See what the experts are saying about Chile. Get expert advice on how to get there what to see and more.
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Getting there
By Plane Several major airlines serve Santiago's Arturo Merino BenÃtez airport with direct flights from Miami, Atlanta, New York, Dallas-Fort Worth, Los Angeles, and Toronto. Turbulent times in the airline industry mean that fares can vary... Continue reading »
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Health & insurance
Travel Insurance The cost of travel insurance varies widely, depending on the cost and length of your trip, your age and health, and the type of trip you're taking, but expect to pay between 5% and 8% of the vacation itself. You can get es... Continue reading »
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Entry requirements & customs
Passports & Visas For an up-to-date, country-by-country listing of passport requirements around the world, go to the "Foreign Entry Requirement" Web page of the U.S. State Department at http://travel.state.gov. Citizens of the United St... Continue reading »
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Getting around
By Plane Given its length, travelers to Chile, especially those short on time, must fly if planning to visit several destinations. LAN Airlines (tel. 866/435-9526 in the U.S., or 600/526-2000 in Chile; www.lan.com) is the leader of the pac... Continue reading »
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Money
Currency -- The unit of currency in Chile is the peso. The value of the peso has held steady at around 520 pesos to the American dollar and 1,000 pesos to the British pound; prices in this book are listed in dollars and pounds. (Note: In Chil... Continue reading »
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The 21st-century traveler
Internet Access -- Nearly every hotel in Chile has an Internet station, but if for some reason they don't, cybercafes are commonplace and clustered around all commercial areas in every city's downtown area. Mid-range and upscale hotel guest r... Continue reading »
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Regions in brief
Sandwiched between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, Chile's lengthy, serpentine shape at first glance seems preposterous: nearly 4,830km (3,000 miles) of land stretching from the arid northern desert to the wild desolation of Patagonia, and a... Continue reading »
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Tips on accommodations
It is imperative that you consider Chile's high season when planning your trip, as prices are sky-high and reservations are hard to come by without advance planning. High season runs from December 15 to the end of February, Easter week, and f... Continue reading »
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Tips for families
Chileans love kids, and family-friendly lodging and kid's specials are the rule, not the exception. Many hotels feature playgrounds, swimming pools, child care, and attached rooms or space for additional beds, and some resorts offer full-scal... Continue reading »
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Tips for gay and lesbian travelers
Gays and lesbians visiting Chile will most likely not encounter any prejudice or outward intolerance. However, public displays of affection between same sexes are rare, even in metropolitan cities such as Santiago. In general, attitudes, espe... Continue reading »
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Tips for senior travelers
Seniors, referred to in Chile as tercera edad, or "third age," will find plenty of discounts at museums and attractions, but not much else. Members of AARP, 601 E St. NW, Washington, DC 20049 (tel. 888/687-2277; www.aarp.org), get discounts o... Continue reading »
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Tips for single travelers
On package vacations, single travelers are often hit with a dreaded "single supplement" to the base price. To avoid it, you can agree to room with other single travelers or find a compatible roommate before you go, from one of the many roomma... Continue reading »
Chile Travel Experiences
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Country Hopping
Country Hopping I haven't written too much about the personalities of the countries I'm visiting, and what it feels like to be moving... Continue reading »
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Best of Chile Tour
Setting off at the crack of dawn from Cape Town, South Africa and travelling via Johannesburg this intrepid group of 17 travellers, spent... Continue reading »
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Valdivia, Lakes and Cruise to Patagonia (Puerto N...
Hi all!Sorry to all of you from whom I have heard in recent days who wanted to know if I was alive or this blog was ever going to get off... Continue reading »
