Chile Good to Know

Communications

Phone

• Public phones located on streets are very likely to be tampered or vandalized, so it's better to use a phone located inside a commerce or a station.

   
• Prepaid cards for mobile phones and landlines are sold at most newspaper kiosks, supermarkets, gas stations, pharmacies and phone dealers.

   

• Mobile GSM networks are ubiquitous in all major cities and most of the territory of central and southern Chile.

   

• A basic prepaid cellular phone usually costs about 15000 pesos, most frequently charged with 10000 pesos worth of prepaid minutes. No ID is required to buy a prepaid phone.

   

• GSM SIM cards from ENTEL, Movistar or Claro are usually available for 5000 pesos, but without credit, so you'll need to buy some prepaid minutes to be able to call.

   

• Money can be charged into a cellphone from almost any ATM using a credit or debit card and from some pharmacies (Ahumada, Cruz Verde and Salco Brand) on the counter and in cash. Also, one can charge money directly into the phone by using a credit card through an automated service operator, with directions in Spanish or English.

   

• Chilean phone numbering scheme is very simple and straight.

Internet

There are cybercafes in every major and midsize city and at all tourist destinations. Some libraries are in a program called Biblioredes, with free computers and Internet (they may be very sensitive if you plug in your camera or something like that). In some remote locations, public libraries have internet satellite connections.

Also notice if there's a Wi-Fi hotspot around. They're usually in metro stations, airports, malls, cafes, public buildings and several public spaces. (Check for the ones that say "gratis"--for free.)

Positives

If in Santiago, the city has an excellent subway system.

Negatives

A word of warning for families moving to Chile. All documents other than your passports will be rejected in Chile, unless legalized by specifically a foreign Chilean consulate/embassy before coming to Chile. No certified or notarised document will be accepted in Chile, if not done so by a Chilean consulate or embassy. They will not accept birth certificates or school transfers. All documents brought into Chile are considered legally worthless, unless you first get them legalised outside of Chile. This will be especially important if you wish to submit documents for either a temporary residency or permanent residency. For reference see
Secondly, other than Uruguay and Argentina, the cost of living in Santiago is much higher than several Latin American Countries.