Pre Trip Information & Frequently Asked Questions
Travel Questions
Q: Do I need a Visa to enter Chile from the United States?
From the United States no Visa is required, just a valid Passport. When you arrive at the Santiago International airport you will need to pass immigration where you will pay a one-time reciprocity entry visa tax of $100. (The US charges all Chileans that enter the US the same. For more information about this fee see:
USA: http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html. In
Canada: http://www.congechiletoronto.com
If you are a Canadain, Australian, European Union, or South American citizen, at the time this page was prepared, you do not need a visa to enter Chile. Because things change, we strongly suggest you to check with the consulates of Chile and Argentina for any changes to entry requirements.
Q: Are there any fees to enter Chile?
There are reciprocity fees charged to citzens of certain countries. Chile charges these fees because Chilean citizens must pay an idential fee to enter that person's country of origin. This fee is charged at the Santiago International Airport but not at the border crossings with Argentina.
US citizens are charged $100 usd. The receipt is valid for multiple entries during the valid life of the traveler's passport.
Canadian citizens are charges $55 usd. The receipt is valid for multiple entries during the valid life of the traveler's passport.
Australian citizens are charged $32 usd. The receipt is valid for 3 months.
Mexican citizens are charged $15 usd. The receipt is valid for 3 months.
Q: What will happen when I arrive at the airport in Santiago, Buenos Aires, Esquel, Bariloche, Puerto Montt, Chaiten, or Punta Arenas? How will I find the Expediciones Chile representative?
Download: For detailed pdf information about the Airports in Chile and Airports in Argentina please click on the links below. These pdf documents will explain how to find your way in the airports and find your Expediciones Chile representative. These documents also contain our emergency contact information. Plan to take these documents with you when you travel!
Q: Who do I contact in case something unexpected happens on my trip?
Yes, you DO have friends in South America. Expediciones Chile can be a very powerful and connected ally when things go wrong. Don't hesitate to use us if the going gets tough! You can purchase prepaid calling cards at the airports that you touch in a toll free number and use a pin number. The Entel tickets are usable all over the country, and have instructions in English. Stay away from the type of card that inserts in the telephone, those need special phones that are only found in the bigger cities. cc = country code ac-area code
Exchile Office: cc (1)-888-488-9082 office@exchile.com
Exchile Office in Santiago: Out of country: 011.569.9.089.2093, in country 99.089.2093
Exchile Operations in Chile : cc (56) – ac (65) 721-386 futa@exchile.com
Exchile representative in Puerto Montt (Mireya Gonzalez) ac(65) 264.010
Exchile representative in Chaiten Chile (Nicolas): ac (65) 731-429
Lan Chile in Chile: cc (56) ac (2) 565 2525
Hotel in Chaiten Hotel Mi Casa ac (65) 731-285
Hotel in Puerto Montt: Club Presidente, Calle Diego Portales 664 ac (65) 251.666
Help & Info Phone in Puerto Natales: (+56 61) 414 442 (7 day/24 hours).
Lodging Questions
Q: What if I am staying overnight in Puerto Montt?
A: Upon your arrival at the El Tapaul Regional Airport claim you luggage and proceed out of the airport to the sidewalk. There you will find a taxi (or a collectivo) to drive you to downtown Puerto Montt. The El Tapaul airport is in an agricultural area about 15 km. west of the town of Puerto Montt. Give the taxi driver the address of the hotel. On the way you should make arrangements for the driver to take you back to the airport a preset time in the morning (9:00am). If you can't get the same driver have the hotel call you a taxi. Allow plenty of time to get back to the airport in the morning to catch the Expediciones Chile charter flight that departs at 11:00am. Plan to be at the airport minimally by 10:00am, an hour early. Our receptionist will be expecting you at the airport.
• Please call the Expediciones Chile Office in Futaleufu once you arrive in Puerto Montt to get any final instructions or last minute changes.
• Don't forget to pay for your room before you leave. Cash is required for the Residencial Millantu.
If you will be staying overnight in Puerto Montt please download the following document: Lodging Options.
Q: What if I am staying overnight in Punta Arenas?
If you are lodging in Punta Arenas, let us know where you are staying in or Application and our drivers will pick you up from your hotel in Punta Arenas around 11:15 AM (our staff at the office in Puerto Natales will call you the day before to reconfirm pickup time).
Insurance Questions
Q: Does my trip cost cover Travel Insurance?
The price of your trip does not include insurance for medical coverage, emergency evacuation or trip cancellation/interruption. Travel Insurance is your responsibility. We highly encourage you to purchase insurance for traveling in remote places. Based on our experience, trip cancellation due to unexpected medical circumstances happens often enough. Additionally, keep in mind that evacuation and medical expenses in remote areas could easily exceed the basic coverage offered by many regular travel insurance schemes. It is important that you check the details of your policy.
