Chile

1. Check with your embassy before traveling.

2. This is for your information…There is a Chilean embassy in Canada. And also in Montreal, actually a consulate and they provide lots of information and other need-to-know facts. They are located at 1010 Sherbrooke St. West, suite 816. (514) 499-0405

3. Have a local take you around the island to the major sites as well as some isolated caves to see rock art.

4. Do not stand on any of the moai or ahu. They are considered sacred to the Rapa Nui people- a fact many of us are totally unaware of.

5. Knowledge of Spanish is an advantage. Chileans for the most part are friendly and very tolerant but without the language it makes for a superficial appreciation of the place.

6. Get travel and medical insurance to cover the expense during your visit.

7. This tip is for those who grow anxious spending time away from a ready supply of coffee. Very often the visitor is offered the Nescafe tin of freeze-dried instant shavings, a thermos flask and a spoon.

8. Consult your doctor before traveling, keep a record of health problems if any.

9. The Instituto Geografico Militar (IGM) has great Maps. It is at Dieciocho 369 in Santiago, and has a very helpful staff.

10. If you have bought any souvenirs which use animal or plant parts, e.g. rainsticks, then you are unlikely to be able to bring them into the country.

11. Book your flight as early as you can.

12. Be sure to take sunscreen, water, and a hat, as it can be rather hot.

13. To buy maps for the rest of Chile- a good place is at Oficina 1506, General del Lanto 105 in Provedencia. This is actually a map-making office and they have good trekking maps for most of the country.

14. Take care of your belongingsincidents of robbery are common.

15. Land mines have been placed all around San Pedro and further north to protect the country if Argentina decides to attack. So if you decide to hitchhike don't wander too far.

16. Two hills that you must visit are Cerro Santa Lucia and Cerro San Cristobal. Cerro Santa Lucia is downtown. The closest metro station is "Santa Lucia". This is the hill where Santiago was founded in the fifteenth century. It has some fascinating 19th century ruins and a cannon that is shot every day at noon. Don't get a fright when you hear it. It is a very nice but steep walk. Don't wear slippery shoes.

17. Cerro San Cristobal is a must-see. It provides a magnificent view over the city of Santiago with the Andes in the background. At the top is a chapel and huge statue of the virgin who watches over the city.

18. There are rickety cable cars (telefericos) that take you up. It also has a small but pleasant Japanese garden, which is well worth a visit. You can drive up the hill or walk- it's a fair distance. Alternatively, you can take the Funicular too.

19. Rapa Nui/'Easter Island/Isla de Pascua. By whatever name you call it, this island is an incredible place go during the off-season (also if you can manage to go while Chile is playing in the World Cup, it wouldn't be crowded!) And, unless you are truly a sun-worshipper, the weather is not bad (rainy and misty- but not cold). Great weather for hiking.

Most of the residents are directly involved in the tourism industry. They have, nevertheless, managed to develop the tourist sector in such a way that it does not interfere much with the integrity of the island. Developments like the television, telephone, subsidized petrol and air links, a good hospital, scholarships among others are quite recent.