Essentials
| 🏙️ City | Santiago is the capital and largest city of Chile, known for its modern skyline, rich culture, and beautiful surrounding mountains. |
| 👥 Population | Approximately 7 million |
| 💻 Internet Speed | Average internet speed is 75 Mbps. |
| 💸 Currency & Banking | 1 USD ≈ 890 CLP (Chilean Peso), major banks include BancoEstado, Santander, and BCI. |
| 🚰 Tap Water | Drinkable |
| 🔌 Power | 220V, 50Hz, 🔌 Type C/L sockets |
| 📶 SIM Card | Providers include Entel, Movistar, and Claro. |
| 💳 Banking for Expats | Popular options include Banco Santander and Banco de Chile, with services in English. |
| 🛌 Accommodation | Options include apartments on Airbnb and local rentals, with prices ranging from $300 to $1,000 monthly. |
| 💳 Cashless Friendly | Yes, credit and debit cards are widely accepted. |
| 🏠 Short Term Rentals | Platforms like Airbnb and Vrbo offer many short-term rental options. |
| 🛏️ Budget Accommodation | Hostel options like La Casa Roja provide budget-friendly lodging starting at $15 per night. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Tourists | The Lastarria neighborhood is popular among tourists for its lively ambiance and cultural attractions. |
| 🏙️ Best Area to Stay for Digital Nomads | Neighborhoods such as Providencia and Bellavista offer good co-working spaces and cafes. |
Working and Networking
| 🏢 Best Coworking Space | WeWork (various locations) and The Hub Santiago are excellent choices for co-working. |
| ☕ Best Cafe for Work | Café literario in Gabriela Mistral Cultural Center offers a quiet atmosphere with Wi-Fi. |
| 💼 Networking Events | Meetup.com and Facebook groups often list events for expats and digital nomads. |
| 🥂 Social Events for Expats | The Santiago Expats group on Facebook organizes meetups and community events regularly. |
Transportation
| 🚕 Best Taxi/Ride App | Uber and Cabify operate widely in Santiago. |
| 🚲 Bike/Scooter Rental | Bikes can be rented from companies like Mobike and Lime scooters are available in many areas. |
| 🏖️ Best Beach Nearby | Viña del Mar is approximately 1.5 hours away by bus. |
| ✈️ Top Regional Airline | LATAM Airlines provides extensive domestic routes. |
| ✈️ Top International Airline | Avianca and American Airlines operate multiple international flights from Santiago. |
| 🛣️ Highway Access | Major highways include Ruta 5 Norte and Ruta 68. |
| 🚉 Main Train/Transit Hub | Estación Central serves as the primary transit hub for trains and buses. |
| 🚍 Public Transport Passes | The Bip! card is used for buses and the metro, with fares around 800 CLP. |
| ✈️ Regional Travel | Buses to nearby cities like Valparaíso and La Serena are frequent and affordable. |
Health and Wellness
| 🏥 Best Hospital | Hospital Clínico Universidad de Chile is one of the best healthcare facilities. |
| 🧘 Yoga & Wellness Centers | Centro de Yoga Santiago offers various classes for practitioners of all levels. |
| 🏋️ Gyms & Fitness Centers | Gyms like Smart Fit and Gold’s Gym are popular, offering memberships from $30/month. |
| 🧺 Laundry Services | Various laundromats are available, including Lavandería a Domicilio Express. |
Food and Drink
| 📱 Best Food Delivery App | UberEats and Rappi are commonly used for food delivery. |
| 🍽️ Best Local Dish to Try | Empanadas and Pastel de Choclo are must-try local dishes. |
| 🍱 Vegan/Vegetarian Options | Restaurants like El Huerto and Vegana are well-rated for plant-based cuisine. |
| 🍫 Best Dessert Spots | The Chocolate in Lastarria offers delightful dessert options. |
| 🛒 Affordable Shopping Spots | Mercado Central is a great place to buy fresh produce and local specialties at reasonable prices. |
| 🛒 E-commerce/Online Store | MercadoLibre is the equivalent of Amazon in Chile. |
| 🛒 Grocery Delivery | Apps like Cornershop and Rappi deliver groceries from major supermarkets. |
| 🍸 Bar/Nightlife Area | Bellavista is the main nightlife district with plenty of bars and clubs. |
| 🍻 Local Brewery | BrewDog and Kross are popular local breweries with various craft beers. |
| 🍷 Wine Bars | Bodegas y Vinedos de Chile in Bellavista offers tastings and local wines. |
| 🍲 Street Food Stalls | Street vendors selling completo (hot dogs) and terremoto cocktails are common in plazas. |
