CHILE: Tourism Not Affected By Seismic Event Measuring 7.6

Tourism is reported to be operating as normal throughout Chile inspite of seismic event measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale.

On December 25 Chilean authorities reported a seismic event measuring 7.6 on the Richter scale with an epicenter at Quellón, to the south of Chiloé Island, more than a thousand kilometers from the nation’s capital of Santiago.

As a standard preventive measure in the wake of an event of this magnitude, the authorities ordered an evacuation of the region’s coastal areas due the potential risk of a tsunami; this warning was rescinded at 7pm on December 25, with the entire country returning to normal.

Citizens and tourism services located on Chile’s coasts are fully prepared for this type of situation, with an impressively calm, organized, and rapid response to the tsunami warning.

From Chile’s far northern destinations in Arica & Parinacota Region through to its southernmost reaches, the country’s tourist sites were not affected. Conditions are entirely as normal in areas such as San Pedro de Atacama and its surroundings.

In central regions, popular destinations such as Santiago and its surroundings, Valparaíso, and areas known for their vineyard tours are fully operational and were not affected in any way. In Southern Chile, areas such as the O’Higgins, Maule, Biobío, Araucanía, Los Ríos, and Los Lagos Regions (including the Chilean Lake District), and Chilean Patagonia – home to the Torres del Paine National Park – are fully operational and working as normal.

Air Transport
• Airports throughout Chile are operating as normal, including the country’s international hub in Santiago, Arturo Merino Benítez Airport.

Road Transport
• The country’s main highways are operating as normal.
Popular destinations on Chiloé Island, near the epicenter:
• Canal de Chacao crossing operating as normal.
• Castro Airport operating as normal.
• No roads are blocked on the island, except for some connectivity issues affecting Chonchi District and Quellón District.
• Chiloé’s 16 churches, which are listed as World Heritage and three of which are national monuments, are all 100% open and operational.
• There has been no damage to the island’s National Parks and National Monuments.
• There is no damage to the Puente de las Almas (Bridge of Souls).
• Forts: Ahui, San Antonio, and Pauco have suffered no damage.
• The handicrafts fairs and markets in Dalcahue, Castro, Ancud, and Chonchi are 100% operational and undamaged.
• Wetlands areas: Undamaged.
• Beaches: Lechagua, Cucao, and Mar Brava are undamaged, but temporarily closed as a precautionary measure.
• Palafitos (stilt houses): Castro and Chonchi, undamaged.
• Hiking trails: 100% open and available.
• Hotels and restaurants: 100% open and available.
• Tour operators: 100% open and available.
• Ferries: Operational, both to and from Chacao and serving the smaller islands.

CHILE: About Chile

Hikers at the Towers Of Torres del Paine

Capital: Santiago

Size: 756,950 km²

Population: 14.3m

Currency: Chilean Peso

Language: Spanish

Visas: Not required for UK nationals.

Food: Seafood is the pride and joy of Chilean cuisine. Almost every port on the Chilean coast has a small market or a row of seafood restaurants where excellent seafood can be found. The varieties of fish are endless and entertaining! If fish is not your thing try cazuela de vacuno (meat stew with pumpkin, potato, coriander and a twist of lemon).

Drink: Chilean wines are excellent. Two delicious drinks are vaina, a mixture of brandy, egg and sugar and cola de mono, a mixture of aguardiente, coffee, milk and vanilla served very cold at Christmas.

Festivals: Fiesta de la Piedra Santa: the ancient festival of the Holy Stone is celebrated every year on 20 January. The women dress in their traditional costumes, with colourful belts and silver jewellery. It continues through the night with singing, dancing, music and prayers.

Sport: Much like South America as a whole, football is the sporting lifeblood of Chile and the three most powerful teams (Universidad de Chile, Colo Colo and Universidad Católica) are centred around Santiago each provoking fierce rivalry with each other. Tennis and basketball are also popular and some rugby is played around Santiago and fifth region mainly due to the existence of the traditional private 'English' schools.

When to go: The hottest months are December to March. The Central region has a sunny Mediterranean-like climate; in July and August temperatures can drop to 10ºC. The Lake District enjoys a temperate climate similar to northern Europe but with heavy rainfall. In the far south the winter (June to mid-September) is more severe: it can snow and temperatures often drop to well below freezing. In Easter Island the rainy season is March to October (wettest in May, when torrential rain can fall, although usually in short bursts).

Chile is a ribbon of land squashed between the Pacific and the Andes. Its landscape embraces glacial wilderness and moonscapes, lakes and volcanoes, beaches, salt flats, and the burnt colours of the desert. In one day it is possible to scale a mountain with ice axe and crampons, soak off the exhaustion in a thermal bath and rest beneath the desert stars of the Southern Cross.

