Your complete student travel guide — airports, visas, cities, climate & programs
🏛️ Capital
Santiago
📍 Region
Americas · South America
👥 Population
20,206,953
📐 Area
756,102 km²
📞 Calling Code
+56
🕐 Timezone(s)
UTC-06:00, UTC-04:00
Official Language(s)
Currency
$ Chilean peso (CLP)
Chile's climate varies dramatically by region due to its extreme north-south length. Northern deserts are hot and dry year-round, central areas have a Mediterranean climate with warm summers (December–February, 17–27°C) and mild winters (June–August, 8–15°C), while southern regions are cool and wet with temperatures ranging from 10–20°C. Most students will experience mild temperatures in central Chile, though you should pack layers and rain gear if heading south.
Plug type(s) used in Chile:
Tipping is appreciated and generally expected for good service.
Cards are widely accepted. Cash is useful for smaller vendors and markets.
Chile is generally considered one of South America's safer destinations, but petty theft and pickpocketing occur in busy urban areas and public transport—keep valuables secure and avoid displaying expensive items. Avoid walking alone late at night in unfamiliar neighborhoods, and use registered taxis or ride-sharing apps rather than hailing cabs on the street.
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U.S. Department of State
⚠️ Travel Advisory 📄 Visa InformationOpens on travel.state.gov
Register your trip and locate emergency contacts before you depart.
🏛 U.S. Embassy Directory ✅ Register Your Trip (STEP)STEP alerts you during emergencies and helps the embassy locate you.
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