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Chile

Resource Guide

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

2 Welcome to Chile Chile History & Culture

4 Country Details Currency & Taxation Local I.D. Immigratiion Progress Obtaining your Driver’s License Purchasing a Car

10 Home Finding Associated Fees in Renting a Home Utilities Required Documentation

11 Education Bilingual Schools Academic Calendar Recommended Timeframes to Enroll

13 Banking Opening a Bank Account ATMS

14 Medical System Insurance Finding a Doctor Hospitals Emergency Contacts

16 Transportation Public Transport in Santiago and Major Cities Airports and Air Transport Traveling by Bus Train Journeys Traveling by car in Chile

18 Embassy & Consulates Embassy Consulates


TABLE OF CONTENTS

20 National Holidays

21 The Local Flavor Chilean Cuisine Traditional Recipe

Eating out in Santiago

22 Landmarks & Tourist Spots

25 Entertainment Sports & Activities in Country Shopping

26 Helpful Tips Safety Utilities & Technical Information Dialing In/Out of Country

27 Weights & Measurements Chart 28 Notes

LARM - CHILE RESOURCE GUIDE


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As part of our Latin American Relocation Management (LARM) family, you can rest assured that we have your relocation needs covered. Our focus is making sure you experience a smooth transition, from start to finish. We have put together this guide with important information and resources that will help ease your relocation process as much as possible. We want to remind you that we stand by, ready to support and guide you whenever you might need it. If you have any questions or feed-back, please feel free to contact us directly.

LARM USA Headquarters 1961 NW 150th Avenue, Suite 103

Pembroke Pines, FL 33028

Phone: + (954) 239-4081Email: [email protected]

LARM Chile Americo Vespucio 2050

Quilicura, Santiago, Chile

Phone: + (562) 2663-6700Email: [email protected]


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Welcome to

Chile

Chile is a developing country. With a democratic government and a stable economy, it stands out because of the growth it has had in the last decades, positioning itself between the most reliable and safe countries in South America for national and foreign investors. Chile has developed highways and transportation, and the newest technology in architecture, such as corporate buildings like Titanium and Costanera towers.



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History & Culture

Chile was born out of the same forces that many other South American countries were. The Spanish conquistadors settled the area and were met with indigenous resistance. Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia and a small band of Spanish conquistadors (look for the plaques illustrating the city’s growth in Plaza de Armas). By the 1600s, Santiago was taking shape, and the expansion was rapid. It was always clear that this would be a major city, and in 1770 the governor commissioned the Metropolitan Cathedral and La Moneda presidential palace to be built. The Battle of Chacabuco on 12 February 1817 was a key moment in Chilean history. José de San Martín and Ber-nardo O’Higgins led the resistance army to victory against Spanish royalists and on the same day Chilean independen-ce was proclaimed. However, in Chile the national celebra-tion is a commemoration of the First Government Council on September 18th 1810.

Chile is culturally and artistically rich, with a unique iden-tity within Latin America. World known artists stand out like Pablo Neruda (Literature Nobel Price), Roberto Matta (painter), and Violeta Parra (musician and folklorist). The culture and customs of Chileans are somewhat different among those who live in big cities and are part of a globali-zed world, and those who live in rural areas or small towns, who still hold on to traditional practices and a simpler life with a different rhythm. In spite of these differences, when faced with a national crisis, like an earthquake or the case of the 33 miners, the spirit of Chilean people has always been of unity and solidarity.

The Chilean person is characterized as kind and open with foreign visitors. They are friendly people who usually get together with family and friends to celebrate for many different reasons, being house gatherings a common practi-ce, such as dinner parties, barbeques, etc.

A handshake is the proper way to greet someone when meeting for the first time, but when meeting a friend or someone you know, male acquaintances greet each other with a big hug and women greet female and male acquain-tances with a kiss on the right cheek


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Full country name: Republic of Chile

Capital: Santiago de Chile

Area: 756,096 km / 291,930.4 sq. mi

Population: 16.341.929 (2012)

Official Language: Spanish

Currency: Peso (CLP)

Government: Presidential democratic republic

Religion: Catholic 70%, Protestant 15%

Area Code: 56

Location: Chile is located in the southwest of South Ame-rica, in between two great forces of nature: The Andes and the Pacific Ocean. It is a long and thin country more than 4.000 Km (2.485 mi) long, and has an average width of 177 Km (110 mi). It borders with Peru to the north, and Bolivia and Argentina to the east.

Main Regions and Cities: Chile is politically and admi-nistratively divided in 15 regions that, in turn are divided in provinces and then districts (or Comunas). These regions are, with their respective capital cities:

In the Great North:

• Arica and Parinacota, capital city Arica

• Tarapacá, capital city Iquique

• Antofagasta, capital city Antofagasta

In places like Iquique and its surroundings we can find old Saltpeter Works, oasis in the Atacama Desert with wonder-ful thermal waters, and excellent beaches ideal for surfing. In the Atacama Region, towards the desert, San Pedro de Atacama is one of the main attractions, where you can see unique wonders of nature such as the famous Tatio Geyser Field, the Salar of Atacama and the Valle de la Luna (Valley of the Moon).

