Chile: Overview
The narrow land of the Republic of Chile is located to the Southwest of South America and limits with Peru to the north, with Bolivia and Argentina to the east, and with the Drake Passage to the south.
Although this country seems to be cornered between the land and the ocean, there are enough geysers, mountains, beaches, forests and volcanoes in its narrow territory to please the most intrepid adventurers.
Climate
The mountainous geography of Chile cause many climatic variations in the country. In the north, summer and winter are not too harsh and temperatures vary between 15 and 25ºC throughout the year. Rains are not frequent in this coast to desert landscape, one of the driest in the world. In the center regions of the country thermal variation is wider and, while day temperatures are of approximately 29º C from December to February, in June they descend to 14ºC. In these regions, rains fall more frequently in winter, although they are not too many. In the south of Chile rains fall almost everyday in June. Temperatures are about 20ºC in summer and lower than 10ºC in the middle of the year.
There is always a place in Chile where the climate is good and the landscapes, attractive. However, when aiming to a particular destination, it is better to choose the dates carefully. If you want to visit Santiago and the central region spring (September-November) and autumn (ends of February and April) are better; for visiting the south, Magallanes and the lakes, summer (December-March) is the best moment. The Atacama Desert is a good destination throughout the whole year, provided that you keep in mind the oppressive summer days heat and the icy nights. During winter (July-September) Chile is an ideal place for ski lovers.
Some recommendations
Citizens from the USA, Australia, Canada, New Zealand and from most of Western Europe countries don't need a visa, although the first three ones have to pay a "reciprocity fee" that has a life validity for the passport holder. When entering in the country you will receive a 90 days stay permission, which can be extended for another 90 days and you must show to the officers when leaving.
Although the used currency is the peso chileno, credit cards are also very extended and there are many ATMs in the country, except for the Pacific islands and some remote towns. You should give a 10%-of the total amount tip, especially because waiters and waitresses don't earn much. Taxis can round the fare up to their convenience, but they don't expect tips. It is also accustomed to bargain in handcraft markets.
Chile is a country with a very good security level and its rates of violent crime are the lowest in South America, even lower than the ones of the USA. Despite this, it is good to be forewarned against some deceits and non violent crimes, especially, robberies. Avoid taking large quantities of money in exposed places, money belts and leg pouches are a good way of carrying your values and important documents. Santiago central plazas, Barrio Brazil, markets, the meter, buses and bus terminals are the places pickpockets and petty criminals frequent the most, so you should constantly keep an eye on your belongings and use the secure-left luggage services offered at bus terminals and hotels. The neighborhoods of south Valparaíso have a crime and robbery reputation; keep away from them! Beach resorts are where thieves spend summer, so it is necessary to avoid leaving your belongings unattended on the beach while you go swimming. Another annoyance are supposed students who hand out poems, supposedly written by them, and where they tell about their poverty and impossibility of studying. Rarely the students or the poems are authentic. Photographing military areas may lead to a camera confiscation and spending some time in prison. Finally, the dog gangs, especially those of German shepherds, in the south of Chile can be annoying and even dangerous to children.
Concerning health, the only thing you should worry about in this country is hantavirus, mostly present in the lakes area. When choosing a place to camp, check for the presence of long tail mice or garbage and keep hygienic measures. In the event of feeling flu symptoms, go to a hospital and specify where have you been camping or trekking.
Where to go
Santiago is characterized by its intense cultural life, full with art galleries and museums, where many visitors cross paths. Among the places you can visit in this city are Palacio de la Moneda, Plaza de Armas, the cathedral, Casa Roja, the bohemian neighborhood Bella Vista, Los Condes and Providencia. Besides the places in the city, it is worthwhile to see the surrounding valleys and the winter sports centers.
La Serena, the second oldest city of Chile, invites you to enjoy its beautiful architecture, its golden costs, stone churches, shady avenues and picturesque squares. This attractive place is being a threat for the supremacy of Viña del Mar as the country’s main beach resort.
3700 km to the west of the continent is the mysterious Easter Island (Rapa Nui) with its giant strange stone heads. As if the first inhabitants’ establishment in the island was not mysterious enough, its archaeological places -which practically constitute an outdoor national park- will charme you. The "ahu", (big stone altars), the "maoi" (carved statues) and the petroglyphs are eternal witnesses of the mysterious origins of the island.
Iquique city is beginning to be considered as one of the main beach resorts in the country. It still shows a Gregorian architecture style of the golden mining boom days of the XIXth c. Tehere, surfers, paragliding and casino lovers and many crazy merchants cross paths.
Valparaíso, main old Kingdom port, is distributed in a crazy topography dominated by 44 hills forming a natural amphitheater facing the sea. Walk along the back streets that climb the hills, the crazy passages and the bay, from where the sea becomes infinite, is one of the best ways of enjoying this city where past and present collide. With the German Villa, Concón, Viña del Mar and Quilpué cities, it conforms the conurbanización known as Gran Valparaíso.
Festivals
Christmas and Easter are the two most important celebrations in Chile, but there is also a great concentration of festivities in September. Fiestas Patrias, middle September, the National Independence Day, commemorated on the 18th with festivals and rodeos and Día de las Fuerzas Armadas, on the 19. In July, Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen in LaTirana is one of the most spectacular cultural celebrations in Chile, while Fiesta de la Virgen del Rosario in Andacollo, is the weirdest one. Every December a procession attracting pilgrims from diverse places, even as far as Bolivia, is held and the Virgin's image is walked through the town’s streets and then returned to its sanctuary accompanied by the chinos’ dances. Horse races and the rooster fights are a great entertainment for the crowd camping in the surrounding hillsides.
