From: owner-travel-advisories Subject: NEW TRAVEL INFO -- Chile Newsgroups: wstd.travel.advisories Date: Mon, 4 Nov 1996 14:17:03 GMT Organization: The World @ Software Tool & Die Xref: world wstd.travel.advisories:1170 Path: world!root Message-ID: <961104141702_76702.1202_CHN65-1@CompuServe.COM> Precedence: bulk Sender: root@world.std.com (daemons) Distribution: wstd Approved: usenet@world.std.com Lines: 127 STATE DEPARTMENT TRAVEL INFORMATION - Chile ============================================================ Chile - Public Announcement October 31, 1996 U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE Office of the Spokesman For Immediate Release The United States Embassy in Santiago, Chile advises that the Ibero-American summit meetings will be held in Santiago from November 8 through November 11. United States citizens in Santiago are urged to avoid any political demonstrations during the summit. Chilean authorities have publicly declared their intention to strictly enforce local law, which forbids foreigners from participating in political activity. Foreigners involved in demonstrations are subject to arrest and prosecution, with sentences possibly including incarceration and deportation. For further information on travel to Chile, consult the Departments latest Consular Information Sheet for Chile. This Public Announcement will expire November 15, 1996. Chile - Consular Information Sheet September 2, 1994 Country Description: Chile has a stable government and a strong economy. Civil disorder is rare. Facilities for tourism vary according to price and area. Entry Requirements: A passport is required. U.S. citizens do not need a visa for a three-month stay. However, those considering scientific, technical or mountaineering activities in areas classified as frontier areas are required to obtain authorization from the Chilean government. Requests for authorization must be presented to Chilean authorities at least 90 days prior to the beginning of the expedition. The portions of Antarctica claimed by Chile are exempt from these pre-approval requirements. For current information concerning entry and customs requirements for Chile, travelers can contact the Chilean Embassy at 1732 Massachusetts Avenue N.W., Washington, D.C. 20036; tel: (202) 785-1746 or the nearest consulate in Los Angeles, Miami, Philadelphia, New York, Houston, or Chicago. Medical Facilities: Medical care is good but may not meet U.S. standards. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services. U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. Supplemental medical insurance, which includes specific overseas coverage, is highly recommended. In-country medical evacuation from outlying areas to Santiago costs $2000 (U.S.) or more. Cost for international evacuations begin at about $10,000 (U.S.). For travelers to the Antarctic, additional insurance to cover the cost of air evacuation specifically from that remote region is strongly recommended. In the event of illness, injury or even death, the cost of evacuation from the Antarctic region to Santiago can exceed $10,000 (U.S.). This is in addition to the evacuation costs indicated above. For additional health information travelers can contact the Centers for Disease Control's international travelers' hotline at (404) 332-4559. Crime Information: In Santiago and other large cities, thieves thrive on rush hour crowding on the street and aboard public transportation. Persons wearing expensive looking jewelry or carrying luggage or cameras are particular targets. Walking in the downtown area after dark, or on weekends in the late afternoon, even in the well-traveled areas, is considered risky. The loss or theft of a U.S. passport abroad should be reported immediately to the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Useful information on guarding valuables and protecting personal security while traveling abroad is provided in the Department of State pamphlet, "A Safe Trip Abroad," which is available from the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C. 20402. Also available from the same address is the Department of State's publication, "Tips for Travelers to Central and South America." Terrorist Activities: Specific terrorist groups have conducted sporadic bombings and other violent acts against business facilities and institutions identified with the United States. Drug Penalties: U.S. citizens are subject to the laws of the country in which they are traveling. Penalties in Chile for possession and trafficking in illegal drugs are strict, and convicted offenders can expect lengthy jail sentences and fines. Adoptions: The Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy can provide updated information on Chilean adoption procedures and on immigrant visa matters related to adoptions. Consular officers are not authorized to act as agents on behalf of Americans seeking to adopt Chilean children. Additional information is available by writing the Office of Citizens Consular Services, CA/OCS/CI, Room 4817, Department of State, Washington, D.C. 20520, or by telephoning (202) 736-7000. Civil Aviation Oversight: In March 1992, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration assessed Chile's civil aviation authority as in compliance with international aviation safety oversight standards for Chilean carriers operating to and from the U.S. The same level of safety oversight would typically be applied to operations to other destinations. For further information, travelers may contact the Department of Transportation at 1-800-322-7873. Embassy Location/Registration: Americans who register with the Consular Section of the U.S. Embassy at 2800 Andres Bello, Vitacura, Santiago; telephone (562) 232-2600, can obtain updated information on travel and security within Chile. No. 94-183 This replaces the Consular Information Sheet of May 2, 1994 to add information on aviation oversight. ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- ----- The "travel-advisories@stolaf.edu" mailing list is the official Internet and BITNET distribution point for the U.S. State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information Sheets. To unsubscribe, send a message containing the word "unsubscribe" to: travel-advisories-request@stolaf.edu Archives of past "travel-advisories" postings are available at the URL: "http://www.stolaf.edu/network/travel-advisories.html" or via Gopher: gopher.stolaf.edu, Internet Resources/US-State-Department-Travel-Advisories