Chile Travel Guide Recommendations 2018

Chile, as one of the richer countries in South America, has the richest mineral resources in South America, especially nitrate and copper, ranking first not only in South America but even in the world. Its name shows its affluence. In addition, this country is also one of the best in the world in terms of education.

If you want to talk about tourism, you may be more familiar with Santiago and the mysterious Easter Island. In fact, in addition to these, Chile is also very rich in tourism resources, and it is also known as the "Land of the End of the World" , the name also sounds very beautiful.

So, next, the editor will share with you some tips for traveling to Chile!

Chile Country Overview

Location

Chile (Chile) is located in the southwest of South America, at the western foot of the Andes Mountains. Bordering Argentina to the east, Peru and Bolivia to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Antarctica across the sea to the south, it is the longest and narrowest country in the world.

Because it is located at the southernmost tip of the American continent, across the sea from Antarctica, Chileans often call their country "the country at the end of the world". Chile is the country with the richest copper resources in the world and enjoys the reputation of "Kingdom of Copper Mines". The capital, Santiago, is the largest city in Chile.

Chile’s most famous point is the mysterious Easter Island

Country name:

Republic of Chile

< p>Capital:

Santiago

Area:

Area of ??756,626 square kilometers (including 756,253 square kilometers of land area and 373 square kilometers of island area).

Population:

About 16.0934 million Location: Located in the southwest of South America, at the western foot of the Andes Mountains. It borders Argentina to the east, Peru and Bolivia to the north, the Pacific Ocean to the west, and Antarctica across the sea to the south.

Language:

The official language is Spanish, and Mapuche is spoken in the Indian settlement areas.

Religion:

More than 80% of the people believe in Catholicism, while others believe in Protestantism or Judaism.

National tree:

Araúkalia pine. It is a rare tree species in the world. It is known as the "Black Pyramid".

Administrative divisions:

The country is divided into 13 regions, consisting of 50 provinces and 341 cities.

Time difference:

12 hours behind China. Summer (November-February): 11 hours later than China, winter (May-September)

Voltage:

The voltage in Chile is 220V. American-style 2-pin (Spanish-made 2-pin round head) power conversion socket is available at the hotel.

Hotel: The local hotel does not provide personal toiletries, slippers, etc., please bring your own. Tap water is generally not suitable for drinking.

Tipping:

Tipping at restaurants and bars requires a tip of 10% to 15%. Some restaurants will calculate the tip into the total consumption. It is generally not recommended to tip when taking a taxi.

Accommodation:

Chile Hotel does not provide disposable slippers, toothpaste and toothbrushes. The voltage is 220 volts, but the power strip is special, with three equidistant cylindrical plugs in a single row. If necessary, you should borrow a power strip converter from your tour guide.

Shopping:

Copper handicrafts are Chilean specialty products, and kyanite pendants are worth purchasing as souvenirs. Chile is the world's largest copper-producing country, but the price of copper handicrafts is not low. Chilean wine is world-famous and worth tasting and purchasing. Practical information on food, clothing, housing and transportation in Chile

Temperature:

Because Chile is a temperate mid-latitude country, January is the summer, usually between 30 degrees, and April to July is the winter, usually between 30 degrees. -15 degrees, the local temperature difference between morning and evening is large.

Communication:

Global Communication mobile phone can be used (if the "ENTEL" signal appears, dial 1230 first; if the "TELEFONICA" signal appears, dial 1880 first) . Phone cards are available for purchase. Internet access is available in all hotels.

Transportation:

It is about 20-25km from the airport to the city. Taking a taxi takes half an hour and costs 25-30 US dollars (1.5 US dollars/km).

Chile is the country with the best security in South America, so there is no need to worry about personal safety.

Taxes:

An 18% tax will be added to any consumption. Generally, it is added during the shopping or consumption process, but when paying the hotel consumption part, such as rent, meals, laundry, etc., if you pay pesos at the hotel checkout, an additional 18% tax will be charged; if Cash payments in US dollars are exempt from the 18% tax.

