Chile is one of the most distant countries from Europe, located in the southwest of South America, stretching out as a long narrow strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. This mysterious, remote and isolated country offers its guests a wide range of tourist attractions.

Visa to Chile Russians have not needed it for a long time. Citizens of the Russian Federation can stay in Chile without a visa for ninety days.

Chile Customs Regulations

Chile has fairly strict customs regulations, primarily related to sanitary control. The following items and products are prohibited from being imported into the country:

• Fruits, seeds, vegetables and animal products that have not been cooked;
• Raw smoked sausages;
• Meat and fish products without can packaging;
• Firearms, ammunition and explosives;
• Drugs;
• Wooden products if they contain insects (must be declared and inspected by sanitary workers).

Current time in Santiago:
(UTC -3)

It should be borne in mind that sanitary control in Chile is very strict; upon entering the country, all luggage at the airport undergoes a thorough inspection using the latest equipment, and specially trained dogs are also used for this. If you try to bring prohibited products into the country, you will be charged a fine of $200 or more.

How to get to Chile

It makes the most sense to start your trip from the country's capital - it is the largest city, and flights there will be much cheaper and more frequent than to other cities in Chile.

The easiest and most logical option is to fly to Santiago ( Arturo Merino Benitez Airport) from Russia - these are flights of one of the European airlines with a connection at its home airport. These are Iberia, Air France and Chilean Lan. The latter carrier, however, only flies to Madrid, but thanks to code-share agreements you can fly to Madrid on S7, and all this will be issued with one ticket. You can also take one-stop flights with Delta and American Airlines via New York. However, due to the small number of airlines on the route, the prices are not at all encouraging. Therefore, to save money, you can consider the option of flying through neighboring countries. It can be both cheaper and richer in terms of impressions.

Recently, tourists are increasingly combining visits to Chile with Argentina and Peru. The most convenient way to get from Santiago to Buenos Aires (and, accordingly, vice versa) is by direct airline flights. Today, this airline is considered the undisputed leader in the Latin American aviation market. LAN is famous for its impeccable service and reliable aircraft, but its ticket prices are quite high. The average cost of an economy class flight on the route Santiago - Buenos Aires - Santiago is about $300. The Argentine airline is less popular on this route. From time to time, these airlines hold sales and promotions where you can snag tickets for as little as $200. The flight lasts only an hour and a half, so it is not surprising that among residents of these two South American capitals it is common to fly back and forth on weekends.

You can fly from Santiago to Lima and back for about $400, provided you buy a ticket a few months before departure. Just before departure, prices can reach $700. Travel time is four hours.

Information about the main air gates of the country (photos, descriptions of terminals, ways to get to the city) - on the page Santiago Arturo Merino Benitez Airport .

Search for flights
in Chile

Search for a car
for rent

Search flights to Chile

We compare all available flight options based on your request, and then direct you to the official websites of airlines and agencies for purchase. The air ticket price you see on Aviasales is final. We have removed all hidden services and checkboxes.

We know where to buy cheap air tickets. Airplane tickets to 220 countries. Search and compare prices for air tickets among 100 agencies and 728 airlines.

We cooperate with Aviasales.ru and do not charge any commissions - the cost of tickets is absolutely the same as on the website.

Search for a rental car

Compare 900 rental companies at 53,000 rental locations.

Search 221 rental companies worldwide
40,000 pick-up points
Easy cancellation or modification of your booking

We cooperate with RentalCars and do not charge any commissions - the rental price is absolutely the same as on the website.

Story

Cities and regions

Administratively, the territory of Chile is divided into 15 regions, which in turn are divided into numerous provinces and communities. Each region has its own interesting specifics and features, both natural-geographical and cultural-historical.

№	Region	Capital
1	Tarapaca	Iquique
2	Antofagasta	Antofagasta
3	Atacama	Copiapo
4	Coquimbo	La Serena
5	Valparaiso	Valparaiso
6	O'Higgins	Rancagua
7	Maule	Talc
8	Bio-Bio	Concepcion
9	Araucania	Temuco
10	Los Rios	Valdivia
11	Los Lagos	Puerto Montt
12	Aisen	Coyhaique
13	Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica	Punta Arenas
	Santiago (region)	Santiago (city)
15	Arica y Parinacota	Arika

Arica and Parinacota (Fifteenth Region)

This region, designated number 15, was created by the Government of Chile relatively recently - in 2007, thereby breaking the historical numbering structure. Bordered to the north by Peru and to the east by Bolivia, Region 15 covers an area of ​​16,873 km² and is home to approximately 192 thousand people. Traditionally, the region's economy has been based on natural resource extraction, mainly copper, as well as fishing and fishmeal production. In the past, the main wealth of this zone was saltpeter.

