Scenset's Guide to Chile

Chile has a wonderful and celebrated film industry that explores Chilean history and the human connection.

A few of our favourites we recommend you watch before you go or during your flight are:

• Machuca, nominated for Best Iberoamerican Film at the Ariel Awards in 2005, explores the human stories behind the dictatorship of General Pinochet. Set in the months leading up to the dictatorship, the movie follows the friendship of two boys from different social classes and how their lives are affected.
  
• No follows the true story of how a marketing campaign helped put an end to the war. This Oscar-nominated film gained a lot of attention around the world when it was released in 2012, in part for the decision to shoot the movie using three-quarter-inch Sony U-matic magnetic tape, adding an authentic 80s’ look to the film.
  
• Gloria follows a woman who finds herself single again at the age of 58 and decided to live big. Chilean actress, Paulina Garcia, won the award for Best Actress at the Berlin International Film Festival for her role in this film. An interesting look at the ups and downs of life.
  
• Nostalgia de la Luz is a highly-acclaimed documentary about the Atacama Desert that weaves together memory, the legacy of humanity, and the search for answers in the cosmos.

Here are a few of our favourite books by Chilean authors or unique books set in Chile to help get you into the rhythm:

• Curfew by José Donoso, offers an authentic and detailed look at the Chilean military dictatorship in 1985. Set over the course of just 24 hours, starting immediately after the death of Matilde Neruda, the reader is left with a detailed look at life in Santiago during this complicated moment of Chile’s history - click here for more information.
  
• Seeing Red by Lina Meruane, written by one of Chile’s leading female authors, mixes autobiography and fiction to explore the limitations of the body and human relationships with an unsettling exploration of the inner life of a Chilean woman who finds herself going blind in a new city - click here for more information.
  
• My Tender Matador by Pedro Lemebel, written by Chile’s most prolific queer novelist, gives its readers a unique perspective on life in Santiago during the transformative mid-eighties where a Santiago working-class barrio, the gay and aging Queen of the Corner; offers up his home to the young, attractive Carlos to use as a gathering space for the resistance - click here for more information
  
• Across Patagonia by Lady Florence Dixie is a travel memoir exploring the untamed south of Chile between 1978 and 1979, a time when Patagonia was an almost unexplored wilderness. Tired of life in England, Lady Florence Dixie set sail for South America with her husband and two of her brothers, looking for adventure - click here for more information.

We have designed some great playlists for you to enjoy during your trip through Chile!

• Chile is a great selection of Chilean artists who are making waves in the music industry.
  
• Campfire Chill is perfect for nights under the stars (especially in the Atacama).
  
• Summer Chill is a great soundtrack for your trip in the sun.

A few Spanish phrases to try during your trip are:

• Hello: ¡Hola! (oh-lah)
  
• Good morning: ¡Buenos días! (bweh-nos dee-ahs)
  
• Good afternoon: ¡Buenas tardes! (bweh-nahs tar-dehs)
  
• Good evening: ¡Buenas noches! (bweh-nahs noh-chehs)
  
• Goodbye: ¡Adiós! (a-dyos)
  
• Thank you: Gracias (grah-thee-ahs)
  
• Please: ¡Por favor! (pohr fah-vohr)
  
• How are you?: ¿Cómo estás? (ko-mo es-tas)
  
• Good, thank you!: ¡Bien, gracias! (bee-ehn gra-thee-as)
  
• Please!: ¡Por favor! (pohr fah-vohr)
  
• No problem: De nada (de-na-da)<br>
• Sorry: Perdón (per-dohn)
  
• What is your name?: ¿Cómo te llamas? (coh-moh teh yah-mah)
  
• My name is...: Me llamo... (meh yah-moh)
  
• Yes: Si (sea)
  
• No: No (with a shorter o sound)
  
• Cheers!: ¡Salud! (sah-LOO)

For your trip, we recommend bringing the following:

• A warm and windproof jacket; those made from Gore-Tex and polar fleece are ideal.
  
• Walking/hiking shoes (not new!) and plenty of warm, knee-high socks.
  
• Gloves, hat and/or earmuffs to protect your ears from the wind.
  
• Warm jacket, trekking trousers, sweater, and fleece.
  
• Bring layers with you (especially for Patagonia).
  
• Sun cream, sun hat, lip balm and sunglasses.
  
• Swimsuit, for the pools and sauna in the spa at all properties.
  
• A modest outfit if you are visiting churches or holy sites that cover the top of your legs, chest, shoulders and top of your arms.
  
• Semi-casual clothes for eating out.
  
• Semi-formal clothes if you're eating out at a fine dining restaurant; it's always nice to dress up when on holiday!
  
• Binoculars for wildlife-watching and camera equipment for capturing your surroundings (if you have them).
  
• Day-pack for excursions.
  
• An adapter.
  
• A power bank to keep your phone charged for all those great pictures!

In Chile you will find plug and socket types C and L.

We recommend bringing a travel adapter that has multiple specifications so you're always prepared.

Hotels may have adapters you can use, but they may not always be available or working, so it's best to have your own.

Here are some tips on health, safety and general rules to be aware of:

Security

• Dial 133 and ask for the police if you have an emergency.
  
• It's important to remember that, like all major global cities, pickpockets operate in highly populated areas; especially areas frequented by tourists.
  
• It is highly recommended not to bring or wear valuable or sentimental jewellery, watches or items with you that you do not wish to lose or have stolen.
  
• While most visitors do not have any issues whatsoever when visiting, it's always good to be aware of your surroundings and your personal items.

