Getting Chilean Pesos for Your Trip
Chile stretches 4,300 kilometres from the Atacama Desert to Patagonian glaciers, offering incredible diversity. Fortunately, Chile has one of South America's most stable and modern financial systems, making money management relatively straightforward.
In cities like Santiago, Valparaíso, and Viña del Mar, you'll find excellent card acceptance and plenty of ATMs. However, venture into Patagonia or remote areas, and cash becomes essential. Planning your money strategy around your itinerary is crucial.
Best Ways to Get CLP
Here are your options for obtaining Chilean Pesos:
1. ATM Withdrawal with Wise/Revolut Card
The most convenient option with excellent rates. Chilean ATMs (look for RedBanc or BancoEstado) are reliable and widespread in cities. Use a Wise or Revolut card to avoid your UK bank's foreign transaction fees. Machines dispense up to CLP 200,000 per transaction.
2. Exchange Cash at Casas de Cambio
Currency exchange houses in Santiago (especially on Agustinas and Monjitas streets in downtown) offer competitive rates for USD and EUR. Rates are better than banks and much better than airports. Compare several before exchanging.
3. Use Your Card Directly
In Santiago and major cities, you can often use cards everywhere, reducing your need for cash. Just ensure you have a no-foreign-fee card. Always choose to pay in CLP (Chilean Pesos), not GBP.
4. Airport Exchange
Rates at Santiago airport are poor but improving. Exchange only enough for transport to the city if needed. Better options await downtown.
Using Cards in Chile
Chile has excellent card infrastructure in urban areas:
Where Cards Work Well
Hotels and hostels, restaurants and cafes in cities, supermarkets (Jumbo, Líder, Santa Isabel), shopping malls, petrol stations, pharmacies (Cruz Verde, Farmacias Ahumada), domestic airlines, and most tourist services.
Where You Need Cash
Local markets and ferias (farmers markets), small family restaurants, rural areas and small towns, Patagonia (many places), public transport (Santiago metro accepts cards but buses need BIP card), tips, and street vendors.
Card Tips
Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. American Express less so. Always choose to pay in CLP, not your home currency. Some merchants have minimum amounts for card payments (often CLP 5,000-10,000). Contactless is increasingly common in Santiago.
ATMs in Chile
Chilean ATMs are reliable but have some quirks:
ATM Networks
RedBanc: The main ATM network, widely available.
BancoEstado: Good for tourists, often has higher limits.
Banco de Chile, Santander, BCI: All have extensive ATM networks.
ATM Tips
Most ATMs dispense up to CLP 200,000 per transaction. Some have CLP 400,000 daily limits for foreign cards. Fees vary — some charge CLP 3,000-5,000, others are free. Always decline the ATM's offer to convert to your home currency. Withdraw during bank hours when possible.
Where ATMs Are Scarce
Torres del Paine National Park (none inside), San Pedro de Atacama (limited, often empty), Easter Island (few ATMs, high fees), small Patagonian towns, and rural areas throughout Chile.
Money for Chilean Patagonia
Special considerations for Patagonia travel:
Torres del Paine Area
Puerto Natales has a few ATMs but they run out of cash regularly, especially in high season. Withdraw in Punta Arenas before heading north. Most refugios and camps accept cards but have spotty connectivity — don't rely on it.
Carretera Austral
Extremely limited banking. Coyhaique and Puerto Aysén have ATMs; tiny villages along the road don't. Bring all the cash you'll need for the duration.
How Much to Bring
For a Torres del Paine trek, budget CLP 30,000-50,000 per day for refugio meals and extras. For Carretera Austral road trips, bring CLP 50,000-100,000 per day depending on accommodation and activities.
Tipping in Chile
Tipping is appreciated but moderate:
Restaurants: 10% is standard if not included. Check if "servicio" is on the bill.
Cafes: Not expected, but rounding up is nice.
Hotels: CLP 1,000-2,000 per bag for porters.
Taxis: Not expected; round up if you like.
Tour guides: CLP 5,000-10,000 per day, or 10-15%.
Wine tours: CLP 2,000-5,000 per person to guides.
Trek porters (Patagonia): CLP 5,000-10,000 per day.
Best Exchange Options for CLP
Top providers by category for UK travellers:
Wise
Real mid-market rate with transparent fees. Best overall value for most travellers.
Revolut
Great rates weekdays. Premium plan for weekend travel without surcharge.
Post Office
Collect from 11,500 branches. Order online for better rates than in-store.
Barclays / HSBC
Order via online banking for better rates. Avoid branch counter exchanges.
Airport Bureaux
Typically 5-10% worse rates. Only use for emergencies.
Frequently Asked Questions
The best way to get Chilean Pesos is through ATM withdrawals using a Wise or Revolut card. Chile has a modern banking system with reliable ATMs. Alternatively, exchange USD or EUR cash at casas de cambio in Santiago for good rates.
Yes, Chile has excellent card acceptance in cities. Credit and debit cards work at most hotels, restaurants, shops, and supermarkets. Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted. You'll need cash for markets, small shops, and rural areas.
ATMs (called RedBanc or similar) are widely available in Santiago, Valparaíso, and major cities. They're less common in Patagonia and remote areas. Always have cash backup when travelling outside cities.
Bring enough cash for your entire Patagonia stay as ATMs are scarce and unreliable. In Torres del Paine area, Puerto Natales has limited ATMs. Estimate CLP 50,000-100,000 per day depending on your activities and accommodation.
Tipping is customary but not as prominent as in North America. In restaurants, 10% is standard if service isn't included. Hotel porters receive CLP 1,000-2,000 per bag. Tour guides and drivers appreciate 10-15% tips.