The observed dollar rate averaged 981.58 Chilean pesos in October 2026, the highest monthly average of the year, according to the official table of Chile's Internal Revenue Service (SII), which publishes the rate set each banking day from the previous day's bank transactions. That is CLP 119.56 more than in February (CLP 862.02), the cheapest month of 2026. For tourists arriving in Chile with dollars, US$100 now buys around 14% more pesos than at the start of the year.
The exchange rate swung sharply in November: on 4 and 5 November it fell towards CLP 965-971 after the US midterm elections, according to XTB, but on the 5th it closed again near CLP 980 as stock markets fell, Diario Financiero reported. On 6 November it opened at CLP 980.1, 4.26% higher than a year earlier, according to Infobae with Dow Jones data.
View the data as a table
| October 2026 average | $981.58 |
| 2026 daily high | $994.29 |
| More pesos per dollar than in February | +13.9% |
The dollar in Chile month by month in 2025 and 2026
The chart compares the monthly average of the observed dollar in 2025 and 2026. In 2025 the year started above CLP 1,000 and drifted lower; in 2026 the opposite happened: the dollar bottomed in February and has risen almost nonstop since August.
View the data as a table
| 2025 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Jan | $1,000.76 | $883.97 |
| Feb | $956.62 | $862.02 |
| Mar | $932.55 | $909.89 |
| Apr | $961.96 | $897.89 |
| May | $941.01 | $897.64 |
| Jun | $938.04 | $903.38 |
| Jul | $951.55 | $930.97 |
| Aug | $966.30 | $917.66 |
| Sep | $960.37 | $947.27 |
| Oct | $953.97 | $981.58 |
| Nov | $935.70 | No data |
| Dec | $916.16 | No data |
| Month | 2025 average | 2026 average | US$100 in pesos (2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1,000.76 | 883.97 | 88,397 |
| February | 956.62 | 862.02 | 86,202 |
| March | 932.55 | 909.89 | 90,989 |
| April | 961.96 | 897.89 | 89,789 |
| May | 941.01 | 897.64 | 89,764 |
| June | 938.04 | 903.38 | 90,338 |
| July | 951.55 | 930.97 | 93,097 |
| August | 966.30 | 917.66 | 91,766 |
| September | 960.37 | 947.27 | 94,727 |
| October | 953.97 | 981.58 | 98,158 |
| November | 935.70 | Ongoing | |
| December | 916.16 |
Source: SII, observed dollar rate 2026 and 2025 (Chilean pesos per US dollar; monthly averages published by the SII). The US$100 column is a Viajando Chile calculation using each month's average; exchange offices and banks apply their own margin.
Key days for the dollar between October and November
- 26-10-2026$990,35Observed rate, close to $1,000
- 27-10-2026$994,292026 daily high
- 31-10-2026$981,58October closes with the year's highest average
- 5-11-2026~$965 → ~$980Falls after the US elections and rebounds as stocks drop
- 6-11-2026$980,1Opening (Dow Jones via Infobae)
On 26 October the observed rate hit CLP 990.35 and on the 27th CLP 994.29, the highest daily value of 2026 in the SII table. We explained that jump in the dollar nears 1,000 pesos.
What a strong dollar means for foreign tourists in Chile
For anyone earning in dollars or euros, a weak Chilean peso makes accommodation, food and tours paid in pesos cheaper. The effect is only partial, for two reasons:
- Inflation is picking up: consumer prices rose 0.5% in October and annual inflation reached 4.5%, driven by fuel, according to Diario Financiero. Part of the exchange-rate gain is lost to higher prices.
- Many tourism services charge in dollars: cruises, several hotels in Patagonia and the Atacama, and international packages set their rates in dollars, so they don't fall with the exchange rate.
- The real and the Argentine peso don't follow: the Brazilian real weakened after Brazil's October election, and Argentines face their own exchange gap. For them Chile does not get cheaper to the same extent. We saw it in 2026 tourist arrivals.
Does your hotel, agency or tour want to reach foreign tourists planning a trip to Chile?
See advertising optionsHow to change dollars in Chile without losing out
| Where | What to bear in mind |
|---|---|
| Exchange offices in downtown Santiago (Agustinas, Huérfanos) | Usually better rates than the airport; compare the buying rate, not the selling rate |
| Airport | Useful for a small amount on arrival; the rate is usually less favourable |
| Foreign credit or debit card | Your bank applies its own exchange rate and fees; check your card's |
| ATMs | Charge a withdrawal fee to foreign cards; withdraw larger amounts less often |
| Hotels | Non-resident foreign tourists paying in foreign currency may be exempt from VAT on accommodation at participating hotels: ask when booking |
To budget the whole trip, see our stories on how much it costs to travel to Chile and travel prices in Chile.
Frequently asked questions
What was the average dollar rate in Chile in October 2026?
CLP 981.58 per dollar, the highest monthly average of 2026, according to the SII observed dollar table.
What was the highest dollar rate in 2026?
CLP 994.29, the observed rate of 27 October 2026, according to the SII. The official rate did not reach 1,000.
How many Chilean pesos is US$100?
At October 2026's average, about CLP 98,158; at the 6 November opening (980.1), about CLP 98,010. Exchange offices pay somewhat less because of their margin.
Is it worth travelling to Chile with dollars?
With the peso weak, dollars go further than in early 2026. But local prices are rising (4.5% annual inflation in October) and many tourism services already charge in dollars.