In the Small North:

• Atacama, capital city Copiapo

• Coquimbo, capital city La Serena

This is the home of marvelous beaches close by La Serena, and the beautiful Valle del Elqui (Valley of the Elqui river), a place filled with mysticism and hidden villages in between canyon creeks, where the famous Chilean Pisco in fabricated.

Country Details



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In the Center:

• Valparaíso, capital city Valparaíso

• Metropolitana de Santiago, capital city Santiago

• O’Higgins, capital city Rancagua

• Maule, capital city Talca

• Biobío, capital city Concepción

It is here where we find the vineyards that produced the acclaimed Chilean wine, and it is also the place where exportation fruit is grown. Here we have attractions from The Andes, with many ski centers like Valle Nevado; to the coast, that has many beaches that are some of the favorite vacation destination of many Chileans and foreigners; like Viña del Mar, host of the great February festival and only 100Km (62 miles) from Santiago; or smaller towns with beaches like Con Con, Maitencillo, Marbella, Cachagua, and many others. Also, the city of Valparaiso is one of the most famous ports and touristy destinations in Chile.

In the South:

• La Araucanía, capital city Temuco

• Los Ríos, capital city Valdivia

• Los Lagos, capital city Puerto Montt

During summer mainly, this is a great place for eco-tourism. Spots to visit are everywhere, such as Lago Llanquihue (Llanquihue Lake), just a few kilometers from Puerto Montt. Towns like Puerto Varas, Frutillar and Puerto Octay, stand out for their beauty and many attractions. In this region we can also find the Chiloe Islands, which will charm you with its marvelous landscapes, mysterious legends and famous curanto.

In the Extreme South:

• Aysén, capital city Coyhaique

• Magallanes, capital city Punta Arenas.

This region gives us geographical wonders like Torres Del Paine, which attracts tourists from all over the world all year long. This land is a mixture of hundreds of islands with a continental terrain trimmed by fjords, waterways and great glaciers. The region has important inter-oceanic passages, as is the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel and the Drake Passage.

Climate: Chile enjoys of a climatic and geographic variety.In the north we find the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world. It is a perfect location to practice astronomy, and is also where we fin the major copper mines in Chile. In the centre, the central valley has a Mediterranean climate with 4 distinct seasons, where it rains mainly during winter, being an ideal place for agriculture. The south characterizes for its rich nature with volcanoes that peep between lakes, forests and perfect fields for agronomy. It is a humid place with many precipitations and a cold winter. And in the ex-treme south, the end of the world, one step from Antarcti-ca, we find the Patagonia, which posses’ a cold continental plain steppe climate, precipitations are moderate, and there is constant wind, stronger in spring and summer.


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Currency & Taxation

• Official Name: Chilean Peso (CLP $, its ISO 4217 number is 152).

In addition, in Chile there is a Unit of account, called UF (Unidad de Fomento) constantly adjusted to inflation so that the value of the Unidad de Fomento remains constant on a daily basis during low inflation. It has become the preferred and predominant measure for determining the cost of Real Estate, values of housing, and any secured loan either private or of the Chilean government. Individual payments are made in Chilean pesos according to the daily value of the UF.

• Exchange Rate: USD $1, 00 = CLP $557 ** 1 UF = CLP $23.704 = USD $42, 52 **

** Reference from exchange rates, April 19 2014. Confirm current rates before making any transactions due to cons-tant changes in the exchange rates.

Taxes: In Chile we find fundamentally two types of taxes: Direct Taxes and Indirect Taxes.

Indirect Taxes are imposed over determined goods, and comprehend taxes over sales (IVA – Impuesto al Valor Agregado) and taxes over property, alcohol, cigarettes, imported goods and gasoline. The value-added tax or sales tax (IVA) is the most important one and is currently 19%, which is already included in most final prices of goods and services in the market, unless otherwise indicated.

The Direct Taxes are those imposed directly to individuals or companies, such as income taxes, among others. The First Category income tax is proportional, and taxes a 17% of the earnings arising from the equity obtained by companies, be it commercial, industrial, miner, etc. The Second Category is a progressive monthly tax and is the one you will have to pay if you are a dependant employee. The Global Complementary Tax, is a personal tax that every independent employee or person with more than one inco-me must pay once a year, as long as their annual income exceeds CLP $4.909.896, 01.



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Local I.D.

