TRAVEL
TIPS
| Driving |
U.S
Driving Permit and International Driving Permit required |
| Currency |
(CLP)
Chilean Peso |
| Electrical |
220 Volts |
| Telephones |
Country
Code 56, Batuco (1yz)2+7D, Casablanca (1yz)32+6D, Cabildo
(1yz)33+6D |
Time:
Mainland and Juan Fernández Islands: GMT - 5 (GMT - 4 from
second Sunday in October to second Saturday in March).
Easter Island: GMT - 7 (GMT - 6 from second Sunday in October
to second Saturday in March).
Electricity:
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Three-pin plugs and screw-type bulbs are used.
Telephone:
Full IDD available. Country code: 56. Outgoing international code:
00. Compañía de Teléfonos de Chile provides
most services though there are a few independent companies. Cheap
rate is applicable Mon-Fri 1800-0500 and all day Saturday, Sunday
and public holidays.
Climate:
Ranges from hot and arid in the north to very cold in the far
south. The central areas have a mild Mediterranean climate with
a wet season (May to August). Beyond Puerto Montt in the south
is one of the wettest and stormiest areas in the world.
Required
clothing: Lightweight cottons and linens in northern
and central areas. Rainwear is advised during rainy seasons. Mediumweights
and waterproofing are needed in the south.
Food
& Drink: Santiago has many international restaurants;
waiter service is usual. The evening will often include floor
shows and dancing. Examples of typical national dishes are empanada
(combination of meat, chicken or fish, with onions, eggs, raisins
and olives inside a flour pastry), humitas (seasoned corn paste,
wrapped in corn husks and boiled), cazuela de ave (soup with rice,
vegetables, chicken and herbs), bife a lo pobre (steak with french
fries, onions and eggs) and parrillada (selection of meat grilled
over hot coals). Seafood is good. Best known are the huge lobsters
from Juan Fernández Islands. Abalone, sea urchins, clams,
prawns and giant choros (mussels) are also common.
Chile is famous for its wine. Pisco is a powerful liqueur distilled
from grapes after wine pressing. Grapes are also used to make
the sweet brown chicha as well as aguardiente, similar to brandy.
Beer is drunk throughout the country.
Nightlife:
While many restaurants and hotels offer entertainment there are
also a number of independent discotheques and nightclubs. Casinos:
The Municipal Casino in Viña del Mar offers large gambling
salons, full cabaret and boite with Chile’s best dance bands.
A casino operates in Gran Hotel in Puerto Varas between September
and March. Arica also has a casino operating throughout the year
with baccarat, roulette, black jack, a restaurant and late-night
cabaret.
Tipping:
Restaurants and bars add 10 per cent to bill. However, waiters
will expect a 10 per cent cash tip in addition.
Currency:
Chilean Peso (peso) = 100 centavos. Notes are in denominations
of peso20,000, 10,000, 5000, 2000 and 1000. Coins are in denominations
of peso500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.
Currency
exchange: Foreign exchange transactions can be conducted
through commercial banks, casas de cambio, or authorised shops,
restaurants, hotels and clubs. Visitors should not be tempted
by the premiums of 10 to 15 per cent over the official rate offered
by black marketeers. Casas de cambio are open daily 0900-1900.
Credit
& debit cards: Diners Club, Visa, American Express,
Visa and MasterCard are accepted. Check with your credit or debit
card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services
which may be available.
