Tourism for not tourists! (and for tourists too)

Hello insiders!,

Even though autumn is here, days are shorter and weather is getting colder, the sun is shining and there are a lot of options to enjoy this beautiful city.

Hanging out in Providencia neighbourhood, i found Easybici store. Owned and operated by an American, an Australian and a Frenchman – brainchild of Founder Felipe Correa – Easybici is the only dedicated e-bike rental company in Santiago.

They offer a very creative way to know different parts of the city. Not by car, not by foot, not by the typical hop on hop off tour bus. they offer tours using electric bicycles, providing pure cycling enjoyment without the need to worry about fitness level, age or terrain; perfect for exploring the city, dominating Cerro San Cristobal or visiting historically significant landmarks of downtown Santiago.

You can choose between 3 different tour options:

-insight into the nature of Santiago (focussing on Cerro San Cristobal)

-Sanhattan and the business district (visiting parks along the way, and taking advantage of the city’s extensive cycling lanes),

-the historical tour which cycles through downtown, Lastarria, and Bellavista with stops along the way.

Easybici is committed to a bringing about a change in the way that consumers participate in tourism, offering a green, sustainable, environmentally responsible transport alternative in areas that experience a high saturation of tourism in ecologically important areas of Chile.

Inside Santiago team totally recommend it!

For more information, please visit

http://www.easybici.cl

or just go to the store in  General Flores 72 street  and ask for Felipe or Arienne (they are very nice people!)

see you!

Chile Shipping 101

Todays Inside Santiagos post is from guest blogger, international moving expert and writer Mike Sannitti. He also writes for Movers.com and allyoucangeek.net. We want to thank him for his useful tips about moving to Chile. 

Chile is a favorite location for international travelers. Its long coastline, Incan history, varied climate, and the fact that it is one of South America’s most prosperous and stable nations all make it a prime spot for someone looking to move abroad.

But an international move is not something to be taken lightly. You need to prepare and understand the customs regulations of any country you are going to. Customs regulations are unique to each country and change over time, so you need to be thorough in your research. You also need to choose the right visa and apply for it before you move. Visit Chile’s immigration website to see what the current regulations are.

The following is a general overview of what you need to do to move your belongings  in and out of the country.

Documents

Like any international move, there is going to be a lot of paperwork that you should keep with you when you travel. Make several copies of each of the following and be prepared to present them when you arrive.

• Passport with appropriate visa
• An inventory of all your items (if your shipment is more than one container, each container needs its own separate inventory)
• Power of attorney
• Work contract (if applicable)
• All forms of identification and personal certificates (you need to legalize your diploma if you plan on having it recognized in Chile)

Customs regulations

Chile has a few quirks to their customs regulations that you should be aware of.

• You need to be present in the country at the time of customs clearance. You can’t ship your things ahead and expect them to go through customs without you.
• Returning Chileans and anyone who is coming to work in Chile (with a valid work contract) are exempt from any taxes/duties on their personal effects and household goods
• Chileans who are living abroad and returning for a short period of time are subject to the same regulations as tourists
• Like most countries, regulations are in place to prevent you from importing goods for the purpose of selling them in Chile
• Visit Chilies’ customs FAQ for more detailed information on duties, exemptions, and regulations

Restricted items

Some items are heavily restricted or taxed while being imported into Chile. These tend to be dangerous and/or expensive items that sometimes require additional certifications to get through customs. It would be best to avoid bringing these items into Chile, but if you must, make sure you get all the necessary clearances and expect to pay a duty.

• Hunting guns (a carrying permit must be obtained from the Weapons Control Bureau)
• Alcohol and tobacco
• New furniture is dutiable and require receipts
• Expensive items like caviar and jewelry are dutiable
• Motor vehicles are highly taxed based on the car’s make, model, age, engine, and value
• Used cars are only allowed in the country for returning Chileans and duty-exempted individuals
• The original invoice is required for all motor vehicles
• Pets need a valid Health Certificate with updated vaccinations
• Plant and animal products (including food) must be declared and not all are permitted (view details here)

Prohibited items

Some items are not going to get through Chile’s customs in any circumstance. Don’t try to bring them with you.

• Firearms/weapons of any kind
• Pornography
• Illegal or unprescribed drugs

Leaving Chile

The regulations for shipping items out of Chile are very similar as they are for entering Chile. Most of the same rules apply, but you also need to recognize the customs regulations of whatever country you are headed to from Chile. Every country’s regulations are similar, but differ in unpredictable ways. You will need to research before you can be confident that your shipment will be able to make through another country’s border.

Of course, you can’t take extremely valuable things from Chile or record or steal anything that would implicate you of international espionage.

Chile’s regulations are relatively simple compared to many countries. If you have the proper documentation and a reasonably sized shipment, you should be able to get your items in and out of the country with no problem.

 

By Mike Sannitti of Internationalmoving.com

He also writes for Movers.com and allyoucangeek.net

In black and yellow wheels

 

If you still don´t have a car or maybe- like me- you don´t drive, it is good to have in your cell phone different numbers of taxis. There 3 good apps that works here in Santiago:

• Easy Taxi: http://www.easytaxi.com/cl/
• Safer Taxi: http://safertaxi.com/cl
• Uber: https://www.uber.com/cities/santiago

These applications are great because you don´t have even to make call, you download the app, create a user and then you can use it very simple when you need it. In general, in 5 minutes your taxi arrives.

If you are more traditional and you need to call to trust, here you can have some taxi agencies:

• Taxi Neverias: http://www.neverias.cl/sp/
• Taxi Apoquindo: http://www.transportesapoquindo.cl/
• Taxi Andes Pacífico: http://www.andespacifico.cl