Where to find ATMs & currency exchange in Carretera Austral?
In big towns you can find ATMs machines and almost any hotel, hostel, restaurant and store accept credt and debit cards.
But in smaller towns finding an ATM is frequently a problem.
Draw cash every time you get a chance, thats the best idea. Some campsites, cabins, hostels, buses and small grocery stores often don’t.
Currency in Chile
The currency of Chile is the Chilean Peso (CLP). It’s a floating currency, depends on the range of the Consumer Price Index (IPC), so its exchange rate fluctuates daily.
You will find both bills and coins currently in circulation.
There are currently six coins in circulation:
$1, $5, $10, $50, $100 and $500.
Bills come in denominations of :
$1,000, $2,000, $5,000, $10,000 and $20,000, each with a different colour and size.
Carry small denomination bills with you as much as possible, as it may be difficult to get change once you venture out South in Carretera Austral.
Exchanging currency once you arrive in Chile is very easy and simple, you need to have clean, undamaged US Dollar bills.
Check currency exchange here:
You’ll find currency exchange places at the airports, malls and many major hotels.
Currency Exchange places are called Casas de Cambio, and here are some of the most important ones:
CAMBIOS SANTIAGO:
+56222331865
cambios@cstgo.cl
Av. Pedro de Valdivia 29, Providencia – Santiago
AFEX:
https://www.afex.cl/
contactcenter@afex.cl
56 2 2636 9000
*Monday to Friday from 08:00 to 18:30 hrs.
*Saturday, Sunday and holidays from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
MORE EXCHANGE:
https://www.moreexchange.cl/
+562 2233 5327 // +569 6906 0570 sucursalvirtual@moreexchange.cl
ATMs offer the best exchange rate possible.
Downtown Santiago is packed with many foreign exchange places (Casas de Cambio), on Agustinas Street.
Be careful, dont make so evident that you are carrying lots of USD, as someone can rob you.
Always compare the rate you’re offered, you can check the current mid-market rate by using the online currency converter posted in this page.
Never exchange money on the street.
No matter the exchange rate may seem very attractive: scamers will rip you off by using a rigged calculator or simply running away with your money.
Banks in Chile:
Chile has one of the most stable economies in South America, and it has a banking system to match.
In fact, some of the main retail banks in the country are well-known international banks.
Santander – is the largest bank in Chile, with over 470 branches across the country.
Banco de Chile – is the second largest bank; and also the most popular provider of bank accounts in the country.
Here’s a list of the most popular banks in Chile:
BBVA Chile https://www.bbva.cl/
Banco de Chile http://www.bancochile.cl/
Banco Estado https://www.bancoestado.cl/
Itau Corpobanca https://www.corpbanca.cl/
ATMs and Banks on the route can be found in:
Puerto Varas: with numerous ATMs.
Puerto Montt: The starting point of the Carretera Austral, with numerous ATMs.
Chaitén: Has a few ATMs, but services can be limited.
Puerto Cisnes.
Chile Chico.
Futaleufú.
Coyhaique: The largest city along the Carretera Austral, with several ATMs.
Balmaceda Airport
Villa Cerro Castillo
Puerto Aysen.
Cochrane: A smaller town with a few ATMs.
** Not in Villa O’Higgins, so you must be prepared.
Using travellers’ cheques in Chile
You can cash travellers’ cheques at most “casas de cambio”, but you’re unlikely to get a good rate. Expect a bad exchange rate and between 1% and 4% in commissions.
ATMs TIPS
ATMs in Chile tend to be in Spanish, so, here are some tips:
RETIRO means WITHDRAWAL
INSERTE SU TARJETA means insert your card
EFECTIVO means CASH
PIN / CLAVE means your secret number password.
Exchanging cash or making an ATM withdrawal will often give you a much better rate.
Credit or Debit cards are easier and much more convenient.
Using credit and debit cards in Chile
Paying by cash is by far the best option, not always are receive SPECIALLY while in CARRETERA AUSTRAL.
Not every place will accept card payments in villages and other rural areas, specialyy camping spots and small lodgings or suplies stores, make sure you have enough cash in your pocket to cover your expenses.
Visa, MasterCard and AmEx are widely accepted, but only in major cities and tourist hotspots.
If you plan on using your card, you should let your bank know you’ll be in Chile. Transactions originating from a foreign country are often flagged as suspicious, and your bank may block your card for security reasons unless it’s aware you’re in the country.
ATMs in Chile
ATMs in Chile are widespread, easily found at banks, in shopping centers and at gas stations.
While in CARRETERA AUSTRAL NORTE, it shouldn’t be too hard to find an ATM when you need one.
But while in CARRETERA AUSTRAL SUR its a bit more complex.
ATMs vary depending on the needs of each bank. They are mainly divided into two types: full and cash.
Full ATMs are those that allow you to withdraw money and make deposits (commonly using envelopes). These ATMs are usually inside the banks, either alone or with another one, another full or cash, but this is usually the main ATM in the branch.
Both chip and pin and magnetic swipe cards work without issues in most Chilean ATMs. Your card should have a standard, four-digit PIN to increase the odds that it will be accepted.
Max cash withdrawal limits:
The maximum withdrawal at a Chilean ATM will be around $200,000 CLP. If you need to withdraw more than that in one day, you may need to visit multiple ATMs and take out a few different withdrawals.
EN 
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