Eastbay1K
Jan 2, 03, 10:18 pm
Chile Part IV – General thoughts and comments and tips
Driving: Do not hesitate to drive or rent a car, despite my car rental experiences. The main highways are excellent, and the tolls aren’t outrageous. National speed limit is now 120 km/h outside urban areas and 60 km/h inside – unless otherwise posted. There are signs letting you know when you are in urban zones. Other highway signs are ok, but you have to pay attention. On the highways, the left lane is for PASSING. You don’t use it (nor need to) unless you need to pass, as traffic isn’t heavy on the highways. City driving outside of Santiago takes a bit of special attention, but isn’t harrowing at all. There’s no need to have a car in Santiago. Taxis are cheap and plentiful, and the Metro is great.
Food: On 3 trips, I have not suffered any food borne illness, and I have eaten in all sorts of places. I always buy bottled water for drinking, but don’t think the ice or anything else is of real concern. As anywhere, including the US, standard precautions are in order. The fruits and vegetables are of the highest quality and at the peak of freshness now. I always went into a supermarket (often as nice or nicer than those in the US), and kept some fresh fruit for my room. Hotel breakfasts, often included, aren’t all that great, and outside of the nicest of hotels, have instant coffee and are heavy on sweets and toast. Ham, cheese, toast, pies/cakes, yogurt – typical.
Change/Money: Always keep plenty of small change and small bills. Many small businesses can’t make change for a CH$5.000 note, and sometimes not even for a $1.000 note. The $100 coins are heavy (new ones are coming out, but I only saw one of them), but you will need as many as you can keep. Your money goes a long way in Chile. Outside of fancy hotels and restaurants, you can eat decent meals in the US$5 to $7 range, including wine or a pisco drink.
Ethics: High – fewer people will try and cheat you here than in the US. If you try and tell people not to bother with making change for what you consider a nominal amount, they will seem surprised and insist. And don’t even try and bribe a police officer (Carabinero), as that will end up getting you in serious trouble.
Language: My experiences in Chile wouldn’t have been the same if I was not functional in Spanish, to the point of decent, yet slow, conversations, and every car rental (and related incidents), every airline transaction (including the carry-on issues), and the like taking place in Spanish. It should not stop you from going, but you won’t be able to converse much with local people, even in your small-town hotels. However, smiles, sign gestures, and the like will go a long way. Your limited high school Español may not go too far here, as if you ask for an Ave Palta con Schop, you will get a chicken and avocado sandwich with draft beer.
Airport Lounges – There is a national chain called Pacific Club. They are in many of the airports. Last year, you could enter with any Citibank or Diners card – but this year, they have to be issued in Chile. They are also Priority Pass affiliated. You can buy a day pass for only CH$10.000 – drinks are comp, so its worth it if you have a drink or two and use the internet terminal. The SCL lounge also has a shower (and the PMC one may too, but I wasn’t’ sure). I paid for entries in 2 locations where I had a lot of airport time – the second time (at PMC), I emptied my wallet and pocket of all my CH$ - as I wouldn’t need it anymore, which was about $1.000 short, and he said it would be fine, and wished me a happy new year, before making my PiscolaLight (yes, I know it sounds icky in English).
Weather – Flip the west coast of North America from, say, the tip of Cabo up through maritime Alaska. Mine just happened to be exceptional on the whole trip – not too hot in the north, and magnificent in the south. Central Chile is just like the California coast in summer – late night and morning low clouds along the coast, clearing in the afternoon, hot inland. Ocean temperatures are similar, too.
Internet Access: The country is full of cheap internet cafes ranging from $400 to $1.000 per hour. Warning – many are on poor dialup connections. Look or ask for “Banda Ancha”.
For those looking for the “time of your life” full of fun and excitement, Chile is not the place for you. For those looking for an absolutely great time, in an inexpensive modern land of pleasantness, spectacular and varied scenery, people who make an extra effort (ok, I could go on for awhile…) it IS the place for you. My eyes were not completely dry as the plane took off from PMC.
So there you have it, lots of information about Chile. Too much for some of you, not enough for others, and much of what some of you have asked to hear about. Disfrutelo!
