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Chile: Updates & Travel
Chile: Updates & Travel
Travel in Chile?
- This exceptionally long country, enclosed between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, is approximately 4,300 kilometers long and on average only 175 kilometers wide. Due to this strange shape, the country has many different types of nature: from lake areas to desert (Atacama) and from beaches (La Serena) to ski resorts in the Andes. Since the resignation of the controversial Augusto Pinochet in 1990, Chile has grown into one of the richest and most stable countries in South America.
- Take a long hike through the Paine massif that towers above the Patagonian steppe. The most famous peaks of Torres del Paine are the Torres and the Cuernos. These granite towers are located on the east side of the park. The Grey glacier is also worth a visit.
- Marvel at the Atacama desert. This is one of the driest deserts in the world. It offers a combination of rugged landscapes such as salt flats and ancient cultures. The city of San Pedro de Atacama is located in the middle of the desert, at an altitude of 2,400 metres.
- Relax and swim in the far north of Chile, in the coastal town of Arica. Inland lies the Lauca National Park. The area around the town of Putre is one of the roughest areas in Chile.
- Enjoy the delicious Chilean wine. The Chilean wine regions are located around the capital Santiago de Chile. The conditions for wine growing are favourable here: a dry climate and lots of sunlight. Few pesticides are needed, which is why many organic wines in Europe come from Chile.
- Take beautiful trips along the Chilean volcanic lakes. Halfway between Santiago de Chile and Patagonia lies the lake district of Chile. Here lie the volcanic giants such as the famous Osorno volcano. In clear weather, the snow-capped peaks can be seen. The most beautiful lake tour starts in the city of Puerto Varas on Lago Llanquihue.
- Go skiing in one of the ski resorts in the Andes such as Portillo, Valle Nevado and Termas de Chillán which are a few hours from the beach resorts.
- Go surfing in South America's best surf spot: Pichilemu.
- La Serena is the second oldest city in Chile (founded in 1544) and consists mainly of colonial houses. The white beaches that are nearby are especially worth a visit for a day of rest.
- Easter Island is located in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, 3,800 kilometers from Santiago de Chile. The island is one of the largest cultural attractions in Chile. How the large statues on Easter Island came to be is still a mystery. Read more about Easter Island.
- Lauca National Park is located in the north of Chile, in the Andes. The park is very large and is dominated by volcanoes. There are also several lakes in the park that lie at the foot of a volcano. The park has some beautiful places and is home to some beautiful animals such as alpacas, Andean goose, Andean condor, llamas and the Chilean flamingo.
- Check it out: most Chilean cities have different types of markets. Each city has its 'Mercado Municipal'. This is usually a covered market that is open on weekdays. And where mainly food is sold, but also household goods and clothing.
- Be aware that the distances in Chile are often very long due to the vastness of the country.
- Chile is safe, but pickpockets are lurking everywhere.
Updates Chile
- More about Chile, updates and contributions, see the link below.
How does healthcare work in Chile, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?
How does healthcare work in Chile, and what travel insurance, health insurance or expat insurance do you need?
- How does the healthcare system work in Chile?
- What is the quality of healthcare in Chile?
- How does the public healthcare system work in Chile?
- How does the private healthcare system work in Chile?
- How is the general practitioner arranged in Chile?
- How is the dentist arranged in Chile?
- How is pregnancy care arranged in Chile?
- How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Chile?
- What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Chile?
- What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Chile if you are going to live there for a while?
How does the healthcare system work in Chile?
What is the quality of healthcare in Chile?
- Chile is known in Latin America as one of the best countries for medical care. The country has offered a national health care system since the 1950s. The country does well on international rankings and the care is comparable to countries such as Australia and Denmark. Chileans also have one of the highest life expectancies in the world - 78 years for men and 83 years for women (2019)!
- The quality of care is therefore generally high. Modern hospitals can be found in cities such as Santiago and Valparaíso. In rural areas, care is less well developed.
- The health care system consists of both public (FONASA) and private healthcare providers (ISAPREs).
- Many doctors have been trained abroad and therefore also speak English, especially in private clinics.
