Tours in Chile

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What’s the best time of year to visit Chile?

   Generally speaking the best time to visit Chile is during its summer (December-February). This is when the weather is most pleasant for outdoor adventures – particularly down south in Patagonia, which can have very cold winters but super temperate summers. If you’re more interested in city breaks and wine retreats, consider the shoulder seasons of spring (September-November) and autumn (March-May).

2. What’s the climate like in Chile?

   Chile is a famously long country, so naturally the climate varies drastically from north to south. The north is tropical, the center is Mediterranean, while southern reaches in Patagonia are Antarctic. There is also the semi-arid Atacama Desert and the high-altitude peaks of the Andes. As a southern hemisphere nation the seasons are Summer (December-February), Autumn (March-May), Winter (June-August) and Spring (September-November).  

3. What’s the currency in Chile?

   Chilean Peso

4. What language is spoken in Cuba?

   Spanish is the primary language in Chile, spoken by pretty much everyone (with a Chilean or Andean dialect). There are also around 15 indigenous languages given legal rights and spoken by around 5% of the population, the largest of which is Mapuche.

5. What is the time difference in Cuba?

   The main time zone is Continental Chile Time (UTC-3), which means the mainland is three hours behind London, two hours ahead of New York and five hours ahead of LA. Chile also utilises daylight savings in winter (UTC-4). Easter Island is UTC-5 in summer and UTC-6 during winter, while the Magallanes and Chilean Antarctica use UTC-3 all year round.

6. Major Airports in Chile:

   • Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL), Santiago
   • El Loa Airport (CJC), Calama
   • Andrés Sabella Gálvez International Airport (ANF), Antofagasta
   • Carriel Sur International Airport (CCP), Concepción

7. What are the top places to visit in Chile?

   • Torres del Paine National Park – the mountains, glaciers and lakes here are a highlight of Chilean Patagonia
   • Easter Island – way out in the Pacific, but worth it for the statues alone
   • Santiago – the capital one of the most interesting cities in the Americas, with an epic Andean backdrop 
   • Magdalena Island – who doesn’t love penguins? This small island has over 120,000 of the cuties
   • Valparaíso – a multi-colored bohemian haven, covered in street art and full of good vibes

8. What are the top five local dishes to try?

   • Mapuche Curanto – an indigenous classic, cooked in a big hole with steaming hot stones
   • Cazuela – a heart, wholesome meat stew, most commonly beef, that tastes like a warm Chilean hug
   • Empanadas – found all over, this pastry pocket can be filled with anything, but most common in Chile is beef, onions and hard-boiled egg
   • Caldillo de congrio – all that coastline makes for an epic seafood soup – the star of the show is conger eel!
   • Red wine – Chile is one of the great wine producing nations, so you can’t go wrong with a local Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot

9. Is Chile very expensive?

   Relative to some of its South American neighbors, Chile is fairly pricey, but if you’re coming from North America or most countries in Europe, then you’ll probably consider Chile to be moderately priced, if not actually quite cheap. 

10. How many days in Chile is enough?

    That depends on what kind of experience you want. A Santiago city break can be done in four days, but if you want to combine that with some countryside – perhaps some wine regions or the Andes – then a week is good. You’ll need a good week to explore Patagonia well on it’s own, so consider booking 10-14 days if you want to combine the lot in one epic trip. Many visitors also like to combine a trip to Chile with other South American nations, especially Argentina, as part of a longer tour.