CHILE GUIDE
We made this guide to help make your decision to come to Chile and be part of the Exosphere
family as easy as possible. Using this guide will help you get a better idea of the road ahead and
what to expect during your stay in Chile. Don’t worry, we’ll be there with you every step of the
way, but it helps to have an overview so you can have a good plan of action.
First things first, do not get bogged down with too many details the very first time you
read this guide. Treat this guide as the Yellow Pages, where you can look up certain
information as you need it.
We will mark the most important information with this symbol ->
We’re ecstatic to meet you in person very soon!
Ready? ¡Vamos!
Exosphere calls Chile its home
for a variety of reasons. First of all, Chile is a very
interesting country from a cultural, economic and entrepreneurial stand-point. Today Chile is
one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations, a recognized middle power, and an
emerging economy. It leads Latin American nations in human development, competitiveness,
income per capita, globalization, state of peace, economic freedom, and low perception of
corruption.
For example, Chile has had more than twenty years of sustained growth with an annual GDP of
at least 6%. This makes Chile one of the most developed countries in the Americas. The country
also boasts of one the lowest unemployment rates in the world, while simultaneously offering
lower living expenses than the United States or Europe. Furthermore, Chile holds the record for
the country with most free-trade bilateral agreements in the world, showing its exceptional ties
with the world’s nations
Culturally, Chile is growing by leaps and bounds. Once an isolated strip of land surrounded by
the Andes and the Pacific Ocean, it is now a major global power with a vibrant society that
increasingly attracts tourist from around the world. An entrepreneurial spirit surges
throughout the country that can be felt as far as the Silicon Valley. There is an emerging middle
class that supports the economy and a stable birth-rate that contributes to the fortification of
its future. Additionally, Chile has a burgeoning bilingual population and exponentially growing
foreign investments.
But most importantly, we at Exosphere believe in the rising potential that Latin America holds
for this century. Although all four co-founders of Exosphere hail from four different continents,
each individual has chosen Chile as their new home at varying points within the past few years.
Each co-founder has their own reasons to come to Chile and as we add more members to our
growing family, they all bring their own Chile stories as well. Nevertheless, the common thread
in all these stories has been an interest in education reform through entrepreneurship.
VALLE DE LA LUNA
PUNTA DE LOBOS
Chile is one of South America’s most stable and prosperous nations. Chile
boasts over twenty years of political stability and lower crime rates than
almost every metropolitan area in the United States. The Chilean
government is very supportive of entrepreneurship and innovation.
Initiatives like Start-Up Chile seek to attract early stage, high-potential
entrepreneurs to bootstrap their startups in Chile. The government has
already invested over $20 million USDs in support of this program. Flexible
and inviting immigration policies also make Chile a favorable destination
for entrepreneurs, quickly transforming the nation into the innovation and
entrepreneurial hub of Latin America.
Its unique shape and surrounding landscape has resulted in diverse climate
conditions, ranging from the world’s driest desert in the north, to a
Mediterranean climate in the center, and an oceanic climate in the east and
south. This combined with one of the biggest temperate jungles in the
world, make Chile a geographical treasure. Additionally, Chile has a
thriving agricultural industry as well as a robust mining industry with
expertise in energy, innovation, potable water, and logistics. Moreover, this
area holds many famous observatories for development of private space
companies.
Finally, Chile offers a very affordable, yet high standard of living. With
living costs as low as $1000 USDs per month, high-end infrastructure and
support networks become readily accessible to motivated entrepreneurs
who would rather focus their monetary resources on their projects.
TORRES DEL PAINE
FLIGHT
Flights to Santiago, Chile depart frequently from destinations all around the globe. Viña
del Mar is only a short bus ride away from Santiago. Here are some tips and resources to
help with your travel accommodations:
Average airfare from the United States:
$800 USD (one-way); $1500 USD (roundtrip)
Flight Search Sites:
Skyscanner
Kayak
Student Universe (great discounts of students with valid .edu email address)
Information about Santiago’s Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport:
Code: SCL
Time Zone: GMT/UTC - 04:00 hour
VISA
Getting a visa for Chile is extremely easy. Most of you will be arriving on a tourist visa. A typical
tourist visa is valid for 3 months, which can be easily extended for another 3 months for a fee of
$100.00 USD.
Citizens of the USA, the UK, Spain, Italy, Germany, France, Japan, and Australia can travel to
Chile visa-free. For a comprehensive list of the countries that are on Chile’s visa-free program
visit this link -> http://bit.ly/112YTTZ
Citizens of USA, Canada, Mexico, and Australia must pay a reciprocity fee upon arrival. This fee is
around $175-$200 USDs.
VISA
If your country of citizenship requires a visa, do not worry.
Getting a tourist visa for Chile is a simple process for all countries.
The following is a list of documents that you will need:
Filled out and signed application form
(found at the Chilean Consulate website for your country).
Passport sized photographs (2 to 3 depending on your local consulate’s requirements).
A passport with at least 6 months of validity from the date of planned arrival.
A proof of return flight ticket out of Chile.
A bank statement showing sufficient funds for your stay in Chile.
(Approximately $1000.00 USDs per month).
An invitation letter from Exosphere.
Address of hotel reservation or a person you know in Chile
(Exosphere will provide this info as well).
And that’s it! Send the packet to the consulate and expect to get your visa in the mail
(or person, depending on your country’s laws) within 2-3 weeks.
Plan your visa application at least 60-90 days before your date of departure.
ARRIVING IN VIÑA DEL MAR
Upon arriving in Viña del Mar
Take a deep breath. You made it! You’re now in a brand new continent and in one of the most
beautiful countries on the planet.
Little nervous? Don’t be. You’ve just arrived to the Garden City of Viña del Mar. Be prepared to
practice your spanish while enjoying the ocean sounds of this coastal city.
Welcome to Chile! Or as we say it here, ¡Bienvenido a Chile!
WEEK #0: PREP
It is important to be prepared for the first week as it will be the busiest and most exciting.
A new country, new culture, new people, new food, and new language combined with keeping
everyone at home informed can create a recipe for a very busy Facebook updating schedule. But
all jokes aside, here are some good tips:
Accommodation for week #0:
If you did not select Exosphere’s housing included package, you will be responsible for securing
your own housing accomodation (entrepreneur-style). Here are some popular search engines to
help you get started:
AirBnB: Slightly more expensive but very easy and reliable.
Portalinmobiliario: Popular site for houses and apartments used by chileans.
Facebook: There are many groups that advertise housing accomodations!
CONNECTIVITY
Cellphone:
Chile has excellent cellphone connectivity. iPhones, Androids, and other smartphones work
perfectly fine with the 3G bandwidth throughout the country. If you are using your
cellphone from home, then you may need to unlock your phone from your wireless provider.
Otherwise, it is possible to get a cheap prepaid cellphone for as low as $10 USD.
WiFi:
Entire Exosphere HQ is wired with fibre-optic, high-speed, dedicated WiFi. Outside
Exosphere, many cafes and restaurants provide free WiFi.
TRANSPORT: METRO
Fun tip: If you recharge for an amount of $3.000 CLP (approx. $6 USD) or more, your receipt can
be used to redeem great discounts for many events around the city: exhibitions, concerts, plays,
and much more at http://www.metro.cl/.
Remember that no cash
is accepted on the Micros or Metros.
BIP! CARD
TRANSPORT: MICRO
Google Maps:
Find directions and use the “public transport” option to get a detailed
itinerary to your destination (routes include both Metros and Micros).
Cuánto Falta: If you ever get tired of waiting for the Micro, this handy app will help you find
out how much longer until the next Micro.
Finally, both the Metro and Micro accept only one method of payment - via Tarjeta BIP (or BIP
Card). You can scan the BIP Card at the entrance of any Micro or the turn-styles of the Metro
stations. You can recharge your BIP Card at any Metro station ticket-counter or authorized
stores around the city.
COST OF LIVING
We recommend all new members budget approximately $800 USDs per month as living
expenses in Viña del Mar. Some will spend less, some slightly more. But eight hundred dollars is
a good amount to live comfortably; this includes rent, utilities, food, leisure activities,
entertainment, light travel, etc.
