Chile: main airports
Chile has three main airports: Santiago, the capital and the country's main hub, Easter Island, the Chilean outpost in the Pacific famous for its moai, and Punta Arenas, gateway to southern Chilean Patagonia.
Chile: recommended activities
Chile: visa and entry requirements
Citizens of the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia and most of Latin America enter without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days, including for Easter Island. A free Tourist Card (Tarjeta de Turismo) is issued on entry, to be kept until departure. For Easter Island it is also mandatory to fill in online, before boarding, the Single Entry Form (Formulario Único de Ingreso, FUI), with proof of a return flight within 30 days and booked accommodation at a SERNATUR-authorised property.
Chile: safety
Santiago is generally safe in tourist areas (Providencia, Las Condes, Bellavista) with the usual precautions against petty theft, a little less so in the historic centre in the evening. Patagonia and Easter Island are among the safest areas of the country. Chile has a high seismic risk across its whole territory: familiarise yourself with your hotel's safety procedures at check-in.
Chile: health situation
No vaccination is mandatory for those arriving from Europe. Santiago's health facilities are among the best in South America; in Patagonia and on Easter Island provision is more limited, with evacuation to Santiago common for complex cases. Altitude is not an issue at the main destinations (Santiago, Patagonia and Easter Island are all at low elevation), unlike the north of the country (San Pedro de Atacama, over 2,400 metres). Travel insurance nonetheless remains good standard practice.
Chile: currency, payments and connectivity
The currency is the Chilean peso (CLP); credit cards are widely accepted in Santiago, a little less so in remote areas such as Easter Island, where paying in cash often comes with a discount compared to card. Uber and Cabify operate in Santiago. For connectivity, the operators Entel, Movistar and WOM sell prepaid SIM cards, generally only available on the mainland (not on Easter Island). For driving, an International Driving Permit (IDP) is generally also required alongside the national one.
