Travel Tips
Practical info: transport, budget, seasons and safety.
The Brazilian real falls against the Chilean peso after the election: a trip to Chile costs Brazilian tourists about 8% more
The Brazilian real fell 8.85% against the Chilean peso on Monday, October 26, 2026, after Lula's re-election, and a trip to Chile became about 8% more expensive for Brazilians, the country's second-largest tourism market. Figures, exchange rates and what to expect for the summer.
Red tide in Chile: preventive emergency in 15 regions until June 2027 and what tourists who eat shellfish should know
Chile's government declared a preventive red tide emergency in the country's 15 coastal regions from November 1, 2026 to June 30, 2027. It does not ban eating or selling shellfish: what it means, where there are closures and how to eat seafood safely this summer.
Brazilian tourists in Chile 2026: 510,492 arrivals through August and a monthly record in July
2026 statistics on Brazilian tourists in Chile: 510,492 arrivals between January and August (+2.3%) while total tourist arrivals fall 19.1%, a record 152,265 in July and 787,036 in the record year of 2024. 2008-2026 series, months, points of entry and spending, with data from Subturismo and Sernatur.
The months with the most foreign tourists in Chile in 2025: January leads with 846,821 arrivals and June is the lowest
January is the month with the most foreign tourists in Chile: 846,821 arrived in 2025, 14.1% of the year, while June was the lowest with 299,195. Monthly statistics from the Undersecretariat of Tourism and Sernatur for 2008-2026, by country of origin and with 2026 data.
Vacaciones Tercera Edad: Sernatur adds 4,000 places for Escapadas trips, from CLP 84,070
Sernatur opened 4,000 new places in its Vacaciones Tercera Edad senior travel program, Escapadas mode: all-inclusive trips of 3 or 4 days from CLP 84,070 per person. Destinations, prices, requirements and how to buy, with data as of October 28, 2026.
Red alert in 10 municipalities of the Santiago Metropolitan Region and a tornado in Requínoa: what travelers need to know
Chile's disaster agency Senapred declared a red alert for landslide risk in 10 municipalities of the Santiago Metropolitan Region, including San José de Maipo, Lo Barnechea and Pirque, and an EF-2 tornado hit Requínoa. Rockfalls on the road to Farellones and in the Cajón del Maipo. Which roads to check and what to do.
SKY and GOL sign a codeshare: what changes for flying between Chile, Peru and Brazil
SKY Airline and GOL announced on October 26, 2026 a codeshare agreement that will let travelers book SKY flights to Brazil with GOL domestic connections in a single reservation, and vice versa toward Chile and Peru. Routes, a new Lima-Rio flight and what it means for tourism.
Latin America tourism ranking 2026: Chile second in the region in the World Economic Forum index
Chile ranked 35th of 110 economies and second in Latin America, behind Brazil, in the World Economic Forum's Travel & Tourism Development Index 2026, with 4.39 points out of 7. The full regional ranking, with scores and changes since 2024.
Airlines with the most passengers in Chile in 2026: ranking and market share according to the JAC
LATAM carried 1,382,412 passengers in Chile in September 2026, followed by SKY (345,166) and JetSMART (265,268). Ranking of the airlines with the most passengers on domestic and international flights and market share 2016-2026, with data from Chile's Civil Aviation Board.
The US dollar nears CLP 1,000: what it means for tourists travelling to Chile
The official dollar rate reached CLP 990.35 on 26 October 2026, its highest of the year according to Chile's Central Bank, and hit CLP 1,000 at exchange bureaus in Santiago. How much further foreign tourists' dollars and euros go, and what changes for Chileans travelling abroad.
Aeroméxico, United and Air Canada return to Santiago as the airport logs 14 months of falling passenger numbers
Aeroméxico and United resumed their flights to Santiago on 25 October 2026 and Air Canada returns from Toronto today, at the start of the high season. Santiago airport has recorded 14 consecutive months of fewer passengers. The routes coming back and their dates.
Chile fuel prices rise CLP 41.3 per litre: how much more a road trip now costs
From Thursday 22 October 2026, 93 and 97 octane petrol rose CLP 41.3 per litre and diesel CLP 91.5, the fifth increase in a row according to ENAP. How much more it costs to fill the tank and drive the most common road trips from Santiago.
Chile's 2026-2027 wildfire season: Conaf expects "very complex" months and what travellers should know
Conaf warns that the 2026-2027 wildfire season in Chile will be difficult because of El Niño, dry grass and heat. What is banned, how to check before visiting a park and which number to call if you see smoke.
