Best Time To Visit

The best time to visit Santiago is during late September to November, or from March to May, the spring and fall shoulder seasons of the country. However, it will be less busy during the summer months with hotel rates dropping together with pollution levels. In general, the climate is Mediterranean, making the area accessible and enjoyable throughout the entire year. The months of January and February are packed with a range of events centred around food, music, dance and culture. Make sure to check out the annual festival schedule before you book your trip.

Passport/Visa

Travellers from all EU countries, the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and many other Latin American countries do not require a visa to enter Chile for less than 90 days. They will be issued with a Tarjeta de Turismo (tourist card) upon arrival in Chile. It is important that you keep it for when you leave the country. Additionally, Australian and Mexican citizens will be charged a Reciprocity Fee. To enter Chile, you must hold a passport that is valid for a minimum of 6 months after your travel dates. Consult with your local embassy or consulate for country-specific information regarding visa regulations.

Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL)

Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, also known as Santiago International Airport and Nuevo Pudahuel Airport, is located in Pudahuel, 15 km northwest of downtown Santiago. It is Chile's largest and busiest international airport. Centro Puerto offers a shuttle service that will take you from the airport to the city and back. You can find a Delfos counter at the airport where you can book shared and private transport. It can be a bit difficult to get to the airport with public transportation so you might want to look into booking a taxi in advance.

• Web:

  www.nuevopudahuel.cl/?language=en

• Address:

  Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport

• Phone:

  +56 2 2690 1796

Public Transport

Since Santiago is one of the most modern cities in Chile, a popular travel destination and starting point for international travel, it is quite easy to get around using the public transportation system, especially if you speak Spanish. But even if you don't, you won't encounter too many problems. A unified payment system, the Bip!, is used to buy tickets for buses, metro and micros. You can buy and top up a Bip! card in subway stations. Ticket prices for Metro vary according to your travel schedule, the bus costs the same at any time of day. There are different rates for adults, students and the elderly. On weekdays, Santiago Metro runs from 5.40am to 11pm, 6.30am to 11pm on Saturdays and 8am to 10.37pm on Sundays and public holidays.

• Web:

  www.transantiago.cl

• Phone:

  +56 800 73 00 73

Taxi

To ensure your safety, it is advised that you only travel in authorized taxis and ignore the taxi drivers and representatives that wait in the baggage claim area of Santiago airport. Authorized, metered taxis are all black with yellow roofs. There is a taxi rank outside the main terminal, so pre-booking should generally not be necessary. If you do wish to prebook a taxi with a fixed rate to take you to the city from the airport, you can call Vía Controlada: +56 9 4273 2887 or Taxi Oficial: +56 2601 9880, both operate 24 hours. For longer rides, you can sometimes negotiate flat fares if your negotiation skills in Spanish are confident enough. If you want to avoid hailing a taxi in the street (which is generally safe), most hotels and restaurants will happily call you a taxi too. There is also the option to order an Uber.

Electricity

In Chile, the standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz. The power plugs and sockets are of type C and L.