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1994-05-02
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<text>
<title>
Chile: Travel
</title>
<article>
<hdr>
Background Notes: Chile
Travel
</hdr>
<body>
<p> Customs: A valid passport and a tourist card (issued by the
carrier) are required for entry. Requirements for entry and
exit by car are numerous, and obtaining necessary documents can
be time-consuming.
</p>
<p> Climate and clothing: Seasons are the reverse of those in
the US. It seldom rains in summer (Dec.-Mar.), and humidity is
low. Midday temperatures reach 32 C (90 F); nights are cool.
Winter (June-Sept.) is cold and rainy, with snow in the
surrounding mountains. Sweaters and woolens are recommended
April-Nov. A topcoat or good raincoat is useful in winter.
</p>
<p> Health: Conditions are good in Santiago, except for
prevalent smog. Allergic conditions, especially those
respiratory related will worsen in the city, particularly during
the winter season. Tapwater is generally potable except after
occasional winter floods. It has a high mineral content which
affects some, so it is recommended to accustom the body to the
tap water by drinking the easily accessible bottled water
initially, and slowly increase the intake of tap water over a
2 week period. Do not eat unwashed fruits and vegetables.
Although no immunizations are required for travel to Chile,
typhoid, gamma globulin, and current tetnus-diphtheria toxoid
vaccines are recommended.
</p>
<p> Telecommunications: The telephone system in Santiago and
elsewhere is excellent. International telephone and wire
services are good.
</p>
<p> Transportation: Flights from the US take 8-10 hours.
Overland travel by car or bus from neighboring countries is
possible, although winter snows may close the main mountain pass
from Argentina for weeks. The only regular US passenger
shipping line is Lykes Line, with embarkation from the ports of
Houston and New Orleans. Taxi and bus service in Santiago is
good, and fares are reasonable.
</p>
<p> Tourist attractions: Beautiful beaches are located within
a 2-4 hour drive from Santiago. Some, however, are dangerous
because of strong undertows and lack of lifeguards. Because of
the cold water, sunbathing is more popular than swimming at most
beaches. Other popular summer resorts are found in the lake
region, about 500 miles south of Santiago. Known as the
"Switzerland of South America," this area offers excellent trout
fishing and some of the most magnificent scenery on the
continent. Other summer activities include boat trips through
the channels and fjords of the south, from Puerto Montt to Puna
Arenas on the Strait of Magellan at the tip of the continent,
and an excursion to the Juan Fernandez Islands, 400 miles off
the coast at Valparaiso.
</p>
<p> The northern desert offers isolated beaches, access to the
Andean highland Indian culture, and numerous but hard to reach
archeological sites. The museum at San Pedro de Atacama is
famous for its pre-Columbia mummies and artifacts. In the
Central Region, Chile's world famous mountain resorts offer
first-class skiing during the Northern Hemisphere summer.
</p>
<p>Source: U.S. Department of State, Bureau of Public Affairs,
September 1990.
</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>