CHILE

Chile is situated in South America occupying a long and narrow coastal strip wedged between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. Chile's unusual, ribbon-like shape 4,300 km long and on average 175 km wide— has given it a hugely varied climate, ranging from the world's driest desert - the Atacama - in the north, through a Mediterranean climate in the centre, to a snow-prone Alpine climate in the south, with glaciers, fjords and lakes

CLIMATE IN CHILE

Much of the country has a mountain climate with snow in the higher reaches. The north is desert, warm during the day but very cool at night. The central part has a Mediterranean climate with a rainy season between May and August. The south is cold, bitterly so in winter, and often wet.

VISA INFORMATION FOR TOURISTS

Passengers must hold a Tourist Card (issued free of charge on arrival for 90 days) and sufficient funds to cover intended period of stay. A return or onward ticket is not required if holding a credit card or sufficient funds to purchase a ticket. Passengers with a passport from Australia, Canada, United States or Mexico are required to pay a reciprocity tax on entering Santiago airport before passing through Customs. Fees are US$56 for Australians, US$132 for Canadians, US$100 for US nationals and US$15 for Mexican passport holders. This tax must be paid in US dollars cash; it is paid once and remains valid until the passport expires (for Canadians and Americans) or for three months (for Mexicans and Australians).

Americans: No visa is required by US nationals for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$100 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until expiry of passport. A passport is required for travel to Chile.

UK nationals: UK nationals do not require a visa for visits of up to 90 days. A passport is required.

Canadians: No visa is required by Canadians for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$132 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid until expiry of passport. A passport is required for travel to Chile.

Australians: No visa is required by Australians for visits of up to 90 days, but a US$56 reciprocity fee, payable in USD cash on arrival, will be charged for tourists. The receipt is regarded as a multiple entry visa and is valid for three months. A passport is required.

South Africans: South African nationals most hold a passport. A visa is not required for stays of up to 90 days.

Irish nationals: Irish nationals must hold a passport, but a visa for a stay of up to 90 days is not required.

New Zealanders: New Zealand nationals must hold a passport. A visa is not required for a stay of up to 90 days

TRAVEL ATTRACTIONS AND THINGS TO DO IN CHILE

Learn about the nightlife, culture, bars, restaurants, shows, concerts, museums, exhibits, parks, travel sports, activities and so much more in Santiago and throughout Chile...

The Green Mile - Art in Santiago
by Patrick Hieger

The Green Mile is the section of the Metro's green line 5 that begins at Baquedano and ends at Quinta Normal. The best and most comprehensive walking guide in existence of modern, classic and installation art. A chance to experience for yourself some of the best art, culture and outdoor activity that Santiago has to offer. An opportunity to explore the heart of what might otherwise seem like a rather mediocre big-city experience.

The tour begins at Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes, Chile's national and permanent collection. Outside you will find street performers working their magic at nearly all hours of the day. Take a long walk through Parque Forestal and see, first-hand, a collection of trees from around the world. Taste hand-made empanadas and drink artisan beers. Use your own two feet-and a little help from the Metro-to walk through a city that breathes art and craftsmanship. The best part about the tour is that it's cheap-you can do it all for about 10 U.S. dollars.

Visitors can see more than 20 museums and galleries by paying less than 10 dollars. Sound too cheap to be true? It's not-I've done it. From Baquedano to Quinta Normal and literally every stop between, this sector of Santiago has everything an eager tourist or a newly-established local could want. So read up, take notes, and put on a comfortable pair of shoes. It's a long and enthralling walk worth every single step.

When to Walk The Green Mile

Most of the museums, galleries and public art spaces listed here are open Tuesday through Sunday, though a couple places are closed on Sundays. Hours of operation range from 6 a.m. until 11 p.m. Most remain open on the frequent, smaller holidays and tend to only observe the larger, more important ones. Sunday is the day when most Santiaguinos leave their homes and enjoy the free admission, though some places like the M.A.C. charge admission all week. And unless there's a major exhibition such as last year's Rodin or Andy Warhol, the crowds are generally tolerable.

