Planning Your Trip to Chile: A Practical Guide

Which itinerary, when to go, what to see, which vaccine: here is our practical guide and travel tips to help you prepare your trip to Chile!

At a Glance: Essential Facts Before You Go to Chile

• Best time to travel: During the austral spring (October and November), summer (December, January, February) and autumn (March)
• Entry requirements: Passport valid for at least 6 months after your stay for EU nationals
• Flight duration: 14h (direct Europe–Santiago) to around 20h with a stopover
• Time difference: The time difference between Chile and the UK varies: –5h in summer and –3h in winter. Chile adjusts its clocks in April, then again in September. For Easter Island, add a further 2 hours.
• Languages: Like most South American countries, Chile’s official language is Spanish. However, numerous indigenous languages have survived from the pre-colonial era: Quechua and Aymará in the northern Andes, Mapudungun in Patagonia, and Rapa Nui on Easter Island.
• Population: 19.6 million
• Area: 756,626 km², stretching 4,200 km from north to south!
• Currency: The Chilean Peso (CLP). As of 2024, €1 is worth approximately 1,000 Chilean pesos. We recommend checking the exchange rate before departure.
• Plug type: Types C and L: an adapter is required.
• Country code: +56

Climate: When to Travel to Chile?

Chilean Climate

Before planning your trip to Chile, one important reminder: in the Southern Hemisphere, the seasons are reversed compared to Europe. Summer in Chile runs from December to February, while the Chilean winter spans June to August.

The Atacama Desert region has an arid climate with very rare rainfall. While days can be extremely hot in summer, nights remain cool due to the altitude.

Patagonia, in southern Chile, offers optimal conditions for exploration from October to March. However, it can be cold year-round and the wind can be fierce.

Central Chile, with Santiago and Valparaíso, enjoys a temperate climate. Valparaíso can be visited year-round, while the heat can be stifling in summer in the capital.

When Is the Best Time to Go to Chile?

Chile is the longest country in the world (4,200 km from north to south), which means travellers can visit at any time of year. We recommend travelling to Patagonia from October to March, when days are longer and (slightly) warmer, and to the north from February to December.

To avoid the peak tourist season while still enjoying the widest range of landscapes, we advise visiting Chile during the austral spring (October and November) or autumn (March).

Planning Your Chile Itinerary

Chile’s Must-See Destinations

With its 4,200 km stretching from north to south between the Pacific and the Andes, Chile is a land of remarkable contrasts that will delight every traveller. Here are some of the highlights not to miss on your Chile trip:

1. Valparaíso, the Jewel of the Pacific
2. Torres del Paine National Park in Chilean Patagonia
3. The Atacama Desert in the north, the driest desert in the world
4. Chiloé Island with its wooden churches and colourful houses on stilts
5. The Lake District, homeland of the Mapuche people

How Long Should You Spend in Chile?

The ideal length for a Chile trip is at least 2 weeks. In 15 days, you will have time to visit the three great unmissable regions of the country: the Central Valley (Santiago and Valparaíso), the Atacama Desert and Patagonia.

If you only have one week for Chile, focus on one or two regions: for example Valparaíso and the Atacama, or Patagonia.

A stay of three weeks to a month allows you to add further stages and discover the country in depth: Easter Island, the Lake District and Chiloé Island, or the legendary Carretera Austral. You can also combine your Chile circuit with a side trip to a neighbouring country: Argentina, Bolivia or Peru.

What Budget Do You Need for Chile?

Determining your budget for Chile depends on several factors and the type of trip you choose. Here are the main cost drivers:

6. Flights: An international Europe–Santiago flight costs between €950 and €1,500 (or more). For domestic flights, budget €120–200 for Santiago–Punta Arenas and €50–120 for Santiago–Calama (Atacama). A hire car costs between €250 and €400 per week.
7. Accommodation: Budget €70–150 per night in a hotel, depending on the category (1 to 3 stars), the tourist season and the location. Patagonia, Easter Island and San Pedro de Atacama are noticeably more expensive than the rest of the country. At Tierra Latina, we favour charming 2–3 star boutique hotels for greater comfort and authenticity.
8. Meals: Allow €10–30 per meal including drinks, varying according to the type of establishment and cuisine.
9. Activities: Costs vary depending on the type of excursion and format chosen: independent exploration, group visit, private guide, etc.

