Currency
Chilean peso (CLP)
Welcome to the country page
Discover & understand Chile
Your complete guide to relocating, travel, cost of living and finances in Chile.
Photo: Slovojed Silabski · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
Capital
Santiago
Official language
Spanish
Climate
Desert to cool-temperate
Time zone
UTC−3 (CLT/CLST)*
Dial code
+56
Population
approx. 19.5 million
Power plugs
Type C / L · 220 V
Topic areas
Choose a subpage for detailed information
Travel & Discover
Routes, sights, safety, best travel seasons & insider tips
Read moreImmigration & Visa
Visa types, residency, entry rules, bureaucracy guides & residence rights
Read moreLiving & Costs
Rent prices, grocery costs, health insurance, best neighborhoods & daily life
Read moreTaxes & Law
Tax system, company formation, bank accounts & finances
Read moreWeeklyNews & Updates
Fresh weekly posts, reports & current developments in the country
Read moreBackground & lifestyle
Land, people & culture in Chile
Patagonia & Torres del Paine
In the south, fjords, glaciers and Torres del Paine National Park define the landscape. Weather shifts fast; take trekking season and wind seriously. For many visitors it’s the highlight of a Chile trip — allow buffer and weatherproof gear.
Photo: Pedro Szekely · CC BY-SA 2.0
Atacama & stars
The north is one of the driest regions on Earth: Valle de la Luna, salt flats and clear night skies. Altitude and UV take a toll — hydrate, protect your skin and acclimatize. Observatories and San Pedro de Atacama are classic bases.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 4.0
Wine, empanadas & cueca
Chile is wine country (Casablanca, Maipo, Colchagua). Empanadas de pino, completos and seafood shape daily life; the cueca is the national dance. Sociability and asados are part of it — tips and opening hours vary by region.
Photo: Diego Delso · CC BY-SA 3.0