:::OTHERS
:::
Climate: Santiago enjoys a Mediterranean-type climate with four distinct
seasons. During April the weather is in fall, after a very sunny summer,
temperatures gradually decreases, ranging from a maximum of 22 º
C to a minimum of 7 º C.
The main characteristic of this climate is the presence of a long drought
station and a well market winter with extreme temperatures that come
to zero degrees. Santiago registers an annual average temperature of
14 º C, but the thermal contrasts are strong in summer and the
maxims reach values superior to 30 º C during the day.
A typical stamp of the temperatures is constituted by the rains, which
variations allow to emphasize conditions precarious enough, reaching
annual averages of 356,2 mm. The rainfalls are registered during the
winter seasons, specially during the months from May to August, which
decrease from the coast towards the intermediate depression, to increase
again in the mountain chain of The Andes; originating hereby general
bioclimatic lines from the region and from the central zone of Chile.
Clothing: Fall clothing is recommended.
Time zone:
Chilean Continental standard time corresponds to the time zone UTC-4:00
(Universal Time Coordinate). It is two-hours ahead of Lima, Peru and
New York, USAChile uses a military time of 24 hours (e.g.: 3:00 PM are
15:00 hours).Chile uses the European format for date (day, month, year.
E.g.: The 29 of December of 1980 is 19-12-1980)
Electricity:
Electrical voltage in Chile is 220 volts, 50 cycles (220V 50 Hz). All
electronic devices designed for 110V require a transformer. All portable
appliances, including portable computers, usually have transformers
of high voltage (110V-240V) which are adaptable to the Chilean electrical
system. Some hotels have 110V lines.
Water:
In general, Santiago's drinking water is completely safe for ingestion.
For people who are generally more susceptible to changes in their environments,
we suggest that you drink only bottled mineral water (you can choose
between effervescent water, "natural" or water without bubbles
"sin gas") during your first days in Chile. This water is
commonly found in supermarkets, corner stores and restaurants.
Raw
Foods: It is not advisable to eat raw vegetables, especially
those grown near the ground (e.g. lettuce, carrots, strawberries, etc.),
unless they are bought at established supermarkets, which normally monitor
the sources of their products. Thus, there is a great variety of vegetables
in which you should feel free to partake, as they are guaranteed of
having been watered with clean well water. Established restaurants also
offer this guarantee.
City
Schedules: In general, commercial malls, restaurants, public
performances and public transportation function within the following
hours:
| Offices |
Mon
to Fri |
9:00-18:00
|
| Banks |
Mon
to Fri |
9:00-14:00
|
| Commercial
Malls |
Mon
to Sun |
11:00-21:00
|
| Supermarkets |
Mon
to Sun |
8:30-22:00
/ 23:00 |
| Shops |
Mon
to Sat |
10:00-20:00
|
| Lunch |
Mon
to Sun |
13:00-15:30
|
| Dinner |
Mon
to Sun |
21:00-24:00
|
Personal Security: Santiago is widely known as a safe
city for foreign visitors, much more so than most other large cities in
Latin America. Nevertheless, it is advisable that you take normal safety
precautions against pickpockets For example, avoid interactions with unknown
people and keep valuables out of sight, or leave these items at home altogether.
