Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Chile

A photograph of Chile
Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chile is a narrow strip between the Andes and the Pacific, the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica. Its 756,102 km² are arranged almost entirely along one north–south line, with Peru and Bolivia at the top and the Drake Passage at the bottom, so nearly every journey here is a journey up or down. The 2024 census counted 18.5 million people. Santiago is the capital and largest city. Chile also administers Pacific islands far offshore, among them Juan Fernández and Easter Island, which means two places under the same flag can sit an ocean apart.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Spanish
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+56
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Chilean peso (CLP)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
133 police · 131 ambulance · 132 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and L · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers all regions and remote areas

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. La Moneda Cultural Centre La Moneda Cultural Centre
    02 1 hour

    La Moneda Cultural Centre

    La Moneda Cultural Centre, known locally as Centro Cultural La Moneda, is a subterranean exhibition centre located beneath the presidential palace in Santiago, Chile. The venue presents major Chilean and international shows.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  2. Museum of Contemporary Art Museum of Contemporary Art
    03 1 hour

    Museum of Contemporary Art

    The Museum of Contemporary Art, locally known as Museo de Arte Contemporáneo, is a cultural institution operated by the University of Chile. It shares the historic Bellas Artes palace in central Santiago.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  3. Museo de Artes Visuales Museo de Artes Visuales
    04 1 hour

    Museo de Artes Visuales

    The Museum of Visual Arts, known locally as Museo de Artes Visuales, is a contemporary Chilean art museum situated in the Lastarria neighbourhood of Santiago.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  4. Teatro Grez
    10 1 hour

    Teatro Grez

    • High
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  5. Lucila
    23 1 hour

    Lucila

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  6. Teatro Coliseo
    31 1 hour

    Teatro Coliseo

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  7. Teatro Mauri
    33 1 hour

    Teatro Mauri

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  8. Teatro Pompeya
    39 1 hour

    Teatro Pompeya

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  9. Teatro UC
    42 1 hour

    Teatro UC

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  10. Verbo América
    44 1 hour

    Verbo América

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  11. 5 Moais
    48 1 hour

    5 Moais

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  12. Alazul
    58 1 hour

    Alazul

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  13. Albatros
    59 1 hour

    Albatros

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  14. Alma Mater
    66 1 hour

    Alma Mater

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  15. Al Navegante
    67 1 hour

    Al Navegante

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  16. Amor
    71 1 hour

    Amor

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  17. Ancestro Uno
    74 1 hour

    Ancestro Uno

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago
  18. Andrés Bello
    76 1 hour

    Andrés Bello

    • Notable
    • Art and culture venue
    • Santiago

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Chile be?

A 10–16 day visit should pair Santiago with one major region, such as the Atacama, the Lake District or a Patagonian gateway. Chile’s length makes combining north and far south in a short itinerary transfer-heavy.

What entry documents are needed for Chile?

Chile’s consular service publishes the visa rules used for entry. Nationality, travel purpose and length of stay determine the requirement, and any application should be made through the official consular channel.

What is the best way to travel around Chile?

Santiago is the central international and domestic hub. Flights connect the desert, lake and Patagonian gateways, while long-distance buses cover mainland corridors and remote parks require a confirmed final transfer.

When is a practical time to visit Chile?

October through April is the broad operating window for many central and southern journeys. Atacama conditions, central-valley heat and Patagonian wind are distinct, so the least flexible regional leg should set the calendar.

What money and payment basics apply in Chile?

Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP). Current withdrawal costs and merchant acceptance are Not recorded; review the amount in pesos and any conversion offered before completing payment.

What practical safety details should I save for Chile?

Chile uses 133 for police, 131 for ambulance and 132 for fire. Power is 220 V with Type C and L plugs, while nationwide tap-water guidance remains Not recorded.