Those who are lucky enough to visit know that Chile is an incredibly diverse and beautiful country where you can find everything from the driest desert in the world to temperate rainforest and alpine glaciers. With so much to see, Chile is a perfect travel destination for the adventurous traveler.
Use this quick guide to learn the differences in electricity and power outlets between Chile and the US, as well as tips on what to pack and how to prepare for the trip of a lifetime!
Today, it’s more important than ever for travelers to be able to charge their devices while traveling abroad, especially since most people rely on their phones, laptops, and tablets for a fun and safe vacation. While much of Latin America uses the same power outlets as the USA, Chile does not, so travelers coming from North America will need to pack a power adapter.
There are two types of plugs used in Chile, type C and type L. The type C plug is known as the “Euro Plug” since it’s the same plug used in most of Europe. This plug has two round holes in a horizontal line. The type L plug originated in Italy and is similar to the type C plug, except that it had three holes in a horizontal line instead of two. In Chile, the electricity is 220 volts, and the frequency is 50 Hz.
Many people who are planning on visiting Chile from the USA will wonder what type of power adapter to bring. Since US electrical devices aren’t able to be charged directly from an outlet in Chile, you will need to bring a power adapter on your vacation to Chile.
I recommend using a universal travel adapter since it will work in Chile as well as in over 100 other countries around the world. This adapter will let you charge your laptop, cell phone, tablet, or other devices all over Chile. Keep in mind that this adapter is only compatible with type C outlets, not type L, which is the reason that the Amazon page for this adapter places Chile on the list of “not compatible” countries. You can still use this adapter widely throughout Chile. Just make sure that the outlets are type C.
In addition to your US-to-Chile power adapter, these items will help you pack with intention and expand the possibilities of your getaway. Also, check out our Chile packing list for more inspiration and ideas.
I use my neck wallet on all of my international trips for two reasons. First, it protects all of my most important valuables like my cash, credit cards, keys, and passport from any potential thieves. And secondly, it’s a perfect place to keep all those items together and right at hand all the time when I’m on-the-go, like when the jet lag sets in and I need to find my passport and important travel docs!
Chile is a land of extremes, from the sunny deserts of the north to the wet and stormy Patagonian wilderness of the far south. Protect yourself from both rain and shine with this rugged yet portable travel umbrella. It weighs only a pound, yet the fiberglass construction is strong enough to withstand very strong gusts of wind. It covers 2 people and is ideal for travel.
Many people now travel with a portable power bank to charge their small electronic devices, but sometimes that’s a little too bulky to be practical. When I’m on any adventure away from power outlets, I always bring this tiny portable charger. It’s no larger than a tube of lipstick yet holds enough charge to fully recharge the battery of most cell phones.
Few visitors to Chile report getting robbed. However, the risk is always there whenever you travel to Latin America, and checked bags are unfortunately broken into during the international travel process. Keep your cases protected with these luggage locks, which are small and light yet rugged enough to protect your belongings from thieves. Best of all, they have a lifetime replacement guarantee, so you’ll never need to buy a new luggage lock again!
I recommend travel insurance for any long trip and especially for international adventures to places like Chile since your domestic provider’s coverage does not translate outside of the country. The reason isn’t that Chile is especially dangerous – actually it’s very safe – but because problems can arise on any vacation. Travel insurance covers common issues like flight delays, theft, baggage loss, cancellations, rental concerns, and most importantly, medical costs.
Faye is the best provider we’ve ever worked with. As a 100% digital solution, they handle everything through their mobile app. They’ve seriously saved the day for us in times of need and we won’t work with any other providers. It also costs about 5% of your trip cost or less, so it will pay for itself if anything comes up.
One advantage for US travelers in Chile is that they don’t have to cross too many time zones to get there. That said, Chile is still located a long distance south of the USA, and I am usually exhausted by the time my plane lands in Santiago. These jet lag relief pills are a huge help in adjusting once I’ve landed, and I take them with me on every flight.
Every experienced traveler knows how important it is to travel light and organize your gear. I struggled with this for a long time until I discovered these top-notch packing cubes, which help a whole lot with the efficient packing of clothes. They come in 5 different sizes (or you can opt for the 3-pack) and include 2 laundry bags for dirty clothes.
I held off paying for a VPN service for years but finally gave in when I needed to access my online banking from countries where it was prohibited, like Cuba and Venezuela. I also learned its importance when my credit card number was stolen in Europe, and I realized public Wi-Fi networks are not to be trusted.
NordVPN changes the location on your device, so you can log into your online accounts as if you were in another country. It also protects you from tracking, ads, and malware while providing safe, untraceable internet browsing, and password protection, as well as offering you access to thousands of servers in 100+ countries to minimize regional censorship.
Whether you’re whitewater river rafting, kayaking beside the glaciers, or surfing Chile’s prime waves – you’ll need a waterproof phone case. This one is more of a pouch and holds most smartphone models. It also allows you to seamlessly film underwater videos and has a strap to wear around your wrist or tie to something securely.
Chilean winters can get brutal! So be sure to bring plenty of layers like this thick puffer jacket that can top insulated thermals. This one is a down-alternative that combines style with function. It’s super warm and the hood offers a snug fit. You can wear this on the airplane or tie it to your carry-on bag so it won’t take up any room in your checked luggage.
As you sail to Chile’s best vantage points or take a relaxing dip in the hot springs, be sure to bring a quick-dry travel towel with you. You never know if your hotel will provide you with a nice towel, or if it will be too thick to carry around easily. This one is super lightweight, made of a microfiber material, and dries 10x faster than cotton.