From a geographical point of view, this area of ​​Greater Northern Chile is characterized by a desert landscape. Landscapes and climate vary greatly as you move from the coast into the region. The coastal climate is very mild, with average temperatures throughout the year ranging from 20 to 25 degrees. At high altitudes and in the desert there are very sharp fluctuations in day and night temperatures. Precipitation here is extremely rare and in small quantities.

Notable cities and/or attractions in the region:

Tarapaca (First Region)

In the historical numbering structure of Chile, this region is number one. In fact, this is the second region of the country from the north, located between the Pacific Ocean and Bolivia. This region of Greater Northern Chile has an area of ​​42,225.8 km² and a population of more than 314 thousand people. The region is characterized by an arid and barren climate and a very narrow coastal zone. The rest of its territory is occupied by high plateaus and hills. A distinctive feature of this region is the large number of salt marshes and salt lakes. There are also many volcanoes and lagoons and quite a rich fauna - llamas, guanacos, vicunas and flamingos are found here in abundance.

Antofagasta (Second Region)

It is the third region of Chile's Greater North, located between the Pacific Ocean and the border with Bolivia and Argentina, covering an area of ​​126,049.1 km². The population of this region is approximately 575 thousand people. The relief and geography of the Second Region of Antofagasta have much in common with the First Region of Tarapacá. The area's economy is based primarily on copper mining and is home to some of the country's largest open-pit mines, including the largest open-pit mine in the world, Chuquicamata. In addition to copper, this region has many other natural resources, such as gold, silver, iron and iodine. Particular emphasis is placed on the fishing industry, especially the production of fishmeal. The population of this region is dominated by descendants of Croatian settlers, so do not be surprised that most of the locals look completely European.

• Atacama Desert
• Atacama Salt Marsh and Lagoons

Atacama (Third Region)

This region should not be confused with the Atacama Desert, which is located in the Second Region of Antofagasta. The Third Atacama Region, the last region in the classification of the Great North natural zone, is located between the Pacific Ocean and Argentina over an area of ​​75,452 km² and is a major mining center of the country, the economy of which is based on the extraction of copper and silver. It is one of the least populated regions of Chile, with a population of approximately 290 thousand people.

• Copiapo

Coquimbo (Fourth Region)

This region, which covers an area of ​​40,579 km², is part of a natural area called Little North Chile. The population of the Coquimbo Region is approximately 718 thousand people. The region's economy is based on agriculture, fishing, mining and tourism.

• Punta Choros Marine Reserve

Valparaiso (Fifth Region)

The Fifth Region of Valparaiso is the most important industrial, port, agricultural and tourist region of the country with a population of 1,734,917 people. The area of ​​this region is 16,396 km², and territorially it is part of the Central Natural Zone of Chile. The capital of the Fifth Region, Valparaiso, which has the status of a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is picturesquely located in the hills along a huge Pacific bay.

In this region, it is also interesting to visit such resort towns as Viña del Mar and Algarrobo, where the house-museum of Pablo Neruda is located in the town of Isla Negra. The Fifth Region includes the two main islands of Chile - the Juan Fernandez archipelago and Easter Island.

Santiago (Capital Region)

The largest and most developed economic and tourism region of the country, which includes six provinces. Located in the very center of Chile, the Capital Region was excluded from the established numbering scheme for the country's regions. Instead of numbers, he was given the initials RM (Region Metropolitana), which means Metropolitan Region in Spanish. As of 2012, the population of the Capital Region was 6,685,685 people.

The main region of the country covers an area of ​​15,403 km². The name of this region speaks for itself - the country's capital, Santiago, is located here. This is the richest and most developed region of the country in all respects, where large financial capital, international companies, various industrial production, excellent tourism infrastructure, and well-developed agriculture, in particular winemaking, are concentrated. The Casablanca Valley around Santiago is home to numerous wineries that are sure to be a delight to visit. The most famous wineries in this region are Morande, Indomita, Veramonte and Casas del Bosque. In this region, literally an hour's drive from Santiago, there are the best ski resorts in the country, such as Valle Nevado, El Colorado, Farellones and La Parva. Lovers of nature and mountain landscapes will be interested in a trip to the picturesque Maipo Gorge, not far from Santiago.

O" Higgins (Sixth Region)

An important mining and agricultural region of the country with a population of 883,368 people and an area of ​​16,387 km². The development of this region is largely due to its proximity to the Capital Region - the capital of the Sixth Region, the city of Rancagua, is only 96 km from Santiago.

Interestingly, the world-famous philanthropist and industrialist Solomon Guggenheim left his mark in Chile. It was he who founded the Bradden Copper Co. copper mining company in Sewell. and did a lot for the development of industry in this country. It is not surprising that Guggenheim is loved and revered in Chile.

