Health

Current health precautions are contained in the most recent DHSS leaflets. No vaccination certificates are required on entry. Chile is generally healthy except for a rather high incidence of typhoid and hepatitis. Tap water in the cities is generally safe to drink, but visitors are probably best advised to stick to bottled mineral water, which is widely available (both still and sparkling). It is best to avoid raw seafood and salads (since the latter are sometimes irrigated with contaminated water, and may not be adequately washed). Newcomers sometimes succumb to gastric upsets.

The host institution is nearly always the best source of advice on medical care, which in the major cities is excellent.

While this is most unlikely to affect the health of short-term visitors, they should be aware that Santiago has severe problems of smog in winter.

Entry formalities, arrival and departure procedures
(Arrival by air is assumed)

Visas

British passport-holders do not require any visa to enter Chile, and will be admitted for an initial ninety day period without any other document. The ninety day period may be renewed for a second period of the same length, after which a 'contract visa' (for those intending to work for money) or 'temporary residence visa' will be needed.

Customs

The Customs have the right to inspect any item of baggage, but they are polite and reasonable. There is a Red/Green Channel system. Firearms, seeds and plants are prohibited imports. Chile depends quite heavily on its agricultural exports, and for fear of the spread of diseases the import of most foodstuffs is also forbidden: expect to have your hand baggage inspected for any such contraband. Up to two litres of spirits and 400 cigarettes may be brought in.

Arrival procedures
(at Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport, Pudahuel, Santiago).

Most British Council visitors will be met by their Chilean hosts, who will contact them outside the Customs hall (some enterprising people manage to get inside). Please turn left as you leave the hall.

On entering the terminal building, visitors will first have to queue to pass through Immigration. This is sometimes slow, as all arrivals are recorded on computer. The next section contains the luggage carousels, followed by Customs where baggage tickets must sometimes be handed over to a checker before luggage can be taken out of the building. Visitors will have suitcase(s) and hand luggage checked and X-rayed and be asked whether they are carrying any vegetable seeds etc. Trolleys are available for a hire fee of one US dollar, and can be taken out to the carpark.

Important:

On the 'plane, you will have been asked to complete a Tourist Slip, which must be given to the Immigration Officer. He will stamp it and give you back a copy. This must be retained and presented when you leave Chile. Your contact will be waiting outside the Customs Hall.

Should you not be met, there are regular buses from the main terminal building to the City Centre. Taxis operate according to rates advertised near the exit from Customs: they should cost between Chilean Pesos 9,000 and 15,000, depending on where your hotel is. There are public telephones in the main terminal building to the right of the international arrivals area, which are operated by coins of Chilean Pesos 100.

Chilean standard time is four hours behind GMT. However, because of UK and Chilean Summer Times, the difference is normally three hours (October-March) or five hours (March-August).

Airport tax

International Airport Tax on departure is 26 US dollars, payable in dollars or Chilean Pesos. For internal flights it depends where you are coming from.

Money

The exchange rate

Notes: 20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000, 500

Coins: 500, 100 (new), 100 (old), 50, 10, 5, 1

There are exchange facilities at the Airport. However, slightly better rates can be obtained in the city, especially for cash at 'Cambio' offices, some of which offer the same rate for dollar travellers' cheques as for dollar bills. Some banks will change sterling Travellers' Cheques. However, US Dollars are much better known and widely accepted, and should certainly be brought. The '$' symbol is used to denote sums in Chilean Pesos; sums in American dollars are denoted by 'US$' or 'U.S. Dollars'.

Prices

For most things prices are comparable to those in Britain. All goods (including imported ones) are widely available in the major cities. The exceptions (considerably cheaper than in the UK) are public transport, eating out, and alcohol and tobacco.

Internal travel

To travel through the country you may rent a car, travel by train, bus o even fly. It is better to contact an agency for arrangements or have your hotel personell deal and help you with this.

Public Transport

Taxis are cheap and metered; tipping is not necessary. Colectivos are communal taxis, usually with a notice board on the roof giving the route. Buses are frequent, cheap and clean if rather hair-raising. The Santiago metro is excellent with fast and frequent trains.

Post and telephones

Airmail to UK usually takes about a week, but can take much longer (postcards and letters cost approximately Chilean Pesos 300). Telephones are very efficient, with global Direct Dialling (to UK per minute in working hours costs approximately Ch$500, depending upon which of the 'multicarriers' is chosen).