Chile Introduction
Chile is a South American country running in a narrow coastal strip between the Andes mountains to the East and the Atlantic Ocean to the West. The country also features a varying climate from the world's driest desert, the Atacama, through a Mediterranean climate to a rainy temperate climate. The country also is rich in forest, grazing lands, volcanoes, lakes, fjords, inlets, canals, twisting peninsulas and islands.
Tourism
Airport
Chile's main entry point airport is Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport (SCL), which is located 15km Northwest of downtown Santiago. Non-stop services from Europe, the America's and Oceania are served by Santiago International Airport with LAN Airlines as the largest national carrier.
Airlines
The following airlines have regular flights to Chile:
- South African Airways (SAA) (from Johannesburg, Cape Town & Durban)
- Air France (from Johannesburg)
What to see
- Torres del Paine National Park
- Easter Island
- Zona Austral
- Moai
- La Portada Natural Monument
- Elqui Valley
Accommodation
Search for hotels in Santiago
General Information
Chile is located in the UTC-3 timezone, meaning the country is 3 hours behind Mean Greenwich Time in the summer and UTC-4 in the wintertime (Daylight Savings Time). The Easter Islands are located in the UTC-5 timezone in the summer and UTC-6 in the winter. The currency used in Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP). ZAR 1.00 will get you about CLP 64.00. Visiting Chile's big cities such as Santiago, might put you in risk of pickpocketing and muggings. It is advised to leave the expensive equipment you might not need at home. If you see a crime or is a victim of crime, report immediately to the police. The police (carabineros) are very honest and competent, so do not try to bribe them if you get in trouble.
Weather
Due to Chile's large geographic scale, generalizing the climate is a very difficult task. The Köppen System has found that the country has at least 7 major climatic subtypes.
Flights to Santiago
Santiago is the capital, largest city and economic centre of Chile. It is known as one of Latin America’s most modern metropolitan areas with a very modern transport infrastructure. With its diverse and cosmopolitan cultures and many museums, events, theaters, restaurants, bars and other entertainment and cultural opportunities, it is also the political and cultural center of Chile.
Click here to read more about Flights to Santiago