The sixth region has long been famous for its winemaking. On the territory of the largest wine-growing valley, Colchagua (Valle de Colchagua), there are such famous wineries as Viu Manent, Santa Rita, Cono Sur, Lapostolle. Thermal holidays are represented here by two of the oldest traditional thermal complexes - Termas de Cauquenes and Termas del Flaco. It should be noted that thermal recreation in Chile is very developed; There are a lot of health complexes here, and almost every region can boast of miraculous thermal springs with a wide variety of healing waters.

There is also the Reserva Nacional Rio de los Cipreses National Park, where you can see the typical flora and fauna of the Cordillera ecosystem. For active recreation, all kinds of water sports and fishing, Lake Rapel, the largest artificial lake in the country, 102 km from Rancagua, is perfect. Here you can rent wooden cabanas; this type of holiday is very common among Chileans.

Maule (Seventh Region)

The Seventh Region of Maule is located in the heart of the central zone of Chile, 258 km south of Santiago. The population of this region is 968,336 people, and the territory is 30,269 km². This is, first of all, a rich agricultural area where apples, pears, plums, peaches, apricots and, of course, grapes are grown.

Maule Valley — This is the most important wine-growing region of Chile, here are many famous wineries, both traditional family-run and modern, new generation. The wine road passing through this valley attracts many wine tourism lovers. The most famous wineries of the Maule Valley - Valdivieso, San Pedro, J. Bouchon, Gillmore - offer everyone visits to their cellars and vineyards, as well as tastings of their wines. The Maule Valley is also the largest asparagus growing region.

Almost on the border with Argentina, there is another interesting natural place in this region - the huge Laguna del Maule, whose bright blue waters abound with trout.

Bio-Bio (Eighth Region)

This is the second most important economic and demographic region of the country. Region Eight covers an area of ​​37,068.7 km² and is home to approximately 1,971,998 people. There are also many important ports of the country concentrated here, the main one being the military port of Talcahuano. This region opens the list of regions that make up the natural region called Southern Chile.

• Termas de Chillan thermal resort

Araucania (Ninth Region)

This region of Southern Chile is known primarily as the homeland of the country's indigenous Mapuche Indian population. The ninth region covers an area of ​​31,843 km², and approximately 970 thousand people live on its territory.

• Villarrica National Park
• El Caña Nature Reserve

Los Rios (Fourteenth Region)

This region breaks with Chile's historical administrative numbering structure, and the reason for this is that it only recently separated from the Tenth Region of Los Lagos. The fourteenth Region of Los Rios got its name due to the large number of rivers flowing through its territory. The River Region covers an area of ​​18,429 km² and is home to approximately 380 thousand people. The economy of this region of Southern Chile is represented mainly by the wood processing industry and cattle breeding.

Los Lagos (Tenth Region)

It’s easy to guess that this region got its name from the large number of local lakes. And, indeed, there is more water here than land. On the territory of the Chilean Lake District there are 12 large lakes and several more small ones. The lakes are of glacial-tectonic origin and are distinguished by their extraordinary beauty and varied palette of colors - dark blue, turquoise, emerald ponds surrounded by mountains and volcanoes, connected by rivers. The extraordinary natural beauty of this region has contributed to its prosperity and tourism development.

Today it is one of the most developed regions of the country in terms of tourism and the most popular tourist destination among Chileans and foreign tourists. The Lake District also has the reputation of being the most Europeanized region of the country, the appearance of which was greatly influenced by German colonists. In the middle of the 19th century, the Government of Chile allocated considerable funds for the development of this region. The mass settlement of these desert lands by German settlers began, who created cities here in a typically German architectural style and boosted the economy of this region. Today, many descendants of German settlers live in this region, so do not be surprised to see typically Aryan faces on the streets.

The area of ​​the Lakes Region is impressive in size, it is 48,585 km², and approximately 836 thousand people live on its territory. The economy of the lake district is represented mainly by fishing and agriculture. Geographically, the region consists of four provinces - Chiloe, Llanquihue, Osorno and Palena.

Aisen (Eleventh Region)

This region opens up the geographical zone of Patagonia in the Far South of Chile. Located in upper Patagonia, the Aisen region covers an area of ​​108,494.4 km² and is home to no more than 100 thousand people. It turns out that this is the least populated region of the country. Administratively, the region is divided into five communes - Aisen, Capitan Prat, Coyhaique and General Carrera. The capital of the region is the city of Coyhaique, the second most important city is Puerto Aisen.

There are several versions regarding the origin of the name of this region. According to the most common of them, Aisen translated from English means “end of the ice” (iceend), and Captain Fitz Roy gave this name to these lands during his expedition. Other theories attribute the origin of this name to local Indian dialects, which in some cases meant crooked fjords, and in others, inland fjords.

The legendary Carretera Austral, or Antarctic Road, the most scenic road in Chile, runs through the Eleventh Region. The 1,240 kilometers of this road connect Puerto Montt with Villa O'Higgins in the far south of the region, passing by forests, canals, fjords, colorful lagoons and lakes, rivers, waterfalls and glaciers. Carretera Austral was built relatively recently, about thirty years ago, and before that, during the winter, the population of the Aisen region was completely isolated from the rest of Chile. In summer, transportation was carried out by water. It is not surprising that isolation from the outside world is one of the features of local life.

