 

2) Chileans and foreign residents in Chile who have been to any of these countries in the last 14 days may enter our country, but they must take a PCR test at the point of entry into Chile. They must also comply with a seven-day quarantine, regardless of their vaccination status and even if the result of the PCR test is negative. 

3) Regarding the border crossings authorized for entering Chile: 

• The opening of the Chacalluta, Pino Hachado and Colchane land border crossings has been postponed. This situation will be reevaluated in two weeks, pending the evolution of the national and international epidemiological situation regarding the Omicron variant. 
• The following air border crossings remain open: Santiago, Iquique, Antofagasta, Punta Arenas. 

Entry into Chile 

From December 1, the following groups will be able to enter Chile through authorized border crossings (except for travelers coming from countries with special restrictions): 

• All Chileans and foreign residents. 
• All foreign non-residents with vaccines previously validated by the Health Ministry, except for those who have been to certain African countries during the past 14 days. 
• All foreign non-residents who meet any of the exceptional requirements of the Interior Ministry Decree. 
• All children under the age of six, independent of their nationality or vaccine status. 

Requirements for entering the country 

Chileans and foreign residents 

• Negative PCR test taken in the country of origin within 72 hours of boarding the flight (from two years of age) 
• Signed affidavit 

Foreign non-residents 

• Approved vaccines validated by the Health Ministry 
• Medical insurance with coverage of at least US$30,000 that covers illnesses associated with COVID-19 

Leaving Chile 

From December 1, restrictions to leave the country through the authorized air border crossings will be eliminated, which means neither a Pase de Movilidad (Mobility Pass) nor authorization from the Comisaría Virtual (Virtual Police Station) will be required. 

Other Measures  

Travelers with a positive PCR test and suspected Omicron variant must undergo mandatory quarantine in a sanitary residence or where the health authority deems it appropriate.

More information

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• Passports, travel and living abroad
• Travel abroad
• Foreign travel advice

Entry requirements

This advice reflects the UK government’s understanding of current rules for people travelling on a full ‘British citizen’ passport from the UK, for the most common types of travel.

The authorities in Chile set and enforce entry rules. If you’re not sure how these requirements apply to you, contact the Chilean Embassy in the UK .

COVID-19 rules

There are no COVID-19 testing or vaccination requirements for travellers entering Chile.

Passport validity requirements

Your passport should have an ‘expiry date’ after the day you plan to leave Chile.

Check with your travel provider that your passport and other travel documents meet requirements. Renew your passport if you need to.

You will be denied entry if you do not have a valid travel document or try to use a passport that has been reported lost or stolen.

Visa requirements

You can visit Chile for up to 90 days without a visa.

The Chilean immigration authorities will give you a tourist card (‘tarjeta de turismo’), an A5-sized white form. Keep it safe and give it to immigration when you leave the country. If you lose it, Chilean police investigations (PDI) allows you to request a copy online (choose ‘Duplicado de tarjeta de turismo’). You can also go to the nearest PDI office.

To stay longer (to work or study, for business travel or for other reasons), you must meet the Chilean Government’s entry requirements .

Travelling with children

 Chile requires children travelling with only one parent, with a guardian or alone, to have permission from the non-travelling parent or parents. Parents traveling with children for tourism have faced difficulty leaving Chile at the end of their visit when only one parent is present. You must have 

• a written notarised authorization from the non-traveling parent(s)  
• a birth certificate

If you’re travelling with children aged 17 and under, check the website of the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (website in Spanish) for what documents you need to show.

British-Chilean dual nationality

British-Chilean dual nationals must enter and leave Chile using their Chilean passport. Chilean entry and exit requirements for dual nationals may change without notice. For further information check with the Chilean Embassy in the UK .

Travelling with dual national children

Before a dual national child aged 17 or under leaves Chile, you must get authorisation to travel from a Chilean notary  (‘notaría’) if the child is travelling:

• with only one parent or guardian
• with friends or relatives

If a child was born in Chile, they must have a Chilean passport to leave the country.

Travelling to Rapa Nui (Easter Island)

To enter Rapa Nui (Easter Island) you must:

• complete a Rapa Nui entry form
• show a return ticket
• show a reservation registered with SERNATUR, the national tourism service (select region ‘Valparaiso’ and comuna ‘Rapa Nui’ to refine your search for accommodation) or an invitation letter from the provincial delegation

Vaccination requirements

At  least 8 weeks before your trip, check the vaccinations and certificates you need in TravelHealthPro’s Chile guide .   

Customs rules

There are strict rules about goods you can take into or out of Chile . You must declare anything that may be prohibited or subject to tax or duty.

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National Parks in Chile Have a New System for Purchasing Tickets

By: Hernan Claro - 17 January, 2024

As of January 1 st , 2024, the National Parks Pass system has been implemented, providing access to the 61 units of the National System of Protected Wildlife Areas by the State of Chile (known by its Spanish acronym SNASPE).

The National Parks Pass system will be managed by Ticket Pro, replacing the old ASPTicket system. Passes can be obtained at www.pasesparques.cl or at ticket booths across the country.

Note that starting from June 2024, a significant modification will be implemented. It will no longer be possible to purchase tickets for the same day or obtain them directly at the entrances.

Consequently, from the mentioned date, the entrances of the National Parks will be exclusively dedicated to validating the passes.

How to Purchase Your Entry to the National Parks in Chile

• Visit pasesparques.cl and select the park you wish to visit.
• Check the status of the selected park, as some may close during emergencies and complex weather conditions.
• Choose the date you want to go, the type of ticket (available for national and international travelers), and then press the “pay” button.
• When selecting a date, you will need to log in with your respective account. If you don’t have one, you can complete the registration right there.
• Proceed to the payment process, and once completed, you will receive your purchased ticket.

What to Keep in Mind

• If you plan to visit one of the National Parks in Chile, plan your trip on Chile es Tuyo, a Chilean tourism website, and find out all the necessary information, such as opening and closing hours, road conditions, how to get there, trails, and attractions of the place.
• Define your entry and exit dates when purchasing your pass. Then, enter your name, ID card number, date of birth, gender, contact number, email, and country of origin. Remember that prices vary according to age, nationality, and disability status.
• Payment is made using a debit, credit, or Onepay system. This way, you will receive your pass with a QR code , which you must show at the entrance of the corresponding National Park.

What Is Forbidden in a National Park

• Be a responsible tourist . Do not throw trash away, protect the environment, and avoid unnecessary risks. Remember that pets, drones, smoking, fire, and the consumption of alcohol or any illicit substances are not allowed inside National Parks.
• Do not feed native wildlife or use speakers, as it could harm local ecosystems. Moreover, do not bathe or go under waterfalls located in protected systems.
• Always stay on designated trails, wear appropriate shoes and equipment, and drink lots of water. Protecting the natural richness of Chile is everybody’s task.

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