Key takeaways
Chile stretches 4,300 km from the Atacama Desert to Patagonia, making connectivity vary dramatically by region. Entel leads on data speeds, Movistar on national coverage. A Roamix Chile eSIM connects you to the strongest available network from the moment you land at Santiago's SCL airport. Budget 6 to 10 GB for two weeks of mixed city and outdoor travel, and always download offline maps before drives through the Atacama, Carretera Austral or Torres del Paine, where signal disappears for hours at a time.
- Entel delivers the fastest 4G data speeds in Chile, while Movistar has the widest national coverage footprint.
- A Roamix eSIM activates automatically on arrival at SCL and avoids expensive carrier roaming.
- Chile is a long, narrow country with dramatic dead zones along the Atacama, Lake District and Patagonian routes.
- Santiago is largely cashless, but cash in CLP is useful in remote Patagonian towns and on Easter Island.
- Download offline maps before any drive along Ruta 5 south of Puerto Montt or the Carretera Austral.
Best way to get data in Chile
For most visitors to Chile, a Roamix eSIM is the most cost-effective and convenient option, giving you local Entel or Movistar speeds the moment you land at SCL without setup hassle.
| Option | Best for | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Roamix eSIMRecommended | Best for: Most travellers | Instant activation on Entel or Movistar, no roaming bill and no physical SIM to collect at the airport. |
| Local physical SIM | Best for: Long stays needing a Chilean number | Entel, Movistar and Claro all have kiosks at SCL arrivals. Requires a passport for registration. |
| Pocket wifi | Best for: Groups sharing one connection | Available for rental in Santiago. Another device to charge and return at the end of the trip. |
| Carrier roaming | Best for: Very short trips with no setup time | Chile is a moderately expensive roaming destination. A Roamix plan typically saves significantly compared to home-carrier roaming. |
Free wifi is standard in hotels, hostels and cafes in Santiago and tourist towns. In Patagonian villages and remote Atacama camps, wifi may be satellite-based and very slow. Mobile data on Roamix is more reliable for navigation and calls on the move.
How much data you need
Data needs in Chile vary enormously by region. Santiago is a connected city where streaming, transit apps and rideshare are data-light. Road trips through the Atacama or Patagonia require heavy offline preparation before entering dead zones.
4 to 6 GB
One week in Santiago and wine valleys
Metro navigation, rideshare, social uploads, restaurant research and winery bookings in a well-connected city.
8 to 12 GB
Two-week trip including Atacama and Patagonia
Heavy offline map downloads, weather and trail apps, communications in coverage areas, flight and accommodation bookings on the move.
20 GB or more
Remote work base in Santiago
Video calls, cloud uploads, tethering a laptop and daily city life alongside coworking usage.
Data per hour, by activity
- Maps and navigation
- 5 MB per hour online, up to 1.5 GB for full offline Patagonia or Atacama map packages
- Social media and browsing
- 100 to 150 MB
- Music streaming
- 70 MB
- Standard video streaming
- 700 MB to 1 GB
- Video calls
- 500 MB to 1.5 GB
Download offline map packages for every region you plan to visit in Santiago or another city with fast 5G before heading south or north into the countryside.
How to set up a Chile eSIM
Install your Roamix Chile eSIM over wifi before departure. It activates automatically when you connect to a Chilean network on arrival at SCL, so you land already online.
- 1
Buy your plan on the Roamix Chile eSIM page before departure.
- 2
Scan the QR code or tap to install the eSIM over wifi at home.
- 3
Label it Roamix and keep your home SIM as primary for calls and texts.
- 4
Enable data roaming for the Roamix line only.
- 5
Land in Santiago and the eSIM connects automatically to Entel or Movistar.
Works on eSIM-capable unlocked phones including iPhone XS and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and recent Samsung Galaxy models.
Roamix sets the correct APN automatically on most devices. If data does not start, apply the APN from your order and toggle airplane mode.
No data on arrival usually means data roaming is off for the Roamix line. Check settings, select the network manually in settings and restart.