Foreign tourist arrivals in Chile by year (2008-2026): the official series and the 2017 record
How many foreign tourists arrive in Chile each year, according to the official series of Sernatur and the Undersecretariat of Tourism: the record was 6.45 million in 2017, 2025 closed at 6.0 million and 2026 is down 19.1% through August.
Chile weekend weather for October 24 and 25: storms on Saturday, heat on Sunday in central and southern Chile
Senapred lifted the red alert in the Santiago Metropolitan Region but kept a yellow alert in 10 foothill districts. What weather to expect on Saturday 24 and Sunday 25 October in Santiago and south-central Chile, and what to check before setting off.
Visa Waiver: Chileans' overstay rate in the United States falls to 1.5%, the lowest in six years
According to the Chilean government, only 1.5% of Chileans who entered the United States under the Visa Waiver stayed longer than allowed, 35% less than the year before. What it means for the program, how ESTA works and which rules travellers must follow.
Disruptive passengers in Chile: bill proposes fines of up to 500 UTM and flying bans of up to five years
Five Chilean senators have filed a bill to punish disruptive passengers on planes and at airports: fines of 10 to 500 UTM, prison in serious cases and a ban on boarding of one to five years. Which behaviour it covers and where it stands.
Hotel occupancy in Chile by region: the INE ranking for August 2026
Hotel occupancy in Chile was 39.6% in August 2026, according to the INE. The Santiago Metropolitan Region led with 76.4% and Maule came last with 13.3%. Ranking of the 16 regions with overnight stays, average daily rate and RevPAR.
Chile's 2027 tourism budget: the government keeps international promotion at CLP 5,805 million
Chile's acting Economy Minister confirmed to Congress that the 2027 Budget keeps international tourism promotion at about CLP 5,805 million, without the promised increase. The figures, what the industry wants and what comes next.
VYVA 2026 travel fair moves to new dates: October 30 to November 1 because of the rain
Santiago's VYVA 2026 travel fair has been rescheduled for October 30 and 31 and November 1 at Parque Ciudad Empresarial because of the rain. Tickets remain valid and refunds are available. What changes and what stays the same.
Ezeiza airport runway works: which flights change between October 25 and November 11
From October 25 to November 11, 2026, Buenos Aires' Ezeiza airport operates with a single 1,850-metre runway. Airlines are cancelling or rerouting long-haul flights and Santiago becomes an alternative hub. What changes for travellers flying from Chile.
Lightning strikes a LATAM plane between Antofagasta and Santiago: what happens when lightning hits an aircraft
LATAM flight LA341, from Antofagasta to Santiago, was struck by lightning on Tuesday, October 20, 2026 and landed normally. Why aircraft withstand lightning, how often it happens and what is checked afterwards, according to Airbus.
How much foreign tourists spend in Chile by country: Sernatur's official ranking (2026 edition)
A British tourist spends an average of US$1,360 per trip in Chile and an Argentine one US$270. Official ranking of foreign tourist spending by country of residence, with daily spending, nights and foreign-exchange income, from Sernatur's inbound tourism tables.
Air traffic in Chile grows again in September 2026, driven by domestic flights
Chile's airports handled 2.23 million passengers in September 2026, 0.2% more than a year earlier, the first increase after months of declines. Domestic flights rose 1.6% and international flights fell 1.6%. Figures from Chile's Civil Aviation Board (JAC) by airline.
Regional tourism GDP: Magallanes is the region where tourism weighs most in the economy
Tourism contributed CLP 9.511 trillion to Chile's economy in 2025, 2.8% of GDP. The Undersecretariat of Tourism's new regional measurement shows the Santiago Metropolitan Region generates 38.5% of tourism GDP and that in Magallanes tourism equals 7.3% of the regional economy.
Chile's busiest border crossings for tourists in 2026: the official ranking by point of entry
Where foreign tourists enter Chile: Santiago airport received 2,368,213 in 2025, followed by the Cristo Redentor pass (1,119,198) and Cardenal Samoré (397,994). Ranking of the 15 border crossings and airports with the most arrivals in 2025 and 2026, with data from Sernatur and the PDI.
What foreign tourists search for to travel to Chile, and what AI recommends to them
A study of 100 searches in Brazil, Argentina, the UK, Germany and France shows what each country looks for when planning a trip to Chile. On Google, Chilean sites hold 14.7% of the top 3; in AI answers, 44% of the companies recommended are Chilean.
Tourist arrivals in Chile in August 2026: Brazil overtakes Argentina for a second month
Chile received 344,937 foreign tourists in August 2026, 19.5% fewer than a year earlier. Brazil was the top market with 116,709 visitors and outpaced Argentina for the second month in a row. Official Sernatur and PDI figures by country.
