Most businesses are open Monday to Friday from 10:00 to 19:00. They will all more than likely be closed for lunch between 13:00 and 15:00. On Saturdays, most shops open from 10:00 to 14:00 but are closed on Sundays. Shops in the big malls stay open until 22:00. Museums keep their own hours, so check in advance before going.

Post Offices: 09:00 to 20:00, Monday to Friday and Saturday: 09:00 to 13:00
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 20:00, daily and Saturday: 10:00 to 14:00
Business Offices: 10:00 to 13:00 and 15:00 to 19:00, Monday to Friday and Saturday from 10:00 to 14:00
Banks: 09:00 to 14:00, weekdays

In general, Santiago is a very safe city by all accounts. The political situation is currently stable and the country is rarely home to terrorist attacks. As in any large city, there are certain neighbourhoods which are more unfriendly than others and should be avoided at night. Pickpockets, theft and muggings occasionally occur but are not considered a major problem in Santiago. It is, however, still wise to be extra cautious at night and during the busy and crowded rush hours. Wearing a concealed money belt and keeping your valuables out of sight will decrease your risk of theft.

Santiago lies in one of the most seismically active parts of the world, so you are almost sure to experience one or two tremors during your visit. Most of them are small and harmless but once every decade or so a big one hits. The safest place to be in any situation is beneath a door frame.

Women can expect an overly warm reception from men in Santiago. Long stares, the occasional catcall and even an approach are not uncommon. Just act confident, ignore them and remember it’s all a part of the culture. Still, it’s advisable to cover up, especially for women.

Electricity: 220V, 50Hz

The currency in Chile is called the peso. There are currently six coins in circulation, which come in denominations of 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500. Peso bills come in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000. In slang, Chileans call 1,000 pesos a luca.

Visitors can exchange money at Santiago’s International Airport but the rates are usually worse than in town. Money and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at a casa de cambio (money exchange house) for a small fee. These little exchanges can be found near the centre of every major city but they are scarce in small towns and villages. The exchanges are generally open from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday through Friday and until 13:00 on Saturdays. Like many businesses in Chile, they close from 13:00 until 15:00 for lunch. You can also exchange money at banks and some hotels, but their rates are always questionable.

ATMs are referred to as ‘redbancs’ and always have a white and maroon coloured logo on them. These machines accept Cirrus, PLUS, Visa and MasterCard. Redbancs can also usually be found in pharmacies and gas stations.

Visitors can import up to 400 cigarettes, 500 grams of tobacco and 50 cigars as well as 2.5 litres of alcohol and a reasonable quantity of perfume. Edible products from animals, flowers, fruits and vegetables are only permitted with a certificate issued by the Department of Agriculture from the country of origin. To find out what you can take home from Chile, contact your country’s Customs Service Office.

Thanks to a long history of immigration, Chilean manners have a strong European influence. The customary greeting between a man and a woman or between two women is a kiss on the cheek. Men simply shake hands. In Chile, the greeting is very important. A simple ‘hello’ is considered insufficient for someone you know. Chileans take a few moments to exchange a bit of friendly conversation whenever they meet.

Many Chileans entertain their friends at home and it is normal for a guest to bring a small gift as a token of thanks. Informal, conservative clothing works best in most places but women should never wear shorts outside of the resorts. 

Chivalry still exists to a certain degree in Chile. Men are expected to open doors and give up their seats for women and the elderly on the bus and Metro.

Chileans are renowned for having a very relaxed attitude concerning punctuality. It is common for people to show up for appointments 30 minutes late, so if you arrive anywhere early, be prepared to wait.

Due to the frequency with which people in Santiago dine out, they usually pay their own way when the bill comes around. In restaurants and bars it is customary to tip 10 per cent. Small family restaurants rarely expect tips but since waiters in Chile receive such low wages, a little something is always appreciated.

Santiago poses very few health risks to visitors. Typical developing country diseases such as malaria and dysentery are not present so no special vaccinations are needed. Neither are there any venomous animals or poisonous plants in the countryside. However, it’s always good to get a hepatitis and tetanus booster before you go to an unfamiliar part of the world

The worst health problem visitors are likely to experience is a case of traveller’s stomach from exposure to new micro organisms in the food. The tap water is safe to drink in Chile. It’s always better to use bottled water, which is readily available all across the city. Also, be aware that Santiago has a serious smog problem, especially during the winter. The city often has to declare emergency states when the smog reaches dangerous levels.

If you do get ill, Santiago’s private hospitals and clinics are up to international standards, but there probably won’t be any medical service in the smaller towns and villages. The private clinics in Chile are far better than the general hospitals, so if you need minor attention visit a clinica first. Most doctors in Chile speak English, but the cost of medical care is expensive. Visitors should ensure they have comprehensive medical insurance before leaving home.

Santiago has many pharmacies, located in some surprising places such as petrol stations. Most of them are open 24 hours a day and are usually busy. You can get a quick fix for simple illnesses like a bad stomach or a cold quite affordably.

Clinica Central in Santiago
Tel +56 2 639 7551

Spanish is the main language spoken in Santiago but many tourist oriented services will likely have someone who can speak some English.

The tourist visa requirements for Chile vary for each country. UK and citizens travelling from EU countries only need to show their passport and a return ticket for a 90 day visa. Citizens of Australia, Canada, Mexico and the US who enter Chile will be charged a visa fee upon arrival and payable in cash only.

If you wish to stay longer than 90 days you must apply for an extension before your visa expires, otherwise you will pay a fine for overstaying.

There are several places to get good tourist information about Santiago and Chile in general. The most reliable one is Chile’s National Tourism Service (Sernatur), which is located on Avenida Providencia. Telephone: +56 2 731 8300.

Sernatur also has an office at the airport. They always have bilingual staff and stocks lots of brochures and maps; visit www.sernatur.cl for more details.