Chile Country Specific Information

From http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1088.html

ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS: U.S. citizens entering Chile must have a valid passport. U.S. citizens traveling to Chile for recreation, tourism, business, or academic conferences do not need to obtain a visa prior to their arrival to Chile. A Tourist Card will be issued for a stay of up to 90 days upon payment of a reciprocity fee, currently US$140. Currently, the fee is only charged at the Santiago International Airport. Payment can be made in U.S. currency or by credit card. An extension of stay for another 90 days is possible upon payment of an extension fee at the Chilean Immigration Office located at San Antonio 580, Santiago; telephone 56-2-5502469. The Tourist Card must be surrendered upon departure. Failure to submit this card upon departure may result in delays until a replacement is obtained. If lost or stolen, the tourist card must be replaced by theInternational Police at their nearest headquarters or at the international airport prior to departure.

THREATS TO SAFETY AND SECURITY: The Republic of Chile is politically stable, and the potential for terrorist activity is low. Demonstrations are common on March 29, the Day of the Young Combatant . Even demonstrations that are meant to be peaceful can become violent and unpredictable. Avoid them if possible. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and pay attention to the local news media.

Protest and anarchist groups are known to place small explosive devices at ATMs and other Chilean government/business locations, which have thus far resulted in few or no injuries. However, improvised explosive devices (IEDs) are increasingly being placed in high-traffic pedestrian areas. A larger explosive device detonated in a major international hotel in Santiago in November, 2009 resulting in broken glass and several injuries. U.S. citizens have not been targeted in these attacks. Be alert and aware of your surroundings and any suspicious packages.

CRIME: Most foreigners visit Chile without incident. Nevertheless, street crime is a problem, especially in Santiago and Valparaiso. As in any large city, be cautious and aware of your surroundings. Be alert for pick-pocketing, purse and camera snatching, and thefts from backpacks and rental cars. Crimes are common in major tourist destinations, in hotel lobbies and restaurants, internet cafes, at bus and subway stations, and in cruise ship ports. Criminals usually work in groups and employ a variety of ruses to distract and victimize unsuspecting visitors. A few taxi drivers engage in currency switching and overcharge with altered taxi meters. Drivers should keep car doors locked at all times and valuables out of sight as there have been reports of thieves entering cars or breaking windows of cars stopped at traffic lights in different areas in Santiago.

Your passport is a valuable document. Report the loss or theft of a U.S. passport to the police and the US Embassy immediately. Secure your passport and other valuables in a hotel safe, and carry a photocopy of your passport for identification purposes. Leave copies of your passport and important documents with family members in case of emergency. For information about measures you can take to protect yourself overseas, see our pamphlet

A Safe Trip Abroad.

CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a Chile, you are subject to Chile's laws and regulations. Chilean laws may differ significantly from those in the United States. You may not have the same protections available to you as under U.S. law, and penalties for breaking the law can also be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Persons violating Chile's laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Chile are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Persons engaging in sexual conduct with children and using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country may be prosecuted in the United States. Please see our information on Criminal Penalties.

If you are arrested or detained, you have the right to contact the U.S. Embassy. The U.S. Embassy cannot intervene in legal proceedings.

SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Chile lies in an active seismic zone and is prone to major earthquakes, landslides, tsunamis, and volcanic eruptions. Several of the strongest earthquakes in history have occurred in Chile. Prepare yourself for a natural disaster by consulting the U.S. Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and Chile's Oficina Nacional de Emergencia (ONEMI).

Minefields are found in Chile's northern border region with Peru and Bolivia and around the southern border with Argentina in Patagonia. Minefields are generally marked, but markers may have shifted or may not be visible. Follow clearly identified roads and trails when traveling in minefield areas. Border crossings should only be made at authorized locations. Consult with park or other local officials concerning minefields and other hazards.

MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Santiago has two main private hospitals that are accredited by a US hospital organization and meet US standards: Clinica Alemana and Clinica Las Condes. Both have international patient departments and experience with some international insurance. Medical care in Chile is generally good, though it may not meet U.S. standards in remote areas. Major hospitals accept credit cards, but many doctors and hospitals in Chile expect immediate payment in cash. Prescriptions written by local doctors and over-the-counter medicines are widely available.

Air pollution is a major source of health concern in Santiago, resulting in severe bronchial ailments affecting infants, small children and the elderly. The most severe air pollution occurs during the winter (May through August).

The ozone layer is especially thin at the bottom of the world. Take precautions to protect yourself from ultraviolet radiation.

Information on vaccinations and other health precautions can be found on theCenters for Disease Control (CDC) website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.

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MEDICAL INSURANCE: You can't assume your insurance will go with you when you travel. It's very important to find out BEFORE you leave. You need to ask your insurance company two questions:

• Does my policy apply when I'm out of the U.S.?
• Will it cover emergencies like a trip to a foreign hospital or an evacuation?

In many places, doctors and hospitals still expect payment in cash at the time of service. Your regular U.S. health insurance may not cover doctors' and hospital visits in other countries. If your policy doesn't go with you when you travel, it's a very good idea to take out another one for your trip. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.