Where is The Green Mile?

The Green Mile can be easily divided into four major areas and their corresponding Metro stations: Baquedano, Bellas Artes, Plaza de Armas and Quinta Normal. Baquedano begins the circuit and feeds directly into Bellas Artes which, though it does overlap with the Plaza de Armas, provides an excellent starting point. Quinta Normal, by far the most distant of the three, is best accessed by train-there isn't a great deal of art between there and the Plaza de Armas. However, if walking is your forte, Barrio Brasil, located between the Santa Ana and Cumming stations, does make for a fun and intoxicating segue.

It is possible to see everything in one, relatively easy day. Most of the galleries are small and even the larger Bellas Artes typically only uses about 70 percent of its space. However, if you have the time, it's best to divide the Green Mile tour into two or three days.

A two day itinerary, for instance, could involve one day exploring the Baquedano / Bellas Artes area, with a stopover in Bellavista. The second day would begin at the Plaza de Armas, followed by a train ride into Quinta Normal. Alternatively, walk from Plaza de Armas through Barrio Brasil and enjoy the international beer houses and eateries. And again, wear comfortable shoes-this is a walking tour.

Art in Baquedano and Plaza Italia
Located at the exact center of town, Plaza Baquedano and Plaza Italia are the centerpieces of Santiago. Marking the end of Parque Balmaceda, the beginning of Parque Forestal and the entrance to Bellavista, Baquedano has it all.

Museums in Bellas Artes
Bellas Artes is the pinnacle of culture, art, happenings and fun, interesting things to do in Santiago. Full of cafés, galleries, museums and an eclectic blend of stores, this neighborhood could easily be made into its own one-day excursion.

Plaza de Armas: Museums and Art
Though not the exact center of town like Baquedano, the Plaza de Armas is square one. Just six blocks west from Bellas Artes and six blocks north of the presidential palace, the Plaza can easily be made the center of any tour.

Museums and Art in Quinta Normal
While the three preceding neighborhoods basically define cool in Santiago, Quinta Normal takes a more subtle approach to its appeal. Situated at the end of line 5, it is the perfect blend of urban grit and natural beauty.

The City Zoo in Santiago Chile - Parque Metropolitana

Santiago Zoo is stuck on the side of Cerro San Cristobal, in Parque Metropolitano. Past street vendors hawking photos of a llama with a tiny cowboy hat, the zoo reaches up the hill in jilted stages. The dirty penguin pool sits below the tired tigers, next to a sordid family of flamingos standing dozen-abreast in a tiny hole. All are plomped on the hill as if by accident. The steepness makes you think of some weird Inca getaway where they managed to gather together all Earthly creations and stuck them on mountain terraces.

With an ISIC card, it's a tidy two bucks to get in, which of course is cheap for the 200 species on offer. Then you see how much your dollar can buy. Most online reviews of the zoo aren't that too flattering, so you should know what to expect.

Another plus: as a zoo, you do get to witness things you might never see again. Opposite a tour group who obviously couldn't care less, there's a majestic chimp walking along upright. A bit awkward and top heavy for sure, but standing up still, for almost a minute. Loping to his hut, grabbing some shoots and meandering back. It was nuts. You don't even see that stuff on the nature channels.

The zoo is open is 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Sunday. Come for the novelty, but leave with a heavy heart. You'll forget about them after the next mojito, but in years to come these creatures will still be there, swaying aimlessly, staring stupidly, moving only to avoid the spitballs of wanton toddlers.

Soccer Teams in Chile Reveal Chilean Culture
Like many countries, soccer is a national past-time in Chile. While the matches have a reputation for being dangerous they are - in my opinion - a must-see attraction for foreigners visiting Chile. At least, those who truly wish to experience Chilean culture in the raw.

Soccer, apart from being the world´s most popular sport, is also a reflection of culture. It's like music, exposing the nature of the local people through the diversity of playing styles that different cities and countries employ. Also, the way the fans display their passion for the game opens up a window to the stereotypical manners of the people in that area.