Country Full Name
Republic of Chile

Total Population
16,284,741

Capital
Santiago

Languages Spoken
Official: Spanish

Time Zones
GMT/UTC -4

Country Dialing Code
+56

Electrical Plugs
220V 50Hz

Weights & Measures
Metric

Chile's mountainous geography spanning over 30° of latitude makes for some strange climatic variation. Summer and winter in Chile's north are quite restrained with temperatures in the 15-25°C (63-77°F) range throughout the year with only slight seasonal change. Rain is of no concern as this coast-to-desert landscape is one of the driest in the world, despite heavy cloud cover from April to December. Central Chile has far more pronounced seasonal change with average daily highs of 29°C (85°F) from December to February and dropping to around 14°C (58°F) in June. Rainfall is heaviest in the winter months but still only moderate and falling on a few days at this time. Down south rainfall increases dramatically, peaking in June with most days succumbing to the wet. Temperatures in this region are slightly cooler with low 20°C (around 70°F) summer highs and plunging into the single digits (around 42°F) in the middle of the year.

Consideration
Chile is located in an active seismic region, prone to the occasional earthquake and volcanic eruption.

Name: Chilean Peso 
Symbol: Ch$
Accessing funds through an ATM, un Redbanc is by far the easiest and most convenient way of carrying money while in Chile. Most ATMs use the Plus (Visa) or Cirrus (MasterCard) systems and will accept your debit card. Most also have instructions in Spanish and English. You may have to pick an option titled tarjeta extranjera (foreign card) before starting the transaction.

You'll find machines in most towns (with the exception of Chile's Pacific Islands and small highland villages). ATMs are often open 24 hours and give decent exchange rates, though your bank will probably charge a fee for each foreign ATM transaction.

Exchange rates are usually best in Santiago. Generally, only Santiago will have a ready market for European currencies. Expect to pay all transactions in the local currency.

In restaurants, it is customary to tip about 10% of the bill.

Taxi drivers do not require tips.

Handicrafts markets are subject to bargaining.

Travel within Chile is easy. Fast, punctual and comfortable buses travel the main highways, and flights are frequent; the long-neglected railways have improved in recent years. Sea travel opportunities for travelers exist mainly in the south.

Easter and Christmas holidays are Chile's most important national celebrations, but there's a conglomeration of secular holidays in September, including Fiestas Patrias (mid-September); National Independence Day on the 18th (a day of spirited partying and rodeos); and Armed Forces Day on the 19th. Of the innumerable local cultural festivals, July's Fiesta de la Virgen de Carmen in La Tirana, northern Chile, is one of the most spectacular. Meanwhile, the mid-north town of Andacollo's Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario draws pilgrims every December.