Local Knowledge
Telephone
Dialing Codes
Country code for Chile: +56 Area code for Santiago: 2
Emergency Numbers
City Police: 133 Ambulance: 131 Fire: 132
Tipping
It is customary to leave a 10-15% tip in cafés and restaurants. Taxi drivers don't
expect tips. Just round the fare up to the nearest peso. Leave hotel porters and
housekeepers at least a couple of pesos.
VAT & Taxes
Prices in stores include the government's 19% value-added tax, known as Impuesto de
Valor Agregado (IVA).
Getting Around
Taxis
It is easy to catch a black-and-yellow taxi on the city streets. You can also ask
a hotel or restaurant staff member to order a radio taxi for you.
Subway
Santiago has three subway (Metro) lines that cover all main areas of the city.
The subway is the cheapest and often fastest way of getting around. Buy
stored-value fare cards at the station.
Trams & Buses
Buses (micros) cover all parts of Santiago. Green-and-white buses (troncales)
operate on the main routes in the capital and have three-digit route numbers.
Local buses stay within one fare zone and are painted solid colors. The same
fare cards that work on the Metro are good on buses.
Public Holidays
New Year's Day
January 1
National Memorial Day for Truth and Justice
March 24
Maundy Thursday
March-April
Good Friday
March-April
Labor Day
May 1
Navy Day
May 21
Day of St. Peter and St. Paul
June 29
Assumption
August 15
Independence Day
September 18
Army Day
September 19
Columbus Day
October 12
All Saints’ Day
November 1
Immaculate Conception
December 8
Christmas Day
December 25
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