Major city · Chile
Portillo
Spend 2 days: ski day plus a half‑day for other activities, then depart.
Portillo is a ski resort in central Chile near the Argentine border. The resort has one hotel, lifts, and a range of winter activities. A full ski day plus a short off‑slope day covers the main attractions.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CLP
- Best months
- Jun–Oct
- avoid Nov–May (off‑season or heavy snow road closures)
- Airport
- SCL
- Nights
- 1–2
Not a trip line yet
Rules in force · 6Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the fir…
- South America ↗Above 2,500 m (Bogotá, Quito, Cusco, La Paz) keep the first day light; sleep lower where you can (Sacred Valley before Cusco) and descend if headache comes with vomiting or confusion.
- South America ↗A yellow fever certificate is required on arrival in French Guiana, and asked for on some routes into Bolivia, Paraguay, Suriname and Guyana, or when arriving from Amazon areas — vaccinate at least 10 days before travel and carry the card.
- South America ↗Overnight buses are the norm in Argentina, Chile and Peru, but pick top-tier companies and keep valuables on your body; on-board thefts from overhead racks are the common loss.
- Chile ↗Check entry rules for your passport with Chile's National Migration Service or a Chilean consulate; keep the entry slip or digital record you receive.
- Chile ↗Torres del Paine: campsites and refugios on the W and O treks must be booked in advance, and the park requires an entry ticket bought ahead; check the official park (CONAF) channels.
- Chile ↗Chile strictly controls food imports: declare fruit, meat, dairy, seeds and honey on arrival, or throw them away before customs.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Full visa guide
What is in this basic guide9 covered · 4 not yet ▾
In this guide
Not in this guide yet
- Walking areas with bag rules
- Day plans checked against opening hours
- Airport-to-bed timings and the last safe connection
- Field-checked times and prices
Official sites
Emergency numbers for Portillo133 ▾
Tap a number to call from your phone. These are the numbers listed in this guide; a row marked check has not been verified.
EssentialsQuick answers and what things cost
Essentials
Quick answers and what things cost
Quick answers
The questions people ask first about Portillo, one line each. Tap a card for the full answer.
- Cash or card?Currency is the Chilean peso (CLP, $).Chile-wide
- SIM or eSIMcheckEntel, Movistar, WOM and Claro sell prepaid SIMs; foreign phones may need IMEI registration after a period — check.Chile-wide
- Tap waterTap water is safe in most cities; boil or filter in rural areas and on treks.Chile-wide
- TippingRestaurants: 10% suggested on the bill; you may decline.Chile-wide
- Plugs & powerSockets C/L. US/Canada (A/B): adapter · UK/Ireland (G): adapter · Australia/NZ (I): adapter. 220 V: US 120 V-only devices (hair dryers) need a converter; most chargers are dual-voltage.Chile-wide
- SafetyPortillo is safe for tourists; main risks are weather‑related road closures and avalanche terrain for backcountry skiers.
Show all 12 answers
- RestroomsPaper in the bin in older buildings; bus terminals charge.Chile-wide
- Emergency numbers133 police · 132 fire · 131 ambulance (not 911, 999 or 000)
- Sundays & holidaysMany businesses close on 18–19 September; Sunday trading is limited in small towns.Chile-wide
- Your embassyFind your embassy's 24-hour line before you fly.
- AirportSCL Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Main gateway; shuttle to Portillo about 2‑3 h).
- Getting aroundResort is walk‑only; lifts move skiers up the mountain.
Cost cheat-sheet
Typical prices for the everyday things, as ranges. Your currency is shown next to the local price.
- CoffeeCLP 1,500–2,500
- Budget bedHostel bed (Hotel Portillo dorm), a night, per personCLP 25,000
- Mid-range bedDouble room (Hotel Portillo), a night, per roomCLP 120,000
- High-end bedDouble room (Hotel Portillo), a night, per roomCLP 200,000
A day, not counting the bed: Budget CLP 30,000 · Mid CLP 45,000 · High CLP 80,000
Local prices, with USD next to them (rates 2026-09 (approximate); change it in the header). Ranges are desk estimates: check locally. Every price and the budget calculator →
DecideWhat it is known for, and when the weather works
Decide
What it is known for, and when the weather works
At a glance
What the city is known for, how you fly in, and where to find the phrases.