Q: Do I need Travel Insurance for my trip?
Travel Insurance is mandatory for those going to Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares National Parks (Fitz Roy). You will not be allowed to participate in these trips without proof of insurance. Proof of Insurance details are covered in our downloadable trip application. We will need to have a faxed copy of your policy at least 30 days before your departure to Torres del Paine or Los Glaciares. Travel & Cancellation Insurance is highly recommended for those traveling to Futaleufu but is not a requirement.
Q: Where can I buy Travel & Cancellation Insurance for my trip?
There are many excellent companies offering Travel Insurance of the kind you will need. For the convenience of our guests it is possible to purchase this Travel Insurance directly of of the Expediciones Chile website from Travel Guard International. Click here to go to our Travel Insurance Page. Medical Questions
Q: What immunizations are required to enter Chile?
A: No immunizations are required at this time to enter Chile. The standard recommended immunizations are: Tetanus, Hepatitis A and Typhoid. Check with the CDC for any updates.
Q: Is the food and water safe to drink and eat in Chile?
A: All of the water is potable in the Futaleufu region both at our Camps and Lodges. Until you arrive in Futaleufu we recommend that you stick to bottled water or soft drinks and eat only well cooked food. All of our food is safe and hygienically prepared by an experienced staff. Over the past twenty years we have never had a problem with food and water.
Q: What should I do to physically prepare for my trip?
A: Our programs are designed for the active traveler unless otherwise specified. We recommend that you work out at least 3 times a week with a program that strikes a good balance between anaerobic and aerobic training. Work on upper body strength either by lifting weights, rowing, swimming and general calisthenics. Take your training program seriously.
A trek in Patagonia requires a lot more physical preparation than most vacations. Many days will involve hiking between five to ten hours a day, mostly on steep and rocky terrain. Although the hikes themselves are not particularly strenuous, their length and challenging terrain will be more taxing than expected. You need to be in excellent health and physical condition to enjoy such an experience.
Q: What kind of Hospitals and Medical facillities are in Patagonia?
Please be aware that hospital facilities for serious medical problems may at times be a long way away, that a doctor may not always be available, and that evacuation can be prolonged, difficult, and expensive especially in Torres del Paine and Las Glaciares National Parks. There is a small local hospital in the town of Futaleufu but more serious cases may require medical evacuation to a larger hospital. Currency Questions Q: How much money do I need to bring on this trip?
A: You won't need to take a great deal of money with you on this trip, just enough for gifts, souvenirs, drinks and any incidental items. We recommend taking about $400-$500 depending on how much shopping you will want to do, plus an amount that you may want to give the staff and trip leaders.
Q: Are US dollars accepted in Chile?
A: Generally no. The currency in Chile is the Peso and to get the best prices in you will need to convert your dollars to Chilean Pesos.
Q: Should I take cash, travelers checks or credit cards?
A: Travelers checks are great for Santiago but are less useful in Puerto Montt and other remote regions. We recommend that you carry cash in small denominations if possible. You can change money at the Santiago airport if you have time between flights. Expediciones Chile can cash travelers checks for you in Futaleufu and exchange currency as well. Major credit cards are accepted in the bigger cities and are accepted by Expediciones Chile in Futaleufu.
Q: Are there ATMS available?
A: There are ATMs in the Santiago and Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas, airports. They accept most major credit cards and some bank cards (Cirrus). We recommend that you obtain money in Santiago and not rely on the ATMs in Puerto Montt or Punta Arenas (in case they are out of service). There are no ATMs in Chaiten or Futaleufu. There are ATMs in Puerto Natales and Califate.
Q: Are tips of the staff and guides required?
A: Tips we feel are meant to reward exceptional service. They are not an obligation. IF you think your team worked very hard to make your trip a success a tip is hugely appreciated. Because of the realities of life in Futaleufú, and the short season, your tip makes a big impact. Traditionally the amount spent on tips by our guests has varied from 5-10% of the guests trip cost. The median has been approximately 6%. On some trips individual tips have been discreetly passed out to the guides and support staff. On other trips the tip money has been pooled then separated in two parts. The breakdown has been guides receiving 60-65 % and support staff receiving 40-35% of the allocated tip money. The envelopes have been presented to a company leader and are divided amongst the two respective teams.
In Torres del Paine tips are hadled somewhat differently. Trip members contribute toward a group tip to be shared among the drivers, assistants, cooks and the staff that handles the logistics of the camps and who have assisted you during the trip. For that purpose there is a “tip box” at the Ecocamp Torres. We suggest a range of US$6 to US$12 per day depending on the level of satisfaction. Trip members usually tip the trip guide. Typically, individual trip members tip the trip guide $6 to $15 per day, depending on the level of satisfaction.