Visa and entry for Chile
Chile operates a visa-free policy for citizens of most Western countries including the USA, UK, EU, Canada and Australia. Citizens of these nationalities may stay up to 90 days without a visa. A small reciprocity fee was historically charged to some nationalities but has been suspended for most.
- Visa on arrival
- Available
- eVisa or ETA
- Citizens of most Western countries enter visa-free for 90 days. Check the Chilean Ministry of Foreign Affairs website for your specific nationality, as reciprocity fees and requirements vary.
- Passport validity
- Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months beyond your planned departure from Chile.
- Onward ticket
- Proof of onward travel may be requested at immigration. Carry your return or onward ticket accessible on your phone.
Store your passport, travel insurance and hotel booking offline. Use Roamix data at SCL to pull up documents and access your accommodation address before clearing customs.
Entry rules change. Confirm current requirements with the Chilean consulate or official government sources before travel.
When you land in Chile
0 of 5 done
How people message here
WhatsApp is by far the dominant communication platform in Chile for both personal and business contact. Instagram DMs are also common for local bookings. iMessage is used among iPhone users.
Do you need a local number?
A local Chilean number is rarely needed as a tourist. Most tour operators, restaurants and services communicate via WhatsApp using any international number.
Keep your home SIM active for SMS two-factor authentication while using the Roamix line for data. WhatsApp over Roamix data handles virtually all local communication needs.
Airports in Chile
SCL
Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport
Santiago
Free wifi available throughout Terminal 1, though speeds can slow during peak international arrival banks.
Activate your Roamix eSIM before landing so you can compare the Centropuerto bus (around 30 minutes to Pajaritos Metro), the Turbus airport express and rideshare options the moment you clear customs.
CJC
El Loa Airport
Calama
Limited wifi. Calama is the gateway airport for San Pedro de Atacama, about 100 km east.
Download offline maps for the Atacama altiplano, El Tatio geysers and Salar de Atacama over Roamix data in Calama before the transfer to San Pedro, where coverage is much weaker outside town.
IQQ
Diego Aracena International Airport
Iquique
Basic wifi in the terminal.
Iquique is the gateway to northern Chile's desert coast. Use Roamix data to confirm car hire and navigation apps before heading to the Atacama region.
PUQ
Carlos Ibanez del Campo International Airport
Punta Arenas
Limited wifi. Punta Arenas is the main city for southern Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego.
Download offline maps for Torres del Paine and the Carretera Austral over Roamix data here before the bus to Puerto Natales. Park trail conditions and weather updates require data connectivity in Puerto Natales.
Apps and internet access in Chile
Chile has a fully open internet. All common apps work normally on a Roamix eSIM.
There is no censorship of social media, messaging or search in Chile. No VPN is required for any mainstream service.
WhatsApp, works
Fully available for messaging and calls.
FaceTime, works
Works normally over data and wifi.
Google Maps and Search, works
No restrictions. Essential for Chilean road navigation.
Social media, works
Instagram, X, TikTok and Facebook all work.
Getting around Chile
Chile combines excellent urban transit in Santiago with long-distance buses for inter-city travel, domestic flights for time-critical journeys and self-drive routes for Patagonia and the Atacama. Data is essential for transit apps, navigation and booking.
Santiago Metro and buses
Santiago has a modern metro system and integrated Red Metropolitana bus network using the Bip! card. Download the Bip! app or the Moovit transit planner to navigate in real time. Contactless payments work at metro gates.
Rideshare (Uber and Cabify)
Uber and Cabify operate widely in Santiago, Valparaiso, Concepcion and other major cities. Both require an active data connection for booking, tracking and payment.
Long-distance buses
Chile has a well-developed intercity bus network. Tur-Bus, Pullman Bus and Turbus serve routes from Arica to Puerto Montt. Book tickets online via your Roamix connection and download boarding passes for offline access.
Self-drive and 4WD
Essential for the Atacama altiplano, Carretera Austral and Torres del Paine access roads. Live navigation works in towns but drops out on remote stretches. Always cache offline maps before any remote drive.
Domestic flights
LATAM and Sky Airline connect Santiago to Calama, Iquique, Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas and Easter Island. Speeds and prices vary. Use Roamix data to compare fares, check in online and save boarding passes.
