Common menu bar links
|
Last Updated:
November 15, 2007 10:50
EST
Still Valid: November 15, 2007 23:13 EST |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
1. RECENT UPDATES Section 1 has been updated (Current Issue added). For information on the earthquake that occurred in northern Chile on November 14, 2007, see our Current Issue. BACK TO TOP 2. WARNINGS AND RECOMMENDATIONS There is no Official Warning for this country. Chile
Travel within Chile is generally safe. Demonstrations occasionally occur, primarily in Santiago. As a precautionary measure, Canadians in or traveling to Chile should monitor local news reports and avoid large crowds and demonstrations. Demarcated landmine fields are a danger in remote areas of the northern regions of Arica-Parinacota, Tarapaca and Antofagasta, near the border with Peru, and in the southern regions of Magallanes and Antartica, near the border with Argentina. Landmines fields are also found in remote sections of several popular national parks, including Lauca and Llullaillaco national parks, the Salar de Surire National Monument, and the Los Flamencos National Reserve. Visitors should check with park authorities or local authorities before entering less-travelled areas and observe all warning signs. OFFICIAL REGISTRATION RECOMMENDATION: We offer a registration service for all Canadians travelling or living abroad. This service is provided so that we can contact and assist you in an emergency in a foreign country, such as a natural disaster or civil unrest, or inform you of a family emergency at home. Registration can be done on-line or by contacting a Canadian government office abroad. For more information, see our FAQs on Registration of Canadians Abroad. BACK TO TOP 3. SAFETY AND SECURITY The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. The traveller is also responsible for his or her own personal safety. The purpose of this Travel Report is to provide Canadians with up-to-date information to enable them to make well-informed decisions. Petty crime, such as pickpocketing and purse snatching, has increased since the beginning of 2007 in urban centres, particularly in Santiago, Concepción, Villarrica, and Viña del Mar. Thieves are active in crowded tourist locations, markets, metro (subway) stations, trains, buses and taxis. Daylight muggings have been reported in the Cerro San Cristóbal park, which should be avoided after dark. Robberies and assaults occur most frequently in Viña del Mar and Valparaíso, especially during summer (December to March). The poorer residential areas called Poblaciones should be avoided. It is recommended to exercise normal security precautions. Ensure personal belongings, passports and other travel documents are secure at all times and avoid carrying large sums of cash. Do not show signs of affluence. It is recommended to carry a photocopy of your passport. In case of emergency, dial 133 for police, and 132 for the fire department. BACK TO TOP 4. ENTRY/EXIT REQUIREMENTS The following information on entry and exit requirements has been confirmed with the Chilean authorities and was valid on March 29, 2007. However, entry and exit requirements are subject to change. It is the sole prerogative of each country to determine who is allowed to enter. All countries have special requirements for persons intending to reside for extended periods (usually more than 90 days) or who plan to work, study, or engage in non-tourist activities. To obtain information on specific entry requirements, contact the nearest diplomatic or consular office of the country or countries to be visited. Violations of entry and exit requirements may result in serious penalties. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada’s Office of Protocol provides contact details for the Embassy of the Republic of Chile and its consulates, where you can obtain further information on entry and exit requirements. A valid Canadian passport is required for Canadians intending to visit Chile. Canadians must be in possession of a tourist card (provided by the airlines). Tourist Visa: Not required Business Visa: Not required Student Visa: Required Working Visa: Required Temporary Resident Visa: Required Although Canadians do not need a visa to visit Chile, all travellers are given a tourist card (valid for a maximum period of 90 days) upon arrival. The tourist card must be presented prior to departure. Failure to produce this document may result in delays until a replacement card is obtained. Travellers involved in outdoor expeditions such as trekking tours, amateur film activity, mountain bike riding, and car competitions do not require a permit from the Dirección Nacional de Fronteras y Limites del Estado (DIFROL). However, foreigners engaged in the planning of scientific, technical and/or mountaineering activities in Chilean frontier zones must obtain an expedition permit from DIFROL. As well, people wishing to visit national, archaeological and/or historical monuments located in frontier zones require due authorization from the Chilean Consejo de Monumentos Nacionales through the Chilean Embassy in Canada before leaving Canada. For additional information, travellers should contact DIFROL (Website in Spanish only). Upon arrival by air, Canadian visitors to Chile are required to pay a reciprocity fee of US$132. Upon payment, cash, credit card or travellers cheques, a receipt will be stapled at the back of passport and is valid for the duration of the passport. This entry fee is not the same as a visa requirement. Most Canadians still do not need a visa to visit Chile. This fee does not apply to Canadians in Chile on work permits or for the purpose of studying, as they are still required to apply in advance for Chilean visas. It also does not apply to holders of Canadian diplomatic or special passports, who require Chilean visas. A departure tax of 5000 Chilean pesos (CLP) is charged for internal travel. For international destinations, a travellers tax of US$30 is charged. The tax is usually included in the price of the airfare ticket. Canadians under the age of 18 (minors) travelling to Chile alone need a letter of consent from both parents to enter and leave Chile. Minors entering Chile with only one parent need written authorization from the other parent to enter and leave Chile. This authorization is done at a Chilean embassy or consulate. Canadians under the age of 18 who are residents of Chile, departing alone or with only one parent, are required to present a notarized authorization from both parents (if travelling alone) or from the parent remaining in the country (if travelling with only one parent). A Certificate of Canadian Citizenship (CCC) is not a travel document. Airlines are known to refuse boarding to dual national Canadian passengers returning to Canada, travelling on a passport that requires a visa to enter Canada, regardless of whether the passenger presents a valid CCC as proof of Canadian citizenship. A Canadian passport is the only reliable and universally accepted travel and identification document for the purpose of international travel. It