Getting in and visas for Chile

Please be aware that although American citizens need a valid passport to enter the country, no visa is necessary. Citizens of four countries must pay a "reciprocity fee" of varying amounts. The fee is USD 131 for American citizens, USD 132 for Canadian citizens, USD 56 for Australian citizens, and USD 15 for Mexican citizens. This fee is equivalent to the amount that country requires for entry visas from Chilean citizens. The fee is only for tourists entering by plane, and the one-time charge is good for the life of your passport. US citizens should have crisp $20 bills or a credit card to pay the $131 fee. Citizens of other countries, such as the UK, do not have to pay a fee. When entering Chile (by cruise, vehicle or plane), at customs, travelers will need to fill out a tourist card that allows them to stay for up to 90 days. Travelers will have to present the tourist card to Customs officials when leaving the country. Be aware that hotels waive Chile's 19% room tax when the guest shows this card and pays with U.S. dollars. On flights leaving Chile, there is an airport tax of US$18, or the equivalent in Chilean pesos. On domestic flights, airport tax is included in the price of the ticket. For tourism information of Chile please visit: www.visitchile.org. For consulate information please visit the Embassy web site: www.chile-usa.org. More info at Embassy of Chile, UK: www.echileuk.demon.co.uk/consulatevisas.htm. From the Chile Tourism office at the Embassy of Chile in Washington DC (ofitur@embassyofchile.org) Agriculture is very important to Chile, and to avoid contamination it is illegal to bring into the country: fruits, vegetable, meats, eggs, honey, etc. Remember that Chile is an unitary country, so the laws are the same everywhere.

By plane

The most common entry point for oversea visitors is the international airport [2] of the capital Santiago. There are airports in major towns but Santiago offers the best connections. LAN Airlines is Chile's flagship airline.

By bus

If you are already in South America a cheaper and still reliable way is to go by bus to Chile. Chile has borders with Argentina (daily bus from Mendoza), Peru (bus from Arequipa) and Bolivia. Also from Brazil (bus from São Paulo, on Mondays and Thursdays). Be aware that crossing to Chile means that high altitude points might be present (Up to 4000m - 13,000ft), also the roads from Peru and Bolivia are a bit poor in quality so be patient. During the winter months (June to August) it is not uncommon for the passage from Mendoza to close for days at a time.