Due to its glacial origin, the rugged terrain of this region is filled with hills, canyons, meadows against the backdrop of snow-capped mountains, representing a peculiar mix of Alpine, Altai and Siberian landscapes. The climate in these parts is harsh and inhospitable, characterized by cold and long snowy winters, rainy autumns with strong winds and short moderate summers. On the coast the climate is oceanic, while inland it is cold steppe.

Due to its isolation, the Aisen region cannot be called an economically developed region of the country; the population is mainly engaged in cattle breeding and the forestry industry. It is interesting that the way of life and traditions of the local residents are very close to the way of life of the Argentine gauchos, which is understandable - the border with Argentina is just a stone's throw away, this closeness determined such historical similarities. Residents of border areas constantly travel back and forth for shopping, have relatives here and there, which naturally contributes to the similarity in their lifestyle, habits and traditions. This is a feature of the lifestyle of the population of this region.

In recent years, the Chilean government has been relying on the development of the tourism potential of this region, but today Aisen is still completely unpromoted in terms of tourism, and its tourism infrastructure is, if not in its infancy, then certainly in a diaper state. We can say that this most beautiful natural region of Chile is only taking its first steps in the tourist direction, but this does not make it lose any of its attractiveness and pristine charm. It is quite possible that in a few years tourism will begin to flow here, which will inevitably affect the pristine nature of the region.

To get to this region from Santiago, you must first fly to the city of Balmaceda, and then take a bus or taxi to the city of Coyhaique (65 km), where all routes around this marvelous region begin.

The normal fare for the Santiago-Balmaceda-Santiago route costs approximately US$150. Travel time is a little over two hours.

Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica (Twelfth Region)

Located in the far south of the country, the Twelfth Region includes 4 provinces and 11 communes. It consists of two regions - continental and Antarctic. The continental zone is home to the bulk of the region's population, and its area is 132,033.5 km². Antarctic territory with an area of ​​1,250,257.6 km² is separated from the continental part by the Drake Passage. Thus, the total territory of the Twelfth Region, taking into account the area of ​​the Antarctic commune, is 1,382,291.1 km², and the population is slightly more than 158 thousand people (2010). This is one of the least populated regions of the country due to its harsh climatic conditions. The Magallanes region consists of four provinces: Antarctica, Magallanes, Tierra del Fuego and Ultima Esperanza. The population of the region is mainly engaged in cattle breeding, especially sheep breeding, and fishing. The oil and gas industry is also developing here, due to the discovery of oil and gas deposits on the territory of Tierra del Fuego in the forties.

The history of these lands is very interesting and instructive. Magellan discovered these places in 1520, when his expedition was trying to find a way out to the Pacific Ocean from the Atlantic. Initially, he christened it the Strait of All Saints, and called the lands around the strait the land of the Patagonians in honor of the local peoples, whose size reminded him of the mythical giant Patagon. Hence the common name for these places - Patagonia. The Strait of Magellan is shaped like the Latin letter S, and separates the Brunswick Peninsula, where the regional capital of Punta Arenas is located, from the island of Tierra del Fuego, which is so close to the mainland that its outline is visible from the Punta Arenas promenade. Magellan’s merits in the history and development of this region are so great that it is not at all surprising that local residents immensely revere the great navigator. They even call themselves not Chileans, but Magellans, in honor of Magellan. The colonization of these lands really began quite late, in 1843, when President Manuel Bulnes ordered an expedition to be sent from Ancud (Island of Chiloe) to explore these remote territories. This is how the first settlement arose - Fort Bulnes. Later, sheep were brought here from the island of Chiloe and the Falkland Islands, which gave impetus to the development of sheep farming. At the end of the last century, active colonization of these places began, a huge amount of land was distributed, and large farms were created. But if mainly German settlers came to the Lakes Region, Croats and English prevailed here. The most famous and wealthy settlers of these places are the Brown, Menendez and Nogueira families.

Punta Arenas is still decorated with the magnificent palaces of these families. The other side of this policy was the almost complete extermination of the local Yagan and Selknam tribes, the seizure of their lands by settlers and, as a result, the fabulous enrichment of the colonists.

Chilean Antarctica

Chilean Antarctica is a province within Region Twelve. In turn, it consists of two communes - Cabo de Hornos and Antarctica. The administrative center of the Chilean Antarctic is the city of Puerto Williams, which competes with the Argentinean Ushuaia for the title of the southernmost city in the world. Harsh climatic conditions prevent the mass settlement of these lands; for example, the population of Chilean Antarctica is only 2,392 people. This is the closest point to Antarctica.

