The Chilean peso (CLP) is used in large figures, with no cents: cards cover the cities, but cash remains king in the south and in Patagonia. Here is how to prepare your currency exchange before you leave.
Understanding the Chilean peso (CLP) before you go
The Chilean peso is Chile's official currency. Its distinctive feature is obvious from your very first purchase: you think in thousands, never in cents. A coffee, a bus ride or a set menu run to several thousand pesos, and banknotes circulate in large denominations. The country has, moreover, abandoned the use of small coins for very small amounts, which merchants often round up or down to the nearest peso. For a traveller used to the euro, the habit to adopt is simple: do not be intimidated by the number of zeros, and keep a rough order of magnitude in mind to convert displayed prices quickly.
Another point worth knowing: the Chilean peso is a floating currency, whose value varies every day according to the markets. The rates you will see at a bureau de change are indicative counter rates, liable to change from one day to the next. It is therefore best to check the rate at the time of your transaction rather than relying on a figure read several weeks in advance.
Card or cash: what to favour in Chile?
Chile is one of the most advanced countries in South America when it comes to electronic payment. In large cities such as Santiago, Valparaíso or Viña del Mar, cards are accepted almost everywhere: hotels, restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations and major chains take Visa and Mastercard without difficulty. ATMs (known locally as cajeros) are plentiful in urban areas, but beware: many apply fixed withdrawal fees that can be high for foreign cards, and cap each transaction. Remember to tell your bank about your trip to avoid any security block.
The situation changes as soon as you leave the cities. In the south of the country, in Patagonia, on the island of Chiloé or in the Atacama desert, small shops, craft markets, rural accommodation and local transport often operate on cash only. ATMs there are scarce, sometimes empty in high season, and the network can be temperamental. Having pesos in your pocket before heading to these regions saves you from being stranded far from any cajero.
The right strategy: a card + cash mix
The most stress-free combination is to settle your city spending by card and to keep a buffer of cash in pesos for tips, markets, transport and above all for stops outside the major cities. Bringing a reserve of cash exchanged in France means arriving with a known rate and enough to get through the first few days without chasing after an ATM.
Exchanging your euros for Chilean pesos in Paris
The Chilean peso is one of the less common currencies in Europe: it is not always available immediately at the counter, and even less so in large quantities, as the dollar or the pound can be. It is precisely for these currencies that booking online in advance makes full sense: it guarantees the banknotes will be available on the day of your collection, with no nasty surprises.
At Paris Change, a bureau de change approved by the ACPR (Banque de France), you book your Chilean pesos online and then collect them at our single shop at 4 Boulevard Saint-Michel (75005 Paris), by Saint-Michel station (line 4, RER B and C). We exchange more than 53 currencies with no commission and are open 7 days a week (Monday to Saturday 9am-8pm, Sunday 10am-7:30pm), which gives you all the leeway to get organised before you leave. To compare the available currencies and prepare your transaction, see our currencies.
A useful reminder about cash: when entering or leaving the European Union, any movement of cash equal to or above €10,000 (or the equivalent) must be declared to customs. For a typical travel budget, you will stay well below this threshold.
Frequently asked questions
Is it better to exchange your euros in France or on the spot in Chile?
Exchanging a reserve in France lets you leave with a known rate and cash you can use immediately, particularly for your first few days and for regions where ATMs are lacking. You can top up on the spot by card or withdrawal as your needs require.
Is the Chilean peso easy to find in Paris?
It is a less common currency, so not always available in large quantities at the counter. The safest course is to book your pesos online in advance to guarantee the banknotes are available on the day of collection.
Should I plan for a lot of cash for Patagonia?
Yes. In the south and in rural areas, many businesses accept cash only and ATMs are scarce. Plan for a sufficient reserve of pesos before heading there.
Planning a trip to Chile? Book your Chilean pesos online now and collect them commission-free at our Saint-Michel shop, 7 days a week. Discover all the available currencies on our currencies.
