Often dubbed "the thin country", Chile's appearance on a map might be gaunt but everything else about it is robust and thriving with natural beauty. Nestled between the Pacific Ocean and the Andean highlands and bordered by Peru, Bolivia and Argentina, its contrasting topography of desert, rainforests, peaks and glaciers makes it the one of the most visually distinct countries in South America. But because of its length – a staggering 4,000 kilometres - it’s important to decide what kind of trip you're after when booking a flight to Chile.
Santiago, the capital, is a good base and provides easy access to other areas in Chile. From there, wine lovers can visit the colonial towns of the Central Valley and tour the lush vineyards surrounding them. While adventure seekers should head up north to the Andes where the gurgling geysers of El Tatio live, and avid skiers can get their adrenaline going on the slopes of Farellones, La Parva, and Valle Nevado.
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Much of the country has a mountain climate with snow in the higher reaches. The north is desert, warm during the day but very cool at night. The central part has a Mediterranean climate with a rainy season between May and August. The south is cold, bitterly so in winter, and often wet.
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Domestic flights are available throughout the country with airline LAN. If you’re planning on making lots of flights, get the LAN “Visit South America Air Pass” which will give discounted tickets within Chile and also to Peru and Ecuador. There are other regional airlines flying to different destinations.
The bus system in Chile is very good. The network covers much of the country and service is cheap and efficient. In comparison, trains are poor; many lines are used only for freight.
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- Santiago, the country’s capital is a bustling metropolis. With the snow-topped Andes as a backdrop, the city can serve as a starting point to a skiing holiday in the mountains. However, there is also much to see in the city itself. The square in the middle of the city, Plaza de Armas is a good place to start a sightseeing tour. Almost all tourists find their way to the lively plaza, which contains many artists and their painters and is surrounded by popular tourist destinations such as the National Museum and the 18th-century cathedral.
- Easter Island, located off the Chilean coast, is a popular destination in its own right, and definitely worth visiting when traveling in Chile. The symbol of the islands is its huge stone heads, called moai. There are lots of different spots to see the moai. For 15 lined up together, with a backdrop of the sea, head to Ahu Tongariki.
- Pucon is a popular tourist spot for its lake and volcano. There are also innumerable sports to take part in from horse riding to water-skiing. For a more relaxed time you could just spend the day at one of the beaches around Lake Villarrica. The sand on these beaches is black, formed from old lava flow from the volcano. The beaches are well-developed, with bars, restaurants and places to change.
- A UNESCO World Heritage site, Valparaiso has been named the country’s “cultural capital” and after a few days in the city it’s not hard to see why. Overlooking the bay is one of the most popular cultural buildings, the house and gardens of poet Pablo Neruda’s, open Tuesday to Sunday. First opened to the public in 1992, the house has been restored to its condition when Neruda lived and worked in it.
- Sampling the local cuisine is a must. Try empanadas, turnovers filled with meat or cheese, seafood, especially from coastal towns and asados, barbecued meat.
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Passengers must hold a Tourist Card (issued free of charge on arrival for 90 days) and sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay. A return or onward ticket is not required if holding a credit card or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket. Passengers with a passport from Australia, Canada, United States or Mexico are required to pay a reciprocity tax on entering the Santiago airport before passing through Customs. Fees are US$56 for Australians, US$132 for Canadians, US$100 for US nationals and US$15 for Mexican passport holders. This tax must be paid in US dollars cash; it is paid once and remains valid until the passport expires. The fee does not apply to travelers arriving at other airports or entering the country via land borders.
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UK nationals do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 days. A valid passport is required.
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