Despite the fact that Antarctica is the most severe climatic region on Earth, recently this continent has become the object of close attention of tourists from all over the world. And this is not at all surprising, because sophisticated travelers have already explored all the tourist corners of the Earth, and the poles still remain blank spots on the map.

The ideal time to travel to Antarctica is December-January, when there are the most clear days. Currently, the Antarctic territory is divided between 7 countries: Great Britain, France, Norway, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina and Chile, but does not belong to any state. Only scientific activities are permitted on its territory.

Cruise ships depart from Punta Arenas to Antarctica, but the cost of such cruises is simply astronomical. A more economical alternative may be commercial flights between November and April. There is a choice of both one-day and two-day similar tours. Planes usually land at the Frey meteorological base, which is located next to the Russian Bellingshausen base. Flights and organization of stay at the station are provided by the Chilean airline. The cost of such flights is quite high - from 3 to 4 thousand dollars, but compared to expensive cruises, this option will in any case be more economical. During a one-day air tour, travelers usually visit King George Island (Isla ReyJorge), the peculiar capital of the South Pole, where the President Frey scientific station is located, as well as the village of Villa Las Estrellas with a population of 120 people in the summer and 80 people in the winter.

Antarctica has a huge field of activities for curious and active travelers: here you can take a tour of the Antarctic ice fields, fly in a helicopter over glaciers, cruise along the coast between giant icebergs, and enjoy the marine fauna of the generous Antarctic waters, which give shelter to populations of blue whales , elephant seals, seals, fur seals and emperor penguins.

What to see

A visit to Chile usually begins from the capital. Therefore about Santiago attractions and other places worth visiting in the city you can read in separate material. The rest of the country's interesting places are quite scattered. Below you will find links to various attractions in Chile, from almost the equator to almost Antarctica.

National Parks of Chile

Chile is famous for its pristine nature and boasts unique natural parks in a wide variety of geographical areas. This is the main asset of the country, which is carefully protected and supported by the state. In total, there are 33 natural parks in Chile, the most famous of which are the following:

• Torres del Paine National Park
• Laguna San Rafael National Park
• Rapa Nui National Park(Easter Island)
• Juan Fernandez Archipelago National Park
• Villarrica National Park
• Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
• Pan de Azucar National Park
• Lauca National Park(Lake Chungara)
• Isluga Volcano National Park

Attractions

Museums and galleries

Entertainment

Parks and Recreation

Leisure

Transport

Wellness holiday

Private guides in Chile

Russian private guides will help you get acquainted with Chile in more detail.
Registered on the Experts.Tourister.Ru project.

Things to do

Wine tourism (wine tourism)

This is a new direction in tourism, the purpose of which is to get acquainted with the culture and history of the regions through the study of winemaking traditions. In recent years, enotourism has become extremely popular in Chile, expanding the ranks of its adherents both among Chileans themselves and among foreign guests.

March is a special month in Chile, when the whole country celebrates the Vendimia harvest. Such festivities are held in different wine-growing regions of the country, usually in the first half of March. In the central region, very interesting and colorful Vendimias take place in the cities of San Fernando, Santa Cruz and Pirque. Gastronomic pleasures and wine tastings at such holidays are usually accompanied by musical performances, the election of a Queen from among local girls, competitions in the national cueca dance, rodeos and demonstrations of local cowboy outfits, the Huaso. During the Vendimia festival, it is customary to press grapes in barrels. The barrels are freely accessible to everyone, so you can come and press to your heart’s content.

Thermal holidays in Chile

It is not surprising that thermal holidays are very popular in Chile, because the country is rich in springs with a wide variety of characteristics and healing properties. Thermal complexes are scattered throughout the country, each region boasting its own unique thermal water. Among the thermal complexes closest to Santiago, we can recommend the following:

• Termas de Jahuel;
• Termas de Corazon;
• Termas de Cauquenes.

From other regions of the country, the following thermal resorts are very popular:

• Termas de Puyeue in the Los Lago Region c
• Termas de Chillan in the Bio Region - Bio
• Termas de Panimavida in the Maule Region
• Termas de Quinamavida in the Maule Region

Ski resorts in Chile

Alpine skiing began to develop in Chile relatively recently, at the beginning of the 20th century. Today, lovers of this winter sport come to Chile to enjoy the beautiful slopes, pistes and relax among the snow-white plains of the Andes. The ski season in Chile begins in June and ends at the end of September, and in the south of the country it ends in mid or late October.

The best ski resorts in the Central Zone are the following (follow the links for a lot of detailed information):

Here you will find a well-developed tourist infrastructure, hotels for every taste and budget, modern ski lifts, long trails, as well as ski equipment rental. The ski season in Chile is quite short, usually lasting from mid-June to the end of August. But, nevertheless, this is one of the few places on the Latin American continent where snow generally falls and you can ski, so it is in considerable demand, especially among neighbors from hot Brazil. The resorts of Portillo, La Parva, El Colrado and Valle Nevado are an hour's drive from Santiago and you can come here either by yourself in a rented car or by public transport. The main advantage of these resorts is that if the weather is good, you can ski and sunbathe on the Pacific Ocean in one day.

