Traveler Tips

Tourist visas

Is necessary to have a valid passport. For countries like Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay, Brazil, Ecuador and Colombia, only requires the identification document.

Referent Time

Winter schedule (-4h. /GMT)
Summer schedule (-3h./GMT)
Daylight Savings Time begins from the second Sunday of October to second Saturday in March.

Language

The official language is Castilian (Spanish). In the Araucania you can hear the Mapudungun, the language spoken by Mapuche, people originating from the region.
It is possible to communicate in English, French or German with people who serve as tour guides, staff travel agencies and accommodation.

Tips

Tips are voluntary, but in restaurants are appropriate to leave 10% of the account.

Electricity

The electricity is 220 volts/50Hz. Is common use of the three-pin plugs and the light bulbs are screw.

Bank, Money exchange houses and Credit Card

The official currency in Chile is the Chilean pesos.
Currency: 1,5,10,50,100,500
Note : 1.000, 2.000, 5.000, 10.000, 20.000
Banks hours: 09:00 to 14:00 from Monday to Friday.

You can change foreign currency (U.S. $ and €) in hotels, banks and exchange houses authorized.
In Chile it is easy to find ATMs in bank branches, shopping areas and service stations.
In remote rural locations is recommended to have cash because in these places the use of credit cards is not very common.
Credit cards are widely used in Chile. The most accepted is Visa, Master Card, Diners Club and American Express.
The use of travelers checks have limitations, so we recommend consulting on the establishment if they are accepted before buying or consuming.
In Pucón there is a Western Union office to send or receive money from abroad.

Health and Formalities health

Health conditions in Pucón are good. The clean water can be consumed without problem, but as precaution take bottled water.
Currently are not required vaccines or medical examinations to enter Chile.
The biggest concern should focus in a dangerous spider called a " Araña de rincón” and Hanta virus.
There are no dangerous animals, but have been observed cougars and wild boar in the mountain areas of Pucón.
In Pucón there is a hospital with general doctors and four pharmacies.

Phones and Internet

Pay phones accept coins and phone cards that are sold in kiosks and supermarkets. You can make collect calls from some public booths. In Pucón there are approximately 4 call centers. To call Pucón city is required internal area code +45 to dial in.

Emergency telephones:
Carabineers : 133  and  441196
Ambulance : 131  and  441177
Fire-fighters : 132  and  441969
International Police: 56-2-7371292
Department of Immigration and Migration: 56-2-5502400

The cellular telephony has wide coverage.
It is advisable to travel with a multiband cellular to avoid the high rates roaming. In mobile phone shops can install a chip with a new prepaid number for as long as their journey lasts.
In most of the hotels and cabins have free Wi-Fi service, but also in the city centre there are several public places that provide this service with pay-per-hour.

Weather

The Pucón city has a Mediterranean climate. The average temperatures in summer are 7°C min. and 24°C max. In winter -2°C min. and 12ºC Max.
The months of January and February are the most temperate, but not without rain. Rainfall is concentrated between April and August, months very wet and cold. So at any time of year should not forget to bring trekking shoes (waterproof shoes, warm clothing and bathing suit.

Transport, taxis and
rent car

In Pucón are frequent use provincial buses, taxis (without taximeter) and collectives, besides there are buses, tourist buses.
The bus stations are located in the center of the city and carry out daily departures to various destinations in Chile and also to some cities of Argentina. The departures to Santiago de Chile are usually from 20:00 hrs.

To rent a car is required to be 22 years old, to have international driver license and also is require credit card. Ask in the rent a car agency if you can leave the country with the car and return it elsewhere 

In Chile, the driving is by the right sector, with lights on between cities. The maximum speed of 120 km / h on highway and 50 kph in town.
Never try to bribe carabineers when they pursue an infringement.
Also there is  an airport to 4km from the city, with flights in the Boeing 737 the days Friday and Sunday, only during the months of January and February

Security

Pucón is a very safe city for travelers. Whenever there are exceptions but if you take basic precautions and use common sense, would have no problem. As a precaution leave your valuables in the safe of his hotel.

Not Forgetting

• Photo camera , batteries, adapted, pen drive
• Bathing suit  and sandals
• Impermeable, umbrella o water clothes
• Travel insurance and international health insurance
• International driver license
• Dictionary and map
• If you go to excursion without a guide, you must give notice of its itinerary to rangers or carabineer
• Carrying the name, address and telephone number of the place of accommodation