Chilean citizens can enjoy the highest standard of living in South America. Due to its high development, it is also the second most popular destination in South America right after Brazil. Chile is also the safest South American country. Although Chile is the richest South American country is does have its hazards of which visitors should beware of.

Traveling info

All tourist visiting Chile are required to have a valid passport. Certain nationals may enter Chile without obtaining a visa for a period of time ranging from 60 to 90 days depending on the country of their origin. Other nationals are required to obtain a visa in order to visit the country. Visitors who decide to drive a vehicle in Chile must have their domestic driving permit and optionally may obtain an international driving permit. These, however, may only be obtained in their country of origin.

Traveling hazards

Road conditions in Chile are quite good. Roads are generally well maintained, paved and marked however rural and mountainous roads might be quite dangerous due to lack of paving, signs or guardrails. Chilean highways have numerous toll gates, therefore, it is important to have enough pesos when entering the highway. Sometimes main arteries to Santiago might switch lanes during rush hours. Public transport is well developed, plentiful and very cheap. Taxis are also quite cheap however it is best to use registered taxis only to avoid being scammed.

Environmental hazards

The only relatively large animal that can be dangerous for humans inhabiting Chile is the cougar. These inhabit central and southern Chile and are a very rare sight, however, if feeling threatened this large cat may even kill a grown adult. Waters of Chile are generally safe. Shark attacks are very rare however swimming after dusk is not advised due to increased activity of these creatures. Inexperienced swimmers are also not advised to get far from shore due to strong undertow that may carry far away really quickly.
Chile is often struck by earthquakes that occur on a daily basis with major earthquakes being rares however still common. Earthquakes offshore are generally followed by tsunami waves which when strong enough may have disastrous effects. There are active volcanoes however these are less of a threat due to a usual prediction of an eruption. Landslides are also a significant threat.

Health hazards

There are no vaccinations required upon entering the country. There are several vaccines that are recommended. These are the routine vaccines, typhoid, hepatitis A and B and rabies vaccine. Chilean healthcare operates on a high-quality level, both the public and the private sector provide quality service however public facilities may be crowded, unlike the private clinics where waiting times are generally short. Medicine is widely available, most pharmacies operate 24h.
In case of an emergency dial 131.

Crime

Chile experiences the lowest crime rate in South America. It is generally the safest of all South American places. Petty crime such as pickpockets and theft is still a concern. To reduce the risk of falling a victim of crime it is best to keep a low profile and not to wander around secluded places at night. Popular nightlife spots are generally safe. Exposing wealth can attract potential muggers, wearing flashy jewelry and being indiscreet with money increases the chances of becoming a target. Chilean drug laws state that trafficking or selling can be penalized by a prison sentence of 2 up to 5 years however small amount for personal use has been decriminalized.

Summary

Chile attracts tourist mainly due to safety development and friendly people. The variety of attractions also accounts for making it the second most popular destination on the continent. Remember that planning your trip with Travset.com will give you the quickest information about nearest emergency services and will also help you purchase indispensable travel insurance for the trip of your lifetime. Please feel free to comment and share the experiences of your travels with Travset.com.

Sources

(Visa)
https://www.worldtravelguide.net/guides/south-america/chile/passport-visa/
(Vaccinations)
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/traveler/none/chile
(Drug laws)
https://www.tni.org/en/article/current-drug-laws-chile