Recommendations for Attendees

Travel Requirements for Chile

The minimum documents required to enter Chile are:

  • A valid passport (must be valid for at least 6 months from the date of entry and have two blank pages).
  • Sufficient funds to cover the trip.
  • Return flight ticket.
  • Visa (if applicable).

Depending on your nationality, you may need a visa to travel to Chile. Conference participants are responsible for completing the necessary procedures.

To view the list of countries whose citizens are subject to this requirement, please visit the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Consular Services website.

We also recommend considering medical and/or accident insurance.

Transportation

If you are using public transport, we recommend that you take the Santiago Metro.

To use the Metro or buses, you need a bip! card, which is sold at all Metro stations for CLP $1,550 (approx. USD $1.65). The card must be topped up with credit before use. A Metro fare ranges from CLP $710 to $870 (approx. USD $0.80 to $0.90), depending on the time of day.

To get to the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences by Metro, the nearest stations are:

  • Toesca (Line 2, a 12-minute walk away).
  • Parque O’Higgins (Line 2, a 13-minute walk).
  • Los Héroes (Line 1, a 20-minute walk away).

From Monday to Friday, from 6:00 to 9:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00, Line 2 operates an Express Route service, which means trains stop only at certain stations depending on their route colour (red or green), so please check which route your train is on. Parque O’Higgins station is on the red route and Toesca station is on the green route. Los Héroes is a shared station, where both red and green route trains stop.

Mapa del Metro de Santiago

Private Transportation

In Santiago, Uber and Cabify are also available as private transport options. Visitors are encouraged to use these services rather than taxis, as they offer greater fare transparency and may help avoid unexpected charges.

Safe Transport to and from the Airport

Upon arrival at the airport, we recommend arranging official transport before leaving the customs area or the passenger arrivals area. If possible, this can also be booked before arriving in Santiago, Chile. Official transport options may include authorised transfer services or official taxis.

Further information is available on the Arturo Merino Benítez Airport (SCL) website.

For your return flight, we also recommend travelling to the airport using official transport.

Suggested Accommodation

For your stay, we recommend the following hotels in the Providencia and Santiago districts, located close to Metro stations and other transport options.

Although these areas are considered safe, we would ask you to take the usual precautions that apply in any capital city. In the surrounding area, you will also find a wide variety of places to eat, stock up on supplies, go shopping and enjoy leisure activities.

Alternatively, it is also safe to stay in Airbnb accommodation in Chile. This platform often offers more affordable options and, in some cases, accommodation located even closer to the venue. It is advisable to take the necessary precautions, such as checking reviews from other guests and verifying the host’s reputation before booking.

Below is a list of safe hotels for your stay:

 

Providencia

Electricity

In Chile the standard voltage is 220V and the plug and socket types used are C and L (with round pins):

Type C:

Enchufe tipo C

Type L:

Enchufe tipo L

If you decide to buy an adapter, we recommend one certified by the Superintendency of Electricity and Fuels (SEC), which guarantees that the product complies with current Chilean regulations and poses no safety risk. You can recognise it by the seal shown below:

Sello SEC

For more information about the certification, click here, and for further details on electrical standards, click here..

Climate and clothing

Santiago has a Mediterranean climate and, in October, average maximum temperatures range from 22 °C to 29 °C.

We recommend checking the weather forecast on AccuWeather before your trip, bringing a jacket and suitable clothing, and wearing sun cream at all times.

Money and ATMs

The official currency of Chile is the Chilean peso. At the time of writing, the exchange rate is USD 1 = CLP 943.40.

Banks in Chile are open from 9 am to 2 pm, whilst ATMs operate 24 hours a day.

For currency exchange, we recommend using only official exchange offices located at the airport, in shopping centres, or in formal establishments within the city. Please avoid any offer that requires entering a residential or office building, as legitimate currency exchange offices do not operate in such locations and these offers are generally scams.

As a suggestion, there are currency exchange bureaux at the following locations in the city:

  • Santiago Centro: Agustinas St. between Bandera St. and Paseo Ahumada St.
  • Providencia: Providencia Av at the intersection with Pedro de Valdivia Av.

Safety in the city

Santiago is a vibrant and welcoming city, offering rich cultural experiences and a wide range of entertainment options. However, visitors are advised to take certain precautions.

  • Look after your belongings: keep your personal belongings, such as mobile phones, wallets and handbags, within sight at all times. Take care not to leave valuables in plain sight.
  • Precautions when using public transport: although public transport in Santiago is efficient, please bear in mind that stations and buses can be very crowded at certain times of the day. It is advisable to avoid displaying valuables and to keep an eye on your belongings at all times.
  • Street safety: in unfamiliar or quieter areas, it is best not to walk alone at night. Ask locals or hotel staff about areas of the city that may be less safe. Use trusted transport services such as registered taxis, private transport or the public transport system.
  • Be careful with personal information: avoid sharing personal information or details of your travel plans with strangers. Keep a low profile and avoid discussing sensitive topics in public.

