Several Santiago lawyers specialize in cases involving expatriates in Chile and international business matters. Lawyers may be helpful in obtaining visas as well as guide you in the legal framework for doing business in Chile.

The following lawyers speak English and often work with foreigners.

Addresses

Morales, Noguera, Valdivieso y Beso
Avenida Apoquindo 3001, 9th floor
Las Condes
(2) 334-0000, (2) 334-3717
Fax: (2) 334-3152
Metro Station El Golf
Contact: Mr. Guillermo Morales

Claro y Cía
Gertrudis Echeñique 30, 13th floor
Las Condes
(2) 206-1230, (2) 367-3000
Fax: (2) 367-3003
Metro Station Alcantara
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Estudio Juridico Otero
Avenida Apoquindo 3669, 13th floor
Las Condes
(2) 361-8900
Fax: (2) 361-8999
Metro Station Alcantara
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Estudio Filippi, Yrarrazaval, Pulido y Brunner
Moneda 970, 12th floor
Santiago Centro
(2) 364-3700
Fax: (2) 364-3796
Metro Station Universidad de Chile
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Estudio Enrique Puga
Huérfanos 1189, 6th floor
Santiago Centro
(2) 669-0559
Fax: (2) 696-1786
Metro Station Plaza de Armas
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Vial y Palma Abogados
Avenida Isidora Goyenechea 3162, 7th floor
Las Condes
(2) 240-6500
Fax: (2) 240-6555
Metro Station El Golf
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Figueroa y Coddou Abogados
Santa Lucía 280, Of. 12
Santiago Centro
(2) 638-2055
Fax: (2) 639-2609
Metro Station Bellas Artes
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Sargent & Krahn
Patent and trademarks
Avenida Andres Bello 2711, 17th floor
Las Condes
(2) 368-3500, (2) 360-4000
Fax: (2) 360-4000, (2) 360-4030
Metro Station Apoquindo
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Estudios Harnecker
Patent and trademarks
Avenida 11 de Septiembre 1480, 14th floor
Providencia
(2) 235-8137
Fax: (2) 235-9653
Metro Station Manuel Montt

There are two principal police forces in Chile, both of which are part of the national government. Chile's police forces have a solid reputation for incorruptibility and service to foreigners.

The Carabineros de Chile is the uniformed police force. There is a comisaría (police station) in almost every borough in Santiago. Call the Carabineros in case of emergencies, traffic accidents, assaults, disorderly conduct or petty theft. If your documents are stolen, notify the nearest comisaría with a list of the items stolen.

The Policía de Investigaciones (Investigations Police) handle more complex crimes like house burglary, homicide, auto theft and drug-related crimes.

Addresses

Carabineros Emergency
Toll-free from any phone
133

Investigations Police Emergency
Toll-free from any phone
134

Carabineros - General Office
Avenida Liberatador Bernardo O'Higgins 1196
Santiago Centro
(2) 698-2761, (2) 672-7535
Metro Station Universidad de Chile

Carabineros - Comisaria Santiago Centro
Santo Domingo 714
Santiago Centro
(2) 633-1111

Metro Station Plaza de Armas
Carabineros - Comisaria Las Condes
Avenida Las Tranqueras 840
Las Condes
(2) 212-9688

Carabineros - Comisaria Ñuñoa
Licenciado De las Peñas 5147
Ñuñoa
(2) 277-3335

Carabineros - Comisaria Vitacura
Puerto Rico 7905
Vitacura
(2) 211-9676

Investigations Police General Office
General Mackenna 1314
Santiago Centro
(2) 544-5000
Metro Station Cal y Canto

Investigations Police - Comisaria Providencia
J. M. Infante 820
Providencia
(2) 236-0981
Metro Station Salvador

Intestigations Police - Comisaria Ñuñoa
Avenida José Pedro Alessandri 1800
Ñuñoa
(2) 238-0332

Intestigations Police - Comisaria Ñuñoa
Candelaria Goyenechea 3820
Las Condes
(2) 212-8271

Essential emergency services have individual three digit numbers. You can dial these numbers for free from any telephone in Santiago. It is best to get to know these numbers.

For medical emergencies, private services may deliver more modern equipment and a quicker response. HELP is an ambulance service that services some of Santiago's private hospitals. You can also call the private hospitals (clínicas) in the case of a medical emergency.

The Unidad Coronaria Movil is an ambulance service that specializes in coronary emergencies. It is expensive unless you become a member. Members pay a moderate monthly fee to receive ambulance calls free of charge.

