Medical Insurance

It is highly recommended to get Travel Medical Insurance whenever you travel abroad. In Chile you may hire the services of International Companies specialized in this area.

If you need a health insurance, you may contact:

AIG ASSIT                              (56-02) 639-9011

ASSIST CARD                         (56-02) 639-2061/ 633-3120 

TRAVEL ASSISTANCE -CORIS  (56-02) 235-4005

UNIVERSAL ASSISTANCE        (56-02) 204-6000

WOT ASSISTANCE CHILE        (56-02) 334-4910

HEALTH INSURANCE

Stomach upsets are the most frequent health hazard for the traveler. This is why we recommend drinking bottled water and being very careful what you eat, since differences in seasoning and unaccustomed dressings may cause you problems.

If the Chilean altiplano (high plateau) is on your itinerary, take precautions against the altitude sickness that tends to affect low plains dwellers. Its characteristic symptoms are headaches, nausea, physical weakness and difficulty in breathing due to the reduction in atmospheric oxygen.

To prevent or mitigate the effects of this so-called soroche, frugal eating and abstaining from smoking and alcohol is recommended during the hours previous to your trip up to the high plateaus. There are also pills which may be taken before you start. A more traditional preventive measure is drinking a tea made with coca leaves.

Aside from its inconveniences, altitude sickness is not a serious condition. Its symptoms disappear when your body acclimatizes to the lower level of oxygen.

Visitors to Chile do not have to be vaccinated in any special way. However, if you think fit, you may vaccinate yourself against type-A hepatitis, typhus fever and dengue fever, the latter especially if you wish to visit the matchless destination of Easter Island.

Medical Treatment

Chile has a large network of hospitals, clinics and sanitary posts throughout its territory, most of which provide emergency services. There are high-complexity medical centers in the main cities, while services provided in remote areas are of a basic nature.

If you do not possess medical insurance for travelers, bear in mind that a consulting fee at a clinic or private medical surgery or office costs around 100 dollars. Medical attention given at public dispensaries is far less costly.