If you’re an avid traveler, you’ve probably dealt with a pesky physical SIM card before. These can be a hassle since you have to purchase one, activate it, and it’s easily lost or damaged. There’s a better solution now! Opt for a modern eSIM that digitizes the entire process. You only pay for the amount of data that you need and Saily provides coverage for 150+ global countries.
Hydration is important since you’ll be on the move throughout your adventurous trip! The water is reasonably clean in Chile, but you never know if potable options will be available when you’re off-the-beaten path. I bring this top-notch filtered water bottle that removes bacteria, parasites, viruses, chlorine, microplastics, and more! It’s a little pricey but better than dealing with E. Coli or Hepatitis A. The water in Chile also has a slightly chlorinated taste so this will help to improve the flavor.
There are more than 2,000 hiking routes in Chile, so you’ll be grateful for these hiking poles. They pack up compactly but will give you a sense of balance and reinforcement on difficult hikes. We love this set because they’re built to last and have attachments for various terrain like dirt, gravel, snow, ice, and more.
This one may seem obvious, but many underestimate how powerful the sun is in Chile. There is actually a hole in the ozone layer over this country and particularly in the winter months, you can find yourself turning red like a tomato. Use this biodegradable sunscreen that is more natural than options with Octinoxate and Oxybenzone.
If you’ve never used a hanging toiletry bag, you’re in for a treat! This is a traveler’s best friend because it folds up neatly in your suitcase but unfolds to create a shelf-like system wherever you want to hang it. This is perfect for when your bathroom lacks drawers, cabinets, or even countertop space.
We love this one by Eco Sun since it has tons of pockets and elastic bands to hold bottles in place so they don’t slip and slide! EC is a sustainable brand that supports women’s education and gives back to the planet. So along with minimizing your bathroom clutter, you’ll also support those in need. Win-Win!
Chile’s electricity comes from a wide range of sources, with the largest being hydropower which provides almost 27% of the country’s energy needs. In addition, wind power provides 9%, solar power 12%, coal 20%, natural gas 19%, and petroleum provides 11% of the country’s energy. Other energy sources include biomass and geothermal.
Historically, Chile has suffered from numerous large blackouts, including more than one that covered most of the country. Fortunately, Chile upgraded its energy systems in the 80s and 90s, and most of Chile now enjoys a high-quality power system by South American standards, especially in the larger cities. Unless you plan on spending a lot of time in remote areas, you are unlikely to experience many bad blackouts on your trip to Chile. In 2005, power distribution losses in Chile were down to 6.52%, far below the 13.5% average for Latin America. That said, every traveler should be prepared just in case. I often travel with a portable solar panel and power bank to charge small devices whenever I’m off-the-grid.
Most travelers who only plan on charging their cell phones, tablets and other small devices shouldn’t need to bother with a voltage converter on their trip to Chile. These types of electronics rarely require a voltage converter to work in most countries of the world. However, if you plan on using high-powered electronics like hair dryers or electric kettles, you will likely need to bring a voltage converter.
Remember that your power adapter does not convert the voltage for your devices. The 220 volts in Chile is twice the voltage of US power sockets and could be too much for some electronics to handle. Prior to your trip to Chile, it’s important for you to check the voltage range for each device you plan to bring on your trip. You can usually find the voltage range posted on the bottom or side of your devices. Any devices that are 100 to 120 V appliances but not dual voltage will require a voltage converter to be safely used in Chile.
If you are into natural beauty, remote wilderness, incredible hospitality, and red-blooded adventure, Chile is the perfect place for you to go. Chile is situated on the relatively thin ribbon of land between the Andes Mountains and the Pacific Ocean. But so much is packed into that area that one could spend their entire life exploring just one part of this diverse country and never get bored. Chile was the first country in South America I ever visited at the age of eleven, and I loved it so much I look forward to many more visits over the years to come.
The far north of Chile is home to the Atacama Desert, the driest place in the world. In some communities in the Atacama, there are people in their 80’s or 90’s who have never seen rain in their life. The Atacama Desert gets all its moisture in the form of fog coming off the Pacific Ocean. This region is known for its incredible beaches, sunshine, and good fishing. Ironically, in the far south of Chile is one of the coldest and wettest places in the world, Patagonia.
Few people know that at its southern point, Chile is only a few hundred miles from Antarctica. The famous Cape Horn, long feared by sailors for the danger and difficulty to round by sailing ship, is now part of Chilean territory. It’s located so far into the Southern Ocean that you can travel all the way around the world from there without once touching any other landmass. In between Cape Horn and Puerto Montt (about 1,000 miles north) are the beautiful and wild Chilean Fjords, South America’s version of Alaska and Norway.
In recent years, much of the press in the USA about Chile has focused on the protests in and around Santiago over public transport issues and other political problems. But despite the negative publicity, Chile has long been one of the safest countries in Latin America, both for locals and travelers. Like any country, there are places that are best avoided, but in general, Chile is a very safe place to visit. You are far less likely to be in danger in Chile than in other nearby places like Brazil, Peru, or Central America.
Compared to other nearby Latin American countries, Chile is indeed fairly expensive. Chile has enjoyed higher wages and a better standard of living compared to much of South America, which has resulted in higher costs. That said, Chile can still be considered a budget travel destination when compared to much of the USA, Europe, or Eastern Asia. In 2022, low-budget travelers could manage to get by on less than $50 per day, while expenses for the average traveler hover around $90 per day.
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