Enjoy the city during your stay

  • Enjoy the local cuisine: Santiago offers a wide range of dining options. Don’t miss the chance to try traditional Chilean food such as empanadas, pastel de choclo (corn and meat pie), and fresh fish and seafood. The city also offers a wide variety of international cuisine, as well as vegetarian and vegan options.
  • Tipping: in bars and restaurants, the suggested tip when asking for the bill is 10% of the total.
  • Explore the sights: we recommend visiting the city’s landmarks, such as Cerro San Cristóbal, Barrio Bellavista, Barrio Lastarria, Sky Costanera, the National Museum of Fine Arts, the Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Memory and Human Rights.
  • Connectivity and communication: make sure you have a reliable way to communicate during your stay. Most tourist sites and hotels offer Wi-Fi, and it is useful to have a data plan or a local or international SIM card for emergencies.

Safety measures in the event of floods or heavy rain

Below are some safety measures to take in the event of floods or heavy rain, as issued by SENAPRED: 

If you live, work or visit areas at risk of flooding watch out for the following signs: 

  • Heavy, sustained rainfall above normal levels.
  • In mountainous areas, higher-than-normal air temperatures.
  • Increased turbidity in watercourses. 
  • Sudden changes in the rise or fall of a watercourse’s level and flow rate. 
  • Loud background noise, like that of many lorries approaching. 

What should you do in the event of a flash flood? 

  • If you are near high-altitude areas, the foothills, mountain ranges or hillsides, do not stay in ravines or at the mouths of streams where flash floods might pass through, nor on structures such as bridges or speed bumps. 
  • If you must evacuate, do so to locations that the authorities have designated as Meeting Points. If there are none, move away from the course of rivers, estuaries and ravines. 
  • If the flash flood is approaching and you cannot evacuate to a Meeting Point, seek higher ground in houses, on rooftops, in buildings or other structures. 
  • If you are driving and reach an area affected by a flash flood, avoid crossing it and move away from the area. 
  • Move away from the area affected by the flash flood, as others may occur nearby. 
  • Return home only when the authorities indicate that it is safe to do so. 

For further information, please visit senapred.cl/aluviones/ 

Safety measures in the event of earthquakes or strong tremors

Given Chile’s geographical characteristics and its seismic activity, it is important to be aware of the preventive measures and response procedures to follow in the event of an earthquake or tremor. Being informed and knowing how to act helps to reduce risks and contributes to personal and collective safety.  

Below are some safety measures to follow in the event of earthquakes or tremors, as published by SENAPRED: 

  • Check what material your home, school or workplace is built from. If it is made of adobe or is a self-build, you must evacuate immediately during an earthquake. 
  • Identify earthquake-safe areas, away from windows and objects that could fall on you.  

A seismic shelter is an earthquake-resistant building, the interior of which is protected against falling or overturning furniture or objects (light fittings, suspended ceilings, air-conditioning ducts, amongst others). In a non-earthquake-resistant building, there are no safe areas inside; therefore, the Safety Area will always be located outside the building, away from other buildings, poles and cables. Seismic Protection Zones must be clearly marked. 

What should you do in the event of an earthquake? 

  • Stay calm and move to a Seismic Protection Area.
  • Protect yourself and brace yourself under a sturdy object. If it is not possible to get underneath it, stand next to it. 
  • Switch off the electricity in your home and turn off the water and gas valves. 
  • If you are out on the street, move away from buildings, utility poles and power lines. 
  • If you are at a large public gathering, stay calm and remain where you are; protect your head and neck with your arms. Follow the instructions of the security staff. 
  • If you are driving through a tunnel, over a bridge or on an urban motorway, slow down and stop once you have exited that area. 
  • If you are on the coast and the earthquake has made it difficult for you to stay on your feet, evacuate immediately to a meeting point and/or safety area. 
  • For lighting, use only torches; do not use candles, matches or lighters. Avoid creating sparks that could cause an explosion in the event of a gas leak. 
  • When evacuating a building, use the emergency staircase; do not use lifts. 
  • If you are trapped or unable to escape, stay calm and call for help. 

For further information, please visit senapred.cl/sismos/ 

Safe zones at FCFM

In the event of an emergency, an alarm will sound at the Beauchef 850 and 851 buildings, signalling the immediate evacuation of all staff, academic staff, students and anyone else present within the faculty.  

Las personas evacuadas deberán traslaThose being evacuated must proceed to the nearest safe area, guided by evacuation leaders and emergency coordinators, who will be wearing high-visibility vests. 

In the event of a risky or dangerous situation, please follow these instructions:  

  • Stay calm. 
  • Evacuate via the main corridors on each floor, emergency staircases and the exits of each building towards the designated safety zones. 
  • Do not use lifts or goods lifts. 
  • During the evacuation, do not run or play in the escape routes. 
  • Follow the instructions of the evacuation leaders and the emergency operations committee (they will be wearing high-visibility vests). 

The conference will take place at the premises at 851 Beauchef. Should it be necessary to evacuate, the safety zones are located outside the faculty, in the areas bordering Beauchef Avenue, Club Hípico Avenue and Tupper Street, marked on the map with a red square. 

You can identify the safety zones on the following map: