The days of inexpensive travel in Chile are gone and this will be a very short post to advise all potential budget travelers thinking about travels in Chile, be prepared to pay dearly for your fun. Chile along with its sister countries, Argentina and Brazil have gone insane on costs. It is a beautiful country to visit with the southern Patagonia region though to the Atacama desert and some of its coastal cities.
While I was traveling in Peru I would meet countless individuals from Chile and during my discussions with them the same basic facts came out, the costs in Chile were extremely expensive even in the eyes of native Chilean citizens, stating that Santiago was one of the most expensive cities in all of Chile. They also expressed the fact that they were traveling in Peru and other countries to escape the very expensive costs for holiday travels in their own country.
While I was traveling in Peru I would meet countless individuals from Chile and during my discussions with them the same basic facts came out, the costs in Chile were extremely expensive even in the eyes of native Chilean citizens, stating that Santiago was one of the most expensive cities in all of Chile. They also expressed the fact that they were traveling in Peru and other countries to escape the very expensive costs for holiday travels in their own country.
Prices for transportation has increased nearly double, hostels the same and food at the restaurants but there seems to be a bit less inflation for food at the Mercado (supermarkets).
Passing through San Pedro de Atacama, I checked prices for hostels and hotels. I had stayed at one hotel not that long ago and paid 18,000 Pesos per night for a private room. When I stopped and checked their current rate I was told the same room was now 45,000 but since I was a returning guest I could have a discounted rate of 35,000 Pesos.
In checking the usual tour packages there, I was amazed to find that the costs had not increased in an excessive degree but they were higher.
My last stop being Arica in the north found the costs about the same with the exception again of hostels and food at the restaurants with modest increases for food at the supermarket.
I do hope that this short post proves helpful for those of you planning a visit to Chile. It is a worthy country to visit but with its ever increasing costs, the budget traveler now has more difficult time for lengthy stays.
Travel Safe, Travel Happy