Currency & Payment

Chile uses the Chilean peso (CLP), written with the $ sign. It comes in coins and banknotes, with common notes such as 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000 pesos. Because of the exchange rate, everyday prices look large in figures. Carry some cash for small vendors, markets and rural areas, but cards work in most cities.

You can exchange money at banks and at exchange bureaus (casa de cambio), which cluster in city centres and often offer better rates than airports. US dollars are the easiest foreign currency to change. Compare rates and commissions, and withdrawing from an ATM is usually convenient too. Keep small denominations for everyday spending.

Credit and debit cards are widely accepted in Chilean cities, hotels, restaurants and larger shops, and Visa and Mastercard are the most useful. Contactless payment is common in urban areas. Carry some cash for small vendors, markets, rural areas and public transport, where cards may not be taken.

ATMs are widely available in Chilean cities and belong to the Redbanc network. Foreign cards work at most machines, but withdrawal fees for foreign cards can be high, so withdraw larger amounts less often. Always decline the machine's home-currency conversion (DCC) to get a better rate, and use ATMs in banks or malls for safety.

Mobile payment is growing in Chile through bank apps and services such as MACH and Mercado Pago, but many of these need a local account or ID, so visitors often cannot register. For tourists the easiest option is contactless cards plus Apple Pay and Google Pay, which are accepted in most city shops that take cards.

In Chilean restaurants a 10% tip (propina) is customary and the bill often shows a suggested "10% sugerido" line. It is voluntary, so you can adjust or decline it, but leaving 10% for good service is the norm. Tipping is not expected for taxis or in bars beyond rounding up.

Chile is moderately priced by South American standards, with Santiago and tourist hotspots like Torres del Paine being pricier. You can save with the fixed-price weekday set lunch (menú del día), local markets (ferias) and street food, while imported goods and Patagonian tours cost more. Many parks and outdoor sights are cheap or free.

Foreign tourists can be exempt from the 19% IVA (VAT) on hotel accommodation when they pay in US dollars or foreign currency and show their passport and tourist card. To get the exemption, tell the hotel at check-in and pay in the accepted foreign currency. A general VAT refund on goods bought in shops is limited, so ask each merchant about their tax-free scheme.