South America

Money, cards and tipping in Chile

Capital: SantiagoSpanishUpdated October 2026

CLPPeso

Money in Chile

Cards almost everywhere Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, even small shops. Hotels waive 19% VAT for foreigners paying in US dollars or by foreign card. US$1 ≈ $982.01 (03 Oct 2026).

Key facts

Tipping: Restaurants suggest a voluntary 10% tip; the server or card machine asks if you want it included. Taxis aren't tipped.
ATMs: Bank ATMs charge foreign cards a fixed fee per withdrawal and cap amounts fairly low.
Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay are accepted at almost all contactless terminals.
Price level: about 48% of US prices (World Bank PPP).

Cash or card, by place

Place	Cards	Notes
Santiago	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; carry some cash for markets, small cafés and tips.
Valparaíso	Cards almost everywhere	Cards work in most restaurants and hostels; carry cash for funiculars, colectivos, market stalls and small shops.
San Pedro de Atacama	Mixed: cards and cash	Cards accepted at hotels and many restaurants; cash needed for park fees, small shops and some tour agencies.
Puerto Natales	Cards almost everywhere	Cards accepted in most hostels, shops and restaurants; carry cash for park entry extras, small shops and remote refugios.
Pucón	Cards almost everywhere	Cards accepted widely in the center; carry cash for colectivos, hot springs, markets and small shops.
Easter Island	Cards almost everywhere	Cards are accepted at most hotels and restaurants; carry cash for small shops, snack stands and park extras.
Puerto Varas	Cards almost everywhere	Cards accepted widely in the center; carry cash for colectivos, markets and rural stops.
Viña del Mar	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless work almost everywhere; carry cash for beach vendors, colectivos and small shops.
Chiloé	Cards almost everywhere	Cards accepted at most hotels and restaurants in Castro and Ancud; carry cash for markets, ferries and villages.
Punta Arenas	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless are widely accepted; keep some pesos for colectivos, small cafés and rural stops.
La Serena	Cards almost everywhere	Cards and contactless are widely accepted; keep some pesos for colectivos, markets and Elqui Valley villages.

Quick answers

Do you tip in Chile?

Restaurants suggest a voluntary 10% tip; the server or card machine asks if you want it included. Taxis aren't tipped.

Is Chile cashless?

Cards almost everywhere. Cards and contactless work almost everywhere, even small shops. Hotels waive 19% VAT for foreigners paying in US dollars or by foreign card.

What currency does Chile use?

The Peso (CLP). US$1 ≈ $982.01 (03 Oct 2026).

Sources

Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.