Conference Venue
Universidad de Chile
More details will be announced in due time.
Visit the Universidad de Chile website.
About Chile
The first thing you will notice arriving in Chile will be the two natural barriers, the majestic Andes Mountains to the east and the grand Pacific Ocean to the west. This makes the country rather isolated, but very rich in its culture.
As it is a very long and thin country, you can find different types of climates from the desert in the north, passing through the jungle, to the arctic in the south. This provides a vast array of products, diverse types of cattle, and, as the floor is very rich in nutrients. All this have made Chile famous by its food, like seafood, wines and the exportation of different fruits.
The largest economic activity is copper exports, and both domestic and international companies have found in Chile a good place to invest. Its political and economic stability have provided a good base for business deals, and for constant immigration.
The national Currency
In Chile the national currency is the Peso. In the following webpage you will find the actualized price of the dollar in Chilean pesos.
http://www.valor-dolar.cl/
To exchange money it is better to use official money exchange institutions, such as banks and official currency exchange houses or just ATM machines.
It is unlikely that foreign currency will be accepted, except at some hotels, so it is important to have enough cash in Chilean currency. However, most places accept credit cards such as Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express.
Throughout the city you will find a lot of ATM machines, which dispense Chilean pesos the whole day to card holders of most major international networks (including Cirrus, Plus, and Maestro). This machines can be found not only in banks, but also may stores and shopping malls, gas stations, and pharmacies.
The Value-added TAX (VAT) in Chile is 19% and is normally included in the price of goods.
Tipping is customary in all restaurants and is usually about 10% of the whole amount of the check. Tips to taxi drivers is not mandatory.
Visa
Arriving to Santiago
After getting your plane ticket, it is important to check that your passport or identity card has not expired.
If your nationality is from the following countries you can travel with your national id card:
- Argentina
- Brasil
- Paraguay
- Uruguay
- Peru
- Colombia
- Ecuador
The rest of the countries are required to present their passports with a visa for people staying more than 30 days.
For more information you can visit the following site:
http://chileabroad.gov.cl/en/consulados/tramites/para-extranjeros/obtencion-visas
Reprocity fee
Due to a reciprocity system, the Chilean Government levies special tax which has to be paid in cash (American dollars) when entering the country before immigration officer. Participants holding passports from the following countries have to pay taxes before entering the country:
Australia US$ 117
Mexico US$ 23
Customs
International travelers have to pass for the Chilean customs before leaving the airport. Foreign tourist are unlikely to have any customs problems if they travel with their personal articles only. However, travelers cannot enter the country with:
Fruits vegetables, seeds or unprocessed goods of animal origin.
Firearms, ammunition or explosives.
Illegal drugs.
Useful note: animal products and vegetables can only be allowed to enter the country with prior authorization from the Agricultural and Livestock Service of Chile
About Santiago
Santiago is the Chilean capital, it was founded by the Spanish colonizers in 1541, and since then has been through major transformation but always maintaining its natural essence.
Now, it is emerging as one of the most recommended cities for tourism, conventions and business trips in South America. It is a city of syncopated cultural currents, with a vivid nightlife, expansive museums and top-flight restaurants.
The center of the city it’s proof of the history of the country. The history, artistic and civic tradition are spread throughout its museums, art galleries, and artisan centers. The multiple university campuses within the city confirm its leadership as a major seat of higher education in the country.
Santiago lies in the heart of the Central Valley, nestled between the Coastal Mountain Range and the high Andes mountains, home to the many fertile farms with agriculture crops and vineyards that are the base of internationally renowned Chilean wine production. In the Andes Mountains you will find various ski centers as Valle nevado, la Parva or El Colorado.
Santiago is also the capital of the Metropolitan Region, which extends over an area of 6 provinces ranging from the heart of the city to the mountains and valleys that are bathed by the rivers that give rise to pleasure and recreation for its visitors. A must- see experience in the outskirts of the city of Santiago is the famous wine tour that allows tourists to visit famous vineyards located in the outskirts of the city. Other popular tours include the Cajón Del Maipo and Pomaire.
The Cajon de Maipo is a beautiful Andean valley, ideal for spending a quiet and relaxing day or weekend out of the city , whereas Pomaire boasts some of the finest hand crafted pottery and other handicrafts , as well as being a center of traditional gastronomy, including local dishes such as “empanadas” or “pastel de choclo” (corn pie).
Weather in Santiago is hot during summer, up to 35 degrees Celsius (but dry) and cool and rainy during winter, down to -2 degrees Celsius.
Transportation
Getting through Santiago is quite easy due to new apps available for iOS and Android, we strongly recommend downloading waze or a similar app upon your arriving.
Renting a Car: Arriving to Santiago you may want to rent a car, there is a wide amount of companies to do so such as Hertz (link) and Autoeurope (link). Renting a car will give you independence, but you won’t be able to avoid traffic jams nor find parking easily.
Taxi: taxis are a good way to get from place to place. In Santiago taxis work with taximeter that charge per minute or per distance. They are mostly safe but to be sure there and get a taxi in late hours at night you can download two apps easy taxi (link) and safer taxi (link)
Metro ad buses: Santiago’s public transportation is based in the coordination of the bus and subway systems. To become a user you will need to buy an intelligent card available in every subway station office. This card is valid in both buses and subway. For more information remember to visit the following link: http://www.transantiago.cl/
Eating
Chile has a various range of restaurants for every taste, at a various range of prices. Some typical restaurants are La Fuente Alemana which is famous for its sandwiches, and el Bar Nacional. Also near the center of Santiago you will find our famous picadas that consist in small fast restaurants that serve various kind of foods. These are very cheap and we recommend having lunch in one of these.
For more elaborate food you can go to barrio bellavista or to boulevards such as the one in Parque Arauco. Also as the conference venue is in Universidad Católica we strongly recommend having dinner and going to Barrio Lastarria. Finally you can visit Isidora Goyenechea to find international and good restaurants open until late at night.
For more information don’t forget to download foursquare or visit trip advisor
Near Santiago
While visiting Santiago, there a lot of weekend or day trips you can do only 2 hours away of the city.
Valparaiso
Valparaiso is the main port city of the country. It is famous for its hills and culture, but also for accommodating the National Congress of the country. Here you will find a lot of nightlife, especially in the areas surrounding the Casino.
Getting there takes less than two hours from Santiago and accommodations and city tours are easy to find.
Vineyards
Chile is famous worldwide for its quality wine, so visiting the country is a great opportunity to learn about the vineyards and what makes Chilean wine the best one.
Discover interesting places around Santiago City
http://www.cajondelmaipo.com/restaurant.php
Visit Valparaíso Port, Great Pacific Oceans:
http://www.viajeros.com/destinos/valparaiso/3-que-hacer/
Come to know Central Valle of Chile, visit Pomaire Town or La Campana National Park:
http://chile.travel/donde-ir/santiago-y-alrededores/atractivos-del-valle-central/pomaire/
Others attractions like vineyard. Chilean Wine route in the Casablanca o Colchagua Valley
http://rutadelvinodecasablanca.cl/
Bafi Conference 2020