How to travel to Chile
To enter Chile as a foreign national you must consider the following information to plan your trip.
Visa requirements to enter Chile
Foreign nationals planning to remain in Chile for at least 90 days (temporary stay), must check if they are required to obtain an authorization or visa from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, depending on their nationality. (https://www.consulado.gob.cl/informacion-sobre-visas-para-ingresar-a-chile )
Prior Authorization or Visa
Citizens of a foreign country who seek to enter Chile generally must first obtain prior authorization or a visa, according to Law 21.325, granted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs through its consular representatives abroad, as determined by the Chilean Government. For the purpose of your travel, please refer the following information to determine if you require a visa to enter Chile.
Fuente: https://www.consulado.gob.cl/informacion-sobre-visas-para-ingresar-a-chile
Arrival in Chile
On arrival in Chile, travelers are required to complete an Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) form, to declare if they are bringing products of vegetable or animal origin (such as meat, fruit, vegetables, seeds or handcrafts that may contain non-treated wood). In case of doubt, it is always recommended to declare “yes “and an officer shall provide them with assistance. Failing to declare these products upon arrival may involve penalties. We therefore recommend travelers to avoid entering these products. )
Air travel:
Several Airlines frequently fly to Chile.
Inbound international flights almost exclusively arrive in Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, (SCL) in the city of Santiago (Capital City). ( https://www.nuevopudahuel.cl/?language=en )
The airport has free Wi-Fi, currency exchange, restaurants, shops and a tourist information center. There are also authorized taxis and buses to the city of Santiago de Chile.
Once in Santiago, to use the public bus transportation system (RED) ( https://www.red.cl/en/ ) or subway (Santiago Metro) (https://www.metro.cl/ ), you need an official “BIP” Card (https://www.tarjetabip.cl/) that can be purchased and recharged at any Metro station.
Land Travel:
Travelers can enter the country via Argentina, Peru and Bolivia using various international border crossings across Chile. (http://www.pasosfronterizos.gov.cl/complejos-fronterizos/ )
Chile, a land of contrasts
Chile is a long and narrow strip of land with a length reaching 4270 km located in South America between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains. Chile possesses big cities and populated urban centers across this vast territory, between deserts, mountains, valleys, lakes, glaciers, coasts, fiords and islands.
ICHA 2025 will take place in the city of Punta Arenas, in the Region of Magallanes, located in the southernmost area of the Chilean Patagonia, 3000 km south of the city of Santiago.
How to get to Punta Arenas
Air travel:
Flights to the city of Punta Arenas are generally scheduled from the city of Santiago, National Terminal T1, at Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL). Flights are scheduled frequently by various national Airlines, either direct or with layovers, and take around 3 hours. (https://www.nuevopudahuel.cl/?language=en)
In the city of Punta Arenas, the flight arrives at Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), located 20 km north of the city. The Airport is located just 25 to 30 minutes from the city center, it is accessible by highway, taking Route 9. (https://www.aeropuertosaustrales.cl/?lang=en )
Shuttle buses, minivans and authorized taxis are always available to take passengers to the city or other localities.
Land Travel:
To access the city of Punta Arenas by vehicle from other regions in Chile, travelers must take routes from Argentina, and enter Chile using the “Integración Austral” Border Crossing, and then take Route 255 and travel 193 km (around 2 hours) taking Routes 255 and 9, respectively until reaching Punta Arenas. (http://www.pasosfronterizos.gov.cl/complejos-fronterizos/magallanes/paso-integracion-austral/)
Travelling by sea:
The only existing connection to Punta Arenas by sea is travelling by Ferry that sails from two locations: the city of Puerto Montt or from Puerto Yungay to the city of Puerto Natales, and takes close to 247 km (3 hours) via Route 9 to reach Punta Arenas. Source: https://patagonia-chile.com/Important Questions:
In October, the month in which the conference shall take place, the time zone for entire Chilean territory shall be GTM-3, except Easter Island (Rapa nui).
Outlets used in Chile for electronic devices are Type C and Type L. The voltage is 220 volts and the frequency is 50 Hz.
The national currency is the Chilean peso (CLP), and its value in USD is updated daily by the Central Bank of Chile.
( https://si3.bcentral.cl/Indicadoressiete/secure/IndicadoresDiarios.aspx?Idioma=en-US )
In general, businesses rarely accept any currency other than Chilean pesos (CLP), therefore, it is advisable to exchange money upon entering the country, or to use international or bank cards, which must be authorized before traveling.
Presently, coins of 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos, and bills of 1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000 and 20.000 Chilean pesos (CLP) are in circulation.
Although it is spring in October (southern hemisphere), average temperatures are low and range from 3-10°C in Punta Arenas, coupled with strong winds, rain and even the probability of snow or morning frost. It is therefore advisable to bring proper clothing and check weather forecasts before you travel.