- Airports
- SCL Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (Main gateway; shuttle to Portillo about 2‑3 h)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Feb
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Mar
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Apr
Avoid
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
May
Avoid
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
Jun
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Jul
Best
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
Aug
Best
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
Sep
Best
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
Oct
Best
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
Nov
Avoid
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
Dec
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Best: Jun–Oct. Avoid: Nov–May. Month by month →
Warmest Jan (16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)), coolest Jul (−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C) low), wettest Jan (6 rain days), driest May (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Portillo: next 7 days
Loading forecast…
Forecast: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0), model data for this point.
Air quality
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Model estimate (CAMS via Open-Meteo), not a street-level station; readings near busy roads run higher.
Jun
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Jul
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
−6°C (21°F)21°F (−6°C)
2 rd
Aug
2°C (36°F)36°F (2°C)
−5°C (23°F)23°F (−5°C)
2 rd
Sep
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
3 rd
Oct
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
4 rd
Nov
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
5 rd
Dec
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Jan
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
6 rd
Feb
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
5 rd
Mar
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
3°C (37°F)37°F (3°C)
4 rd
Apr
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
1°C (34°F)34°F (1°C)
3 rd
May
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
−2°C (28°F)28°F (−2°C)
2 rd
High / low, both scales · rd = rain days
Arrive & moveAirports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Arrive & move
Airports are listed under At a glance; this is how to move once you are in
Getting around
Resort is walk‑only; lifts move skiers up the mountain. Shuttle from Santiago or bus from Los Andes is the usual arrival method.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Los Andes town
goDoor to door: ≈1 h
Shuttle or bus from Portillo, about 45 min
Supplies, supermarkets and fuel.
Mendoza (Argentina)
cautionDoor to door: ≈3 h
Bus passing the resort, 2–3 h to border then onward
Road may close for snow; border checks.
Eat & sleepWhich area to sleep in
Eat & sleep
Which area to sleep in
Where to sleep
Areas, not hotels: pick the one that fits your arrival time and plans.
Hotel Portillo
Only hotel on the mountain; offers deluxe rooms and a hostel‑style option.
PracticalWhat a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Practical
What a day costs, what to watch out for, and the pocket card
Cost per day
- Budget
- CLP 30,000–45,000 excl. lift pass
- Mid
- CLP 45,000–80,000 excl. lift pass
- High
- CLP 80,000+ excl. lift pass
Trip budget
| Double room (Hotel Portillo)1 × 2 nights × CLP 120,000 | CLP 240,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 2 days × CLP 45,000 | CLP 90,000 |
| Shuttle from Santiago (round‑trip)1 × CLP 25,000 | CLP 25,000 |
| Lift pass (2‑day)1 × CLP 60,000 | CLP 60,000 |
| eSIM (1 week data)1 × CLP 15,000 | CLP 15,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CLP 43,000 |
| Trip total≈ CLP 236,500 per person per day, bed included | CLP 473,000 |
2026 estimate in CLP; flights and lift passes excluded. Your choices stay in this browser.
Prices of common things
| Coffee | CLP 1,500–2,500 |
| Hot chocolate | CLP 2,000–3,000 |
| Pisco Sour | CLP 3,000–5,000 |
| Ski lift ticket (1 day) | CLP 55,000–70,000 |
| Helicopter sightseeing (30 min) | CLP 120,000–150,000 |
2026 estimate; check locally.
Watch out
Safety
- Road to the resort can close for snow; have chains and check conditions.
- Lift passes are required for full slope access; no lift = no skiing.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Fire
- 132
- Ambulance
- 131
Pocket card
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PortilloPortillo
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
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—
—
Emergency
- Police133
- Fire132
- Ambulance131
Embassy
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Santiago → Portillo shuttle: ≈ CLP 25,000 per person, 2–3 h
- Lift pass (2‑day): ≈ CLP 60,000 per person
Deep diveWhat this guide covers so far, and its sources
Deep dive
What this guide covers so far, and its sources
Not a trip line yet
This is a basic guide: no airport-to-bed contract, walking clusters or day plans are published for Portillo. Airport, fare and schedule details are unverified; check the operators before you fly.
What we know, and what is coming
On this page
- Best months: Jun–Oct · avoid Nov–May (off‑season or heavy snow road closures) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 1 area to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 3 bands
- 2 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Add a lift‑pass budget line (check current price).
- Include helicopter‑sightseeing optional extra.
Sources
Ask about Portillo
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