- Medicines can only be obtained from pharmacies. Pharmacies are widespread. For the ambulance you can call the emergency number 131.
How does the public healthcare system work in Chile?
- FONASA is the public healthcare system that provides care to about 80% of the population. It is available to all locals, as well as expats who work legally in Chile.
- Expats who are not residents or pay taxes cannot participate in the public healthcare system.
- When you work in Chile, you have to pay a healthcare contribution of about 7% of your income. This is partly used to finance the system.
- The quality of care is reasonably good and the personal contributions are low, but the waiting times are usually long and sometimes it can be difficult to find certain medical specialists. For this reason, many foreigners (and locals) still opt for the private system.
How does the private healthcare system work in Chile?
- The private sector is managed by ISAPREs, insurers that offer access to the best hospitals and shorter waiting times.
- There are 13 ISAPREs. Some are closed and only accessible to people who work for certain companies. Other ISAPREs are open to anyone who can afford it.
- Each ISAPRE gives you access to private health centres called “Clinicas”. You can choose the type of coverage you want. Which ISAPRE is best for you depends largely on your personal circumstances (single, family, etc.).
- Private care is more expensive than public care, but of higher quality. Many wealthy Chileans choose insurance with an ISAPRE because of the better facilities, faster appointments and greater freedom of choice. Foreigners living in Chile sometimes choose an ISAPRE, but usually choose international health insurance because it also offers coverage for medical repatriation and care abroad.
How is the general practitioner arranged in Chile?
- In Chile, people generally go directly to a specialist or hospital for an ailment. In the public sector, there are GPs in the FONASA clinics. In the private sector, you can go to a specialist or general practitioner without a referral.
- The price of private consultations can be quite high.
How is the dentist arranged in Chile?
- Public dental care is available through FONASA, but this is only basic care, such as preventive and emergency care, and there are often long waiting times.
- Private dental care offers better and faster options, but is a lot more expensive.
How is pregnancy care arranged in Chile?
- It may sound strange to read, but Chile is a popular country for maternity care because of the visa! All babies born in Chile automatically have Chilean nationality, which can be an advantage for many people. If you google a bit, you will find all kinds of birth packages offered by private hospitals!
- For women living in Chile and giving birth here under local insurance (both FONASA and ISAPRE), a three-night hospital stay is covered for a normal birth and four nights for a caesarean section.
- Epidurals are common, but other forms of pain relief are more difficult to obtain.
- Abortion is generally illegal in this staunchly Christian country. Abortion is only legal under three specific circumstances: non-viable pregnancies, rape or a risk to the mother.
How safe or unsafe is a trip or stay in Chile?
What should you pay attention to in terms of safety in Chile?
- Chile is one of the safest countries in South America, but there are still quite a few risks.
- Robberies and theft do occur. Avoid walking around alone at night, especially in Santiago, Viña del Mar, Valparaiso and Calama. Fraud is also not uncommon and the thieves are creative. Read up on these types of practices and do not be fooled.
- Demonstrations occur regularly and can become violent. Local laws prohibit foreigners from participating in political demonstrations. It is best to avoid these situations altogether.
- The country is relatively progressive towards LGBTQ+ (particularly in Santiago).
- Natural hazards include forest fires, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods and tsunamis.
What should you look out for in terms of diseases in Chile?
- Despite the good healthcare in the country, there are certainly health risks. For example, altitude sickness can be a problem in areas above 2500 meters.
- Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue and zika also occur. So protect yourself well against mosquito bites.
- In Santiago, the air quality can be very bad throughout the year. The government sends out warnings for this. So keep a close eye on them.
- In the big cities, tap water is safe to drink. In remote areas, it is not recommended to drink tap water.
What should you pay attention to when it comes to traffic in Chile?
- Public transport is a popular option in Chile. There are good long-distance buses with all kinds of luxury facilities. Trains used to be popular, but the options are now relatively limited. In Santiago, the metro is the most efficient transport system. There are also many taxis and some shared taxi services (Colectivos).
- Chile has good roads in most places, but in remote areas it can sometimes be different. The main roads that connect cities are called “rutas nacionales”. Many of these roads have tolls, make sure you have cash with you for this.