Health

• Dial 131 if you have a medical emergency and ask for an ambulance.
  
• If you are under special medical treatment, you are advised to take enough medicines with you to cover your trip and any delays, as it is a high possibility that you may not find the same medicine in Chile.
  
• There is only one hospital on Easter Island and its facilities are limited. Those suffering from serious illnesses or injuries are taken by air ambulance to mainland Chile for treatment. Make sure your travel insurance covers this.
  
• Ensure you have travel insurance with you that covers medical, if you are not already covered by your supplier.

Local laws

• Consumption of alcoholic beverages is forbidden in streets, roads, squares, promenades and other places of public use.

Natural Disasters

• Chile is frequently affected by severe forest fires. These can be highly destructive and spread rapidly, causing National Park and road closures; this could affect your travel itinerary with short notice.
  
• Serious earthquakes are always a possibility in Chile. You should familiarise yourself with safety procedures in the event of an earthquake or tsunami, and take note of instructions in hotel rooms. Building regulations require new structures to take account of seismic risks.
  
• Volcano eruptions are also a possibility in Chile - follow advice here.

Tipping is discretionary in Chile and is seen as a reward for good service.

Tips should be in Chilean Pesos . If you do leave tips in US dollars (bills only) in a hotel, make sure the bills are unmarked and undamaged.

In 2014 a law was passed so that restaurants, bars, coffee shops and the like should include a suggested tip/service charge which must be at least 10% of the total. This may be disputed if one feels the service was not up to it.

If you want to tip in a restaurant using your credit card, just inform the server when they bring the credit card machine how much you want to pay.

Our guideline for tipping is:

• Restaurants: 10-15%
  
• Guides: $25-50 CLP per day
  
• Drivers: $20-40 CLP per day
  
• Hotels | Housekeeping: $1-2 CLP per day
  
• Hotels | Porters: $1-2 CLP per bag

• In Chile, the local currency is the Chilean Peso, referred to as CLP and identified using the $ sign.
  
• One peso is technically divided into 100 centavos, but due to inflation centavos are practically obsolete.
  
• We recommend a mix of cash and card, as you may not be able to pay with your card everywhere. A Revolut card is a fantastic way to keep local currency on you with a card payment (to avoid transaction fees), but it's important to always have some cash money on you when traveling to rural areas.

A few fantastic local favourites we love in Chile are:

• Empanadas are one of the most beloved foods in Chile, they are pastries made from fried or baked dough, usually filled with either cheese, seafood or a mixture called pino that consists of ground beef, olive, egg and onion.
  
• Humitas are prepared similarly to a Mexican tamale but they are known for their sweetness, not spice. You’ll find that humitas are often sold at corner stores, though sometimes street vendors will sell them from their coolers.
  
• Mote con huesillos is a syrupy traditional drink made with a mote (a kind of peach nectar), dried peaches and huesillos – husked wheat. Treat yourself to a cold mote con huesillos as you take in the view atop either the San Cristóbal Hill or Santa Lucía Hill in Santiago, which is where this drink is often found.
  
• Completo’s are Chile’s version of the hot dog and are one of the most beloved Chilean foods. A typical completo is served with sausage, chopped tomato, mayonnaise and sauerkraut. The completo Italiano is also quite popular, and comes with chopped tomatoes, mashed avocado and mayonnaise.
  
• Sopaipilla is a traditional fried pumpkin flatbred that can be served with either hot sauce or in a bowl covered with a molasses-style sauce!
  
• Pastel de choclo blends the ingredients for Spanish empanadas and indigenous Andean dish humitas. Pastel de choclo is a sweet and savory corn pudding dish typically cooked and served in a clay bowl.
  
• Lomo a la pobre, also known as lo Pobre lunch, is a typical Chilean dish that is famous for being tasty, practical and, most importantly; inexpensive! It is typically a filet mignon (a cut of meat) or sirloin steak, served with fried eggs, onions (always fried) and french fries - delicious!
  
• Seafood is also very popular in Chile. We recommend the Ceviche - typically prepared with the abundant halibut that flourishes in the Pacific. Au gratin clams (also known as Pink clams or surf clams) is another Chilean speciality.

Chile is the most important provider of South American wines to the export markets of the world. Here are some of our top tips on wine tasting in Chile:

• 90% of the wine is produced in the Central Valley region which has an ideal climate for Bordeaux varieties (temps somewhere between Napa Valley and Bordeaux).
  
• Merlot and Cabernet Sauvignon are used for varietal wines and Bordeaux-style blends. Most of what is sold as Merlot is actually the Bordeaux variety Carmenère – the speciality wine of Chile – which produces elegant, velvety reds.
  
• In the Casablanca region, the cool, maritime climate and morning fogs produce Pinot Noirs that resemble Carneros, California. (So if you like cool, climate Pinot Noir; look for these!)
  
• For white wines you will find Chardonnay (fruit-forward, sometimes with oak treatment) and Sauvignon Blanc.
  
• Don't forget to try Chile's local brandy, pisco - distilled from grapes and often mixed into a deliciously refreshing cocktail with lemon juice, simple syrup and egg white (for froth!) – the Pisco Sour.

Watch Chilean chef, Victoria Blamey, Executive Chef at Gotham Bar and Grill in New York City, make her oven-baked Chilean empanadas whilst talking about life in Chile, culinary influences and National Day - enjoy!

• Victoria Blamey's Chilean Empanadas.

The Chile Tourism Board has some great authentic recipes you can try!

• Click here.