Adventurous  Chileholidays & tours

Chile’s top tourist attractions are its natural wonders, along with capital Santiago. Torres del Paine is one of the most-visited national parks in the country, plus more untamed wilderness to explore in Patagonia. Discover volcanoes among the glacial lakes in the Lake District and one of the driest places on earth in the Atacama desert, where the clear skies are perfect for star-gazing. In the cities, Valparaiso’s funiculars are a great way to explore this colourful port city, while Santiago is the cultural heart of Chile, with art galleries and street art in Bellavista, all backed by the Andes mountains and with the country’s wine valleys nearby.

UK citizens do not currently need a visa for trips to Chile of 90 days or less. You’ll be given a ‘tarjeta de turismo’ or tourist card on entry which you need to keep safe and return to immigration when you leave. Requirements can change, though – for the most up-to-date information on visas, please use the quick-check tool on our visa requirements page.

The Chilean Peso is the official currency of the country, with bank notes in denominations of 500, 1000, 2000, 5000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos. Coins come in 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos, although you’re less likely to come across these, with lower-denomination coins falling out of circulation. While some places may accept US dollars, this isn’t standard as in some other South American countries. Credit cards are widely accepted across Chile, especially in the cities and major tourist areas, although there may be a fee charged to use these. More isolated or rural locations may only accept cash however.

No two days need be the same when you’re planning your Chile holidays – you can combine wine-tasting with an afternoon at the beach, or team exploring the city streets of Santiago with time in the mountains, including a chance to ski during the winter. There’s plenty for active travellers too, from seeing volcanic peaks to the Andes mountains, star-gazing in the Atacama Desert, riding in the Lake District and hiking in Patagonia, including the dramatic glaciers of Torres del Paine national park.

Chile’s long thin geography and its mix of climates – ranging from tropical in the north to Mediterranean in the centre and Antarctic in the south, along with desert and mountains – means your destination often determines when to go. When you’re planning your Chile holidays, bear in mind that the seasons are reversed in the southern hemisphere. Santiago, the central valleys and the Atacama desert can be visited year-round, but are at their hottest and busiest from December to February. March and April are the top months to explore the winelands, while spring and summer (around October to March) are best if you’re exploring Patagonia, although December to February will be busy here too. Midwinter is less tempting, unless you’re planning to ski, with many attractions closed, plus rain in the Lake District, and strong winds and freezing temperatures in the south.

Petty crime is the biggest danger for most visitors to Chile, such as pickpocketing/theft, including at airports and tourist sites, as well as from vehicles. It’s also wise to take sensible precautions with some cases of mugging, especially in larger cities or after dark. Be cautious around ATM machines and avoid showing off expensive gadgets, watches or jewellery. There are also some scams targeted at tourists, especially by unlicensed taxi drivers. Joining a Chile guided tour is a good option if you’re concerned about travelling independently, with tour leaders on the ground to advise on any risks and to help as needed.

The country’s variety and often unpredictable climate means that packing layers is essential for any Chile tours, especially if you’re travelling during shoulder season (October and March). Santiago and Valparaiso will be warm in late spring and autumn, though temperatures can drop in the evening, and hot during the summer, so lightweight comfortable clothing is essential. Attitudes are more relaxed at the coast if you’re spending some time at the beach too. Patagonia’s weather can be very changeable, with the best weather in the summer (December to February) although it may still be windy and cool in the evenings, while temperatures plummet in midwinter. A warm fleece, hiking trousers and a windproof/waterproof jacket are all useful, along with sturdy hiking shoes or boots. The Atacama Desert is famously dry, but can be searingly hot during the day and bitterly cold at night, while you’ll need specialist mountain gear if you’re exploring widely in the Andes. Sun protection is essential even outside the summer months when clear skies still mean high UV ratings. For more tips, check out our packing guide. 

There are no specific vaccination requirements to enter Chile, and no need for a yellow fever vaccination certificate. Travellers are recommended to have the usual course of vaccinations for life in their home country, including boosters for diphtheria and tetanus. Those who may be at higher risk should also consider Hepatitis A and B vaccinations.

Malaria is not normally present in Chile but dengue fever is a possibility, so it is important to take insect repellent.

There’s as much variety in Chilean food as there is in the landscape, as well as European influences over the centuries, so you’ll discover plenty of local specialities as you travel. Along the coast, caldillo de congrio, a conger eel stew, is so iconic that the country’s Nobel Prize-winning poet wrote an ode to it, or go for Chilean comfort food, cazuela, a stew usually made with beef, chicken or sometimes lamb, plus pumpkin, potato and corn, and ajiaco, a beef-based soup. You’ll also find other South American favourites such as empanadas and asado (grilled meats), and plenty of dishes using potatoes, beans and corn, traditional Mapuche staples from Chile’s main indigenous group. Wash it all down with a glass of one of Chile’s world-class wines, especially the country’s Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, and Carmenère.

Yes, tipping is customary in most situations. It’s common to leave a tip in restaurants of around 10-15%, and around $5 for housekeeping staff each night. Your tour manager can advise on tips for drivers and guides; you can also find suggested amounts in our useful information sheet, which will be sent to you before you travel. Porterage is included in our Chile escorted tours.