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.

Filter the list

38 places match
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Category

Historic monuments 982 Museums 173 Places of worship 1331 Nature sites 2924 Viewpoints 1270 Food and drink 7 Markets and shopping 414 Entertainment 68 Nightlife 644 Family attractions 38 Art and culture 714 Activities 0

Typical visit duration

1 to 2 hours 38

Interests

History 0 Art 0 Museums 0 Nature 0 Sea and beach 0 Viewpoints 0
  1. Chilean National Zoo
    01 1 hr 30 min

    Chilean National Zoo

    Zoológico Nacional

    • High
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  2. Buin Zoo
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Buin Zoo

    Bioparque Buinzoo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  5. Parque Oasis
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Parque Oasis

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  6. Acuario
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Acuario

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  8. AquaBuin
    08 1 hr 30 min

    AquaBuin

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  9. Aquamundo
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Aquamundo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  10. Baby Zoo
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Baby Zoo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  13. Camarines
    13 1 hr 30 min

    Camarines

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  24. Granjaventura
    24 1 hr 30 min

    Granjaventura

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  25. Granjaventura
    25 1 hr 30 min

    Granjaventura

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  26. juegos de agua
    26 1 hr 30 min

    juegos de agua

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  27. Juegos de Agua
    27 1 hr 30 min

    Juegos de Agua

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  28. Juegos de Agua
    28 1 hr 30 min

    Juegos de Agua

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  29. Juegos de Agua
    29 1 hr 30 min

    Juegos de Agua

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  30. Juegos de Agua
    30 1 hr 30 min

    Juegos de Agua

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  31. Lampa Zoo
    31 1 hr 30 min

    Lampa Zoo

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • Santiago
  38. SPA del Bosque
    38 1 hr 30 min

    SPA del Bosque

    • Notable
    • Family attraction
    • 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.