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Health & Safety

Emergency Telephone Numbers
(from within Chile)

Police: 133
Ambulance: 131
Fire: 132
Sea Rescue: 137
Mountain Rescue: 699 4764

Health
Chile has a well developed urban and communications infrastructure. There are no specific health concerns for visitors to be worried about at this time. Foreigners should consider drinking bottled water and be wary of eating any uncooked vegetables (e.g. raw salads) only because different foods can affect the unaccustomed stomach i.e. resulting in diarrhoea.

Safety
It is politically stable and considered a safe country to travel within, however, foreigners should remain vigilant and "street-wise" when in public areas as there are pick-pockets and opportunists in Chile as there are in most countries of the world - unfortunately. Do NOT INVITE the bad guys to rob you. Do NOT walk around with your wallet showing in your back pocket or your ruck sack on your back nor with an expensive camera hanging around your neck.

It is certainly considered to be the safest country in Latin America by foreigners who live here and a good place in which to bring up children. Santiago is thought by many to be safer than cities such as London, New York and Paris.

Earthquakes
As you have probably read Chile is a country of climatic and geographic extremes. However the reason that there are such high mountains and many volcanoes is because this area is geographically unstable i.e. EARTHQUAKES are very common. As a visitor you should be very aware that earth tremors are very common and a strong earthquake is something that can happen at any time. Buildings, especially new ones, have been constructed to withstand such earth disturbances, but such an experience is still quite frightening. All you an do is try not to panic and ride it out!

Sun
The sun is VERY strong in central and northern Chile, especially during the summer months of December / January / February / March. Use sun protection cream, wear a hat and drink plenty of water.

Medical Emergency
In the event of severe illness or an accident that requires medical attention, all private hospitals offer first class medical attention, facilities and treatment but make sure your travel insurance covers such necessities. Santiago boasts a number of top class private hospitals (see below) which will be known by any taxi driver or hotel porter.

Santiago Private Hospitals (Santiago phone numbers)

Clinica Alemana
Av. Vitacura 5951, Vitacura, Santiago.
Tel: 210 1111

Clinica Universidad Catolica
Av. Lira 40, Santiago.
Tel : 369 6000

Clinica Indisa
Av. Santa Maria 1810, Providencia, Santiago.
Tel: 362 5555

Clinica Santa Maria
Av. Santa Maria 0410, Providencia, Santiago
Tel: 777 8024

Clinica Las Condes
Lo Fontecilla 441, Las Condes, Santiago
Tel: 210 4000