| There is different
rules and requirements to get into Chile.
Citizens of the following countries
may be exempted from tourist visa requirements:(a) Nationals of Australia,
Britain, Canada, Japan, United States, and the EU for a stay of up to 90
days (except nationals of Greece, who can stay up to 60 days). (b)
Nationals of Antigua & Barbuda, Argentina, Bahamas, Barbados, Bolivia,
Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El
Salvador, Fiji, Grenada, Guatemala, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Israel,
Jamaica, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Morocco, New
Zealand, Nicaragua, Norway, Panama, Paraguay, Poland, St Kitts & Nevis, St
Lucia, San Marino, Slovenia, South Africa, Surinam, Switzerland, Tonga,
Tunisia, Turkey, Uruguay, Vatican City, Venezuela and Serbia & Montenegro
for a stay of up to 90 days. (c) Nationals of Peru for a stay of up to 60
days.(d) Nationals of Belize, Costa Rica, Honduras, Indonesia, Malaysia
and Singapore for a stay of up to 30 days.
However, citizens of four countries must pay a "reciprocity fee" of
varying amounts. The fee is USD 131 for American citizens, USD 132 for
Canadian citizens, USD 90 for Australian citizens, and USD 15 for Mexican
citizens. This fee is equivalent to the amount that country requires for
entry visas from Chilean citizens. The fee is only for tourists entering
by plane, and the one-time charge is good for the life of your passport.
US citizens should have cash or a credit card to pay the $131 fee.
Citizens of other countries, such as the UK, do not have to pay a fee.
When entering Chile (by cruise, vehicle or plane), at customs, travelers
will need to fill out a tourist card that allows them to stay for up to 90
days. Travelers will have to present the tourist card to Customs officials
when leaving the country. Be aware that hotels waive Chile's 19% room tax
when the guest shows this card and pays with U.S. dollars. On flights
leaving Chile, there is an airport tax of US$18, or the equivalent in
Chilean pesos. On domestic flights, airport tax is included in the price
of the ticket. For tourism information of Chile, please visit:
www.visitchile.org. For consulate information, please visit the Embassy
web site: www.chile-usa.org. More info at Embassy of Chile, UK:
www.echileuk.demon.co.uk/consulatevisas.htm.
From the Chile Tourism office at the Embassy of Chile in Washington DC (ofitur@embassyofchile.org)
Agriculture is very important to Chile, importation of certain perishable
goods (such as poultry,vegetables,fruits,etc) can be either restricted or
even prohibited.
Remember that Chile is a centralized country, so the laws stay the same
regardless of region.
Get into Chile by plane
The most common entry point for overseas visitors is the international
airport of the capital Santiago. There are airports in major towns,
but Santiago offers the best connections. LAN Airlines is Chile's flagship
airline.
Presently Chile is one of South America's most stable and prosperous
nations and is well known for fly fishing. Various wildlife tours, cruises
could be enjoyed there.
Get into Chile by bus
If you are already in South America, a cheaper and reliable way is to go
by bus to Chile. Chile borders Argentina (daily buses from Mendoza,
Bariloche and San Martin de los Andes), Peru (bus from Arequipa) and
Bolivia. Buses also originate from Brazil (bus from São Paulo, on Mondays
and Thursdays). Be aware that crossing into Chile may take place at high
altitude--up to 4000 m (13,000 ft). Also, the roads from Peru and Bolivia
are a bit poor in quality, so be patient. During the winter season, which
begins in June and ends in August, it is not uncommon for the passage from
Mendoza to close for days at a time. |