Resource Guide Chile www.larmgroup.com © Copyright LARM Group TABLE OF CONTENTS 2 Welcome to Chile Chile History & Culture 4 Country Details Currency & Taxation Local I.D. Immigratiion Progress Obtaining your Driver’s License Purchasing a Car 10 Home Finding Associated Fees in Renting a Home Utilities Required Documentation 11 Education Bilingual Schools Academic Calendar Recommended Timeframes to Enroll 13 Banking Opening a Bank Account ATMS 14 Medical System Insurance Finding a Doctor Hospitals Emergency Contacts 16 Transportation Public Transport in Santiago and Major Cities Airports and Air Transport Traveling by Bus Train Journeys Traveling by car in Chile 18 Embassy & Consulates Embassy Consulates © Copyright LARM Group TABLE OF CONTENTS 20 National Holidays 21 The Local Flavor Chilean Cuisine Traditional Recipe Eating out in Santiago 22 Landmarks & Tourist Spots 25 Entertainment Sports & Activities in Country Shopping 26 Helpful Tips Safety Utilities & Technical Information Dialing In/Out of Country 27 Weights & Measurements Chart 28 Notes © Copyright LARM Group As part of our Latin American Relocation Management (LARM) family, you can rest assured that we have your relocation needs covered. Our focus is making sure you experience a smooth transition, from start to finish. We have put together this guide with important information and resources that will help ease your relocation process as much as possible. We want to remind you that we stand by, ready to support and guide you whenever you might need it. If you have any questions or feed- back, please feel free to contact us directly. LARM Chile LARM USA Headquarters Americo Vespucio 2050 1961 NW 150th Avenue, Suite 103 Quilicura, Santiago, Chile Pembroke Pines, FL 33028 Phone: + (562) 2663-6700 Phone: + (954) 239-4081 Email: [email protected] Email: [email protected] LARM - CHILE RESOURCE GUIDE 1 © Copyright LARM Group Welcome to Chile Chile is a developing country. With a democratic government and a stable economy, it stands out because of the growth it has had in the last decades, positioning itself between the most reliable and safe countries in South America for national and foreign investors. Chile has developed highways and transportation, and the newest technology in architecture, such as corporate buildings like Titanium and Costanera towers. 2 © Copyright LARM Group History & Culture Chile was born out of the same forces that many other Chile is culturally and artistically rich, with a unique iden- South American countries were. The Spanish conquistadors tity within Latin America. World known artists stand out settled the area and were met with indigenous resistance. like Pablo Neruda (Literature Nobel Price), Roberto Matta Santiago was founded in 1541 by Pedro de Valdivia and a (painter), and Violeta Parra (musician and folklorist). The small band of Spanish conquistadors (look for the plaques culture and customs of Chileans are somewhat different illustrating the city’s growth in Plaza de Armas). By the among those who live in big cities and are part of a globali- 1600s, Santiago was taking shape, and the expansion was zed world, and those who live in rural areas or small towns, rapid. It was always clear that this would be a major city, who still hold on to traditional practices and a simpler life and in 1770 the governor commissioned the Metropolitan with a different rhythm. In spite of these differences, when Cathedral and La Moneda presidential palace to be built. faced with a national crisis, like an earthquake or the case The Battle of Chacabuco on 12 February 1817 was a key of the 33 miners, the spirit of Chilean people has always moment in Chilean history. José de San Martín and Ber- been of unity and solidarity. nardo O’Higgins led the resistance army to victory against Spanish royalists and on the same day Chilean independen- The Chilean person is characterized as kind and open with ce was proclaimed. However, in Chile the national celebra- foreign visitors. They are friendly people who usually get tion is a commemoration of the First Government Council together with family and friends to celebrate for many on September 18th 1810. different reasons, being house gatherings a common practi- ce, such as dinner parties, barbeques, etc. A handshake is the proper way to greet someone when meeting for the first time, but when meeting a friend or someone you know, male acquaintances greet each other with a big hug and women greet female and male acquain- tances with a kiss on the right cheek LARM - CHILE RESOURCE GUIDE 3 © Copyright LARM Group Country Details Full country name: Republic of Chile Main Regions and Cities: Chile is politically and admi- nistratively divided in 15 regions that, in turn are divided in Capital: Santiago de Chile provinces and then districts (or Comunas). These regions Area: 756,096 km / 291,930.4 sq. mi are, with their respective capital cities: Population: 16.341.929 (2012) In the Great North: Official Language: Spanish • Arica and Parinacota, capital city Arica Currency: Peso (CLP) • Tarapacá, capital city Iquique Government: Presidential democratic republic • Antofagasta, capital city Antofagasta Religion: Catholic 70%, Protestant 15% In places like Iquique and its surroundings we can find old Area Code: 56 Saltpeter Works, oasis in the Atacama Desert with wonder- Location: Chile is located in the southwest of South Ame- ful thermal waters, and excellent beaches ideal for surfing. rica, in between two great forces of nature: The Andes and In the Atacama Region, towards the desert, San Pedro de the Pacific Ocean. It is a long and thin country more than Atacama is one of the main attractions, where you can see 4.000 Km (2.485 mi) long, and has an average width of 177 unique wonders of nature such as the famous Tatio Geyser Km (110 mi). It borders with Peru to the north, and Bolivia Field, the Salar of Atacama and the Valle de la Luna (Valley and Argentina to the east. of the Moon). In the Small North: • Atacama, capital city Copiapo • Coquimbo, capital city La Serena This is the home of marvelous beaches close by La Serena, and the beautiful Valle del Elqui (Valley of the Elqui river), a place filled with mysticism and hidden villages in between canyon creeks, where the famous Chilean Pisco in fabricated. 4 © Copyright LARM Group In the Center: In the Extreme South: • Valparaíso, capital city Valparaíso • Aysén, capital city Coyhaique • Metropolitana de Santiago, capital city Santiago • Magallanes, capital city Punta Arenas. • O’Higgins, capital city Rancagua This region gives us geographical wonders like Torres Del Paine, which attracts tourists from all over the world all • Maule, capital city Talca year long. This land is a mixture of hundreds of islands • Biobío, capital city Concepción with a continental terrain trimmed by fjords, waterways and great glaciers. The region has important inter-oceanic It is here where we find the vineyards that produced the passages, as is the Strait of Magellan, the Beagle Channel acclaimed Chilean wine, and it is also the place where and the Drake Passage. exportation fruit is grown. Here we have attractions from The Andes, with many ski centers like Valle Nevado; to the coast, that has many beaches that are some of the favorite Climate: Chile enjoys of a climatic and geographic variety. vacation destination of many Chileans and foreigners; like In the north we find the Atacama Desert, the driest in the Viña del Mar, host of the great February festival and only world. It is a perfect location to practice astronomy, and is 100Km (62 miles) from Santiago; or smaller towns with also where we fin the major copper mines in Chile. In the beaches like Con Con, Maitencillo, Marbella, Cachagua, centre, the central valley has a Mediterranean climate with and many others. Also, the city of Valparaiso is one of the 4 distinct seasons, where it rains mainly during winter, most famous ports and touristy destinations in Chile. being an ideal place for agriculture. The south characterizes for its rich nature with volcanoes that peep between lakes, In the South: forests and perfect fields for agronomy. It is a humid place with many precipitations and a cold winter. And in the ex- • La Araucanía, capital city Temuco treme south, the end of the world, one step from Antarcti- • Los Ríos, capital city Valdivia ca, we find the Patagonia, which posses’ a cold continental plain steppe climate, precipitations are moderate, and there • Los Lagos, capital city Puerto Montt is constant wind, stronger in spring and summer. During summer mainly, this is a great place for eco-tourism. Spots to visit are everywhere, such as Lago Llanquihue (Llanquihue Lake), just a few kilometers from Puerto Montt. Towns like Puerto Varas, Frutillar and Puerto Octay, stand out for their beauty and many attractions. In this region we can also find the Chiloe Islands, which will charm you with its marvelous landscapes, mysterious legends and famous curanto. LARM - CHILE RESOURCE GUIDE 5 © Copyright LARM Group Currency & Taxation • Official Name: Chilean Peso (CLP $, its ISO 4217 Taxes: In Chile we find fundamentally two types of taxes: number is 152). Direct Taxes and Indirect Taxes. In addition, in Chile there is a Unit of account, called UF Indirect Taxes are imposed over determined goods, and (Unidad de Fomento) constantly adjusted to inflation so comprehend taxes over sales (IVA – Impuesto al Valor that the value of the Unidad de Fomento remains constant Agregado) and taxes over property, alcohol, cigarettes, on a daily basis during low inflation. It has become the imported goods and gasoline. The value-added tax or sales preferred and predominant measure for determining the tax (IVA) is the most important one and is currently 19%, cost of Real Estate, values of housing, and any secured which is already included in most final prices of goods and loan either private or of the Chilean government.