Chile 101

[ben]

Planning a stint of a few days in Santiago. Anyone know -

1) How the AR Peso exchange situation would stack up over there?
Also, any particular suggestions on an exchange place, in the airport or in the city?

2) Any Chile-focused expat board comparable to this one?

Thanks y'all!

 

[TheBigDaddy]

Don't exchange anything at the airport.

On the street called Agustinas, a couple of blocks north of the palacio de moneda (giant presidential palace in the centre of the city, you can't miss it )

There are 5 exchange shops in the space of two blocks, the prices are excelent on everything including US dollars. Each one has a slightly better price for different currencies so walk past them all till you find the one with the highest rate for exchanging argentina pesos and there u go.

 

[sam3g]

When I visited Chile in 2010 I remember feeling that it was quite a bit more expensive than Buenos Aires.

 

[El chabon]

It's not now

 

[jb5]

More xpensive, far less to do, people less friendy. I'd head to Vina, eat some good seafood, enjoy the wines if you're a white wine lover and then head on back for real city life.

 

[TheBigDaddy]

No way is santiago more expensive now with all the inflation. I visit every few months for business, my hotel and favourite restaurants have barely increased in price for 3 years. Flying out of Bs As is like leaving the twilight zone.

I agree with the other points though, it is a boring place with cold, ugly and completely unstylish people. Chilean spanish is in my opinion the worst form that exists in the world it is truly awful.

 

[Rad]

2) Any Chile-focused expat board comparable to this one?

allchile.net

 

[jb5]

Really? Its been about 6 months since I've Ben there, is BA really more expensive now? Haven't seen how much their currency has devalued, is that part of it?