CHILE

(CLP) Currency News >>

CURRENCY:

Chilean Peso - CLP, Symbol CH$

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: CH$20,000, 10,000, 5,000, 2,000, 1,000 and 500.

COIN: CH$500, 100, 50, 10, 5 and 1.

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED?

Yes, widely.

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

Most major credit cards are accepted in cities and towns. ATMs (Redbanc) are also available in cities and towns.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

There are many ways of going about foreign exchange in Chile - banks, "casas de cambio", and even some restaurants and shops. Beware the black market however.

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

Traveller's cheques might be hard to exchange outside the major towns and cities. If necessary, these are best in US Dollars for the best exchange rate. Please note: the foreign currency market is not government-regulated in Chile - this means currency and traveller's cheques exchange is possible at "market-driven" rates from any casa de cambio.

BANKING HOURS:

Mon-Fri 0900-1400. Casas de cambio hours: daily 0900 - 1900.

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:

There is no restriction on the import and export of foreign currency.

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Chile's full name is the Republic of Chile and is a country in South America. It is surrounded by Peru, Bolivia, Argentina, the Drake Passage, as well as the Andes Mountains and the entire Western edge of the country is bordered with the Pacific Ocean. The official language is Spanish and the capital is Santiago.

POPULATION:

Around 17 million

ECONOMY:

Chile has been experiencing gradual growth since a slight downturn in the late 90s. This country is the world's fifth largest exporter of wine. Aside from wine, Chile also exports fresh fruit, seafood and forestry and wood products. Tourism to Chile has grown in the last decades - there are many ancient architecture from the ancient Incas that are popular with foreign visitors as well as natural sites and lakes.