VYVA 2026 travel fair in Santiago: dates, program and deals
The VYVA 2026 International Travel and Holiday Fair runs from October 23 to 25 at Ciudad Empresarial, Santiago, with Chilean regions from Tarapacá to Chiloé and Rapa Nui, travel deals and a Sernatur business roundtable. Program and practical details.
Public holidays left in Chile in 2026: no long weekend until Christmas
Four public holidays remain in Chile in 2026 and only Christmas creates a long weekend: October 31 falls on a Saturday, November 1 on a Sunday and December 8 on a Tuesday. Official calendar, 2027 long weekends and how to plan your trips.
Busiest air routes in Chile in 2026: Santiago-Calama leads
2026 ranking of Chile's busiest air routes according to the Civil Aviation Board (JAC): Santiago-Calama carried 1,691,679 passengers from January to September, followed by Antofagasta and Concepción. Domestic and international routes, with year-on-year change.
Busiest airports in South America in 2025: Santiago ranks third
2025 ranking of South America's busiest airports by passengers, according to ACI-LAC: Guarulhos leads with 47.2 million, El Dorado is second and Santiago third with 25.9 million, just ahead of Lima. Tables of total and international passengers.
Foreign tourists in Chile by country in 2026: the monthly arrivals ranking
2026 ranking of foreign tourist arrivals in Chile by country, from Sernatur and PDI data: 2,963,936 from January to July (-19.1%). Argentina leads despite a 39.7% drop, and in July Brazil overtook it. Tables by country, month and continent.
LATAM ends Santiago-Neuquén flights from October 25: what happens to tickets
LATAM suspends the direct Santiago-Neuquén route from October 25, 2026 due to low demand, seven months after relaunching it. Affected flights, rebooking via Buenos Aires, refunds and alternatives to reach Argentine Patagonia.
Puerto Natales airport: the no-flight days from January to March 2027 and how to reach Torres del Paine
Puerto Natales airport will have runway works from January to March 2027 and will only handle commercial flights on certain days. Calendar, share of flights kept, alternatives via Punta Arenas and what to do if you already have a ticket.
Travelling around Chile costs more: airfares up 29% and domestic tour packages up 49.8% in a year
Chile's Tourism Barometer shows travel prices rising: domestic packages +49.8%, airfares +29% and intercity buses +19.8% as of August 2026. Hotel occupancy, rates by region and what it means for the summer.
Chile weather front on October 19 and 20: alert for up to 35 mm of rain in central Chile
Chile's weather service issued an alert for moderate to heavy rain on Tuesday, October 20, in five regions, with up to 35 mm in Santiago and Valparaíso. What to expect and what to check if you are traveling.
JetSMART cleared to link Santiago with Rio and Florianópolis via Buenos Aires: what it means for travelers
Argentina authorized JetSMART Chile to operate up to ninth-freedom flights. The airline plans Santiago-Rio de Janeiro and Santiago-Florianópolis flights with a stop at Aeroparque. What we know and what is missing.
Chile's 2027 tourism budget: international promotion does not rise and the industry wants it fixed
Chile's draft 2027 budget leaves Sernatur's tourism promotion at 6,995.9 million pesos, 0.4% less in real terms. Fedetur objects and Congress debates it on October 20 and 22.
Chile weather front in October: storms from Atacama to Los Lagos and what travelers should check
Senapred issued a preventive early alert from Atacama to Los Lagos for a weather front with storms, hail and a high freezing level between October 18 and 21. Roads, parks and tips.
New flight routes to Chile for summer 2026-2027
Air Canada returns to Santiago from Toronto and Montreal, United adds daily flights from Houston and JetSMART got approval to fly to Rio and Florianópolis. Dates, frequencies and aircraft.
Foreign tourists in Chile 2026: Argentines drop off and long-haul arrivals hit a record
Chile welcomed 2.55 million foreign tourists in the first half of 2026, down 19.4% due to the drop in Argentine visitors. Long-haul markets set a record.
When to visit Chile by region: a season-by-season guide
Chile has very different climates from north to south. A practical guide to which season works best depending on whether you're headed to the desert, the central zone, or Patagonia.
How much does it cost to travel to Chile: a budget guide by traveler type
A general budget guide for traveling to Chile depending on your travel style: backpacker, mid-range traveler, or a more comfortable trip.
Getting around Chile: buses, domestic flights and trains
How to get around within Chile depending on distance: when a long-distance bus makes sense, when to fly, and where trains still exist.
Safety for tourists in Chile: what to know before you travel
General safety recommendations for traveling around Chile: which areas call for extra caution, and basic good practices.