The sheer size and diversity of Chile make it easy to capture all of the elements (possibly Easter Island as well) in one trip.
Unimaginably long and topographically irrational, home to both the highest and driest desert on earth and the ice fields of Tierra del Fuego, according to Payhelpcenter, Chile is an enchanting place of extremes. Our specialists have researched it from head to toe together. They are full of ideas for your Chile tour and how best to get to know this safe land – whether you want to stare in the Elqui Valley, go trekking in Torres del Paine or see the island of the Polynesian Easter Island.
For a complete change, we recommend the most relaxing vineyards in the central wine regions of Chile, where you can spend a few days discussing the merits of the local Cabernet Sauvignons over Carmeneres. Flying is mandatory if you want to explore multiple regions during a vacation to Chile. However, certain areas such as the Northern Lake District are self-propelled and can be arranged for you by our specialists.
Best travel time
For visitors traveling to Patagonia in southern Chile, October through March are the warmest and most accessible months. Santiago, the Central Valleys, and the Atacama Desert are all year round travel destinations. June through August are popular with skiers in the mountains surrounding Santiago, while autumn leaves the fall leaves in the Chilean winelands, making this month an attractive time to visit.
Climate in Santiago
The maximum temperature in Chile is 29 ° C in January and February. In June the thermometer rises to a maximum of 14 ° C. The summer (June to September) with average 16 ° C mild . In the winter months it is around 28 ° C very warm . During the day, the average annual temperature in Chile is a pleasant 22.3 ° C.
At night it gets coldest with 3 ° C in June and July. The thermometer rarely falls below 12 ° C in January. While the nights in summer are averages of cold 4 ° C, the thermometer drops to a mild 10 ° C at night between November and March. The temperature averages 7.3 ° C at night all year round.
With 8 rainy days, July is the rainiest month of the year. The January , February and December are with 0 per rainy days the driest months of the year . From June to September Chile is quite dry with an average of around 6 rainy days each, the winter (November to March) is extremely dry with only 0 rainy days. On an annual average, rain falls on only 2.8 days per month.
Language
The official language is Spanish. English is understood and spoken by many in the tourism industry.
Food and drink
Given the length of the Chilean coast, the seafood is understandably very good. The delicious congrio fish is a national dish and caldillo de congrio (a soup with a huge piece of congrio, onions, and potato balls) is delicious. Another typical Chilean dish is cazuela de ave, a nutritious stew that features large chunks of chicken, potatoes, rice, and possibly onions and green peppers. Other traditional dishes include humitas – corn puree wrapped in corn leaves and steamed – and pastel de choclo, a chicken pie with sweetcorn and sugar that is baked in the oven.
Money and currency
The currency is the peso. There is a shortage of change, so keep a supply of small denomination coins on hand. If you want to receive money before you travel, we recommend converting US dollars into pesos once in Chile. The smaller the denomination, the better. The easiest way to get cash is to use ATMs (in larger cities) that operate under the Redbanc logo. They take Cirrus, Visa and Mastercard. Regarding credit cards, Diner’s Club, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. American Express is less recognized.
Tip
Tipping for good service is an accepted fact. Amounts are obviously discretionary. It is generally expected that the service you receive will be tipped while eating in a restaurant. A tip of around 10% is acceptable for good service.