Best travel time:

The best travel time is November ~ March of the following year

Chile visa: Starting from July 1, 2015, all Chinese citizens holding a visa from the United States or Canada for more than 6 months can stay in Chile for 90 days without a visa. If you apply for a Chilean visa on your own, you will need an invitation letter from a local travel agency in Chile, which will be notarized and certified locally. The procedure will be slightly more complicated.

Recommended number of days to visit:

About 8 days

Reference budget:

About 25,000 yuan

Leave Outbound airport tax:

USD 26 per person (international flights), must be paid in cash at the airport.

Currency:

The currency of Chile is the "peso", which can be exchanged at the exchange office. The U.S. dollar is not in circulation. Since the exchange rate often fluctuates, it is not advisable to exchange too much. In addition, since the currency value is relatively low, it is best to bring a calculator to avoid calculation errors.

The approximate reference price for peso exchange is:

1 US dollar = 480 pesos, 1 RMB = 77 pesos, fluctuating up and down. It can be exchanged at exchange shops at the airport and in the city. It is recommended to exchange it in the city as the exchange rate is slightly better. Prices in Chile are about 20%-40% higher than in China (with the exception of Easter Island, which is 200%-300% higher).

General business store business hours:

1) Currency exchange shop: Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 19:00; Saturday: 9:00 to 15:00;

2) Bank: Monday to Friday: 9:00 to 14:00;

3) Store: Monday to Friday: 10:00 to 20:00; Saturday : 10:00 to 14:00;

4) Shopping mall: Monday to Sunday: 10:00-21:00;

Chilean folk customs:

1. When Chileans meet foreign guests for the first time, they usually shake hands. Sometimes men hug each other warmly, and women kiss each other on the cheek. The most commonly used greetings are "Hello" and "See you." You are very happy”, “Thank God for our acquaintance”, etc.

2. When familiar friends meet, they usually embrace warm hugs and kisses, greetings, and are extremely intimate. This is true for both men and women.

3. Some elderly people are accustomed to raising their hands or taking off their hats when they meet.

4. Like many American countries, Chileans generally do not invite others to their homes unless they are close friends. If you are invited to your home by a Chilean friend, it should be regarded as an honor and not allowed. Decline out of politeness or other reasons, otherwise the host will think he is looking down on you and make him angry.

5. When invited to a Chilean friend’s home, you should attend the appointment on time. It is impolite to be late or early. Chileans have a strong sense of time and are used to doing everything according to the scheduled time. This is Unlike many American countries.

6. When arriving at the host's house, the guest should take the initiative to send a bouquet of flowers or beautifully packaged candies to the hostess, first express greetings to the hostess, and then greet the male host and other family members.

7. Chileans believe that the number "five" is unlucky

Tourist Attractions

Easter Island

Easter Island is now Valparaiso, Chile, is the most isolated place in the world and the loneliest island on earth. It is triangular in shape and has steep coastal cliffs that are extremely difficult to climb.

This triangular island with an area of ??only 163 square kilometers is located on the east Pacific coast. It is 3,500 kilometers to the east to see the mainland. It was not until April 5, 1722 that the original residents of the island came to contact with the mainland. Contact with the outside world

It is said that the Dutch explorer Jacob Roggeneen discovered this island when he was sailing and exploring in the South Pacific in 1722 and was almost desperate. , the day of landing happened to be Easter, April 5, so this unknown island was named Easter Island.

Until 1888, the Chilean government sent people to take over the island.

The origin of "the navel of the earth"

Although we know this land because of its name, Easter Island, in fact, the Polynians on the island and the people of the Pacific Islands The indigenous people call it RaPa

Nui. This name is puzzling and mysterious because it literally translates to "the navel of the earth."

People did not understand this statement at first. It was not until the astronauts on the space shuttle looked at the earth from a high altitude that they realized that this statement was completely correct - Easter Island hangs alone in the vastness. On the Pacific Ocean, it is indeed exactly the same as a small "navel".

