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Chile

General Information

Capital City:
Santiago
Population:
17.23 million
Area:
470,167 square miles
Language:
Spanish
Electricity:
220V AC 50Hz
Direct Dial:
56
Driving:
Driving is on the right. International Driving Permit required
Currency:
Chilean Peso (CLP 1 = 100 Centavos)

Business Hours

Bank:
0900-1400 Mon-Fri
Office:
0900-1830 Mon-Fri
Shops:
1000-2000 Mon-Fri, 1000-1400 Sat, 1000-2100 Mon-Sun (Malls)
Public Holidays:
<b>2012</b> 01 Jan : New Year's Day 06 Apr : Good Friday 07 Apr : Holy Saturday 01 May : Labour Day 21 May : Navy Day 29 Jun : St Peter and St Paul* 15 Aug : Assumption 11 Sep : Reconciliation Day 18 Sep : Independence Day 19 Sep : Army Day 10 Oct : Dia de la Raza (Columbus Day)* 01 Nov : All Saints' Day 08 Dec : Immaculate Conception 25 Dec : Christmas Day Note: *When the holiday falls on a Tue, Wed, Thu or Fri, the holiday is generally taken on the nearest Monday.

Business and social hints

General:
Business is conducted in Spanish. Many executives speak English. On social occasions, eg invitation to restaurants, be punctual. Dress as for business meetings and wear dark clothes unless otherwise indicated. The minimum drinking age is 18 years
Tipping:
10% service charge is included in bars & restaurants, however additional 10% tip is expected
Clothing:
Light clothes for northern and central areas with warmer wear for central winters. Much warmer clothing is needed for trips to the south, especially during winter and up into the Andes. Rainwear at any time when visiting the south or going to central areas during winter months (May-Sep)

Climate

Chile has a range of climatic conditions. The north of the country lies within the Atacama coastal desert, one of the driest areas of the world, but surprisingly this area experiences plently of mist and cloud which keeps the temperature from becoming to extreme. The Andes run along Chile's eastern border, in the north the climate is typical of mountain areas with thin air, light rainfall and permanent snow and ice on the highest peaks, whilst in the southern Andes, rain and snowfall is heavier and can occur at much lower altitudes. Central lowland areas of Chile have warm, dry summers (Nov-Mar) and mild, wet winters, sometimes affected by frost and snow, although rarely in coastal areas. The southern part of Chile has a changeable cool, wet climate. Summers are cool and cloudy and winters, particularly in the deep south, can be very cold

Santiago

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Maximum Temperature °C 29 29 27 23 18 14 15 17 19 22 26 28
Minimum Temperature °C 12 11 9 7 5 3 3 4 6 7 9 11
Average Humidity (mornings) % 70 78 86 89 92 93 91 91 89 83 73 69
Average Humidity (afternoons) % 38 40 41 46 58 64 60 58 55 50 41 38
Average Rainfall 3 3 5 13 64 84 76 56 31 15 8 5

Customs

Import Allowances:
For persons of 18 years of age or older: a) 400 cigarettes and 500gr of pipe tobacco and 50 large cigars or 50 small cigars (tiparillos) b) 2.5 lit of alcoholic beverages c) A reasonable quantity of perfume for personal use
Contraband:
Parrots, Edible products of animal origin. Flowers, fruits and vegetables are only permitted with Certificate (Fitosanitario) issued by Department of Agriculture in country of origin

Health

None.

Compulsary Vaccinations
None.
Recommended Immunisations
Tetanus; Hepatitis A. <b>In addition:</b> Typhoid, Rabies & Diphtheria are also recommended to those travelling to Chile frequently or intending to spend extended time here.
Risks
None. <b>GENERAL INFO FOR ALL TRAVELLERS:</b> Details listed can occasionally change at very short notice and it's recommended that all travellers seek advice from their Practice Nurse, GP or Travel Clinic when planning a visit to Chile. It should be noted that some vaccinations and treatments may require one or more visits and should be planned well in advance of travel. Primary courses and boosters should always be up to date as recommended for life in the UK. This should include vaccines given to special groups due to complications or risk exposure such as Hepatitis B for health care workers, influenza and pneumococcal vaccines for the elderly etc.

Immigration and Passport

Passports and passport replacing documents must be valid on arrival.

The following DO NOT require a visa: 1) Nationals of Chile. 2) For stays up to 90 days by: a) Holders of British passports. b) Nationals of Andorra, Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Austria, Bahamas, Barbados, Belgium, Belize, Bolivia, Bosnia Herzegovina, Brazil, Bulgaria, Colombia, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Rep, Denmark, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Grenada, Guatemala, Haiti, Honduras, Hong Kong (SAR China passports), Hungary, Iceland, Ireland (Rep of), Israel, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Korea (South), Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia (FYROM), Malta, Mauritius, Monaco, Mongolia, Montenegro, Netherlands, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, Portugal, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Africa, Spain, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts-Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent & Grenadines, Suriname, Sweden, Switzerland, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad & Tobago, Turkey, Uruguay, Vatican City & Venezuela. 3) For stays up to 90 days (Reciprocity charge applies - see below) to: a) Nationals of Albania, Australia, Canada, Mexico & the USA: Albania - USD 30.00 Multiple entry receipt valid for 90 days. Australia - USD 95.00 Multiple entry receipt valid for 90 days. Canada - USD 125.00 Multiple entry receipt - valid until passport expires. Mexico - USD 23.00 Multiple entry receipt - valid for 90 days. USA - USD 131.00 Multiple entry receipt - valid until passport expires. The reciprocity charge is payable in cash, credit card and travellers cheques for nationals of the above and travelling as a tourist.

Visitors must hold tourist card valid for 90 days (issued free of charge on arrival, some countries mensioned above may be subject to pay for tourist card, please contact nearest representation before travel) Entry requirements may change from time to time and should be checked with the Embassy of Chile

Useful Contacts

Embassy

37-41 Old Queen Street, London, SW1H 9JA tel: +44 20 7222 2361 fax: +44 20 7222 0861 e-mail: embachile@embachile.co.uk website: www.echileuk.demon.co.uk hours: 0900-1330 (Mon-Fri by appointment)

Airports

  • Antofagasta
  • Easter Island Mataveri Int'l
  • Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez

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