Load a Bip! card at any Metro station for Santiago buses and metro. Uber and Cabify are both reliable and often cheaper than taxis. Always have Roamix data active for rideshare and transit apps.
Money and payments in Chile
Santiago is largely cashless and tap to pay with Mastercard and Visa is accepted in most shops, restaurants and supermarkets. Cash in CLP is useful in small Patagonian towns, Atacama villages and Easter Island for smaller payments.
- Cards and cash
- Cards are accepted almost universally in cities and tourist areas. Carry CLP 20,000 to 50,000 in cash for remote areas, national park entrance fees and rural food stalls.
- ATMs
- ATMs (Redbanc) are widespread in cities and towns. Use Redbanc network ATMs at Banco Estado, Santander or BCI to avoid high independent ATM fees. Always choose to be charged in CLP to avoid dynamic conversion fees.
- Payment apps
- Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at most terminals in Santiago. Mercado Pago is a popular local app for peer-to-peer payments.
- Tipping
- In restaurants, 10 percent is standard and often added to the bill as a suggested propina. It is optional but expected. Taxis do not require a tip but rounding up is appreciated.
Daily budget
Budget travellers in hostels and local eateries spend around 25,000 to 40,000 CLP per day. Mid-range is 60,000 to 100,000 CLP. Patagonian lodges and Easter Island are significantly more expensive.
Local tips for Chile
- Language
- Spanish is the only official language. Chilean Spanish is fast and uses unique slang, but standard Spanish speakers are easily understood. In tourist areas, English is widely spoken in hotels and tour agencies.
- Food
- Chilean cuisine features seafood heavily on the coast, with loco (abalone), congrio (cusk eel) and fresh centolla king crab in the south. Empanadas, cazuela stew and completos hot dogs are everyday staples. Santiago's Mercado Central is unmissable for fresh seafood lunches.
- Plugs
- 220V, Type C and L plugs
Apps worth having
Bip! or Moovit
transit
Real-time bus and metro routes for Santiago, including the Red Metropolitana integrated bus system. Essential for city navigation.
Uber
rideshare
Widely available in Santiago, Valparaiso and other major cities. More reliable and transparent pricing than street taxis.
Waze
navigation
Used by Chileans for driving with real-time traffic in cities. Offline maps via Google Maps or Maps.me essential for Patagonia and Atacama drives.
Safety and health in Chile
Chile is one of South America's safest countries for travellers. Santiago has pickpocketing risks in tourist areas and on public transport. The main outdoor risks are altitude sickness in the Atacama above 4,000 metres and sudden weather in Patagonia.
- Stay reachable
- Keep your Roamix eSIM active to receive weather alerts in Torres del Paine, altitude sickness guidance in the Atacama and emergency services contact. In remote Patagonia, consider a satellite messenger for backcountry trekking.
- Health
- Healthcare is good in Santiago and major cities. At high altitude in the Atacama, acclimatize slowly and watch for symptoms. Carry travel insurance with emergency evacuation coverage for Patagonian trekking.
- Tap water
- Tap water is safe to drink in Santiago and most cities. In the Atacama, stick to bottled water. In remote camping areas, treat water before drinking.
Networks and coverage in Chile
Chile has four mobile operators, with Entel and Movistar leading the market. 5G is rolling out in Santiago and major cities. A Roamix Chile eSIM connects to the strongest local network on arrival at Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, with no SIM kiosk or registration needed.
Entel
Consistently ranked fastest for 4G data speeds in Chile. Strong coverage from the Atacama to Chiloe Island, with 5G live in Santiago and expanding to other cities. Best choice for northern Atacama routes.
Movistar Chile
Widest overall national population coverage. Strong in the Lake District and southern cities. Good coverage along Ruta 5 and in Patagonian towns.
Claro Chile
Third major operator with solid urban coverage in Santiago, Valparaiso and Concepcion. Expanding 5G. A good fallback in cities where Entel or Movistar signal is weaker.