But at a time when technology was not yet developed, how did the island residents know what Easter Island looked like in the air? It makes people think.

"Moai" in different shapes

In addition to the above questions, the "monolith statues" on Easter Island have also become another unsolved mystery on the island. They are called Moai, a group of giant figures located on Easter Island. They are also one of Chile's tourist attractions and world heritage sites.

Some moai will be placed on stone platforms called "Ahu".

Some stone statues will have a "Pukao" on their heads. The pukao is a cylindrical sculpture made from very light red volcanic rock. The stone hat and the stone statue are not one piece, they were carved separately and then put on.

The meaning of Pukao has always been unclear. Some people think that it is a headdress symbolizing power or a hairstyle of local indigenous people.

There is still no conclusion about the origin of these stone statues. Throughout Easter Island, there are about 887 known moai, either lying on the wild slopes or lying on the seashore. Some stand alone in one place, while others form an array and stand neatly on the beach. There, it has been watching the distant sea for thousands of years.

This has aroused people's curiosity even more, and they want to know how people at that time achieved such incredible art in an era when technology was underdeveloped

Mysterious tribal culture

Among all the Polynesian peoples, the Rapa Nui were also the only ones to invent a writing system. The priests of the clan carved a unique hieroglyph on the wooden board and called it Rongorongo, which means "talking wood".

Due to damage by European missionaries, only 25 wooden boards were later preserved and are collected by famous museums around the world.

These surviving "talking wooden boards" have geometric patterns carved on both sides with shark teeth or hard stones, such as fish, birds, vegetation and paddles. However, it is still a mystery whether the patterns on these "talking wooden boards" are words and what their meanings are.

Easter Island has a side you can see, just as the explorers described it. It also has a hidden side: the caves, tunnels and mysterious legends shared by the local residents.

The biggest traditional festival on the island is the annual "Birdman Festival". Every February, men, women and children of all ages participate in competitive activities. All islanders gather at the top of Orongo volcano to hold a sacred festival. In the festival ceremony, a competition is used to select the leader of the island, "tangata

manu".

And review the island’s past arts and customs, including carving, percussion, reed boat weaving, and traditional song and dance performances, allowing more tourists to experience the unique local customs.

Magnificent natural scenery

In addition to the tribal cultural customs, the island’s magnificent natural scenery will also bring you a visual feast.

Anakena Beach in the north of Easter Island (ANAKENA

BEACH) is the most charming attraction on the island. The palm groves on the shore are green and dense, the water is clear and the sand is white, and the coconut trees are in the shadow. . Enjoy the sunset, with the rays of light reflecting red across half of the sky, and the huge stone statues setting off their eternal silhouettes.

When you climb to the top of Trevaca Mountain, which is 507 meters above sea level, you can see far into the distance. You can have a panoramic view of the island's large and small volcanoes and the surrounding stone statues. The vast Pacific Ocean and the blue sky are integrated, which is refreshing.

With the vast expanse of grassland as far as the eye can see, the sound of crashing waves, and the giant "Moai" stone statues that can be seen everywhere, you will surrender to the mysterious power of nature.

Santiago (Chile)

Santiago is the capital and largest city of the Republic of Chile and the fourth largest city in South America. Santiago is located in the middle of the country, on the banks of the Mapocho River. The city covers an area of ??approximately 15,403.2 square kilometers and has a population of 7.2 million. Santiago's urban area historically developed around the Santa Lucia Hills.

Today's Santiago is a modern city, the largest city in Chile and the country's political, economic, cultural and transportation center.

The coast of Southern California was originally the homeland of American Indians. The land here is fertile, the climate is warm, and the marine resources are rich. The Indians make a living here by farming, fishing, and hunting.

European explorers came here in the 16th and 17th centuries, disrupting the lives of the Indians and beginning the period of European colonial rule.