There are also other resorts in Central Chile, but they are less equipped and there are fewer trails and lifts.

• Chapa Verde
• Pucon
• Antillanca

Resorts outside the central part of Chile, but also interesting and popular. However, the number of difficult trails (red and black) here is much less than in the resorts of the central part of the country. This is compensated by excellent opportunities for off-piste skiing, and is complemented by the possibility of swimming in thermal waters in the open air.

• Lagunillas
• Antuco
• Corralco
• El Fraile
• Cerro Mirador

Getting around the country

Public transport in Chile is quite well developed and is represented by planes, buses, trains and ferries.

Aircraft

The main mode of transportation across such a long country is, of course, air. It makes no sense to travel by car or bus from Santiago to the far north or south, it will be a pointless waste of time. Moreover, LAN airline’s policy of promoting domestic tourism makes flights between cities in the country relatively inexpensive. If you purchase tickets from this airline in advance, you can find very attractive offers on various tourist destinations within the country. For comparison, here is the average cost of tickets for the most popular domestic routes (round trip):

• Santiago - Calama: USD 150
• Santiago - La Serena: USD 60
• Santiago - Temuco: USD 90
• Santiago - Puerto Montt: USD 120
• Santiago - Balmaceda: USD 140
• Santiago - Punta Arenas: USD 170
• Santiago - Iquique: USD 160
• Santiago - Easter Island: USD 400

Basically, all flights are carried out through the capital of Chile, Santiago. If you need to get from Calama, say, to Arica, you will first have to return to Santiago and from there fly north again - this is an obvious inconvenience.

In the southern direction, the situation is different. Here you can conveniently combine visits to several cities at once. For example, go from Santiago to Puerto Montt, spend a few days there, and then from there go to Balmaceda or Punta Arenas. Prices for such domestic flights are quite low, from 50 to 120 dollars, of course, subject to early purchase.

Trains

Rail transport in the country is rather poorly developed. During Pinochet's time, many railways fell into disrepair. It makes sense to use trains only for a short section from Santiago to Talca and Chillan.

Buses

Bus service between the country's cities is excellent. The bus is the most popular mode of transport in the country. The most reliable and popular bus company is . The network of Turbus bus routes covers almost the entire territory of the country.

It makes sense to use bus service when traveling relatively short distances. Bus routes from Santiago to nearby cities such as Valparaiso, La Serena, Chillan, Concepcion are very popular. Buses are comfortable and economical. For example, you can travel from Santiago to La Serena and back by bus for only 16 thousand pesos, although the one-way journey will take more than six hours.

There are different types of buses and seats, the most popular of which are semi-flat seats - semicama and fully reclining seats - cama.

Chilean culture

In the regions of the south of the country, especially in Patagonia, the signature dishes are traditionally roasted whole lamb on a spit (Corderoal Palo) and delicious crabs (centolla), which are rich in the waters of the Strait of Magellan. Homemade jam made from wild berries calafate, tart and sour small berries that grow everywhere in its forests, is very popular in Patagonia.

In the Lakes Region, be sure to try the local salmon, especially with shrimp and krill béchamel sauce, as well as the local hake (merluza austral).

The main cuisine of this region was formed under the influence of German gastronomic traditions and is famous for all kinds of sausages, bacon, sauerkraut rolls and excellent homemade pies with fruits and berries kuchen.

Safety in Chile

In terms of security, Chile is considered the most peaceful country on the entire South American continent. The people here are extremely law-abiding and are distinguished by their friendliness and willingness to help guests of their country, especially in the Chilean province. Crime and corruption rates in Chile are the lowest in Latin America.

But still, even in this calm country, sometimes unpleasant incidents happen, so you should not relax completely, but it is advisable to take certain precautions:

• In restaurants and cafes, do not leave bags unattended, do not hang them on the back of a chair, it is best to keep the bag on your lap under the table.
• In crowded places, especially in the center of Santiago, keep a close eye on bags, photographic equipment and wallets.
• Do not change money on the street, even if they offer a better rate.
• On some streets of Santiago and Valparaiso there are homeless people, beggars and vagrants. And although they are not particularly aggressive, it is still better to stay away from them.
• The Valparaiso Beach has a huge number of stray dogs that it would be wise to avoid.

As for Easter Island, the concept of safety simply does not exist there - a completely relaxed, peaceful atmosphere reigns on the island and you can calmly walk everywhere all night long. The same applies to tourist centers such as San Pedro de Atacama, Puerto Varas, Puerto Natales, Coyhaique and Frutillar. In general, the country is conducive to a calm, safe holiday.

