Chile is the most expensive country in South America, but still affordable compared to Western Europe, North America, or Australia. Your biggest costs will be domestic flights and accommodation in Patagonia, where prices reflect the remoteness and short season.
Daily Budgets
| Style | Per Day (USD) | What That Gets You |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | $40-60 | Hostel dorm, market food, local buses |
| Mid-range | $80-150 | Private hotel room, restaurants, mix of buses and flights |
| Comfortable | $200+ | Good hotels, wine tours, domestic flights, guided excursions |
Patagonia adds a premium — refugio bunks with meals run $100-150/night, and park entrance fees, gear rental, and transport from Santiago add up fast. Budget a minimum of $150/day for a Torres del Paine trek.
Currency
The Chilean peso (CLP). As of early 2026, roughly 900-950 CLP to one US dollar. Prices are often written with a period as thousands separator: $15.000 means fifteen thousand pesos (about $16 USD), not fifteen dollars.
ATMs and Cash
ATMs (cajeros automaticos) are everywhere in cities and larger towns. Banco Estado typically charges the lowest fees for foreign cards. Most ATMs dispense up to 200,000 CLP (~$210) per transaction. Your home bank may charge international withdrawal fees on top — check before you travel.
Carry cash for markets, small restaurants, rural areas, and the Atacama (where ATMs run dry in peak season). Santiago and other cities are increasingly cashless, but do not rely on cards exclusively outside urban areas.
Credit Cards
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted in hotels, restaurants, and shops in cities. American Express less so. Many smaller businesses add a surcharge (3-5%) for card payments or only accept cash. Contactless payment works in Santiago at most chain stores and restaurants.
Tipping
A 10% tip (propina) is standard at restaurants and is often added automatically to the bill — the waiter will ask "con propina incluida?" when bringing the check. You can accept or decline. Taxi drivers do not expect tips. Tour guides and hotel porters appreciate $2-5.
Common Costs
| Item | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|
| Hostel dorm bed | $12-20 |
| Mid-range hotel double | $60-100 |
| Set lunch menu (menu del dia) | $5-8 |
| Restaurant dinner | $15-25 |
| Beer (restaurant) | $3-5 |
| Bottle of wine (supermarket) | $4-10 |
| Santiago Metro ride | $1 |
| Bus Santiago → Valparaiso | $5-8 |
| Domestic flight (booked early) | $30-80 |
| Torres del Paine entrance | $35 |
Tip: IVA Tax Refund
Foreign tourists are exempt from the 19% IVA (VAT) tax on accommodation if paying in foreign currency or by foreign credit card. Not all hotels apply this automatically — ask when checking in. It can save you a significant amount on a longer trip.