In 1542, Portuguese explorers first arrived at the Port of San Diego. In the "Age of Sail" that followed, European and Atlantic countries also came to this then remote place.

Santiago Plaza de Armas

Santiago’s most important religious, political and cultural institutions are gathered around the Plaza de Armas. On the west side of the square is the largest and majestic cathedral in Chile, and on the north side are the National Post Office, the History Museum and the Santiago City Hall. There are also singing, dancing, music and talk show performances by folk artists in the square.

Santa Lucia Mountain

Santa Lucia Mountain is a famous scenic spot in Chile. It is 230 meters high and is a conical hill. Santa Lucia Mountain is not so much a mountain as it is an exquisite and unique garden built on the mountain. There is a crimson palace-style gate at the entrance at the foot of the mountain, and a statue of a hero in the Indian anti-colonial war stands nearby. A winding mountain road spirals up to the top of the mountain. There is an ancient Greek Athenian-style white stone porch on the mountain, with simple and vigorous giant murals on both sides.

San Cristobal Mountain - Our Lady of the Mountain

Our Lady of the Mountain is a famous tourist attraction in Chile. It is now designated as the "Capital Park" and covers an area of ??712

square kilometers, is San Diego's most spectacular park. The north side of Mount Notre Dame is a slum area with no high-rise buildings; the east side is a prosperous urban area. Overlooking Santiago from Mount Notre Dame, you have a panoramic view of the city.

Central Market

The Central Market is located in a beautiful old building in the northwest corner of Old Town Santiago, adjacent to the seafood market.

La Moneda Palace

Chilean Presidential Palace—La Moneda Palace. It means currency in Spanish. Before Chile got rid of Spanish colonial rule in the early 19th century, it was a mint factory, so La Moneda Palace is also an important cultural relic site.

On Constitution Square outside the north gate of the Presidential Palace, a tall bronze statue of Allende stands.

Puerto Montt

Puerto Montt is a seaport city in southern Chile and an important commercial center in Chile. Puerto Montt's economy is dominated by shipping, fishing, forestry and shipbuilding. in. The shipping industry is the city's main industry.

At the same time, the city has a large number of cultural and entertainment facilities and art museums. The cultural landscape complements the natural scenery such as Guguero Island Botanic Park. It is one of the major tourist cities in southern Chile

Valparaiso

Valparaiso is nicknamed the "Pearl of the Pacific". Based on the city's continuous development design and unique architectural style, UNESCO included Valparaiso as a World Cultural Heritage.

In 1996 the World Heritage Committee declared Valparaiso's unusual cable car system (highly inclined cable car) one of the world's 100 endangered historical and cultural treasures.

With the city built on numerous steep slopes overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Valparaíso also proudly claims a maze of urban roads and cobblestone alleys that reflect the city's rich architectural and cultural heritage.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is one of the southernmost cities in the world and the capital of the Antarctic Region of Chile and the Magellan Province. There are many monuments and squares in the city, and the city's Croatian cultural background is unique in South America.

With convenient water and land transportation and an international airport, it is also the last stop for Antarctic explorers setting out from South America to rest and recuperate. It serves as the starting point for Antarctic scientific expeditions like Ushuaia in Argentina and Christchurch in New Zealand.

Iquique

Iquique is located in northern Chile. It is the capital of the Tarapacá region and an important port city in Chile. Iquique is a tourist city. It has perfect climate conditions with a unique combination of desert and ocean, abundant sunshine, fine sandy beaches, comfortable accommodation, luxurious casinos, etc.

Thousands of domestic and foreign tourists gather here every year during holidays to enjoy the blue sky, white clouds and sunshine.

Arica

Arica is the northernmost seaport city in Chile. You can visit Peru and Bolivia at the same time. You can enjoy the charming scenery in the Asapa Canyon in the suburbs. Archaeological tour.