| 🍕 Popular International Cuisine | Restaurants like Aji Seco serve international dishes including Peruvian and Asian-Pacific. |
Culture and Attractions
| 🎟️ Must-See Landmarks | Plaza de Armas and Cerro San Cristóbal are must-visit spots for tourists. |
| 🏛️ Museums & Art Venues | Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes and Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos showcase Chile’s culture and history. |
| 🏰 Historical Sites | The Palacio de La Moneda and Mercado Central hold significant historical value. |
| 🕍 Religious Sites | The Metropolitan Cathedral is a key religious and architectural site. |
| 🎉 Annual Events | Fiesta de La Tirana and Santiago a Mil festival celebrate cultural heritage. |
| 🎨 Cultural Districts | Barrio Bellavista and Lastarria host many artistic events and exhibitions. |
| 🎭 Theater Venues | Teatro Municipal de Santiago is renowned for performances. |
| 🛍️ Local Markets | Mercado Central and Feria de Los Dominicos are great for shopping local products. |
| 🎼 Music Scene | Live music at La Casa en el Aire and Club Subterraneo showcases local talent. |
| 🎨 Street Art | The streets of Barrio Bellavista are popular for vibrant mural art. |
| 🧑🍳 Cooking Classes | Classes at La cocina de la leche offer insights into Chilean cuisine. |
| 👩🎨 Art Galleries | Galería Patricia Ready features contemporary Chilean artists. |
| 🕰️ Historic Buildings | The Palacio de La Moneda, the presidential palace, is a remarkable historical building. |
| 🏴 Local Heritage | Chilean folk traditions are celebrated through various festivals and events. |
Nature and Outdoor Activities
| 🌅 Nearby Nature Escapes | Cajón del Maipo offers stunning natural scenery and hiking opportunities. |
| 🏞️ National Parks Nearby | Cerro La Campana National Park is within a 1.5-hour drive. |
| 🚲 Cycling/Walking Paths | Parque Forestal features beautiful paths by the river. |
| 🌄 Scenic Viewpoints | Cerro San Cristóbal offers panoramic views of Santiago. |
| 🦉 Birdwatching Locations | The Parque Nacional Río Clarillo is a great spot for birdwatching. |
| 🔥 Bonfire-Friendly Spots | Cajón del Maipo has designated areas for bonfires. |
Other Services and Amenities
| 📦 Parcel Delivery Service | DHL offers reliable domestic and international parcel delivery. |
| 🛠️ Tech Repair Services | Tech services like iFixit are available in many neighborhoods. |
| 🏓 Table Tennis Spots | Cafetería Té en la Nube offers a ping pong table for free. |
| 🧑🏫 Language Classes | Spanish language schools like Ecela offer immersion courses. |
| 📚 Libraries & Study Spots | Biblioteca de Santiago provides a quiet study environment. |
| 🏘️ Community Centers | Centro Cultural La Moneda hosts various community and cultural events. |
| 🕹️ Gaming Lounges | Gaming spots like Game Over provide a venue for video game lovers. |
| 🎰 Casino & Gaming Halls | Monticello Grand Casino is one of the largest in the region. |
Business
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,500 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $100,000) |
| 🏢 Studio Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,800 per m² (e.g., 40 m² = $72,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,200 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $132,000) |
| 🏠 1-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,600 per m² (e.g., 60 m² = $96,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (City Center) | Approx. $2,000 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $160,000) |
| 🏡 2-Bedroom Purchase Price (Outside City) | Approx. $1,500 per m² (e.g., 80 m² = $120,000) |
| 💼 Corporate Tax | 27% for corporations. |
| 💵 Dividend Withholding Tax | 35% on dividends. |
| 🏦 Tax System | Residents are taxed on worldwide income. |
| 📈 Highest Income Tax Bracket | Up to 40% for high earners. |
| 🧾 VAT | The standard VAT rate is 19%. |
| 🌐 Controlled Foreign Company (CFC) Rules | Yes, Chile has CFC rules for foreign subsidiaries. |
| 🏠 Property Tax | Yes, property tax is based on property value. |
| 🏠 Property Transaction Tax | The tax is typically around 2% to 4% on property purchases. |
| 💻 Attractive Tax System for Digital Nomads | Chilean tax policy can be conducive for digital nomads, with certain allowances for non-residents. |