Santiago

Líder — Walmart Chile — cheapest big shop

Jumbo — premium, wide range

Santa Isabel — mid-range

Feria libre — street produce markets

Best: Sep – Apr · Wet: May – Aug

Fees: Chilean ATMs are notorious for high foreign-card fees ($6–8) and often ask an intimidating 'foreign card' surcharge screen.

Limits: Often capped at 200,000 CLP per pull (some banks more).

Best machines: Banco de ChileSantanderScotiabank

Vaccines: Routine; Hepatitis A for wider eating. One of the region's lowest health-risk countries.

Health: Tap water is safe to drink in Valparaíso and Santiago (it can be very mineral-heavy, so some prefer bottled for taste). Excellent healthcare. Strong Pacific sun and cool ocean — the Humboldt current makes beaches chilly.

Tap water: ✅ Safe to drink in Valparaíso and central Chile (high mineral content — some prefer bottled for taste, not safety).

Safety: Chile is among South America's safest and most developed countries. Valparaíso is characterful but has rougher hillside pockets — stay on the tourist cerros (Alegre, Concepción), watch your phone in crowds, and take registered taxis/Uber at night. Petty theft is the main concern, not violence.

For most short tourist trips, citizens of the US, UK, EU/Schengen, Canada, Australia and New Zealand either enter visa-free or get a simple online authorisation (an eVisa or eTA) before flying. Typical visa-free stays run 30–90 days. Some countries want a visa arranged in advance, and a growing number ask you to fill an online arrival or eVisa form even when 'visa-free' — so always check the official portal for your exact nationality before you book.