The Identity card in Chile is called CI-Cédula de Identidad (comonly named Carné de Identidad as well). It is the official legal document that determines the identity of a citizen in Chile. The person is identified by a photogra-phy, digital print, signature, and RUN (Rol Único Nacional) a unique number given to every Chilean and foreign person that resides in Chile. In many cases this number is the same as the RUT (Rol Único Tributario), which is given by the Internal Revenue Service (Servicio de Impuestos Interno - SII). The CI is required for legal, commercial and civil actions, such as banking procedures. Driver’s License for legal identity purposes cannot replace the CI.

You can obtain the CI at the Civil Registry offices (Registro Civil). The necessary documents for the first time applicants are:

• Current Passport with resident visa

• Certification of inscription from the Foreign Registry of the International Police.

If the applicant exceeds the 30 days time frame he/she has to apply for the CI, then it is necessary to obtain a special authorization from the Departamento de Extranjería y Mi-gración (department of foreign affairs and migration) from the Ministerio del Interior (Ministry of Internal Affairs), or the Intendencia Regional (regional administrative division). If you have a professional diploma from another country and wish the profession to appear in the CI, you must previously validate the degree at Universidad de Chile, or you may be eligible for the Convention on the Recognition of Qualifica-tions that Chile maintains with some countries. The infor-mation about requirements can be found at the Ministerio

de Relaciones Exteriores (Ministry of Foreign Relations). Once this is done, it is possible to enter the Professionals Register, and then, every time this document is renewed, the profession will automatically appear in the CI. The CI for the foreign national has the same validity period as the visa, in exception of the permanent resident, in which case the validity is 5 years. The cost of the CI card is CLP $4.050.*

* Reference value at April 2014.

Immigration Process

After all documentation has been received and submitted, it takes approximately 50 days to receive a Visa.

The following information is necessary to obtain any type of permit in Chile:

• Full name

• Passport number

• Nationality

• Profession

• Position

• Brief role description

• Curriculum vitae

• Full name of spouse and/or children

• Passport No. of spouse and/or children


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Obtaining your Driver’s License

In Chile you can drive with an international or foreign driver’s license only while you have a tourist visa. Once you obtain the permanent residency you MUST have a Chilean driver’s license, otherwise, you would be driving illegally, which means that the insurance would not be valid and this would lead to very serious pro-blems if an accident or something else occurs.

To obtain the Chilean Driver’s License the following documents are required:

• Valid Chilean ID (photocopy of both sides)

• Residence Certificate

• Studies Certificate or Diploma, legalized (it also needs to be legally translated to Spanish)

• Vehicle in which the driving exam will be taken, with all its valid documentation

All the exams must be taken in Spanish. Interpreters are not allowed. These exams are:

• Physical (sensometric)

• Psychometric

• Medical Interview

• Written/ Theoric

• Driving test

Some important things you need to know:

• The minimum age for obtaining a driver’s license is 18.

• In Chile people drive on the right side.

• Smoking and the use of cell phones while driving are forbidden.

• Seatbelts are mandatory.

• The alcohol legal limit is 0, 3 (grams per liter of blood). There is a strict Cero Tolerance Law.

• Car documents: registration certificate (also called padrón), circulation permit and technical checking certificate, plus the mandatory insurance, driver’s license and ID, will be required by police in case of a check-up or any kind of accident.

• The maximum speed allowed in highways is 120 Km/h (74, 56 mph), except when otherwise indica-ted. In the city, it is usually 60 Km/h (37, 28 mph) in avenues and 40 Km/h (24, 85 mph) in residential areas.

• Children younger than 8 years must ride in the back seat of the car, and those younger than 4 years must do it in a special chair.

• At the gas station, it is accustomed for an employee to pump the gas. Tips are common



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Purchasing a Car

Here are a few steps that will help you in the process of buying a car:

Obtain your Rol Único Tributario Number (RUT)

The RUT is a Tax Identification Number within the Chilean system. If you don’t already have it in you ID, you need to obtain it at Servicio de Impuestos Internos- SII (Internal Reve-nue Service) office with your passport and any relevant visa.

Find your car

For new cars it is recommended to go to a dealership. Used cars can be bought from a dealer or a private person. A dealer will accept a bank transfer and different kinds of payments, while a private seller might insist on cash. The dealer will also make the transfer and inscription pa-perwork easier, but the most important thing is that you are happy with the car, and that you have a mechanic check it out for you before you decide to buy. Car prices are in CLP.

You can find used cars in www.chileautos.cl and Santia-go’s newspaper “El Mercurio”.

Car Paperwork Required

When buying your car, you need to ensure that the seller can provide the following paperwork:

• Registro Nacional de Vehículos Motorizados (regis-tration certificate) – Known as the “Padrón”.

• Certificado de Anotaciones para Vehiculos Motoriza-dos. This certificate will show if there are any open charges on the vehicle. If you buy the car without this and there are outstanding violations/restric-tions on the car, it becomes your problem.

• Permiso de Circulación (circulación permit). This document shows that the Chilean street taxes for the vehicles have been paid.

• Revision Técnica (technical checking certificate). Every Chilean car must complete a yearly technical roadworthiness revision.