proves your admissibility to enter Canada. Selling, altering, or allowing another person to use your passport is a criminal offence. It could lead to the laying of charges and imprisonment if convicted. It could also lead to the denial of future passport services. Special and diplomatic passport holders should verify visa requirements for this and other countries, as they may differ from those that apply to regular passport holders. Although same-sex marriages are legal in Canada, many countries do not recognize them. Attempting to enter as a same-sex married couple may result in refusal by local officials. For more information, contact the foreign government office accredited to Canada. BACK TO TOP 5. CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following addresses: Chile - SANTIAGO, Embassy of Canada Address: Nueva Tajamar 481, Torre Norte, 12th Floor, Las Condes, Santiago Postal Address: P.O. Box Casilla 139, Correo 10, Tel.: 56 (2) 652-3800 Fax: 56 (2) 652-3916 E-Mail: stago@international.gc.ca Internet: http://www.santiago.gc.ca Chile - ANTOFAGASTA, Consulate of Canada Address: Jose Toribio Medina 146, apt. 601, Antofagasta Tel.: 56 (55) 24-7652 Fax: 56 (2) 652-3916 E-Mail: ca.consul.antofa@emol.com Chile - CONCEPCIÓN, Consulate of Canada Address: Caupolicán 245, Chiguayante, Concepción Postal Address: P.O. Box Casilla 425, Concepción, Tel.: 56 (41) 236-97-05 Fax: 56 (41) 236-81-85 E-Mail: ca.consul.concep@emol.com For emergency assistance after hours, call the Embassy of Canada in Santiago and follow the instructions. You may also reach the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa by calling collect at 613-996-8885. BACK TO TOP 6. LOCAL LAWS AND CUSTOMS You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons. Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request. The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare. Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines. BACK TO TOP 7. LOCAL TRAVEL AND CURRENCY Driving standards are poor. Accident rates, particularly in Santiago, are high. Keep windows closed and doors locked at all times. Major highways are mostly toll roads. Drivers should ensure they carry sufficient local currency to pay the tolls. Do not venture off major highways with basic or small rental vehicles. Secondary roads are sometimes poorly maintained and/or poorly lit. Driving on mountain roads can be dangerous due to the lack of guardrails. Police (Carabineros) presence is very visible on highways. Have vehicle documentation ready. Those intending to travel outside the country in a rental vehicle should ensure they have written authorization from the agency. The authorization must be requested from the car rental company at least three to five days before the trip, and a processing fee applies. If using a private vehicle, the owner must also provide the driver with proper authorization. Traffic congestion in downtown Santiago is common during peak hours. Certain major arteries alternate traffic direction during morning and evening rush hours. For up-to-date information, contact the traffic police (Carabineros) at 139. For maps, you may contact the Chilean Automobile Association (Automóvil Club de Chile), Las Tranqueras 1753, Vitacura, Santiago, Chile (country and area codes: 56-2/ tel.: 431-1000/ Web site: www.automovilclub.cl). Taxis can be booked and prepaid at the airport. Major hotels will arrange to meet travellers upon arrival. Shuttle minibuses are also available. Taxis are plentiful and inexpensive. Agree to a fare before embarking. Taxis with illuminated signs indicating their destination are "collective" taxis. These follow a fixed route and are shared by up to five passengers. To combat high levels of pollution in winter (June to September), restrictions on driving in central Santiago (within the ring road) are imposed. The last digit of the licence plate number determines which days of the month a vehicle cannot be driven. These lists are published in newspapers. Temporary bans may be imposed on up to 60 percent of city traffic when levels of pollution are extremely high. An International Driving Permit (IDP) is required. The currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Contrary to the Canadian dollar, the U.S. dollar (US$) can easily be exchanged across the country. Purchases in U.S. dollars can only be done in certain stores in Santiago. Credit cards are usually accepted in hotels and restaurants in major tourist and business destinations, but they are often not accepted in locally owned small hotels and restaurants, including in Santiago. Travellers should carry traveller's cheques in U.S. currency for convenience. ATMs are becoming more common. Canadian currency and traveller's cheques are not widely accepted worldwide. Check with your bank for information on Automated Banking Machine ( BACK TO TOP 8. NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE Flooding is frequent during autumn and winter (particularly between May and August), mainly as a result of heavy rains and overloaded sewage systems. This often results in traffic jams. In some parts of the country, river levels can increase substantially following a short period of heavy rain. The resulting flooding can seriously damage property and cause injuries and deaths. Travellers should avoid riverside accommodations and be aware that dry riverbeds swell rapidly, particularly in central and southern Chile. Chile is located in an active seismic region, prone to the risk of landslides, tsunamis or volcanic eruptions. Since January 2007, the region of Patagonia has experienced several tremors of varied intensity. While there is no indication of an upcoming significant earthquake, Canadians in Chile should pay careful attention to public alerts, which are posted by local authorities as soon as significant activity is evident. They should know the address and telephone number of the Embassy of Canada in Santiago or the Consulates of Canada in Concepción and Antofagasta (see section 5 above) in the event of an emergency. BACK TO TOP 9. TRAVEL MEDICINE PROGRAM The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Medicine Program Web site. The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date. Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage. The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada. BACK TO TOP 10. ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION Santiago has one of the highest pollution levels in South America. Heavy smog can pose serious health hazards from May through August. The most severe pollution occurs from May to October. BACK TO TOP 11. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION Returning to Canada Traveller's Checklist Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes. See Canada's Health Portal. Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller. Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child from another country, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government. BACK TO TOP 12. ANNEX N/A BACK TO TOP |
||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
