Save time and money: let SAE work for you!
Clubhouses: SAE clubhouses in Cusco, Quito, Lima, and Buenos Aires—join one club and you join them all! More...
Trip planning: Expert advice to help you plan your trip to South America. More...
Free club magazine: Subscription to the SAE’S quarterly 64-page magazine. More...
Discounts: Save money on tours, hotels, language schools, guide services, Galapagos boats, etc. More...
Free storage: Stow your gear, baggage, and equipment at all SAE clubhouses. More...
Free events and activities: Free admission to clubhouse presentations, lectures, and excursions. More...
Networking: Help with networking to find traveling partners and companions for everything from day excursions to full-scale expeditions. More...
Volunteer work: Comprehensive database of volunteer opportunities in South America. More...
Recommendations: Compilation of recommended mountain and jungle guides, language schools, tour operators, hotels, etc. More...
Trip Reports: Thousands of detailed trip reports by fellow members. More...
Country Reps: Free advice and support from knowledgeable country reps in all 13 South American countries, and now in Central America too! More...
Emergencies: Emergency assistance for SAE members. More...
Online information: Free electronic access to back issues of the SAE magazine dating back to 1977, Member Trip reports, info sheets, etc. More...
Provincial binders: Detailed information on specific regions within a country. More...
Libraries: Access libraries at all clubhouses that contain research materials, journals, etc. More...
Maps & charts: Access to hard-to-get maps and navigational aids. More...
Expeditions: Notification of expeditionary opportunities. More...
Free Internet & Mail service: Free high-speed and wireless Internet, free mail service. More...
Book exchange: A changing collection of novels, biographies, journals, and guidebooks for member use. More...
Sign up today!...
![]()
Ad copy ad copy ad copy. Ad copy ad copy.
Information Sheet Last Updated: June 2004
Safety
Chile is generally one of the safest countries in South America for tourists. Law enforcement officers are Carabineros (green military uniforms), who handle all tasks except immigration. Investigaciones, in civilian dress are the detective police who deal with everything except traffic.
Beware of the common trick of spraying mustard, ketchup, or something else on your shirt then getting a “friend” to clean the mustard as well as your wallet off of you. If you are sprayed, keep on walking and ignore strangers remarks like “what’s on your shirt” or “have you seen the dirt on your shoe?” Do not bend over to pick up money or other items in the street. These are all ploys to distract you and make you and easy target.
Take local advice about being out at night. Daytime is not always safer than nighttime. If you are walking after dark in a dangerous part of a big city, walk in the road, not on the pavement.
Be wary of the plainclothes policeman and insist on seeing identification and going to the police station by main roads before you show any of your personal items. Never take them directly back to your temporary place of residence. Be even more suspicious if he asks for confirmation of his status from a pedestrian walking by.
If you are the victim of a sexual assault, you should see a doctor (you home doctor if you wish) as soon as possible. You will need tests to determine whether you have contracted any sexually transmitted diseases. You should also contact your embassy where consular staff are willing the help in the case of assault.