Officially the country is called the Republic of Chile. This state was founded by Spanish colonialists in the early 16th century. But since no mineral resources were found in this territory, the lands were of no particular importance to the colonialists in the future. But still, Chile is a rather unique country with a very original nature.

Geographical characteristics

The Republic of Chile is located in the southwest of the South American continent, and occupies a narrow strip of continent between the Pacific Ocean and the Andean ridge. In the east, the country borders on the prairies of Argentina. To the north, Chile borders Peru and Bolivia.

The coastline has a length of 6435 km. The space of the Pacific Ocean along the state was called the Chilean Sea. The water space of this sea belongs to the country.

After many years of military conflicts in the 19th century, diplomatic relations were established between Chile and Peru. The border between the states is only 168 km, and it is around the border area that disputes between states have been going on for many years.

Nature

Stretched along the ocean coast, Chile allows those who visit it to see the snow-capped mountains in the south, close to the shores of Antarctica. And in the north the climate is close to tropical. This feature of the country arouses the interest of tourists, which makes it possible to develop tourism. One of the highest mountains in the territory of the Chilean Republic is Ojos del Salado (the highest point 6893 m) and is located on the border with Argentina, it is the second highest peak in South America after Mount Aconcagua, located in Argentina...

There are many rivers in the territory, but they are all quite short. The longest is Loa, which has a length of 440 km. Most of the rivers belong to the basins of the Pacific Ocean, but only Loa reaches the ocean itself, and many rivers are characterized only by temporary flows during the summer rainy season...

In the western part of the country, the territory is washed by the Pacific Ocean, and the length of the coast is more than 6 thousand km. Thanks to the Humboldt Current, the waters of the coast of Chile are quite cool, but near the coast the water is pleasant and warm, which also attracts tourists...

Chile is characterized by xerophytic vegetation, many varieties of shrubs and coniferous or laurel forests. Some areas are rich in cactus and cereal flora.

The fauna is quite scarce and not very diverse. Wolves and chinchillas can be found, and there are also a number of deer and pumas in the forests. There are unique species of cats that are considered dangerous predators.

Among the most popular birds are the Chilean eagle and flamingo, which are somewhat different from their counterparts in other countries...

In the northern part the climate is tropical, while other parts are temperate continental, and the elongated shape of the state allows it to occupy several climatic zones in different parts of the country. Thus, here you can find both rich deciduous forests and a desert part with classic nature and a hot climate...

Resources

The country is rich in copper and mineral deposits, and iron ore occupies a special place among minerals. There are quite a lot of industries in the country that belong to the food industry, as well as various sawmills and woodworking enterprises. The development of agriculture is of great importance for the state economy...

Culture

The population is approximately 16.8 million, including Spanish-speaking Chileans, as well as Europeans and Asians who emigrated in the 20th century. The indigenous peoples are Indian peoples with corresponding cultural traditions, and there is also a fairly large number of Polynesians. The cultural characteristics of the state combine the combination of Spanish culture with local culture, with Spanish motifs predominant. Thus, the culture combines Polynesian, Indian and Spanish...

Useful information for tourists about Chile, cities and resorts of the country. As well as information about the population, currency of Chile, cuisine, features of visa and customs restrictions of Chile.

Geography of Chile

The Republic of Chile is a state in southwestern South America, occupying a long strip of land between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. In the west it is washed by the Pacific Ocean and borders Argentina, Peru, and Bolivia.

The country includes the Easter Islands (Rapa Nui, 3,700 km west of the country's coast), Juan Fernandez (700 km to the west), a vast archipelago and part of the island of Tierra del Fuego in the southern part of the country, as well as many smaller islands .

Chile is divided into three regions, sharply different from each other in climate and topography: Northern Desert (Atacama desert region), Central Chile (highlands of the Andes) and Southern Chile (hilly zone of dense forests in the foothills of the Southern Andes and a labyrinth of narrow straits and mountainous islands in the extreme south).

State

State structure

Republic. The head of state and government is the president. The highest legislative body is the bicameral National Congress.

Language

Official language: Spanish

English, German, Aymara, Araucana, Mapuche and the languages ​​of other ethnic groups are used.

Religion

Catholics - about 80%, Protestants - 13%, as well as adherents of other faiths.

Currency

International name: CLP

The Chilean peso is equal to 100 centavos. There are banknotes in circulation in denominations of 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000 and 1,000 pesos, as well as coins in 500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1 pesos. It is possible to pay for goods and services in US dollars.

You can exchange money at banks or exchange offices (“casas de cambios”). It is quite possible to exchange with private money changers - their rate is usually 10 percent more favorable, but cases of fraud are not uncommon here.

Large stores, restaurants and hotels accept credit cards from the world's leading systems. Traveler's checks can be exchanged at banks (departments that deal with traveler's checks are usually open here only until noon) or at exchange offices (usually there is a better rate here). To avoid additional exchange costs, it is recommended to take traveler's checks in US dollars with you. In the provinces, the use of non-cash means of payment is problematic.