WOM
Rapidly growing operator with competitive pricing and strong urban 4G in Santiago and mid-size cities. Limited in rural and remote regions.
- Typical speeds
- 5G in Santiago delivers 80 to 150 Mbps. 4G in regional cities runs 20 to 60 Mbps. Remote areas and Patagonia drop to under 10 Mbps or no signal.
- 5G
- 5G is live in Santiago, Valparaiso and Antofagasta and expanding. Entel, Liberty and Claro have all launched 5G services in mid-2025.
For Santiago and the wine valleys, any operator is fine. For the Atacama, Entel has the best reach along the altiplano routes. For southern Patagonia and Torres del Paine, Movistar tends to have wider footprint in gateway towns like Puerto Natales. Always cache offline maps before long drives.
Chile's extreme length means dramatic coverage gaps. The Atacama interior, Carretera Austral south of Coyhaique, the Patagonian fjords and most of Torres del Paine outside the main lodge zone have no mobile signal. Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is served by Movistar and Entel with limited 4G. Chilean operators use widely compatible LTE bands 28, 3, 7 and 8. A Roamix eSIM works on virtually any recent unlocked phone including iPhone XS onward.
Where to go in Chile
Chile packs an extraordinary range of environments into one impossibly narrow strip of land: the driest desert on Earth in the north, glacial Patagonia in the south, fertile wine valleys in the centre and the remote mystery of Easter Island 3,700 km into the Pacific. A Roamix eSIM keeps navigation, weather and booking apps working across this enormous range.
Best time to visit
October to April for Patagonia and Torres del Paine, when trails are open and weather is most stable. March to November for the Atacama. Year-round for Santiago and the wine valleys. Easter Island is year-round, least crowded March to November.
Santiago and the Central Valley
Chile's vibrant capital and wine heartland, where Santiago's neighbourhoods of Bellavista, Lastarria and Providencia sit within reach of Maipo, Colchagua and Casablanca wine valleys. Valparaiso's UNESCO port city and the beaches of Vina del Mar are 90 minutes west.
- Plaza de Armas Santiago
- Cerro San Cristobal
- Valparaiso UNESCO port
- Vina del Mar
- Maipo Wine Valley
Excellent 5G across Santiago's central districts and major suburbs. Entel and Movistar have strong coverage through the Maipo wine valley and on the coastal route to Valparaiso. Minor dead zones in deep valley side roads.
Atacama Desert and Norte Grande
The driest non-polar desert on Earth, where San Pedro de Atacama serves as the base for salt flats, flamingo lakes, geysers, volcano hiking and one of the world's best stargazing skies in the Atacama Large Millimeter Array zone.
- Salar de Atacama
- Valle de la Luna
- El Tatio Geysers
- Laguna Miscanti
- Atacama Large Millimeter Array viewpoint
Entel 4G in San Pedro de Atacama and Calama. Coverage drops sharply on the altiplano, at Salar de Atacama and near the Bolivian and Argentine borders. Download all maps and geothermal field guides in San Pedro.
Lake District and Chilean Patagonia Norte
Chile's lake country, anchored by Pucon and the perfectly conical Villarrica Volcano, Puerto Montt as the gateway to Chiloe Island's distinctive wooden churches and stilt villages, and the northern starting point of the legendary Carretera Austral.
- Villarrica Volcano
- Pucon hot springs
- Chiloe Island wooden churches
- Vicente Perez Rosales National Park
- Fresia
Good 4G in Puerto Montt, Pucon and the main Lake District towns. Movistar covers the ferry crossings to Chiloe. The Carretera Austral drops to 3G and dead zones beyond Chaiten.
Patagonia and Torres del Paine
The southern extremity of South America, where the granite towers of Torres del Paine, the Perito Moreno glacier and the remote Tierra del Fuego archipelago draw trekkers from around the world. Puerto Natales is the gateway and Punta Arenas is the main city.
- Torres del Paine National Park
- Grey Glacier
- Puerto Natales
- Punta Arenas
- Tierra del Fuego National Park
Movistar and Entel cover Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas. Inside Torres del Paine National Park, coverage exists at the main refugios and administration centre but the W and O treks pass through many dead zones. Download trail maps and weather apps offline before entering the park.
