Major city · 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.
More
More ways in
Local time, weather, currency, airports
- Weather
- see forecast
- Currency
- CLP
- Best months
- Mar–May, Sep–Nov
- avoid Jun–Aug (rainy, cooler highlands)
- 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 Los Andes133 ▾
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 Los Andes, 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
- SafetyGenerally safe; watch traffic on main avenue and keep valuables secure in crowded areas.
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 (≈80 km (50 mi) south, about 1.5 h by car or bus from Los Andes).SCL Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (≈50 mi (80 km) south, about 1.5 h by car or bus from Los Andes).
- Getting aroundBus from Santiago via RCH‑5 (≈1.5 h) or car on Los Libertadores R‑57.
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 (≈80 km (50 mi) south, about 1.5 h by car or bus from Los Andes)SCL Comodoro Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (≈50 mi (80 km) south, about 1.5 h by car or bus from Los Andes)
Best months at a glance
From the guide's best and avoid lists
Jan
not flagged
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
Feb
not flagged
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
Mar
Best
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
Apr
Best
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
May
Best
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
Jun
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Jul
Avoid
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
Aug
Avoid
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
Sep
Best
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
Oct
Best
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
Nov
Best
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
Dec
not flagged
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
Best: Mar–May, Sep–Nov. Avoid: Jun–Aug. Month by month →
Warmest Feb (31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)), coolest Jul (4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C) low), wettest Jul (7 rain days), driest May (2). Averages, not a forecast.
Weather and climate
Los Andes: 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.
Jan
30°C (86°F)86°F (30°C)
12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
5 rd
Feb
31°C (88°F)88°F (31°C)
13°C (55°F)55°F (13°C)
5 rd
Mar
28°C (82°F)82°F (28°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
4 rd
Apr
24°C (75°F)75°F (24°C)
9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C)
3 rd
May
20°C (68°F)68°F (20°C)
7°C (45°F)45°F (7°C)
2 rd
Jun
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
5°C (41°F)41°F (5°C)
6 rd
Jul
15°C (59°F)59°F (15°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Aug
16°C (61°F)61°F (16°C)
4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
7 rd
Sep
19°C (66°F)66°F (19°C)
6°C (43°F)43°F (6°C)
5 rd
Oct
23°C (73°F)73°F (23°C)
8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C)
4 rd
Nov
27°C (81°F)81°F (27°C)
10°C (50°F)50°F (10°C)
4 rd
Dec
29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C)
11°C (52°F)52°F (11°C)
5 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
Bus from Santiago via RCH‑5 (≈1.5 h) or car on Los Libertadores R‑57. Within town walk or use local taxis.
Nearest full guides
Straight-line distance, not travel time
See & doDay-trips, door to door
See & do
Day-trips, door to door
Day-trips
Monastery of the Descalza Carmelites
goDoor to door: ≈10 min
Walk 5 min from Plaza de Armas
Historic site where Saint Teresa of Los Andes lived.
Cerro Virgen del Valle
goDoor to door: ≈30 min
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
1010 m hill with century‑old Virgin statue.
Hot springs (Termas de Jahuel)
cautionDoor to door: ≈35 min
Taxi 20 km (12 mi) east, 25 min driveTaxi 12 mi (20 km) east, 25 min drive
Facilities may require advance booking.
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 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.
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 30,000–40,000 excl. bed
- Mid
- CLP 40,000–60,000 excl. bed
Trip budget
| Hotel Génova double1 × 1 night × CLP 36,000 | CLP 36,000 |
| Food, local transport, entries1 × 1 day × CLP 30,000 | CLP 30,000 |
| Bus Santiago → Los Andes (round‑trip)1 × CLP 8,000 · Check current fare. | CLP 8,000 |
| eSIM, 7‑day data1 × CLP 15,000 · Check provider rates. | CLP 15,000 |
| Buffer 10%Price creep, a taxi you did not plan, one splurge | CLP 8,900 |
| Trip total≈ CLP 97,900 per person per day, bed included | CLP 97,900 |
Includes breakfast.
2026 estimate in CLP; flights and long‑distance transport excluded.
Watch out
Safety
- Av. Chacabuco carries heavy truck traffic; noise reduced in parks.
- Some attraction opening hours are seasonal; verify before visiting.
Emergency numbers
- Police
- 133
- Fire
- 132
- Ambulance
- 131
Pocket card
Fill in, then print or save as PDF
Stays in this browser only; nothing is sent anywhere.
Los AndesLos Andes
Pocket card · Voykit
My bed tonight
—
—
—
A esta dirección, por favorTo this address, please
Emergency
- Police133
- Fire132
- Ambulance131
Embassy
US consulate in Santiago; other embassies also in Santiago.
My embassy: —
Fare anchors (2026 estimate)
- Santiago → Los Andes bus: ≈ CLP 8,000 one‑way (check schedule).
- Taxi within Los Andes: ≈ CLP 2,000 for short trips.
Say or show
- Disculpe — Excuse me / Sorry (disˈkulpe)
- Gracias — Thank you (ˈɡɾasjas)
- ¿Cuánto cuesta? — How much is it? (ˈkwanto ˈkwesta)
- ¿Dónde está el baño? — Where is the bathroom? (ˈdonde esˈta el ˈβaɲo)
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 Los Andes. 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: Mar–May, Sep–Nov · avoid Jun–Aug (rainy, cooler highlands) · month by month →
- 1 airport and 2 areas to sleep in
- Weather: a 7-day forecast and monthly averages
- Cost per day in 2 bands
- 3 day-trips, door to door
- 2 things to watch out for, with emergency numbers
Coming as the guide grows
- Day‑trip from Santiago via bus or car; overnight if using hot‑springs.
- Add a mountaineering guide for Aconcagua ascent (multi‑day).
Sources
Ask about Los Andes
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