- Traffic can be a bit chaotic and many drivers don't care much about the rules. For example, they often don't indicate, drive too fast or ignore traffic signs.
- Driving under the influence of alcohol is severely punished in Chile.
What work and travel insurance policies are suitable for short and long stays in Chile?
Is the trip to Chile and your return sufficiently covered? Are you sufficiently covered before, during and after your activities? Which insurance best suits your trip and your activity? Read more about insurances for abroad on JoHoinsurances.org.
What emigration and expat insurance can you take out for Chile if you are going to live there for a while?
- Although you may be covered for public healthcare when you go to live in Chile, it is still recommended that you also take out international health insurance. Such insurance covers the costs of private healthcare, but also the costs of any medical repatriation to your home country and costs that you incur once you cross the border.
- Make sure your insurance covers medical evacuation as well as coverage in neighboring countries. Read more about insurances for abroad on Expatinsurances.org.
Packing list for Chile, travel insurance for Chile, and taking your belongings
Packing list for Chile, travel insurance for Chile, and taking your belongings
What to take with you to Chile: spotlighted
To bring and to check:
- Documents: a passport that is valid for at least 6 months, and copies.
- Money: a few Chilean pesos is handy, otherwise you can get by with a debit card and/or credit card.
- Care: good strong sunscreen, aftersun and lip balm.
- Outdoor and conveniences: sunglasses, cap / hat. Gloves and hat for Patagonia and the Andes.
- Protection: waterproof bag or drybag and good rain gear (more about rain gear and waterproof clothing).
- Clothing: layers, layers, layers. Chile is the longest country in the world, so you can certainly expect differences in climate - from dry and hot to humid and cold and all seasons in one day. In the north: dry, hot weather. In Patagonia? Stormy cold with horizontal rain. In Santiago: spring, autumn or all seasons in one day. So shirts, sweater, raincoat, thermal clothing (for the south) and extra socks. Quick-drying clothing can be useful for walks (and to dry off faster after a rain shower).
- Shoes: good walking shoes rather than fashionable sneakers (more about mountain boots or trekking shoes), slippers/sandals for easy days.
- Medicines and travel pharmacy: first aid kit with ORS, plasters, painkillers, anti-diarrhea and disinfectant gel.
- Technique and equipment: world plug with type C & L.
To consider:
- Reusable water bottle.
- Quick-drying travel towel
- Power bank – for long bus rides, hiking trails, or photographing flamingos at 4000 meters altitude.
- A buff, scarf or bandana
- Sleeping bag
- Headlamp or flashlight for hiking.
- Where you are going and in which season. Be prepared for everything!
- There is little available on Easter Island and when it is available, it is expensive.
Are there mosquitoes in Chile?
- Mosquitoes are generally not a big problem in Chile.
- They are there, and very occasionally people get sick (dengue/West Nile virus), but this is incidental.
- Mosquitoes are mainly found in: lower, warmer areas in the north and centre (such as around Santiago, the coast and parts of the Atacama) and near stagnant water in the summer months (December – March)
- On Easter Island you are somewhat more at risk, especially around the cities.
- Protecting yourself can be wise.
Are there sandflies in Chile?
- Sand flies and leishmaniasis are not a problem in Chile.
Can you buy DEET, or other mosquito repellents, in Chile?
- You can find mosquito repellents at drugstores, large supermarkets and sometimes in small shops in tourist areas.
- The remedies are often not very strong, so if that is your preference (and if you want to save money), it is best to bring some from home.
Can you buy a joint or weed in Chile, or take it with you to Chile?
- Not really. But not completely illegal either. It depends. In other words: Latin American logic in action.
- Medicinal cannabis is in principle legal, but only under strict conditions and with a doctor's prescription.
- Personal use of small amounts in private is tolerated, but it is still technically punishable.
- Public use, possession in public, buying, selling or growing cannabis without a permit = illegal.
- So: you are not officially allowed to buy or have it with you, but might spot some Chileans secretly smoking it on the balcony.
Chile: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
Chile: selection of contributions by WorldSupporters - Bundle
Content about Chile shared by WorldSupporters
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