Officially dubbed as the Republic of Chile, Chile is a long, narrow country located along the western edge of South America, bordered by the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Andes Mountains to the east. It is one of the longest countries in the world — extending 4,270 km (2,653 miles) from north to south, with extremely diverse landscapes — from the arid Atacama Desert (one of the driest places on Earth) to fertile valleys, forests, lakes and glaciers in the south. Chile is also one of South America’s most stable and prosperous economies, known especially for copper mining, agriculture and wine production.
The capital of Chile is Santiago — officially called Santiago de Chile, and it is the largest city and the political, cultural and economic centre of the country. Santiago is home to landmarks like Plaza de Armas (the city's historic heart), Cerro San Cristóbal (offers panoramic views) and La Moneda Palace (the seat of Chile's government), and it blends modern urban life with historic architecture, museums, theatres, and a growing food scene. The nearby Andes also make it easy to access skiing and outdoor activities.
Earthquakes and tsunamis, along with active volcanoes.
Traffic violations are governed by Chile’s traffic law system and handled by local police courts. Police can issue fines on the spot or via camera systems, which are forwarded to you from your rental company, and may include extra admin charges. Fines are usually calculated in UTM (Unidad Tributaria Mensual), and are mainly split into three categories (with examples):
On-the-spot fines cannot usually be paid immediately upon receiving, and would require court appearance, unless paid early. Unpaid fines can delay any future entries and be chased via rental companies.
Other violations to keep in mind;
The official language of Chile is Spanish, but Aymara, Kawésqar, Mapudungun, Quechua and Rapa Nui are also spoken.
Driving is done on the right side of the road. The minimum driving age in Chile is 18 — or 17 with parental approval, but the minimum renting age is 21 or 22, with rental companies often requiring drivers to have held their licence for over a year, and would apply a 'young driver' fee to those under 22 or 25, depending on the company. UK drivers don't legally need an International Driving Permit (IDP) for visits up to 3 months with a modern photocard driving licence, but it is recommended to have one for car rentals and interactions with local police — where checks are frequent.
While main highways in Chile are modern and well-maintained, rural and mountain roads can be poorly lit, gravel or dirt, or don't have guardrails. In addition, be sure to equip your vehicle with snow chain when driving in the Andes during winter season (June – Sept). Headlights are often required on highways — even daytime, and no right turns on red lights unless signposted. Many highways are toll roads, where the ones around Santiago use an electronic 'TAG' system for automatic billing, and others have booths where payment is made by cash. Be cautious of aggressive drivers that may commit speeding and/or sudden lane changes, along with keeping your valuables hidden in your car.
The common fuel types in Chile are Gasolina 93/95/97 (unleaded petrol) and diesel. Card is widely accepted with contactless sometimes working in stations, but it is best to carry cash as it's always accepted. Stations in Chile are not self-service — an attendant fills the tank for you, may even clean your windshield too, while you stay in the car.
In cities and along highways, stations are frequent and modern, with many are open 24/7. However, they can be very apart in remote areas — especially at the Atacama Desert and Patagonia, with limited opening times. If you're planning to drive into remote areas, top-up before departing and when the opportunity arises, carry a spare can of fuel and never let your tank drop below half. Rental companies have a fuel policy where drivers must return the car with the same fuel level. Be sure to keep your receipt if required.
The limit is 0.03%.
Mandatory for all occupants.
Children under 9 years, 135cm tall or 33kg in weight must use an appropriate child restraint system (CRS) in the rear seats. Children under 12 cannot sit in the front seat, except in single-cabin vehicles, and children under 8 must be in child seats.