Cile

Always carry a printed copy of the photo page of your passport with you. 

It’s illegal to drink alcohol in public places including streets, roads, squares and promenades.

Using or possessing drugs is illegal and can lead to prison sentences.

Same-sex relationships are legal in Chile and are increasingly widely accepted socially, although much of Chilean society is conservative.

Read more advice for LGBT+ travellers.

When necessary, the Chilean National Service for Disaster Prevention and Response (SENAPRED) issues warnings for heavy rain which may impact travel plans. Road conditions may be hazardous, with increased risk of delays and accidents. If you travel, plan your journey carefully and allow extra time. Follow local news, weather updates and the SENAPRED website (in Spanish) for the latest information.

Chile often has severe forest fires which can be very destructive and spread rapidly. These fires have caused multiple deaths, as well as sometimes causing the closure of national parks and roads.

If you find yourself in or near the affected areas of any fires: 

• follow the advice of local authorities, including evacuation orders
• monitor local media to stay informed of the rapidly evolving situation
• notify friends and family of your safety
• review your personal security plans
• make evacuation plans that do not rely on British government assistance
• have travel documents up to date and easily accessible
• carry identification at all times, such as your passport or a copy of it

Major earthquakes are a risk in Chile. The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake. Take note of instructions in hotel rooms.

Building regulations require new structures to take account of earthquake risks. Safety measures are widely known and put into practice by national organisations and the local authorities.

A chain of volcanoes is active in the Puyehue and Los Lagos region (500 miles south of Santiago). There is a continuing risk of eruptions in Chaiten in southern Chile, Llaima in the Conguillo National Park and Lascar in northern Chile. Copahue, a volcano on the Argentina-Chile border, erupts periodically, causing local residents to be evacuated. Villarrica, a volcano near the popular tourist destinations of Pucon and Villarrica in the IX region of La Araucanía, is also active. 

If you’re travelling to these areas, monitor local media reports and follow local authority volcano monitoring advice (in Spanish).