Santiago, Chile’s sophisticated capital, nestles alongside the Andes: a frenetic collision of skyscrapers, noise and nightlife that is home to some of South America’s most experimental modern artists. The nearby port city of Valparaíso was described by Brian Keenan as a ‘Venice waiting to be discovered’, with warrens of streets and brightly painted houses.

In the far north is the small town of San Pedro de Atacama, an unlikely oasis set among geysers, volcanoes and salt flats. For the real stargazers, there are astronomical observatories to take advantage of the region’s pristine skies.

3,790km to the west lies Easter Island, famous for its 887 iconic stone heads known as moai, ranging from two to 20m tall.

Heading south, the mysterious archipelago of Chiloé is one of the most fascinating areas of Chile. Here you are almost always within sight of the sea, with dolphins playing in the bay and, on a clear day, views across to the twisting spire of the Corcovado volcano on the mainland.

Just north of Chiloé is the deservedly popular Lake District. Much of this region is protected as national parks, and the mixture of forests, lakes and snow-capped volcanoes is unforgettable.

The Carretera Austral (southern highway) is a large tract of sparsely inhabited, spectacular wilderness stretching away south of the Lake District. High rainfall and difficult access deter some but the attractions are considerable: temperate rainforests, glaciers, fjords, small islands and hidden fishing villages. There are hot springs at Chaitén and Puyuhuapi, excellent fishing and rafting in the cold clean waters. You can trek, climb mountains and cross ice fields, or cruise in comfort to the awe-inspiring sight of Laguna San Rafael's glacier.

In the far south of the country lies the awe-inspiring Torres del Paine National Park, a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and Mecca for trekkers and wildlife enthusiasts. Throughout the year, the park offers constantly-changing views of fantastic peaks, glaciers and icebergs, where the eponymous massive granite towers overlook vividly coloured lakes and quiet green valleys filled with wild flowers.

CHILE: Valparaíso Ranked One Of The 50 Most Beautiful Cities In The World By Condé Nast Traveler

The city of Valparaíso, listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, has acquired an important reputation at an international level for a number of reasons, including its colorful hills, picturesque lifts, creative talent, bohemian community and its cultural offer, to name but a few.

Its qualities dazzle the thousands of visitors who arrive to what is essentially a port city every year. They have transformed it into one of the continent’s, and the world’s, top destinations, and it has been recognized by a variety of international media communications dedicated to tourism.

In this instance, the digital version of the magazine, Condé Nast Traveler, as part of its North American edition, places Valparaíso amongst the 50 most beautiful cities in the world.

The publication highlights the fact that “Valparaíso, listed as a World Cultural Heritage site by UNESCO, is a multi-colorful beauty along the Chilean coast. It could be argued that it’s the country’s most picturesque city, with colorful houses that travel up in steps across the 22 hills that rise up above the Pacific coast. The street art adds a touch of modernity to the dazzling 19th Century buildings.”

In the magazine’s list of the 50 most beautiful cities in the world, the following cities are highlighted: Venice (Italy), Hong Kong (China), Istambul (Turkey), New York (USA), London (UK), Chefchaouen (Morroco), Paris (France), Cape Town (South Africa), Amsterdam (Holland), Saint Petersburg (Russia), Beirut (Lebanon), amongst others.

CHILE: Chile Is One Of The 10 Countries With The Highest Tourism Growth In The World

The British newspaper, The Telegraph, drew up a ranking of the 17 countries in the world to have registered the highest growth in tourism during 2015 and Chile came in at number nine, out-performing countries including Cuba and Columbia, registering 4.4 million visitors and a growth of 22% on the previous year.

According to the publication, the destination is full of great attractions, including the Atacama Desert, the Patagonia and the beautifully multi-colored city of Valparaíso.

According to the World Tourism Organization (UNWTO), international tourist arrivals grew by 4% worldwide, and a record number of 1.200 million people moving from one place to another all over the planet, an increase that has been maintained for the past six years.

The figures continue to unfold positively for Chile. During the first two weeks of January, an increase of 26,9% was registered when compared to the international arrivals recorded in the same period last year. It’s a marked difference that allows for positive industry projections this year.

China and Argentina promise to be the countries from which the great majority of tourists arrive to our country. Since the visa waiver motion that occured in the middle of 2015, we’ve seen an increase of 30% in oriental tourists. Similarly, the number of Transandean tourists has risen considerably and promises to continue in the same vain, particularly since the recent shift in the value of the dollar.