Is cash still widely used?
Moderately. Chile has South America’s best card infrastructure. Santiago and major cities have excellent card acceptance. However, rural Chile, Patagonia, the Atacama Desert region, and smaller towns still lean on cash for many transactions.
ATMs and withdrawing cash
ATMs are widely available in cities. BancoEstado and Banco de Chile machines are reliable for foreign cards.
- Fees are around 3,000 CLP per withdrawal for foreign cards
- Good availability in cities; limited in remote Patagonia
- Stock up on cash in Puerto Natales before hiking in Torres del Paine
Card acceptance
Very good in Santiago. Visa and Mastercard are broadly accepted. Rural Chile and Patagonian trekking infrastructure often require cash.
Tips for travelers
- Torres del Paine park fees and some refugios require cash
- Atacama Desert tour operators increasingly accept cards but cash is a safe backup
- Tipping 10% is customary in restaurants
- Chile is South America’s most expensive country