UNESCO World Heritage Sites in Chile

Citizens of most Western countries including the United States, Canada, European Union, Australia, and Japan can enter Chile visa-free for tourism up to 90 days. Entry is granted through a Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo) issued upon arrival at no cost, which must be retained and presented when departing. Some nationalities including India and China require visas from Chilean consulates before travel. Reciprocity fees were previously required but abolished for all nationalities. Passports must be valid for the duration of stay. Extensions beyond 90 days require immigration office applications. Overstaying carries fines calculated per day exceeded.

The official currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP). Credit and debit cards (Visa, Mastercard) are widely accepted in cities, hotels, restaurants, and larger establishments, with chip-and-PIN systems standard. ATMs are abundant in urban areas, dispensing pesos with fees for foreign cards. Cash remains important for markets, vendors, small businesses, and rural areas. US dollars can be exchanged at casas de cambio in cities, offering better rates than airports. Currency exchange is limited rurally. Payment apps like Mercado Pago are popular domestically. Bring sufficient pesos for remote sites.

The official language is Spanish, spoken with a distinctive Chilean accent and rapid delivery. Chilean Spanish incorporates unique vocabulary and expressions not used elsewhere. English proficiency is moderate in Santiago and tourist areas but limited in rural regions and smaller cities. Tourism professionals in heritage sites typically speak some English. Younger generations have increasing English exposure through education. Signage in major tourist areas includes English. German is spoken in some southern regions by descendants of German immigrants. Learning basic Spanish phrases enhances travel experiences and facilitates communication throughout Chile.

Chile's extreme length creates diverse climates across regions. The north features desert conditions with minimal rainfall and temperatures ranging 15-30°C year-round. Central Chile around Santiago experiences Mediterranean climate with hot, dry summers (December-February) reaching 30-35°C and mild, wet winters (June-August) averaging 8-15°C with occasional freezing. The south features temperate oceanic climate with year-round precipitation, cool temperatures, and strong winds. Easter Island enjoys subtropical climate with warm temperatures and higher humidity. Spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May) offer ideal conditions for most regions. Summer suits southern Patagonia, while northern desert sites are visitable year-round. Central summer can be hot.