• Seguro Obligatorio (mandatory insurance). Compul-sory Third Party Insurance for your vehicle, valid for one year.

Transfer Process

This process takes place at a Notary, where you need to pay a tax (generally 1, 5% of the market value of the vehicle). The Notary will issue the selling contract that you then must take to a Registro Civil office (Motor Registra-tion Office) along with your Passport, RUT certificate and “Padrón” of previous owner. Here your new registration (Padrón) will be issued.


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Home Finding

There are a variety of houses and apartments in different residential areas of Santiago. The quality of the properties might vary, however most of the new apartments and houses have central heating, swimming pool, garage, etc. The sizes of apartments you can find in Santiago go from small one-be-droom apartments, to big 4 or more bedrooms apartments. You can also find houses in different sizes and bedrooms number, and also big or small back yards. In Santiago there are some gated communities with houses and/or apartment buildings. These are more common in some areas of the city. The rental cost will depend on the location, size of property and luxury required, being US $900 a usual price for a small apartment, and US $5,000 for a modern house in the suburbs. Furnished houses are difficult to find, furnished properties are usually small apartments and in good supply.

Associated Fees in Renting a Home

Most properties are found through real estate agents and pay-ment of their commission equals 50% of 1 month’s rent + tax. A reservation check must be paid to the landlord to take the property off the market, if the tenant decides not to rent the property the reservation check will be lost and cashed by the landlord. 1-3 month’s security deposit is required, plus 1 month rent in advance. Lease contracts are usually for 1 year and are typically written in an account unit called UF, if that is not the case; the price has to be readjusted according to the IPC (Índice

de Precio al Consumidor - Consumer Price Index) every 3 to 6 months.

Utilities

They are usually not included in the rent. Utilities such as water, electricity and gas are always under the landlord’s name, and they will remain under the landlord’s name. The tenant can hire other services like phone, cable TV and In-ternet. All the bills are paid once a month. This can be done in person or through the Internet, in most cases.

Required Documentation

• Work contract

• Last 6 salary payment statements

• Credit history record

Rent cannot be higher than 20-25% of the net salary. It is common that the landlord requires a co-signer, who must present the same documentation described above. If a co-signer is not required additional money could be reques-ted instead (rent in advance or security deposit). Lease start date will be set when letter of offer is submitted; this can be prior to the signature of the lease and occupancy of the property. The landlord won’t hand over the property without having a signed lease and initial payments.



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Education

In Chile you can find private and public education, however, public schools are not recommended. Most private schools have a wider curriculum in terms of language, sports, and extracurricular activities, and are usually superior to public ones in many aspects. These schools have fees that vary according to the institution and grade level and in all cases involve the payment of an entry fee.

Uniforms are mandatory in almost all schools (private and pu-blic) and they carry distinguishing emblems sewn onto them.

Bilingual Schools

There are many bilingual or language based schools in Chile, some are religious based, and a couple of them are based in an American Curriculum and calendar year.

International Curriculum Schools:

• Nido de Aguilas International School (American)

• The International Preparatory School (British)

Chilean Curriculum Schools (require the validation of previous studies):

• Lincoln International Academy

• The Southern Cross School

• Santiago College

• Craighouse School (British)

• The Grange School (British)

• The Mayflower School (Catholic)

• Newland (Catholic)

• Lycée Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (French)

• Deutsche Schule Santiago (German)

• Instituto Hebrero (Hebrew)


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Academic Calendar

Most schools follow the Chilean schedule, from March to mid-December; however, there is one International School, Nido de Aguilas, which follows an International/American calendar.

Recommended Timeframes to Enroll

It is very hard to find a spot in a private school; there are no exceptions in the admission process, which starts one year in advanced, April or October the previous year.

What do you need to Enroll?

The following documents need to be legalized at the Edu-cation Ministry and Human Resources from the proceeding country.

• Birth Certificate

• Vaccination certificates

• Personality and behavioral report from previous school

• Studies certificate, with specification of approved courses and grades

• Grades certificate

For Catholic Schools there are additional documents required:

• Baptism certificate

• Religious marriage certificate

• Family record book



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Banking

Opening a Bank Account

You will need to present the following:

• Local work contract

• Chilean ID

You will also need to fill out bank forms.

Banks may request additional information at its discretion.

Banks open Monday – Friday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.

ATMS

ATMs of different banks are pretty much everywhere, from gas stations, to drug stores, shopping malls, supermarkets, etc.

You can use your international credit or debit card to with-draw money from an ATM, as long you have activated this service with your international bank. Additional fees may be charged.

If your credit or debit card is lost or stolen, contact your bank as soon as possible. All banks have a 24 hr. phone service for theft notification.


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Medical System

Insurance

Healthcare protection in Chile is provided by the gover-nment (via FONASA) and by private insurers (via Isapre). The national health care system, FONASA, provides basic medical service and coverage to all levels of society. In the case of Isapres, you can select different insurance plans from a handful of private companies.

