What budget to travel Chile? Money and currency

What budget for activities and outings Chile?

Chile is far from cheap, especially when compared to its Latin American neighbors! If you're coming from Peru or Bolivia, you'll be surprised by the soaring cost of your trip. Generally speaking, prices are quite cheap in the northern regions, and higher in Patagonia.

As far as museums are concerned, prices are rarely exorbitant, and sometimes they're even free, with just a small contribution on your part. Many points of interest are also free of charge, so you just need to be a little curious and take your time: a path can lead to a beautiful waterfall, a conversation with a fisherman can end up with a good fishing trip on his boat, a viewpoint can be an excellent excuse for a lunch break, a stroll along the shores of a lake can lead you to discover a secret beach... In the city as in its most remote areas, Chile is a great playground where you're sure to make some great discoveries!

The vast majority of national parks are fee-paying, with rates for national and foreign visitors, and discounts for students and children. The national parks are administered by CONAF (Corporacion Nacional Forestal), which is part of the Ministry of Agriculture. For an adult, you'll generally need to spend between $4,000 and $30,000. The Rapa Nui National Park is the most expensive in the country, costing US$80, although there is no discount for students. Guides are not required, and you can hike the trails at your leisure.

Most outdoor activities are accessible from both a practical and economic point of view, whether on your own or as part of an organized trip - nothing too complicated! Most of the time, all you have to do to enjoy the sporting and other pleasures Chile has to offer is pay the entrance fee to the park or reserve you wish to visit. The rest is up to you. You don't need to spend much to enjoy a breath of fresh air.

If, however, you've stretched your legs and are looking for a little more excitement, you should know that most of these activities can't be improvised: in Chile, and particularly in the arid Atacama Desert or Patagonia, nature can be rebellious and hostile, so you'll need to be a great connoisseur or have someone accompany you to explore its every corner! For reasons of access, equipment and safety, activities such as rafting, canyoning, climbing, glacier trekking and volcano climbing are only accessible with a guide. This is where the tour operators come in, each offering their own advantages: family tours, an intimate atmosphere, bilingual guides, ecotours... you'll need to study your wishes and conditions, but there's no doubt that you'll find what you're looking for. For certain excursions, don't hesitate to form a group with other tourists: prices are on a sliding scale, so the more people you have with you, the lower the price! For entry to the national parks, keep in mind that most prices are affordable. Rapa Nui National Park, at US$ 80, and Torres del Paine Park, at US$ 35, are the most expensive.

If you want to buy handicrafts, head to the paseos and ferias de artesanos . Generally covered, these large warehouses group together different stands and premises run by local craftsmen. This way, you will avoid manufactured products and you will favour short circuits, which benefit the local economy. However, you will have little opportunity to exercise your talents as a carpet merchant, since haggling is not practiced in Chile.

In the big cities, nightclubs and dance bars are just as common as theaters, cinemas and concert halls. For night owls, it's worth noting that most infrastructures adhere to a "Europeanized" entry system: paid entry for gentlemen and free entry for ladies on weekends. Alcoholic beverages are also more expensive in clubs than in bars, but prices remain reasonable (between 5 and 10 euros). In the more remote areas, the absence of discotheques and other party venues doesn't prevent locals from partying when they feel like it: public buildings (the equivalent of "party halls") are open to locals so they can get together and have fun. Generally, all village residents are invited, and if you're a bit curious, it's easy to find out about it: in which case, all the better, as foreigners are often gladly invited!

What budget to eat Chile?

It'seasy to cut back when it comes to eating out, as long as you're not too fussy about your diet: pizzas, hot dogs, empanadas or creamy pasta dishes - cheap food often rhymes with high calorie intake! However, you can often get by for less than 10 euros and leave with a full stomach. You should also be aware that most restaurants offer interesting and economical daily menus including starter, main course, dessert and drink. The other option is to visit a supermarket and do your own shopping, so you can prepare your own meals if your accommodation has a kitchen or if you have a van.

Upscale restaurants often offer à la carte dishes, as menus are not commonplace. Venison, wild boar, trout, salmon or crab - local products often demand a price tag, but this is still reasonable compared to the European market: expect to pay around 10 or 15 euros for a dish. In town, all forms of payment are accepted, but in more remote areas, the bill is usually paid in cash. If, however, credit cards are accepted, you'll have to pay a small additional fee. If you've bitten off more than you can chew, you should know that even if the practice is still not widespread, it's not at all frowned upon to ask for a doggy bag. It's a great way to save money for the next day's meal!

The price of drinks is significantly lower than the European market price. For alcoholic beverages, take advantage of happy hour deals where you can buy two drinks for the price of one or get up to 50% off a glass. In general, you should expect to pay $2,200 for a pint of beer (around €2.50). Some wineries offer free wine tasting.

What is the budget for accommodation Chile?

From camping to luxury hotels, ecolodges to homestays, there's no shortage of accommodation options in Chile! In recent years, the hotel offer has diversified and is sure to satisfy your every desire. If you're traveling alone, it's best to opt for youth hostels with dormitory beds; for families and groups of friends, prefer cabañas, a kind of basic but often comfortable and well-equipped bungalow. Long-haul travellers in vans or camper vans can save money on accommodation: however, don't just set up camp anywhere for the night, preferring pitches, campsites or even private plots in exchange for a small fee. You'll also find boutique-hotels that take advantage of former English- or German-inspired mansions, both in the cities and in areas closer to nature. Santiago also boasts a number of hotels belonging to major international chains.

In terms of rates, expect to pay between €30 and €60 a night in the "good and cheap" category, €70 to €130 in the "comfort and charm" category and over €150 in the "luxury" category.

Travel budget Chile and cost of living

First of all, Patagonia is more expensive than anywhere else in Chile. Indeed, Chilean Patagonia is far from cheap. Generally speaking, prices are higher on the Route Austral than in the more developed Magellanic South. But it all depends on how you travel... Finally, everywhere else, prices are more or less the same. In the northern villages, close to the Peruvian and Bolivian borders, prices are gentler and accommodation much cheaper than in the rest of the country. Here are three examples to help you plan your daily budget.

Small budgets, if well equipped, will be able to count on between $10,000 and $15,000 per person for a room (less for camping); between $3,500 and $6,000 for a menu; buses are relatively expensive on the Route Austral; hitchhiking can work, however, if your schedule is flexible. Less than $20,000 a day is pretty unrealistic... or you'll have to cut back on extras like excursions and guided tours: don't panic, though, as many hiking, walking and other options are free: yes, nature, thank goodness, remains accessible to all.

For the mid-range budget, expect to pay between $15,000 and $35,000 per person for accommodation, with meals costing between $5,000 and $10,000; outings, excursions and transportation must be added on. Expect to pay between $30,000 and $50,000 per person per day.

Bigger budgets can expect to pay between $50,000 and $90,000 per person for accommodation; between $10,000 and $20,000 per meal; and can easily do without buses and opt for air travel (although this is much more expensive and not always justified). Don't count on less than $60,000 to $80,000 per person per day, especially if you want to indulge in excursions, outings and restaurants.