Easter Island (Rapa Nui)
One of the world's most isolated inhabited islands, 3,700 km off the Chilean coast, where the giant stone moai statues of the Rapa Nui people create one of the most iconic and mysterious landscapes on Earth.
- Ahu Tongariki
- Rano Raraku moai quarry
- Anakena Beach
- Orongo ceremonial village
- Rano Kau crater
Movistar and Entel both operate on Easter Island with 4G in Hanga Roa town. Remote ceremonial sites including Rano Raraku quarry and Anakena Beach have patchy signal. Download offline maps of the island before exploring.
Off the beaten path
The granite towers, turquoise lakes and hanging glaciers of Torres del Paine form one of the most iconic wilderness landscapes in the world, attracting trekkers for the W Circuit and full O Circuit through Patagonian wind and weather.
Signal: Movistar and Entel cover the park administration centre and main refugios including Paine Grande and the Grey refugio. The W and O treks pass through significant dead zones. Download trail maps and weather forecasts in Puerto Natales.
The largest salt flat in Chile, with flamingo-filled lagoons and surreal landscapes of salt polygons, bordering the Bolivian Andes and visible from the rim of the Atacama volcanoes.
Signal: Entel 4G in San Pedro de Atacama, dropping to 3G or no signal at the salt flat viewing platforms and flamingo lagoons. Download all navigation offline in San Pedro.
Home to nearly 1,000 giant moai statues built by the Rapa Nui people, Easter Island is one of the world's most remote and culturally fascinating destinations, a 5-hour flight from Santiago.
Signal: Movistar and Entel have 4G in Hanga Roa. Remote ceremonial sites around the island perimeter have patchy signal. Download an offline map of the island before renting a scooter.
Chile's legendary 1,200 km southern highway runs through temperate rainforests, glacial rivers and empty fjords from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, one of the great overland adventures in South America.
Signal: Movistar 4G in Coyhaique and Chaiten. South of Coyhaique, coverage drops to 2G or no signal for long stretches. Download all navigation, fuel stop locations and border crossing details offline before starting.
A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve on the edge of San Pedro, where eroded salt and clay formations create a landscape of dunes, salt caves and ridges that glow gold and purple at sunset, one of the best sunsets in South America.
Signal: No mobile coverage inside the Valle de la Luna. San Pedro de Atacama is the last point with Entel 4G, just 15 km west.
One of South America's most active volcanoes, rising to 2,847 metres above the lake resort town of Pucon, with guided summit ascents that allow you to peer into the glowing lava lake at the crater.
Signal: Entel and Movistar 4G in Pucon. Coverage on the volcano summit trail is unreliable. Download weather apps and emergency contacts before the ascent.
The world's third-largest geyser field at 4,320 metres, with hundreds of fumaroles and steaming vents erupting most dramatically at dawn in the freezing Atacama morning, before the sun climbs and the geysers subside.
Signal: No mobile coverage at El Tatio, which sits at 4,320 metres above sea level. Download maps and altitude sickness guidance in San Pedro before the pre-dawn drive.
An island of wooden churches listed as UNESCO World Heritage sites, stilted palafito houses, distinctly Chilote cuisine including curanto pit-cooked seafood, and access to the remote Chiloe National Park.
Signal: Movistar and Entel cover Castro and main towns. Remote bays and smaller southern islands have limited signal. The ferry from Pargua to Chiloe has coverage near both terminals.
The Atacama near San Pedro is designated one of the world's premier stargazing destinations, with observatories including ALMA and numerous licensed astronomy tour operators taking visitors to the altiplano for world-class night sky viewing.
Signal: No mobile coverage near the ALMA facility, which deliberately suppresses radio frequencies. San Pedro de Atacama has Entel 4G for pre-visit research.
South America's second largest lake, straddling Chile and Argentina, with the extraordinary Marble Caves of Capilla de Marmol reachable only by boat, swirling blue and white stone formations carved by the turquoise glacial water.