All workers and pensioners are mandated to pay (at least) 7% of income for health insurance, unless it is specified in your work contract that you will continue to be covered by insurance from your country. This insurance has to cover accidents, disability, old age and death.

You can also pay for additional medical insurance offered by private clinics.

Finding a Doctor

Chile does not have a system of Primary Care, or have a local General Practitioner as the norm, as other countries may have. General Practitioners can be relatively rare, as most Doctors specialize if they are able to. Many Chileans will go directly to the type of Doctor they need to see, as a referral is not needed in order to see a specialist.

For a visit you can call the Doctor/Hospital of your prefe-rence and request an appointment, sometimes they will give you the appointment for the same day or when they have space in the doctor’s agenda. Isapre and FONASA patients generally have access to the same doctors.

There are three ways one pays to see a doctor: you can go to the insurance company and pay your co-payment first; you can go to the doctor and they will read your thumbprint and match that up against your insurance company who will calculate your co-payment on the spot, or you can pay cash and then go to the insurance company for reimburse-ment. In case of accident or emergency go to a Hospital’s ER and they will attend you as soon as possible. The pay-ment will depend of the medical procedure needed.



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Hospitals

Quality is better at private clinics and hospitals around Chile, though even the most expensive private clinics are relatively affordable (at least by U.S. standards).

There are two clinics that offer English assistance for foreigners:

• Clínica Alemana

• Clínica Las Condes

Emergency Contacts

• Police: 133

• Fire: 132

• Ambulance:131

You can access all emergency contacts for free from any phone or cell phone in the country.


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Transportation

Public Transport in Santiago and Major Cities

Taxis: Taxis are very clearly identified. They are usually black cars with yellow roofs, except for private radio-taxis, but they all have orange number plates. Taxis are not very expensive and are a perfectly safe way to get around. In Santiago there are even smart phones apps for calling taxis with no extra charge, like Safer Taxi and Easy Taxi, and you even have the privilege of viewing the whole trip through the app so you know exactly where you are going. These apps work best near populated and busy areas, in the suburbs it is recommended to call a radio-taxi.

Buses: In all major cities there is a good system of public buses that will take you pretty much anywhere in the city. Transantiago operates buses in Santiago. This company is actually responsible for Santiago’s entire public transport system. This means that bus lines have been integrated with the metro, so coneccion between buses and transfers between bus and metro are easy to make on a single ticket. You need a special card called Tarjeta Bip to pay for Tran-santiago buses; you charge this card with money in various grocery stores, and also at the metro.

Security problems are minor, but you always need to be aware of your belongings. Rush hours can get very crowded.

You can find information about routes in www.transantiago.cl

Metro: Santiago’s Metro system ranks as one of the most modern in the World. You can find over 2 Million people utilizing the services of the train network on a daily basis. There are currently 5 lines, which are always growing with the population’s demand. The Metro train runs from 6:30 AM to approximately 10:30 PM; you can buy a ticket at the station or use you Tarjeta Bip. As with buses, always be aware of your belongings, especially in the crowded rush hour.



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Airports and Air Transport

Arturo Merino Benitez, Santiago’s International Airport, is the main airport in Chile. There are airports in all major cities mostly for local flights, and few international flights within South America. For Airport Information you can call: 56-2-690-1900.

Traveling from northern Chile to the south via plane is actua-lly quite easy and it will save you a lot of time. In order to reach isolated regions in Chile’s south, it is often your only option aside from taking a ferry after long and excruciating hours on a car or bus. However, flying is not inexpensive in Chile. LAN and Sky offer the biggest networks of routes, with LAN even allowing you to travel to Easter Island. Be sure to check the websites for special prices.

Traveling by Bus

Long-distance buses are widely available in Chile and known for their comfort, efficiency, and punctuality. Many towns have big bus stations, where you can find information on schedules, destinations, and fares. Major highways are paved making for a comfortable journey.

Train Journeys

Although the Chilean railway experienced a boom in the late 19th and early 20th century, many train tracks are by now abandoned and neglected. However, there is a moder-nized train system, running from Santiago all the way south to Temuco. You can learn more about train connections, schedules and reservations by checking out the website of Empresa de Ferrocarriles Del Estado.

Traveling by Car in Chile

Traveling by car can be liberating and often necessary to get to remote national parks. This is especially true in areas such as the Atacama Desert and the Carretera Austral. A Four-wheel drive car is recommended, although most roads are perfectly suitable for all types of cars. When traveling in remote areas, where fuel may not be readily available, carry extra fuel. Rental agencies often provide a spare bidón (fuel container) for this purpose.


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Embassy & Consulates

The Chilean capital, Santiago, hosts 67 embassies, and in addition there are 122 consulates and 3 other representa-tions in Chile.