Tips are best paid in US cash or in Chilean pesos (traveler’s checks are more difficult for the trekking staff to exchange). US currency in small denominations ($5, $10, $20) is useful for distributing the tips among the entire staff.
Cultural Questions
Q: How can I best fit in with the Chilean culture?
It is important to remember that you are traveling to a foreign country where you are the visitor, and you will need to adapt to the culture and customs of the local people, not vice-versa. Although English is fast becoming the international language, it should not be assumed that everyone can understand or speak it. Should you have difficulty communicating, please ask your guides for assistance. It is also common for events to arise that place your own cultural beliefs in contrast with those of your hosts. On a short trip, you will not learn all, or even most, of the cultural differences. It is possible, however, to learn enough to better understand these differences, and to attune your behavior to that of the people around you. A lot of the comforts you are accustomed to may not be available to you, and time flows at a different pace. Patience and respect are the crucial ingredients for a successful trip and an enriching experience.
Q: What is Chilean cuisine like?
Chile is famous for its many excellent brands of wine, including Undurraga, Cousino Macul, and Concha y Toro, which are exported worldwide. Seafood is abundant and outstanding, particularly exotic shellfish. Local specialties also include humitas (seasoned spiced grated corn wrapped in husks and boiled); empanadas (savory steaming hot meat pies); and cazuela (beef or chicken stew flavored with Chile's unique herbs).
Q: Is Chile a safe country to visit?
Santiago is fairly safe to walk around in, but there are problems, as in all big cities of the world. You'll be wise to follow some simple safety precautions. We encourage you to take taxis, day or night. Don't walk around the streets at night, and if you do, do it in the company of fellow travelers. Leave valuables such as traveler's checks, passport, and air tickets locked in the hotel safe—don't carry them with you because purse snatching does occur. Carry just a reasonable amount of spending money and a credit card stashed in a money belt or hidden pouch (bags and purses attract attention).
Q: I want to purchase
souvenirs. What are the opportunities for shopping in Chile?
Chile offers a wide range of goods made from copper, bronze, and leather. Jewelry made from the deep blue lapiz lazuli stone is a favorite buy. A good selection of Chilean handicrafts can be found at shops throughout the country. In Santiago you'll find small boutiques and malls in Providencia and downtown; both Ahumada and Huerfanos are traffic-free streets with many shopping opportunities. Shopping hours are 9:00am to 8:00pm, Monday through Friday, and 10:00am to 2:00pm on Saturday. General Questions Q: Can I use my electrical appliances in Chile?
A: Chile is on a 220V system. Plugs are a two or three pin variety. Some hotels might have adapters for appliances. If you are planning on brining a hair dryer or electric shaver please bring a selection of plugs and a voltage adapter
Q: What time zone is Chile in?
A: During our winter season (summer in the southern hemisphere) Chile is Greenwich Mean Time minus three hours (Daylight savings time is in effect.) Chile is two hours ahead of New York and five hours ahead of California.
Q: Is smoking allowed on your trips?
We request that clients do not smoke in vehicles, at meals, or in group situations. We have asked our guides, drivers, and staff who smoke to follow the same consideration. It is absolutely forbidden to smoke inside
domes and/or tents.
Q: Is there telephone and internet available on the trip?
A: Yes, there is an internet connection available in the town of Futaleufu but the internet as service is limited .
Fax machines, telephones and Internet access are available at Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales. In Torres del Paine you will find a satellite public telephone at the mountain hut close to the Ecocamp Torres.
Q: What will the weather be like in Chile?
A: Remember that between Oct-March it is summer in South America and Santiago will probably be warm. In the city, daily temperatures will range between 23°C -28°C (mid-70s and mid-80s F), while at night it will most likely be in the 18°C (upper 60s F). Farther south, in Patagonia, the weather can be very unpredictable, and can change drastically and unexpectedly. On a sunny day, daytime temperatures can be very pleasant, ranging between 13°C -20°C (low 60s and low 70s F). However, rain, high winds, and cold air can blow in quickly even during the summer months, making the temperatures drop into the –1°C/5°C (30s and 40s F). Snow is a possibility. You need to be prepared for these changes at all times, as you will most likely experience the area's fickle moods. Rest assured, however, that just as quickly as the weather turns nasty, it can turn balmy, too! Nighttime temperatures will most likely be in the –1°C /5°C (30s and 40s F) depending on the weather. See our online guidebook for information on the Patagonia Weather and Climate.
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