For more details and a breakdown of the cost of living in Viña del Mar, Chile, please visit the
following link:
http://goo.gl/PtoluL
(Cost of Living in Viña del Mar via Numbeo)
CULTURE
Social Climate: When integrating yourself into the local community, keep in mind that Chileans
are generally very curious, patriotic, hospitable, generous and sociable. The following are some
social norms you can expect:
Family-Centered: Chilean families are very close knit. Chileans enjoy group gatherings, for
example BBQs or birthday parties, to which both friends and family members are invited. Family
members often live near one another, come over for tecito (tea) on weeknights, and enjoy a
lunch together on the weekend. Privacy and independence are not as highly valued in Chile as
they are in the United States or Europe.
Sense of Space and Sociability: As in other South American countries, Chileans are sociable by
nature. They are used to touching each other when greeting or conversing. Furthermore, the
concept of personal space and privacy is rather different for Chileans than it is for many English
Speakers.
CULTURE
Attitude toward Time: In some parts of Chile, the attitude toward time may be more relaxed
than in your home country. Do not be surprised if activities begin late, especially social events
and get-togethers, or if friends make last-minute plans with you. Keep in mind that school,
movies, and buses all abide by a standard schedule. Please take note that while time may be
relaxed in some situations, many Chileans can be quite punctual.
Communication: Chileans communicate differently than you may be used to, do not take it
personally. The following are some differences in communication:
Greetings: Chileans kiss hello and goodbye on the right cheek. This custom applies when
women greet women and men. When men greet one another they shake hands. It will be
considered as rude if you do not greet family members, friends, co-workers or other members of
the community when you see them.
Personal Questions: Your friends and other Chileans will most likely ask you a number of
personal questions, such as “Do you have a girlfriend or boyfriend?” “How much do you weigh?”
“How old are you?” This is not considered rude, but rather showing interest in you.
Invitations: The new friends you make in Chile will most likely invite you to do things – eat at a
relative’s house, go shopping, go to the municipal theatre, etc.
When someone tells you “te invito”’ it means that they intend to pay for whatever they are
inviting you to – the movies, dinner, a drink, etc. If you want to show this person the same
courtesy, invite them on another occasion instead of chipping in.
FOOD
Cuisine: Chilean cuisine is simple and hearty. Meat, potato and breads are the most common
ingredients. Asado is a popular form of barbecue that is very common among friends and families on
holidays and weekends. Apart from Chilean food, Santiago has many world-cuisines: Peruvian,
Indian, Chinese, Thai, Argentinian, Mexican, and Japanese.
Restaurants, Tipping, etc: Lunch is the day’s main meal and is generally served between
1 p.m. and 3 p.m. In some establishments propinas (tips) are not included. It is customary to leave at
least 10% of the total meal cost.
Vegetarians: The central region of Chile is very fertile and productive. This means a plethora of
vegetables and fruits. Although vegetarian dishes aren’t very common in restaurants, it is possible
to enjoy vegetarian meals in Santiago.
EMERGENCY
It is important that you memorize the following numbers and save them in your cellphones.
These numbers are valid throughout the entire country :
Carabineros de Chile (Police Force) 133
Bomberos (Firefighters) 132
Ambulancia (Paramedics) 131
Although violent crime is generally low in Chile (and most likely lower than that of your home city)
it is important to be aware of your surroundings and take certain precautions. Pick pocketing is
very common in larger cities, crowded buses or subways, or in tourist areas.
Here are some helpful tips to keep your items safe:
Women should always use a purse that zips shut and carry it close to their person.
Do not leave bags or jackets with money in the pocket on the back of your chair or under a table
at a restaurant. Always keep them on your person.
Never keep all your forms of identification, credit cards, and money in the same bag or pocket.
Using a money belt to carry your passport in the city is recommended.
Splitting up credit cards throughout pockets, wallets, and bags is highly advisable.
If you ride the subway or a bus with a backpack, switch it to the front of your person so that you
can keep an eye on it. Never board a subway or bus with your backpack on your back.
Keep your wallet in your front pocket and use inside pockets of coats and jackets if possible.
We hope this guide has answered many questions and makes you feel more
prepared. Just in case if you have any more questions, we’ve provided our contact
information below. Feel free to contact us and we’ll get in touch with you personally,
immediately. We can’t wait to see you in Chile!
¡Nos vemos pronto!
[email protected]
@exosphereHQ (Twitter)
facebook.com/exospherical