Near the coast of this area, the most amazing cultural relics have been unearthed: the Qinqiaoluo mummy, which is the oldest mummy in the world. These mummies and other artifacts dating back 10,000 years are housed in the Archaeological Museum of San Miguel de Asapa.

There are flat plateaus with an average altitude of 4,000 meters, a wide variety of animals, lakes, hot springs, snow volcanoes and charming small towns with a long tradition of Aymara culture. Some villages still retain churches from the 16th century, which should be part of the religious wealth left by Spanish colonial rule.

San Pedro de Atacama

San Pedro de Atacama is a very charming city. You can enjoy the beautiful sunset and charming scenery in the Valley of the Moon. A natural sculpture formed by salt penetration and erosion. After the sun sets, the volcanic peaks draw strange patterns around them, forming a moonscape.

Visit the 12th-century fortified castles, the Archaeological Museum of Father Lepech or experience the picturesque oases.

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine National Park is located on the Patagonia Plateau in southwestern Chile. It covers an area of ??2,421 square kilometers and was designated a national park in 1959. , was classified as a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1978.

It was once selected as one of the "50 places you must visit in your lifetime" by National Geographic magazine. It topped the list of global hiking destinations by Lonely Planet magazine for its low-altitude W-loop hiking route.

There are trails, lakes, rivers, grasslands and wildflowers, as well as animals like llamas, almost posing for your photo. It's even possible to spot a moose, an endangered deer that is as elusive as a mountain lion.

The mountains here are spectacular and strange, with steep cliffs and silvery snow-capped mountains that look like a pair of huge antlers covered with snow.

Puerto Varas

Puerto Varas is located in south-central Chile. It has the famous Lago Llanquihue and Lago Todos Los

Santos Lake, between the two lakes is Oso Ernuo volcano, the special geographical shape makes it have clear water, beautiful grass and beautiful scenery. In the winter this is a ski resort.

La Serena

La Serena is a famous cultural city in Chile. The architectural style is more like that of sixteenth-century Europe, and the streets are very clean and beautiful. Among the many cultural relics, the closest to the city center is the famous Archbishop's Church (Catedralde

la Arquidiócesis de La Serena).

Temuco

Temuco is a city in south-central Chile, the capital of the Araucanía region and the Cautin province. There are the famous Indian Fair and the Arauca Indian Museum, as well as Forest Park and Municipal Stadium. The Liaima volcano, 80 kilometers east of the city, is an excellent alpine ski resort.

Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales is located in southern Chile and was founded in 1911. It is the only place to go to the famous and beautiful Torres del Paine National Park. Cathedral of Puerto

Natales Cathedral is the landmark of the city. There is the Central Square (Plazadelas

Armas) nearby, which is also translated as the Plaza of Arms. The surrounding environment is clean and tidy.

There are many relics of Indian culture left in the city, and various colorful buildings have become a beautiful scenery, as well as casinos.

Vi?a del Mar

Manicured urban gardens and palm-tree-decorated streets are the characteristics of this seaside city of Vi?a del Mar, which is different from other crowded seasides. , you will feel a clean and modern feeling.

It is one of the famous tourist cities in South America. It means "seaside vineyard" in Spanish. It is widely planted with flowers and trees and is famous as the "Garden City". There are many luxurious restaurants, hotels, nightclubs, racetracks, parks, theaters and other tourist facilities in the city. There is a presidential summer palace on the top of the seaside cliff.

The beach is excellent and attracts a large number of domestic and foreign tourists in summer.

Serena

In Serena you can stroll along the charming Avenida del Mar or choose your favorite beach and spend the evening wandering around the Alameda Francisco

Aguirre Street.

There is an open-air sculpture museum; the Church of San Francisco (Church of San

Francisco) built in the 16th and 17th centuries - now a national historical relic (National

< p>Monument); and the Recova Market, the most famous market in the region, where handicraft fairs are held.

Hurry up and collect this guide. You will definitely be able to use it when you have the opportunity to go to Chile in the future. With this guide, I believe it will be much more convenient for everyone!