First impressions [2007]: Chile is an expensive country, especially the daily groceries add up quite a bit compared to Argentina. For the stretch we drove from Portillo to Osorno we paid 35 euros toll. On the other hand, the products in hardware stores seem to be cheaper and definitely of better quality than in Argentina. A comparison between Toyota garages gave us the impression that many of the spare parts are also cheaper than in Argentina [or cost the same].

National Park Torres del Paine has become very expensive, 15.000 pesos [20 euro] entrance fee and many paid campsites [3500 pesos/ 5 euro per person]. Having said that, it is a beautiful park with many awesome trekking options [Dec '07].

3. Documentation

Carnet de Passage/Temporary Import Document

Carnet is not needed, at the border you are issued with a Temporary Import Document.

Visa

At the border you get a 3 months visa, free of charge [well, at least the Dutch do, other nationalities should check for themselves].

4. Border crossings

Handing over fruits, vegetables, meat

Remember that you are not allowed to bring fresh/dried fruits, vegetables, dairy and meat products into Chile. We had an extensive check including a sniffer dog, although everything went in a friendly manner. The entire procedure took 1,5 hours.

We received a leaflet, which lists the following forbidden products [check also www.sag.gob.cl]:

- fruits and vegetables

- potatoes and lentils

- plants and seeds

- wood [artesanía]

- honey, wax, propólea y polen [last 2 are Spanish words, I know the translation]

- meat, sausages and cecinas [another Spanish word, unknown to me]

- cheese and eggs

- animals, birds and bees.

If you drive down from El Calafate [Argentina] to Torres del Paine, you have two options. Either you take the short route via Cancha Carrera [Arg] - Cerro Castillo [Chile], òr you take the longer route via Puerto Natales. If you intend to stay in Torres del Paine for a while, we suggest to drive via Puerto Natales for you shopping. Since you can hardly bring anything across the border, you have to stock up in Chile before entering the park. Unfortunately taking the short route means only passing by Cerro Castillo, where the tiny grocery shop is hardly stocked at al [Dec '07].

After many crossings we conclude that it depends much on the border crossing, as well as the official if they make it hard for you or not. Sometimes we crossed without a check, another time the guy was simply searching for something to confiscate. Have to be a bit lucky, I guess.

5. Car, diesel, roadmaps

Diesel and petrol stations

October 2007 [around Santiago]: diesel costs around 470 pesos per litre.

December 2007 [southern Chile]: diesel costs around 573 pesos per litre.

December 2008 [San Pedro de Atacama]: diesel costs around 634 per litre.

January 2010 [Iquique]: 455 pesos per litre.

Petrol stations can be found everywhere. More or less standard are clean toilets, toilet paper and often hot showers, although at the Copec stations you pay for these services [150 pesos for toilet and 450 pesos for hot shower]. The Copec stations along the highway have WIFI, you recognize them by a red shoppingbag on their large roadsigns.

Note: In Regio I [Arica / Iquique] are few petrol stations: Arica, Iquique, Pozo Almonte [all on Ruta 5] and the village of Pica [Jan '10].

Road maps

We are happy with Reise Knowhow maps, they are made of strong quality paper [they don't tear and are water resistant]. The Chilean map is 1:600.000. You can order them on the internet at www.reise-know-how.de at € 8.90 a piece [price December 2006], excluding shipping costs.

YPF and Copec petrol stations also sell good roadmaps, which of course include the locations of their petrol stations.

Maintenance car

Good experience with the Toyota garage in Osorno, who ordered parts for us in Santiago and had them delivered within two days [check gps overview for details].

Good experience as well at the Automovile Club de Chile in Calama. Coen could work on the car by himself, only the time a mechanic helped him was charged [check pgs overview for details].

6. Paid accommodation and bush camping

For the gps waypoints, check out the gps overview.

7 .Tax-free zone

Punta Arenas is a tax-free zone and is a shopping walhallah for many. Don't expect too much when it comes to electronic goods, most are still more expensive than in Europe or America. In contrary, stocking up your groceries may be a good choice, some of these prices are incredibly low.

Iquique is a tax-free zone as well. Coen found good tyres [more choice and cheaper than in Bolivia].