Due to Chile's lengthy land mass you will find many different climatic zones, from subtropical, dry zones down to polar zones. Climate is formed too by the ocean in the west and Andean mountain ranges in the east, generally you can say that Northern Chile is warm and dry, Central Chile has mild weather all year round and the southern part gets cold and wet in winter. Notice that as Chile is in the southern hemisphere, seasons are opposite to the seasons on the northern hemisphere.
Internet connection in Chile is pretty good, even on the countryside, but don’t expect it on the trails.
The official language is Spanish; there are some Indian languages in the north and Mapudungun which is spoken by the Mapuche Indians in Southern Chile. Communication without any Spanish knowledge is difficult, but as the Chileans are quite willing to understand, you can manage without. It’s not common to find someone who speaks English.
The Voltage is 220 Volts AC. You need adapters with 2 round poles, which you can buy in almost any shop - for both European and US plugs. On the riding trails there is electricity only in some places, so make sure you carry enough spare batteries for your camera. We can charge batteries about very 3 days.
In Southern America a 10% tip is common in restaurants and bars. The tip for the local guides - which forms an important part of their income - should always maintain a relation with the quality of their efforts.
Lonely Planet - International travel guide
CONAF - Administration of national parks
La Tetera - Charming and comfortable guest-house
¡Ecole! - Cozy hostel and excellent vegetarian restaurant
Language Pucón - The place to learn Spanish in Pucon( maybe Chile), focusing on "Spanish for Traveler"
Villarrica Volcano - Information about the nearby volcano
Trip advisor - Here you find independent traveler ratings of hostels , agencies and activities in Pucon
Mapuche Culture Good information on history, culture, arts. In English
Pronostico Pucon Comparison of 5 weather stations, Accu and meteologica de Chile being the most reliable.
Horses and Huskies Hernan Cipriani, our friend and partner on the Crossing the Andes rides
Horse trails Chile Page of Casa Chueca Hostel, organizing rides in the Andes
pantupikerauri Karin's girlfriend from schooldays, whom we just relocated, doing horse rides on Easter Island.
Volunteering options If you do not want to work with us or there is no more vacancy, you can find possibilities for free volunteering all around Southern America here .
More volunteering options you find at the volunteer abroad programs of volunteerlatinamerica.com
Justin Lotak just published a book with volunteer options in South- and Central America:
And here you find even more volunteering options in South America
Discovering Chile and Argentina in a motor-home Holiday Rent rents motor-homes and campers to discover even the most remote and astonishing corners of Chile in a independent way close to nature.
Antilco is member of the Pucon tourist chamber