Embassy

Algeria

Argentina

Australia

Austria

Belgium

Brazil

Canada

China

Colombia

Costa Rica

Croatia

Cuba

Czech Republic

Denmark

Dominican Republic

Ecuador

Egypt

El Salvador

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Guatemala

Haiti

Honduras

India

Indonesia

Iran

Iraq

Israel

Italy

Japan

Jordan

Korea (Republic)

Kuwait

Lebanon

Malaysia

Mexico

Morocco

Netherlands

New Zealand

Nicaragua

Norway

Pakistan

Palestine

Panama

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Portugal

Romania

Russia

South Africa

Spain

Sweden

Switzerland

Syria

Thailand

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

Uruguay

Vatican City

Venezuela

Vietnam



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Consulates

Argentina

Austria

Bahamas

Belgium

Belize

Bolivia

Canada

Costa Rica

Croatia

Denmark

Ecuador

Finland

France

Germany

Greece

Guatemala

Hungary

Iceland

Indonesia

Ireland

Italy

Jamaica

Latvia

Lithuania

Luxembourg

Mexico

Monaco

Netherlands

Norway

Paraguay

Peru

Philippines

Poland

Romania

Serbia

Singapore

Spain

Sri Lanka

Sweden

Ukraine

United Kingdom

Uruguay



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National Holidays

• New year’s day: January 1st

• Holy Friday: first Friday in April

• Labor day: May 1st

• Navy day: May 21st

• Saint Peter and Saint Pablo: June 29th

• Carmen Virgin: July 16th

• Virgin’s Ascension: August 15th

• Independence day: September 18th

• Glorious armed force day: September 19th

• Columbus day: October 12th

• Evangelic church: October 31st

• All Saint’s day: November 1st

• Immaculate conception: December 8th

• Christmas day: December 25th



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The Local Flavor

Chilean Cuisine

Chilean cuisine is both unique and rich. Chile possesses a variety of tropical fruits, vegetables and herbs that are used in native cooking. Some of the main specialties are:

• Empanadas de Pino - typical turnover (pastry) filled with diced meat, onions, one olive and a piece of hard-boiled egg. Usually baked, sometimes fried.

• Empanadas de Mariscos - turnovers filled with chopped seafood onions and seasoning, usually fried.

• Empanadas de Queso - typical turnover filled with cheese, most usually fried.

• Asado (BBQ) - different kinds of meat, sausages and sometimes entrails grilled over charcoal and served with potato salad or rice.

• Bistec a lo pobre - beefsteak, French fries, fried onions, topped with a couple of fried eggs.

• Pastel de Choclo - a typical Chilean summer dish. Ground corn and meat, chopped onions, sometimes small pieces of chicken, pieces of hard-boiled egg, olive and raisins; baked in clay or regular oven. Similar to a shepherd pie.

• Porotos Granados - fresh bean dish with ground corn and pieces of pumpkin served hot.

• Machas a la Parmesana - Parmesan cheese raisor clams.

• Pastel de Jaiba - Chilean Crab Pie served in its own shell or a clay dish.

• Ceviche - minced raw sea bass, salmon or other fish, in lemon juice, with onions and other spices.

• Churrasco - Beef sandwich. You can get it with many different ingredients, like tomato, mayonnaise, melted cheese, avocado, etc.

• Completo - hot dog with all kinds of trimmings: mayon-naise, tomatoes, onions, dilled pickles sauerkraut, etc.

• Curanto en Hoyo - a typical dish from the south of Chile. Traditionally prepared by heating fish, seafood, potato-es, some meat, milcaos and types of bread over red-hot rocks in a hole in the ground. The food is wrapped in big leaves and then covered with dirt so that it slowly cooks over a number of hours.

• Chumbeque - a traditional sweet from Iquique, in the North of Chile.

• Kuchen - a German fruit flan often found in the South of Chile.

• Mote con Huesillo – sweet cooked dried peaches and stewed corn served as a drink.


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Traditional RecipeCazuela

This is a very flexible homemade stew- you can use lamb, chicken or pork in the recipe, but the classic version is made with beef. In each dish you can’t forget to put at least one small piece of meat, a potato, a slice of pumpkin and a portion of corn on the cob, if in season.

Ingredients (6 servings):

• 1 lb. beef brisket

• 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

• 1 onion, cut into quarters

• 1 bell pepper or other sweet pepper, cut into quar-ters with the seeds removed

• 1 teaspoon oregano

• 1 teaspoon ground cumin

• Salt and pepper

• One celery stalk

• 2 ears of corn, cut into thirds

• 2 carrots, peeled and cut into thirds

• 6 small red potatoes, peeled

• 4 handfuls of rice

• 6 small pieces of pumpkin

• 1 handful of green beans, julienned

• 5-6 cups boiling water

Preparation:

• First cut the meat into six portions. Then pre-heat the vegetable oil in a large pot. Braise the meat for three minutes on each side, and add the onion, seasonings, salt and pepper. Mix well and cook for five minutes.

