Panamgeo Chile 2024
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
La Serena, Chile
Location: Capital of the IV Region of Coquimbo, Chile. It is part of the province of Elqui and is bordered to the south by Coquimbo and Andacollo, to the north by La Higuera, to the west by the Pacific Ocean and to the east by Vicuña. It is located in the southern hemisphere of America. Click here for more Tourism Information
Climate: In La Serena, summers are short, comfortable, arid and clear, and winters are cold, dry and mostly clear. During the course of the year, the temperature generally varies from 9°C to 21°C and rarely falls below 6 °C or rises above 23°C.
Currency: Across the country you will find the Chilean peso, you may also hear the word “luca” which is equivalent to the thousand pesos bill, the green one. In general you can pay with credit cards but cash is recommended for more artisanal places of sale. Exchange money at exchange houses or formal banks and check the exchange rate before doing so.
Local time: La Serena has the time GMT-03:00. Check the current time in Chile at https://www.horaoficial.cl/.
Health requirements: Currently, no mandatory vaccinations are required to enter Chile. However, we recommend you to check the requirements according to your country of origin and take into account the use of masks in health centers, especially in emergency areas.
Medical care: It is suggested to take out travel insurance. In Chile you can go to both public and private health centers. The private ones usually offer faster attention, although at a higher cost.
Hotel check in/out policy: Check-in at most hotels is at 15:00 and check-out at 12:00. Some hotels offer early check-in and late check-out at an additional cost, depending on availability.
Alternative accommodations: In La Serena you can stay in hotels, apartments or through platforms such as Booking and Airbnb. Due to the popularity of this destination, it is recommended to book in advance, especially in high demand seasons. Verify that the accommodation is officially registered in the National Registry of Tourism Service Providers.
Transportation: To get to La Serena, you can fly to Santiago airport (Arturo Merino Benítez) and then take a flight to La Florida airport in La Serena, which takes approximately 60 minutes. For international travelers, it is important to note that you will need to pick up your bags in Santiago to pass through the inspection of the Agriculture and Livestock Service (SAG) and then re-board them as domestic luggage for the flight to La Serena.
It is always recommended to use authorized or official transportation at both airports, such as registered cabs or licensed private transportation services, for safety and peace of mind.
If you are coming by car from Santiago, the trip takes about 5 hours. Consider carrying cash for the tolls along Ruta 5 Norte. Once in La Serena, you can use transportation apps such as Uber or private cab services. You can also check the cost of official cabs by downloading the app http://www.votchile.cl/.
Important information for foreigners: When entering Chile, you must complete an Affidavit for SAG control. Be sure to declare any animal, vegetable or handmade products that you carry with you. In addition, you will receive a tourist card, which you must present when leaving the country.
Tax free: VAT in Chile is 19%. If you pay for your hotel with foreign currency or international credit card, you may be exempt from this tax.
Visa information: You do not need a visa to enter Chile if you are a citizen of:
- Argentina, Bolivia, Brasil, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Perú, Uruguay.
Other Central and South American countries require a passport. Citizens of Venezuela, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Cuba and Dominica require a transitory stay visa, except Dominicans with a valid U.S. visa. More Information
Electric current: Chile uses C and L type plugs, with a voltage of 220V and frequency of 50 Hz. Make sure you have the necessary adapters for your electronic devices.
Smoking: Smoking is prohibited in enclosed spaces with public access, such as restaurants, bars, hotels and shopping centers.
Access to PANAMGEO 2024:
The main entrance to the PANAMGEO 2024 Congress will be from Peñuelas Norte 56, through the access to the Enjoy Casino.
Parking:
Hotel Enjoy Coquimbo has paid parking lots, subject to availability. The main access to the parking lots is through Costanera Avenue. There is also another access available through Peñuelas Norte, facilitating access to those coming from different directions.
