Roavina

Country guide

Chile

A photograph of Chile
Photograph · Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0

Chile is a narrow strip between the Andes and the Pacific, the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica. Its 756,102 km² are arranged almost entirely along one north–south line, with Peru and Bolivia at the top and the Drake Passage at the bottom, so nearly every journey here is a journey up or down. The 2024 census counted 18.5 million people. Santiago is the capital and largest city. Chile also administers Pacific islands far offshore, among them Juan Fernández and Easter Island, which means two places under the same flag can sit an ocean apart.

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Spanish
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+56
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Chilean peso (CLP)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
133 police · 131 ambulance · 132 fire
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and L · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No single verified statement covers all regions and remote areas

Planning a visit

  1. January: seasonal closure recorded
  2. February: seasonal closure recorded
  3. March: seasonal closure recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded
  9. September: seasonal closure recorded — this month
  10. October: seasonal closure recorded
  11. November: seasonal closure recorded
  12. December: seasonal closure recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Quinta Normal Park Quinta Normal Park
    02 1 hour

    Quinta Normal Park

    Parque Quinta Normal

    Parque Quinta Normal is a historic public park in Santiago, Chile. Established in the nineteenth century, it represents one of the city's oldest green spaces and has evolved into a significant cultural destination.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  2. Parque Forestal, Santiago Parque Forestal, Santiago
    03 1 hour

    Parque Forestal, Santiago

    Parque Forestal

    Forestal Park, or Parque Forestal, is a linear public park beside the Mapocho River in central Santiago.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  3. Jardín Japonés de Santiago Jardín Japonés de Santiago
    04 1 hour

    Jardín Japonés de Santiago

    The Japanese Garden of Santiago, Jardín Japonés de Santiago, is a restored terraced garden within Metropolitan Park on Cerro San Cristóbal.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  4. Jardín Botánico Mapulemu Jardín Botánico Mapulemu
    05 1 hour

    Jardín Botánico Mapulemu

    Mapulemu Botanical Garden, known locally as Jardín Botánico Mapulemu, is a botanical garden within Santiago’s Metropolitan Park on Cerro San Cristóbal.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  5. Parque Araucano Parque Araucano
    06 1 hour

    Parque Araucano

    Araucano Park, or Parque Araucano, is a large urban green space in Las Condes, eastern Santiago. It gives visitors a broad recreational landscape within one of the capital’s most developed districts.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  6. Parque Inés de Suárez Parque Inés de Suárez
    07 1 hour

    Parque Inés de Suárez

    Inés de Suárez Park is a substantial neighbourhood park in Providencia, Santiago. Named after the Spanish conquistadora Inés de Suárez, it is primarily a local green space woven into the daily life of a densely populated district.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  7. Plaza de la Constitución Plaza de la Constitución
    08 1 hour

    Plaza de la Constitución

    Constitution Square, or Plaza de la Constitución, is a ceremonial public square in central Santiago. It forms the formal forecourt of Palacio de La Moneda, Chile’s presidential palace.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  8. Plaza Baquedano Plaza Baquedano
    09 1 hour

    Plaza Baquedano

    Baquedano Square, also known locally as Plaza Baquedano, is a major public square in Santiago, Chile. It stands at an important urban junction between the city centre, Providencia, Bellavista, and Parque Bustamante.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  9. Parque de la Familia Parque de la Familia
    10 1 hour

    Parque de la Familia

    Family Park, also known as Parque de la Familia, is a large public park on the west side of the Mapocho River in Santiago, Chile.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  10. Santuario de la Naturaleza El Arrayán Santuario de la Naturaleza El Arrayán
    11 1 hour

    Santuario de la Naturaleza El Arrayán

    El Arrayan Nature Sanctuary, locally known as Santuario de la Naturaleza El Arrayán, is a protected foothill setting on the northeastern metropolitan edge of Santiago, Chile.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  11. Parque natural Aguas de Ramón Parque natural Aguas de Ramón
    12 1 hour

    Parque natural Aguas de Ramón

    Parque Natural Aguas de Ramón

    Parque Natural Aguas de Ramón is a protected natural area on Santiago’s eastern foothills. The park offers a reachable mountain escape within the metropolitan region, with trails entering Mediterranean sclerophyll forest and following creek drainages toward the Andean piedmont.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Santiago
  12. Quebrada de Macul Quebrada de Macul
    13 1 hour

    Quebrada de Macul

    Parque Natural Quebrada de Macul

    Parque Natural Quebrada de Macul is a natural park located in the eastern foothills of Santiago, Chile.

    • High
    • Nature site
    • Santiago

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Chile be?

A 10–16 day visit should pair Santiago with one major region, such as the Atacama, the Lake District or a Patagonian gateway. Chile’s length makes combining north and far south in a short itinerary transfer-heavy.

What entry documents are needed for Chile?

Chile’s consular service publishes the visa rules used for entry. Nationality, travel purpose and length of stay determine the requirement, and any application should be made through the official consular channel.

What is the best way to travel around Chile?

Santiago is the central international and domestic hub. Flights connect the desert, lake and Patagonian gateways, while long-distance buses cover mainland corridors and remote parks require a confirmed final transfer.

When is a practical time to visit Chile?

October through April is the broad operating window for many central and southern journeys. Atacama conditions, central-valley heat and Patagonian wind are distinct, so the least flexible regional leg should set the calendar.

What money and payment basics apply in Chile?

Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP). Current withdrawal costs and merchant acceptance are Not recorded; review the amount in pesos and any conversion offered before completing payment.

What practical safety details should I save for Chile?

Chile uses 133 for police, 131 for ambulance and 132 for fire. Power is 220 V with Type C and L plugs, while nationwide tap-water guidance remains Not recorded.