History of Chile

The history of Chile dates back to the settlement of the region about 13,000 years ago. In the 16th century, the conquest and subjugation of the territories of present-day Chile by Spanish conquistadors began; in the 19th century. The Chilean people won independence from colonial rule. The further development of Chile until the Second World War was predetermined initially by the mining of saltpeter and, somewhat later, copper. The large availability of mineral resources led to significant economic growth in Chile, but also to heavy dependence on neighboring states and even wars with them. After a century of Christian Democratic leadership in the country, socialist President Salvador Allende came to power in Chile in 1970. General Augusto Pinochet's putsch on September 11, 1973 marked the beginning of a 17-year dictatorship in the country and led to radical market reforms in the economy. Since 1988, Chile has taken the democratic path of development.

Popular attractions

Tourism in Chile

Where to stay

The hotel base in Chile is improving every year. The classification of hotels in the country is standard European: from one to five stars. In Chile, vacationers have a very large selection of places to stay, ranging from hostels, small family hotels and guest houses to luxury premium hotels.

The best Chilean hotels are concentrated in Santiago, the country's largest city. Hotels from all leading international hotel chains are represented here, most of which operate on an all-inclusive program. The country's largest ski hotels are located in winter resorts such as Portillo, Termas de Chillan, and Valle Nevada.

A universal accommodation option for guests of Chile are cabañas - separate apartments or chalets, ranging from the simplest with minimal service and amenities to truly luxurious ones.

Apart-hotels, which are quite similar to cabanas, are considered a separate type of accommodation in the country. These are apartment buildings with separate cozy apartments that provide hotel service. Vacationers have several rooms with a separate kitchen at their disposal. Another option for accommodation in Chile is a hosteria - a private hotel or boarding house with an average price range and level of service.

As for hostels, in the country they are located mainly in the capital. Many of them are located in private houses, where there are both common areas and separate rooms for guests. Most hostels are quite comfortable, and in terms of amenities they are not inferior to such inexpensive hotels as residencial, which can be found in every provincial city.

In almost all Chilean hotels, excluding the cheapest ones, breakfast is included in the room price. Inexpensive hotels offer guests a continental breakfast, while more expensive hotels offer a buffet or traditional American breakfast.

Holidays in Chile at the best price

Search and compare prices across all the world's leading reservation systems. Find the best price for yourself and save up to 80% on the cost of travel services!

Republic of Chile.

The name of the country in the language of the local Arawak Indians means “cold, winter.”

Capital of Chile. Santiago.

Area of ​​Chile. 756945 km2.

Population of Chile. 17.95 million (

Chile GDP. $258.1 billion (

Location of Chile. State in the southwest. The territory of Chile stretches along the coast from north to south for 4300 km. There are two stretching across the entire country. In the east - , in the west along the coast - coastal. In the north, Chile borders with, in the east - with and, in the south and west it is washed by the waters of the Pacific Ocean. Chile also owns the island of Easter Island (Rapa Nui) and the Juan Fernandez Archipelago.

Administrative divisions of Chile. The state is divided into 12 regions.

Form of government of Chile. Republic.

Head of State of Chile. The president.

Supreme legislative body of Chile. National Congress (two chambers: Senate and Chamber of Deputies).

Supreme executive body of Chile. Cabinet of Ministers (headed by the president).

Major cities in Chile. Concepcion, Viña del Mar, Valparaiso, Talcahuano, Antofagasta.

National language of Chile. Spanish.

Fauna of Chile. Among the representatives of the animal world, Chile is characterized by puma, wolf, chinchilla, llama, kudu deer, skunk, otter, nutria, and rodents. A large number of birds live here, including ostriches.

and lakes of Chile. The largest rivers are Bio-Bio, Loa. In the south of the country there is the Large Lakes Zone.

Sights of Chile. The most beautiful and famous sights of Chile - Chungara, Parinacota, San Pedro de Atacama, Tatio geysers, mountain lake Miscan-ti, granite towers of Torres del Paine, archaeological sites of Copaquilla and Zapauira, as well as the southernmost region of the American continent . National museums are famous in the capital - history, art, natural history, as well as the Museum of the Peoples of America and the Museum of Modern Art.

Useful information for tourists

You can bargain at markets and private shops. Chile's main beach resort, Viña del Mar, is located just 10 km north of Valparaiso and is commonly referred to as the "Garden City" due to its subtropical landscape, palms and banana trees. Horse-drawn carriages travel between attractive mansions from the last century, the beach and the riverbank. Other attractions include pristine sand beaches, numerous parks and excellent museums housed in restored colonial mansions. The National Botanical Garden of Chile is also located here, displaying many hundreds of species of local and exotic plants on its 61 hectares.

Tips are 10% of the bill, often already included in the total. Taxi drivers do not require tips, but it is advisable to round up the fare for convenience.