Chile

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Chile is a destination that boasts of many iconic landscapes from the Atacama desert, one of the best places on earth for stargazing, to Patagonia and the magnificent Torres del Paine National Park.
Here in the longest country of the world you can do bucket list worthy activities like hike up an active volcano or kayak through the Marble Caves.

When you tire of adventures, head to the wine valleys to taste world-class wine or to the coast to enjoy a relaxing getaway. Foodies and culture enthusiasts also can’t miss the capital, Santiago which is home to 1/3 of Chile’s population and its artsy neighbor Valparaiso (one of the most underrated cities in South America imo!)

Whether you’re heading to Chile as apart of a longer South America trip or for a vacation, prepare for an unforgettable experience full of wonder & awe.

HOW IS Chile FOR SOLO TRAVEL?

Chile is a great place for solo travelers since it’s a very safe country, very easy to navigate, there are many activities to do on your own or with a tour, and there’s lots of opportunity to meet other travelers. Probably the only drawback is that Chile is much more expensive than its neighboring countries. However, if you can swing the extra coin, you’ll love solo traveling Chile.

Resources for your trip:

Best Time to Visit Chile:

The best time to visit Chile really depends on what you want to do and where you want to go. I recommend reading this post by Intrepid Travelers which describes the best adventure weather as November – February especially for those exploring Patagonia. And for the best stargazing in the north, they recommend December to February. Read more in their post for seasons to visit if you want to avoid crowds.

Know Before You Go

Language

The official language of Chile is Spanish.

While it’s not generally spoken, you can find English speaking guide for tours and personnel at a hotel/hostel speaking English in highly touristic places. Although it can’t be assumed, so I recommend brushing up on the basics.

Currency

Chilean Peso

SYMBOL: $

ABBREVIATION: CLP

CONVERSION: The currency rate is subject to change but at the time of writing (May 2023) 1 USD ≈ $CLP 786

Plugs Used

Chile uses plug typesC & L (the same as Europe) so if you’re a U.S. citizen or have a different plug you need an outlet converter. The standard voltage is 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. This is double compared to the U.S. so you should be careful when using hair tools and also consider an adapter if you’re worried about preserving batteries.

Visa

U.S. citizens can travel without a visa to Chile as tourists if staying for less than 90 days. Visa information is subject to changes so make sure to double check US government travel page for Chile and the Official Chile Tourism webpage here.

When entering the country, once processed through immigration, you will be given a tourism slip. Unfortunately it resembles a shopping receipt and is easy to unknowingly throw out. I suggest leaving it in your passport so you don’t lose it; the slip is needed every time you check in somewhere and when you leave the country.

Health

To check health advisories and what vaccinations are needed to travel to Chile check the CDC website and the Official Chile Tourism webpage here.

Safety

Before traveling anywhere you can check the U.S. Government Travel Advisory for your own knowledge of the status of the country.

In general, Chile is a really safe place to travel to however you should practice the same safety precautions as you would anywhere. Stay mindful of petty theft and make yourself aware of any civil unrest that may be occurring. However, any violent crime against tourists is extremely rare.