Signal: Limited Movistar coverage in Chile Chico and Puerto Rio Tranquilo. The Marble Caves boat launch has no signal. Download navigation offline before the drive south on the Carretera Austral.
Events and seasons in Chile
January, two weeks
Santiago a Mil Festival
Santiago
One of Latin America's most important performing arts festivals, with theatre, dance and circus performances across the city, many of them free outdoor shows in public plazas, drawing hundreds of thousands of spectators.
February, two weeks
Tapati Rapa Nui
Easter Island
Easter Island's greatest cultural festival, celebrating Rapa Nui heritage with competitions in traditional sports, body painting, canoe racing, haka pei sledding down volcanic slopes and the crowning of the festival queen.
February
Carnaval de Arica
Arica
A vibrant Andean carnival in Chile's northernmost city, featuring masked morenada dances, brass bands and colourful costumes blending Bolivian highland traditions with the Pacific coastal city setting.
March, three days
Lollapalooza Chile
Santiago, Parque Bicentenario
One of Latin America's largest music festivals, held annually at Parque Bicentenario in Santiago, with major international and Latin American headliners across multiple stages drawing over 100,000 attendees per day.
March to April
Vendimia (Wine Harvest Festivals)
Maipo, Colchagua and Casablanca Valleys
The grape harvest season across Chile's wine valleys, with winery harvest days, grape-stomping events, local food markets and wine festivals in the Maipo, Colchagua, Casablanca and Curico valleys.
March, third Saturday
Fiesta de la Vendimia Santa Cruz
Santa Cruz, Colchagua Valley
The main wine harvest celebration in the Colchagua Valley, held in Santa Cruz with wine tastings, cueca dancing, rodeo and traditional Huaso culture in Chile's most visited wine region.
July 12 to 18
Festival de la Tirana
La Tirana, Atacama
The largest religious festival in Chile, drawing over 200,000 pilgrims to the small Atacama town of La Tirana for dance, music and devotion to the Virgen del Carmen, with hundreds of masked and costumed dance groups performing for days.
November
Santiago International Documentary Film Festival (FIDOCS)
Santiago
One of Latin America's leading documentary film festivals, held across Santiago cinemas with Chilean and international films, director talks and retrospectives over a week.
November
Ultra Trail Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park
An extreme ultramarathon through the dramatic landscapes of Torres del Paine, with race routes of 35, 63 and 105 km through Patagonian wilderness, drawing hundreds of elite and amateur runners from around the world.
December to February
Casapiedra Summer Concerts
Santiago, La Reina and Vitacura parks
A series of outdoor summer concerts and cultural events held across Santiago's parks and amphitheatres through the Southern Hemisphere summer, featuring local and international acts in relaxed open-air settings.
Through the year
- Spring
- September to November sees warming temperatures across central Chile. Torres del Paine begins its season in October with spring wildflowers. The Atacama is pleasant. Easter Island is less crowded and quieter.
- Summer
- December to February is summer in Chile. In Patagonia this is the main trekking season with the longest daylight hours, but also the windiest period in Torres del Paine. Santiago is hot and busy. The Atacama is warm and dry. Easter Island is at its most popular.
- Fall
- March to May brings cooling temperatures in Santiago and the Lake District, with wine harvest festivals in March. Patagonia extends its season into April. The Atacama is excellent with moderate temperatures.
- Winter
- June to August is winter in Chile. Ski resorts near Santiago, Portillo and Valle Nevado are in full season. Patagonia receives the most challenging weather. The Atacama is cold at night but clear and ideal for stargazing.
Working remotely from Chile
Santiago is an excellent remote work base with fast 5G or wifi in cafes, coworking spaces in Providencia and Las Condes, and a comfortable year-round climate. Regional towns like Pucon, Valparaiso and San Pedro de Atacama are increasingly popular for digital nomads.
- Connection
- Urban 5G in Santiago handles video calls and cloud uploads easily. A Roamix plan with 15 to 20 GB suits a full working week of calls and browsing.
Use your Roamix eSIM as a secure hotspot for sensitive work rather than relying on cafe wifi. Coworking spaces in Providencia include HUB Santiago and WeWork.
