Essential Tips for Visiting Chile

I remember the day back in 2014 when I had just settled into my new apartment in Santiago, and a powerful earthquake rattled the walls. I leaped up from my couch and ran for the door, while all the Chileans in the room just sat still and laughed at me, confident in Chile’s strong building codes and unfazed by the regular tremors.

A few days later, I learned that even the simple act of buying an empanada (stuffed pastry) could involve navigating three separate lines. As those first weeks in Chile passed, my dinner hour moved from 7pm to 8pm, eventually landing where it stands today, at around 9pm in the evening.

Chile is, in many ways, an accessible and familiar destination for many travelers. However, there are customs, protocols, and safety issues that you’ll want to keep in mind on your trip. From cheek-kissing to local etiquette for tipping, here are some insider tips to help you make the most of your visit to Chile.

1. Learn Some Basic Spanish Before Arriving

Chileans have a reputation for being shyer than most other Latin Americans, and local people won’t typically talk to strangers unless asked a question. Therefore, learning a bit of basic Spanish can go a long way towards breaking down barriers and getting to know the locals when you visit.

It’s also a bit of a necessity – outside of the major hotels and the business district in Santiago, you’re unlikely to find many English speakers when traveling around the country, particularly in rural areas. That said, Chileans will try their hardest to understand and help out as best they can, even if there’s a language barrier.

2. Pack Layers for Cool Evenings

Regardless of your destination – whether you’re by the coast, up in the Andes, down in Patagonia, or out in the Atacama Desert – temperatures across Chile drop considerably at sundown, making layers a necessity at any time of the year. A blazingly hot day can transform into a cool evening before you know it. Always pack an extra layer when going out for a full day.

3. Download WhatsApp for Easy Communication

It’s not uncommon to have to wait several days for a response if you send an email to a business in Chile. If you want to make reservations or book a tour, communicating via WhatsApp is often the best way to facilitate quick responses.

4. Be Prepared to Eat Late

Chileans are not big fans of early mornings, and most locals consume lunch between 1:30pm and 3:30pm. Dinner typically won’t begin until after 8pm and can be as late as 10pm. If dining late isn’t your preference, consider Chile’s “fourth meal” – an afternoon tea known locally as la once (pronounced “on-say”), usually consisting of bread, cheese, meat, eggs, mashed avocado, and something sweet.

5. Embrace the Sobremesa

When dining out with Chileans, it’s considered rude to leave straight after finishing your meal. Instead, it’s common to linger over the table chatting, perhaps while enjoying a bajativo (digestif) such as Bitter Araucano to wash down the food. These long, lazy meals are one of the best parts of Chilean culture.

6. Expect to Queue

In Chile, it’s not uncommon to place an order in one queue, pay in another, and collect your order in a third. This queuing system extends to supermarkets, where you will be expected to queue to weigh your items separately before taking them to the checkout.

7. Learn to Pay ‘Sin Cuotas’ but ‘Con Propina’

Credit cards are widely accepted across Chile, and cashiers will always ask if you want to pay in cuotas (installments). When using a foreign bank card, it is recommended to always decline by saying, “sin cuotas, por favor.” It’s generally expected to provide a 10% tip at restaurants, regardless of the quality of service.

8. Keep Small Bills Handy

When paying in cash, always keep small bills at hand; many vendors may not be able to break a larger note. Breaking down large denominations into smaller change will be advantageous throughout your travels.

9. Keep Your Voice Down

Chileans tend to be quiet and respectful, and loud-speaking tourists may attract unwanted attention. Speaking loudly in a foreign language on the streets can also signal pickpockets targeting potential victims.

10. Learn How to Greet Chileans

Chileans are known for their warm greetings. It’s typical for women to greet other women, or men, with one kiss (right cheek to right cheek), while men generally offer handshakes. Enthusiastic goodbyes are also common.

11. Check for Protests (and Avoid Them)

Protests are frequent in Chilean cities. While generally peaceful, they can disrupt roads and public transport, and visitors should stay clear as demonstrations can escalate unexpectedly. Always remain aware of political events and avoid areas of unrest.

12. Know Which Areas of Chile to Avoid

While Chile is one of the safest countries in the Americas, there are areas to exercise caution, particularly in the southern part of central Chile due to land-rights conflicts. However, visiting popular tourist destinations in regions like Patagonia is typically safe.

13. Know Where to Drink Tap Water

As a general guideline in Chile, the water is safe to drink from Santiago south. However, it’s advisable to avoid tap water in the Atacama Desert and in some rural areas.

14. Don’t Be Paranoid About Earthquakes

Chile is one of the most seismically active countries on earth, yet the local infrastructure is among the strongest globally. Most residents are accustomed to occasional tremors, making it a safe destination overall.