Hotels

There are Sheraton (San Cristobal), Hyatt and Holiday Inn (Crowne Plaza) establishments, but also numerous cheaper hotels of good standard. British Council visitors will normally have their bookings made and hotels paid by their Chilean hosts, whose choice is normally a good standard hotel or university flat. Hotel prices vary between CH$30,000 and US$200 per person. If bills are paid in foreign currency (including international credit cards) they are exempt from the eighteen per cent VAT levied on other forms of payment. Long advance booking is not necessary except for a few special occasions.

Restaurants

There are numerous good restaurants. Meal times tend to be later than in Britain. Sea food is extremely good and varied, though it should not be eaten raw. Most types of meat are available. The wine is probably the best value in the world: consistently reasonable to very good in quality, and fairly cheap.

Shopping

General shopping is possible either in the town centre or in Providencia. Souvenirs, jewellery etc. can be bought at the CEMA shop. There are also many jewellery shops in Avenida Bellavista on the northern side of the Mapocho river. Of particular interest are copper artifacts and lapis lazuli jewellery. In large or sophisticated shops, and in a good many selling handicrafts to tourists, someone speaking English will be found.

Working hours

Offices work a five day week, from 0830 or 0900 to 1300 and 1400 or 1430 to 1700 or 1730. Shops stay open until 1900 or 2000, and some supermarkets are open twenty four hours. Banks open at 0900 and close at 1400 and some official bureau do not open in the afternoon.

The academic year starts in March, with two semesters (March to July and August to December). In February, mid-summer, many institutions are completely unstaffed.