• When ready, place the potatoes, carrots, celery and pumpkin in the pot. Completely cover the contents with boiling water (about five or six cups) and cook for ten minutes. Next incorporate the rice and corn; let simmer for eight minutes. Finally, mix-in the green beans and cook for three more minutes.

• Sample the stew and adjust the seasoning as necessary. Serve hot with one piece of meat, one potato, one piece of pumpkin and a portion of corn in each dish of stew.

• To garnish, sprinkle a little cilantro over each serving.



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Eating out in Santiago

In Santiago you can find various neighborhoods with many restaurants in different parts of the city, like Barrio Bellavista, Borde Río in Vitacura, Providencia, Las Condes, and many more. The usual service tip in restaurants is 10% of the total.

Here is a list with some of the top choices:

Barrio Bellavista• Como Agua Para Chocolate – ethnic

• Azul Profundo – seafood, Latin

• Etniko – Japanese

• Fuente Alemana – Chilean sandwiches

• Patio Bellavista – this is a boulevard filled with pubs and restaurants

Providencia• Aquí Está Coco – seafood, Latin

• El Huerto – vegetarian

• Liguria - Chilean

• El Cid – Chilean

• Astrid y Gastón – Peruvian, modern Chilean

Vitacura• Zanzibar – Mediterranean, Moroccan

• Boragó – modern Chilean, molecular gastronomy

• Mestizo – Chilean and Peruvian

• Ibis de Puerto Varas – seafood, Chilean

• Europeo – European, Swiss

Las Condes• Osadía – fusion

• Café Melba – cafe

• Akarana – seafood

• Boulevard Parque Arauco – boulevard with all kind of pubs and restaurants

Santiago Centro• Joya del Pacífico in Mercado Central – seafood

• Patagonia – Chilean

• Las Vacas Gordas – Barbeque

PomaireThis is a small town of traditional craftsmen very close to Santiago.

• La Greda – Chilean

• Los Naranjos – Chilean

• San Antonio – Chilean


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Landmarks & Tourist Spots

Cerro Santa Lucía: Rising out of the eastern side of San-tiago Centro is Cerro Santa Lucía. It was a rocky hill until 19th-century city mayor Benjamín Vicuña Mackenna had it transformed into a beautifully landscaped park. A web of trails and steep stone stairs leads you up through terraces to the Torre Mirador at the top.

Palacio de la Moneda: Chile’s presidential offices are here. Visitors can stroll along the courtyard that runs throu-gh the middle of the building, and can arrange to visit the interior with an advance booking. On the south side, under Plaza de la Ciudadanía, is the modern Centro Cultural Pala-cio de la Moneda, which has a series of exhibition spaces and some first-rate exhibitions. There is also an excellent shop selling traditional Chilean handcrafts.

Plaza de Armas: Surrounded by grand colonial public buildings, most notably the Metropolitan Cathedral and the ornate Correo Central (central post office), this is Santiago’s main square.

Palacio de Bellas Artes: Fine arts museum, housed in a turn-of-the-century copy of Paris’ Petit Palais. It occupies an entire block in the Parque Forestal and has Chile’s best collection of painting and sculpture. It regularly hosts exhi-bitions by contemporary artists from Chile and abroad.

Iglesia de San Francisco: It is one of Santiago’s oldest buildings, originally built in the late 16th century by Chile’s conquistador, Pedro de Valdivia. The Museo Colonial San Francisco (Colonial Museum of St Francis) contains a co-llection of ecclesiastical art dating from the colonial era.

Museo Casa La Chascona: Nobel-Prize-winning poet Pablo Neruda’s Santiago pied-à-terre is situated in the lively Bellavista neighborhood. He built the house himself for a lover and also hosted his distinguished friends. A series of small buildings, rather than a single house, La Chascona houses a collection of Neruda’s possessions. Visitors are taken on a guided tour (Spanish, English or French).

Cerro San Cristóbal: This park is Santiago’s largest green space. A funicular carries you between different landscaped sections. The park lies north of Bellavista and Providencia and has entrances in both neighborhoods.



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Entertainment

Sports & Activities in Country

Hiking: You can see the snow-peaked mountains from downtown and around them an infinite variety of hiking possibilities. Parque Mahuida and the mountain range of Cerro San Ramon is one of the most popular destinations and it’s right on the edge of the city. A little farther away are Parque Río Olivares and the mountains of Cajón Del Maipo. The possibilities are endless.

Mountain biking: Adventurous mountain bikers can head up into the mountains in Cerro San Ramon; however for a quick fix there are some spectacular trails up on Cerro San Cristobal. With such a wealth of trails right on the doorstep, it’s understandably a hugely popular sport in the city. Cajon Del Maipo an hour or two from the city is also superb.

