What is the currency used in Puerto Natales?

Author: Ramiro Rodriguez
With over 25 years of experience in the travel industry, I currently work as a Sales & Marketing Manager at RipioTurismo and PeritoMorenoGlacier.com.

Local Currency in Puerto Natales: Information & where to exchange money

The peso is the currency of Chile. The current peso has circulated for more than 45 years, since 1975, with a previous version circulating between 1817 and 1960. The Chilean peso code is CLP. It is officially subdivided into 100 centavos, although there are no current centavo-denominated coins.

 

Local Currency in Chile

Local currency in Chile CLP - Notes, exchange and more - RipioTurismo DMC for Chile

Coins

Available coins are worth 1, 5, 10, 50, 100 or 500 pesos. 1- and 5-pesos coins are worth nothing. Even people begging for money in the street will give you a strange look if you give them these coins. In the big retail shops, the cashier will ask you if you want to round up the amount and give these few pesos to a charitable organization. Since 2008, the Chilean central bank has started removing 1 and 5 pesos coins. When you pay in cash, the amounts in centimes ending in 0 to 5 are rounded down. Amounts in centimes ending in 6 to 9 are rounded up.

 

Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park from Puerto Natales

Enjoy a wonderful full day tout to the famous Torres del Paine National Park, one of the highlights in Patagonia

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Notes

You can find notes of 1000, 2000, 5000, 10000, and 20000 pesos. You will hear often the expression “Luca” that means “1000 pesos”, like in Argentina.  The portrait of Gabriela Mistral (a famous Chilean poet and diplomat from the beginning of the 20th century) is on the 5000 pesos note. Therefore, the expression “un gabriela” is sometimes used to describe this note.

Where to exchange money?

ATMs are widely available, except along the Carretera Austral. Credit cards are accepted at higher-end hotels, some restaurants, and shops. Traveler’s checks are not widely accepted.

Exchange rates are usually best in Santiago. Chile’s currency has been pretty stable in recent years. The value of the dollar seems to decline during peak tourist season and shoot back up again come March. Paying a bill with US cash is sometimes acceptable, especially at tour agencies (check their exchange rate carefully). Many top-end hotels publish rates in US dollars with a lower exchange rate than the daily one. It’s best to pay all transactions in pesos.

Wire transfers should arrive in a few days. Chilean banks can give you money in US dollars on request. Western Union offices can be found throughout Chile, usually adjacent to the post office.
Some banks and Casas de Cambio (exchange houses) will exchange cash, usually US dollars only. Check the latter for commissions and poor rates. More costly purchases, such as tours and hotel bills, can sometimes be paid in US cash.

 

Puerto Natales Standard Pass

Enjoy a standard package of activities including transfers in/out

From Price: USD299

 

Credit Cards

Plastic (especially Visa and MasterCard) is welcome in most established businesses; however, many businesses will charge up to 6% extra to cover the charge they have to pay for the transaction. Credit cards can also be useful to show ‘sufficient funds’ before entering another South American country.

 

 

Ramiro Rodriguez

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