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Voykit pocket guide · Chile
Los Andes
Do Los Andes as a day trip from Santiago (≈1.5 h drive); stay only for hot‑springs or mountain activities (1‑2 nights).
Los Andes sits 80 km north of Santiago in the Aconcagua valley. Its historic monastery, the Transandine Railway remnants, and nearby Cerro Virgen del Valle are reachable in a few hours. Hot‑springs and mountaineering options justify a short overnight stay.
- Country
- Chile
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- Avoid
- Jun–Aug (rainy, cooler highlands)
- Stay
- 1–2 nights
Checked 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change; anything marked (check) is not confirmed.
Essentials
- Currency
- CLP
- Money
- Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $). Cards are widely accepted; carry cash for small shops, markets and rural buses.
- Daily spend
- Budget CLP 30,000–40,000 excl. bed · Mid CLP 40,000–60,000 excl. bed (estimate; check)
- SIM and data
- Entel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.
- Emergency
- Police 133 · Fire 132 · Ambulance 131
- Plugs
- Types C, L · 220 V · 50 Hz · European plugs fit; Type L is Italian three-pin.
- Tipping
- Restaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.; Guides and drivers: CLP 5,000–15,000 a day.; Supermarket packers: A few hundred pesos.
- Water
- Tap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.
- Toilets
- Paper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.
Get in
By air
- SCL · Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport
- ≈80 km (50 mi) south, about 1.5 h by car or bus from Los Andes≈50 mi (80 km) south, about 1.5 h by car or bus from Los Andes
Typical fares
- Santiago → Los Andes bus
- ≈ CLP 8,000 one‑way (check schedule).
- Taxi within Los Andes
- ≈ CLP 2,000 for short trips.
Show 7 more sections and the pocket cardHideGet around, See and do, Sleep, Phrase card, Etiquette, safety and scams, One and two days, Sources, Pocket card
Get around
Bus from Santiago via RCH‑5 (≈1.5 h) or car on Los Libertadores R‑57. Within town walk or use local taxis.
See and do
Known for
- Monastery of the Descalza Carmelites
- Transandine Railway ruins
- Cerro Virgen del Valle
- Plaza de Armas
- Hot springs
Day trips
| Where | How | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Monastery of the Descalza Carmelites | Walk 5 min from Plaza de Armas | ≈10 min |
| Cerro Virgen del Valle | Local bus or taxi 12 km (7.5 mi) south, then walk 15 minLocal bus or taxi 7.5 mi (12 km) south, then walk 15 min | ≈30 min |
| Hot springs (Termas de Jahuel) | Taxi 20 km (12 mi) east, 25 min driveTaxi 12 mi (20 km) east, 25 min drive | ≈35 min |
Sleep
- Hotel Génova
- Double room 36,000 CLP; outdoor pool, breakfast, Wi‑Fi; 200 m from Ahumada bus station.
- Termas de Jahuel Hotel & Spa
- Hot‑springs resort; horse‑riding, cycling, tennis; price check.
Phrase card
| English | Say or show |
|---|---|
| Excuse me / Sorry | Disculpedisˈkulpe |
| Thank you | Graciasˈɡɾasjas |
| How much is it? | ¿Cuánto cuesta?ˈkwanto ˈkwesta |
| Where is the bathroom? | ¿Dónde está el baño?ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo |
Etiquette, safety and scams
Etiquette
- Greeting: One cheek kiss (women) or handshake; avoid: Skipping the greeting
- Politics: Listen; avoid: Opinions on Pinochet with strangers
- Dinner: Eat late (from 21:00); avoid: Expecting 18:00 dinners
- Nature: Carry out rubbish; avoid: Leaving trails or lighting fires
Scams and watch-outs
- Av. Chacabuco carries heavy truck traffic; noise reduced in parks.
- Some attraction opening hours are seasonal; verify before visiting.
Generally safe; watch traffic on main avenue and keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
One and two days
No timed day plan for Los Andes yet. Suggested stay: 1–2 nights. Build a day from the list below, mornings for the big sight.
- Monastery of the Descalza Carmelites
- Transandine Railway ruins
- Cerro Virgen del Valle
- Plaza de Armas
- Hot springs
Sources
Written by Voykit; facts cross-checked against these sources, last desk check 2026-09. Prices, hours and rules change: check on the day.
- Wikivoyage: Los Andes, revision 5281026 (CC BY-SA 4.0): en.wikivoyage.org/w/index.php?oldid=5281026
Pocket card
Cut along the border and keep it in your wallet. Show the local-script lines to a driver.
Printed from Voykit (/los-andes). Written by Voykit; checked 2026-09. Estimates only: confirm prices, hours and entry rules on the day.