Horse trekking: Horse riding goes deep into the Chilean culture – this was a country of cowboys and farmers, and horse skills are still highly regarded today. With the Andes on your doorstep, it’s an unmissable experience: imagine deep valleys, clear lakes and condors circling high over-head. You can fin day trips and there are many reasonably priced multi-day trips.

Skiing: Santiago is a perfect place to be based for skiing. The Cerro San Ramon mountain range has some great skiing and ski touring. Standing at 3.200m (10.498ft), there is usually excellent powder (and great views). It appeals to those who like breaking their own trails and it’s what you’d expect from Alpine ski resorts. The nearest resort is El Co-lorado and the nearby Farellones with 18 lifts and 22 runs.

Shopping

In Shopping Malls you can find everything you need, from supermarkets and department stores to restaurants and pubs as well as bookstores, pharmacies, and name brand clothing stores. They are open every day of the week from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Some of the most recommended malls are:

• Alto Las Condes

• Parque Arauco

• Costanera Center

Big supermarkets like, JUMBO in Alto Las Condes, or TO-TTUS, next to to Parque Arauco, offer a variety of interna-tional products. There is also the very well known chain of supermarkets LIDER.


26

Helpful Tips

Safety

• Always be aware of your surroundings.

• Keep your belongings close to you.

• Do not provide personal information to strangers.

• Do not take public transportation during night time, except radio-taxis.

Utilities & Technical Information:

• Voltage: 220v-ac, 50 cycles

• Plugs: Standard European Plugs

• Television Systems: VHF and UHF, local television stations and cable television. Satellite television is also available.

Dialing In/Out of Country

In Chile it is possible to choose the carrier for long distance calls every time and therefore to obtain the best rate for any destination. Long distance carriers have a prefix that must be dialed when calling long distance. You first have to dial the carrier number to make a long distant call, national or international:

• National destination (outside your current area): carrier + area + phone

• International destination: carrier + 0 + country code + area + phone

Some of the most used carrier codes are:

• 110 Claro Chile

• 111 VTR Chile

• 122 Gtd Manquehue

• 123 Entel Larga Distancia

• 181 Movistar

• 188 Telefónica CTC

Cell phone numbers have eight digits. To call from a landline to a cell phone you should only be putting the number 9 (area code) + eight digits.



27

Weights & Measurements Chart

Scan for a free Conversion appiPhone only

TemperatureoF oC130

120

110

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

-10

-20

-30

55

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

-5

-10

-15

-20

-25

-30

-35

Length1 centimeter (cm) = 10 millimeters (mm)1 inch = 2.54 centimeters (cm)1 foot = 0.305 meters (m)1 foot = 12 inches1 yard = 3 feet1 meter (m) = 100 centimeters (cm)1 meter (m) = 3.281 feet1 furlong = 660 feet1 kilometer (km) = 1000 meters (m)1 kilometer (km) = 0.62137119 miles1 mile = 5280 ft1 mile = 1.61 kilometers (km)1 nautical mile = 1.85 kilometers (km)

Area1 square foot = 144 square inches1 square foot = 929.03 square centimeters1 square yard = 9 square feet1 square meter = 10.76104 square feet1 acre = 43,560 square feet1 hectare = 10,000 square meters1 hectare ≅ = 2.47 acres1 square kilometer = 100 hectares1 square mile = 2.59 square kilometers1 square mile = 640 acres

Speed1 mile per hour (mph) = 1.467 feet per second (fps)1 mile per hour (mph) = 1.61 kilometers per hour1 knot ≅ = 1.15 miles per hour1 foot per second = 0.68 miles per hour (mph)1 kilometer per hour = 0.62 miles per hour (mph)

Volume1 US tablespoon = 3 US teaspoons1 US fluid ounce = 29.57 milliliters (ml)1 US cup = 16 US tablespoons1 US cup = 8 US fluid ounces1 US pint = 2 US cups1 US pint = 16 US fluid ounces1 liter (l) ≅ = 33.81 US fluid ounces1 liter (l) = 1000 milliliters (ml)1 US quart = 2 US pints1 US gallon = 4 US quarts1 US gallon = 3.785 liters

Weight1 milligram (mg) = 0.001 grams (g)1 gram (g) = 0.001 kilograms (kg)1 gram (g) ≅ = 0.035 ounces1 ounce = 28.3 grams (g)1 ounce = 0.0625 pounds1 pound (lb) = 16 ounces1 pound (lb) = 0.45 kilograms (kg)1 kilogram (kg) = 1000 grams1 kilogram (kg) = 35.27 ounces1 kilogram (kg) = 2.2 pounds (lb)1 stone = 14 pounds1 short ton = 2000 pounds1 metric ton = 1000 kilograms (kg)


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Notes



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Notes


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Notes



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AddressAmerico Vespucio 2050

Quilicura, Santiago, Chile

Contact Phone: + (562) 2663-6700

Email: [email protected]

www.larmgroup.com

CHILE

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