Driving: Do not hesitate to drive or rent a car, despite my car rental experiences. The main highways are excellent, and the tolls aren’t outrageous. National speed limit is now 120 km/h outside urban areas and 60 km/h inside – unless otherwise posted. There are signs letting you know when you are in urban zones. Other highway signs are ok, but you have to pay attention. On the highways, the left lane is for PASSING. You don’t use it (nor need to) unless you need to pass, as traffic isn’t heavy on the highways. City driving outside of Santiago takes a bit of special attention, but isn’t harrowing at all. There’s no need to have a car in Santiago. Taxis are cheap and plentiful, and the Metro is great.
Food: On 3 trips, I have not suffered any food borne illness, and I have eaten in all sorts of places. I always buy bottled water for drinking, but don’t think the ice or anything else is of real concern. As anywhere, including the US, standard precautions are in order. The fruits and vegetables are of the highest quality and at the peak of freshness now. I always went into a supermarket (often as nice or nicer than those in the US), and kept some fresh fruit for my room. Hotel breakfasts, often included, aren’t all that great, and outside of the nicest of hotels, have instant coffee and are heavy on sweets and toast. Ham, cheese, toast, pies/cakes, yogurt – typical.
Change/Money: Always keep plenty of small change and small bills. Many small businesses can’t make change for a CH$5.000 note, and sometimes not even for a $1.000 note. The $100 coins are heavy (new ones are coming out, but I only saw one of them), but you will need as many as you can keep. Your money goes a long way in Chile. Outside of fancy hotels and restaurants, you can eat decent meals in the US$5 to $7 range, including wine or a pisco drink.
Ethics: High – fewer people will try and cheat you here than in the US. If you try and tell people not to bother with making change for what you consider a nominal amount, they will seem surprised and insist. And don’t even try and bribe a police officer (Carabinero), as that will end up getting you in serious trouble.
Language: My experiences in Chile wouldn’t have been the same if I was not functional in Spanish, to the point of decent, yet slow, conversations, and every car rental (and related incidents), every airline transaction (including the carry-on issues), and the like taking place in Spanish. It should not stop you from going, but you won’t be able to converse much with local people, even in your small-town hotels. However, smiles, sign gestures, and the like will go a long way. Your limited high school Español may not go too far here, as if you ask for an Ave Palta con Schop, you will get a chicken and avocado sandwich with draft beer.
Airport Lounges – There is a national chain called Pacific Club. They are in many of the airports. Last year, you could enter with any Citibank or Diners card – but this year, they have to be issued in Chile. They are also Priority Pass affiliated. You can buy a day pass for only CH$10.000 – drinks are comp, so its worth it if you have a drink or two and use the internet terminal. The SCL lounge also has a shower (and the PMC one may too, but I wasn’t’ sure). I paid for entries in 2 locations where I had a lot of airport time – the second time (at PMC), I emptied my wallet and pocket of all my CH$ - as I wouldn’t need it anymore, which was about $1.000 short, and he said it would be fine, and wished me a happy new year, before making my PiscolaLight (yes, I know it sounds icky in English).
Weather – Flip the west coast of North America from, say, the tip of Cabo up through maritime Alaska. Mine just happened to be exceptional on the whole trip – not too hot in the north, and magnificent in the south. Central Chile is just like the California coast in summer – late night and morning low clouds along the coast, clearing in the afternoon, hot inland. Ocean temperatures are similar, too.
Internet Access: The country is full of cheap internet cafes ranging from $400 to $1.000 per hour. Warning – many are on poor dialup connections. Look or ask for “Banda Ancha”.
For those looking for the “time of your life” full of fun and excitement, Chile is not the place for you. For those looking for an absolutely great time, in an inexpensive modern land of pleasantness, spectacular and varied scenery, people who make an extra effort (ok, I could go on for awhile…) it IS the place for you. My eyes were not completely dry as the plane took off from PMC.
So there you have it, lots of information about Chile. Too much for some of you, not enough for others, and much of what some of you have asked to hear about. Disfrutelo!