Relaciones Internacionales - Universidad Diego Portales

Santiago, the capital of Chile, with a population of approximately 5 million inhabitants, is the largest and most densely-populated city in the country. Due to the sustained growth of the country’s economy, it is acknowledged as one of the most important cities in South America as well as the centre of political and economic life in Chile. In the capital, great contrasts may be observed between the edifices constructed along modern architectural lines and an older style of buildings, some of them considered part of the historical patrimony of the country, mainly located in the neighbourhood of Universidad Diego Portales. The city was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia, laid out along the lines of the “chess board” design adopted for the principal Spanish settlements. Visitors are offered a variety of different activities befitting life in a great metropolis, which makes it especially attractive to young adults. In Santiago there are large numbers of cinemas, theatres, museums, parks, restaurants, cafés, stadiums and shopping malls.

Santiago’s climate is described as Warm Temperate with a prolonged dry season. Temperatures fluctuate widely depending on the season of the year; the following table provides an average of temperatures for the different months of the year

The rainy season extends from the end of March to the end of September. Rainfall in a normal year averages about 250 millimetres.

Summer Time, which starts at midnight on the second Saturday in October (or 00:00 hours on Sunday), is GMT -3.
Winter Time, which starts at midnight on the second Saturday in March (or 00:00 hours on Sunday), is GMT -4.

Electrical current runs at 220 Volts. If you are travelling with 110-Volt equipment, it is recommended that you purchase special transformers which cost approximately US$30.

The currency of legal tender in Chile is the Peso ($). The exchange rate fluctuates constantly within the range of 580 to 620 pesos to the US dollar. The notes are in denominations of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000 and 20000 pesos. Coins in circulation are 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos. It is recommended that coins and notes of lower denomination be used to pay for taxi fares and other means of transportation, as well as for buying cans of carbonated beverages, bottles of water, etc. The notes most commonly used are those of 1000, 2000 and 5000 pesos; coins for everyday use are 10, 50, 100 and 500 pesos. If you need change, it is recommended that the higher denomination notes be used in supermarkets, large department stores and restaurants.

Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) can be found in many locations such as banks, pharmacists, petrol stations and supermarkets. These ATM machines only provide Chilean pesos, and Visa and MasterCard credit cards are generally accepted by them, as well as by the majority of commercial establishments in the country.

Mexico: U$ 15 dollars for each entry into the country
Canada: U$ 55 dollars for each entry into the country
Australia: U$ 30 dollars for each entry into the country
U.S.A.: U$ 100 dollars one-time tax valid until the passport expires
Foreign students who have already been granted their student visa in the Chilean Consulate in
Mexico, Canada, Australia or the USA DO NOT PAY. If the visa application procedure is to be processed within Chile, the incoming passenger tax must be paid.

There are many transportation options in Santiago. The most frequently used are the buses and the underground Metro.

The company is called TRANSVIP and the telephone number is (56-2) 677-3000. Within the airport building, their counter can be located by following the indications for “Exit for International Flights” on the left, all the way to the back.

The fare is approximately US$7 for the municipalities of La Reina, Las Condes and Vitacura, and approximately US$6 to the municipalities of Santiago Centro, Ñuñoa, Providencia and Macul.

Taxis are generally easy to identify because of their distinctive black colour with the yellow roof, but the most reliable services are those which are not necessarily of that colour but instead appear to be the latest models in saloon cars. Generally speaking, the latter belong to Radio Taxi enterprises whose services for picking up from a specific address can be requested by calling in to their central switchboard. As the airport is a place of constant activity, it is not necessary to call for a radio taxi since there are already taxis waiting for passengers there. It is recommended that individuals who approach passengers to offer a taxi service be asked to provide identification associating them by name to a certified Radio Taxi enterprise.

On arrival in Santiago and until familiar with the use of buses and the Metro, students are recommended to use Radio Taxis as much as possible.

Some reliable Radio Taxi agencies are:
ANDES PACÍFICO: 225 - 3064 204-0104
ALTO BELLAVISTA: 735 - 3483 PROVIDENCIA: 209 - 0445

Buses are the most commonly means of transportation utilized by the residents of Santiago. They are the most economical way of getting around and their routes cover all the sectors of Santiago. The majority cross the Alameda Bernardo O’Higgins avenue at some part of their trajectory. They are very easily identifiable, since they are all painted yellow with white roofs. Each bus carries a number which differentiates its route from others. The bus fare is approximately 300 pesos, but the fare is subject to fluctuations during the year.

This means of transport is popularly known as the Metro. It consists of three lines which link the various residential sectors of Santiago with the city centre. There is a flat fare of approximately 350 pesos and any combination of the various lines may be travelled at no additional cost. It is the safest and most rapid means of transport since it avoids any vehicular congestion, but it is usually very crowded during rush hours.

Travelling to other cities around the country is usually done by Inter-City Bus. These may be boarded at the Los Heroes Bus Terminal (Tucupal Jimenez Nº 21, Metro station Los Heroes); at the Alameda Bus Terminal (exiting the Metro station Universidad de Santiago); and at the San Borja Bus Terminal (San Francisco de Borja Nº 184).

For travel to southern Chile, another good option is to go by train. Trains may be boarded at the Central Railway Station (Avenida Bernardo O'Higgins Nº 3170 – at the exit to Metro station Estacion Central).

As Chile is a country spanning several longitudinal zones, air travel is recommended for cities located at great distances from Santiago, such as Arica, Iquique or Antofagasta in the north, or Punta Arenas in the extreme south. Reservations made weeks in advance may have the benefit of significant discounts on the regular fare. Flights depart and arrive at the same Air Terminal as the international flights into Chile at the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez Airport, from the sector for domestic flights.