In a nutshell, the average daily budget for a comfortable Chile trip is around €250 per day. For a 2-week highlights circuit of Chile, budget approximately €4,000 in total including flights.

Health and Vaccines in Chile

Health Risks in Chile

Chile is a safe country from a health perspective, with very few risks for travellers. Hygiene standards are good, tap water is safe to drink in major cities, and the risk of mosquito-borne infectious diseases is minimal.

However, the sun in Chile can cause problems – particularly in the south of the country, where the ozone layer is thinner. It is strongly recommended to:

• Wear a hat or cap
• Use high-SPF sun cream
• Wear sunglasses
• Apply a protective lip balm
• Stay well hydrated

Which Vaccines Are Required for Chile?

No vaccinations are mandatory to enter Chile. However, it is advisable to check that your DTP (diphtheria, tetanus, polio) and hepatitis B vaccinations are up to date.

No Covid-19 test or vaccination certificate is required to enter Chile.

Safety: Is Chile a Dangerous Country?

Chile is one of the safest countries in Latin America. That said, travellers should remain vigilant, particularly in large cities such as Santiago and Valparaíso. Petty crime such as bag snatching is more common in tourist areas than elsewhere. Keep a close eye on your belongings and avoid displaying items of value.

There is a risk of earthquakes in Chile, but the probability of experiencing one on a 2–3 week trip is very low. Buildings in major cities generally comply with seismic safety standards.

Documents You Need for Chile

Do You Need a Visa?

For trips of less than 3 months, Chilean customs will issue a tourist visa valid for 90 days on arrival in the country for EU nationals.

On arrival, the local authorities will issue you with a Tarjeta Única Migratoria (unique migration card). Keep it carefully throughout your stay: it will be required on departure.

Valid Passport

You must present a passport with a validity of at least six months beyond your planned arrival date in Chile.

Driving Licence: Hiring a Car in Chile

If you plan to do a road trip in Chile – particularly along the legendary Carretera Austral – you will need to hire a car. Your valid French driving licence is generally sufficient for this purpose. An international driving licence is not mandatory, but is nonetheless strongly recommended.

Travel Insurance for Chile

At a minimum, repatriation insurance (automatically included in all circuits offered by Tierra Latina) and ideally a comprehensive multi-risk policy to cover every eventuality during your stay.

Packing Your Suitcase for Chile

Given the size of the country – stretching more than 4,000 km from north to south – you are likely to encounter a range of climates during your Chile trip. To help you pack smart without incurring excess baggage fees, here is a checklist of the essentials:

• Warm layers: a fleece or thermal base layer for Patagonia and cold Atacama nights
• A windproof and waterproof jacket, essential in Patagonia
• Light, breathable clothing for the Atacama and warmer regions
• Sturdy, comfortable walking shoes or hiking boots
• A hat or cap and high-quality sunglasses
• High-SPF sun cream and protective lip balm (critical in southern Chile)
• Insect repellent for the Lake District and jungle areas
• A refillable water bottle
• A smarter outfit for evenings out in Santiago or Valparaíso
• A small daypack for excursions

Culture: Films and Books Before You Go

Films and Documentaries

• Nostalgia for the Light (Nostalgia de la Luz, 2010): a documentary by Patricio Guzmán exploring the link between astronomy and the memory of the victims of the Chilean dictatorship in the Atacama Desert
• No (2012), a film by Pablo Larraín tracing the advertising campaign that led to the fall of Pinochet in 1988

Books

• Twenty Love Poems and a Song of Despair or Canto General by Pablo Neruda: poetry collections evoking love, nature and political struggle
• The House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende: a classic of Chilean literature blending magical realism and family history, exploring the social dynamics of Chile
• Condor by Caryl Férey: a gripping thriller set in Santiago and the Atacama Desert, exploring the legacy of the Pinochet dictatorship through a police investigation