Addresses and Numbers

Police
(2) 133

Fire
(2) 132

Ambulance
(2) 131

Police Investigations
134

Drug Hot-Line
135

Poison Control
(2) 635-3800

Crisis hotline
(2) 335-2100

Rape and Incest
(2) 689-3070

Search and Rescue
(2) 697-1670

Air Search and Rescue
138

HELP
Private ambulance service
(2) 631-0310

Unidad Coronaría Movil
(Ambulance service for cardiovascular problems)
Avenida Luis Thayer Ojeda 085
Providencia
(2) 787-3535, (2) 391-4444
Metro Station Tobalaba

Banmedica Emergencia Movil
(Private ambulance service)
(2) 787-3535

Ambulancia Santa Lucia
(Private ambulance service)
Los Jesuitas 786
Providencia
(2) 225-2435

Santiago has the dangers of any city of its size, but it is safer than other Latin American countries. In busy areas, beware of pickpockets. A recent government study showed that most people were robbed in Santiago during the evening rush hour.

Though there is less robbery late at night, the crime tends to become more dangerous. Think twice about walking home at night. If you are going a short distance, a taxi is inexpensive.

Watch your belongings while on buses and the metro. Some pickpockets are very skilled at emptying your pockets on crowded buses.

Tourists and foreigners are especially vulnerable. Do not carry your passport, but a photocopy. Do not carry large sums of money with you. You may also want to leave credit cards behind that you do not plan to use.

Click here for an essay with tips on avoiding crime in Santiago!

Upon arrival in Chile it is important to have a good idea of the potential health risks. While some of the diseases listed here are extremely rare or unlikely to affect the typical Chile traveler, it's important be aware of and prepared for all possible health concerns before embarking on your trip to Chile.

It is highly recommended to purchase international travel insurance for the duration of your stay in Chile. Some major risks include the following:

Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). Also called Hanta (pronounced "ON-ta").

If you intend to camp out in southern or central Chile you may be at risk of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS). This is a rare, yet potentially deadly disease that is transmitted by infected rodents and can be contracted by humans by breathing in the aerosolized virus. There is no cure for Hanta Virus. Prevent infection by completely avoiding areas that have not been well ventilated.

Respiratory Syncytial Virus. Another serious consideration, especially when traveling with young family members to Chile in the winter, is the danger of Respiratory Syncytial Virus infections, chiefly affecting infants and children. There was a reported outbreak from Santiago during the southern hemisphere winter of 2001.

Bartonellosis. In the mountain areas of Chile, visitors should be weary of Bartonellosis, or Oroya fever, which is transmitted by sandflies in arid river valleys on the western slopes of the Andes as high as 3000 m; as well as Louse-borne typhus.

Other hazardous infections include:

Echinococcus, Fascioliasis. Found in sheep-raising areas

Anthrax. For those intending to work with farm animals.

Brucellosis. Transmitted mostly by infected cattle.

Dengue, American trypanosomiasis (Chagas disease), and Leishmaniasis. These insect-borne dieases may be found in the temperate regions of Chile. In 2002, locally transmitted cases of dengue fever occurred for the first time in Chile on Easter Island. Take care to prevent yourself against insect bites.

Chile is free of most illnesses that generally require vaccination. Hepatitis A and Typhoid vaccines, however, are recommended if you want to be on the safe side.

Water

Tap water is generally safe to drink. If you have a sensitive stomach, it may take you sometime to get used to drinking water in rural areas where the water may not be filtered to the degree city water is. In this case, you may want to drink bottled water. Food is also safe, but make sure to wash foods and vegetables thoroughly. Think twice when eating raw seafood shellfish. As a precaution, try to avoid eating seafood during the summer.

Smog in Santiago

In the winter, the smog in Santiago can become a health risk especially in the winter months (June, July, August). The city declares "pre-emergency" or "emergency" states when the level of smog is dangerously high and takes measures to limit emissions. When the air quality is in pre-emergency or emergency state, children, senior citizens and people with respiratory problems should avoid trips to downtown Santiago whenever possible. The Health Ministry may cancel physical education classes and recommend that children avoid outdoor activity during critical periods. Children are often vulnerable to respiratory illnesses when the air quality is low. The city of Temuco has recently increased its smog levels. Remember that most of Chile is virtually smog free!

Complications from air pollution may include cough, difficulty breathing, wheezing or chest pain. The risk may be minimized by staying indoors, avoiding outdoor exercise and drinking plenty of fluids.

Stray Dogs

There are a large number of stray dogs in Chile relative to other travel destinations any animal bite or scratch should be thoroughly cleaned with large amounts of soap and water. Stray dogs are usually very docile but should not be petted in case they have a disease. In addition, one should immediately contact the local health authority in case of the possible need for post-exposure treatment.

Side note: Rabies pre-exposure vaccination does not eliminate the need for urgent evacuation to a suitable medical facility for additional treatment. Rather, it simplifies the additional treatment and also prolongs the period that you can safely delay before receiving post-exposure treatment

More Tips

- If you visit the Andes Mountains, ascend gradually to allow time for your body to adjust to the high altitude. Altitude sickness may cause insomnia, headaches, difficulty breathing and nausea.  

-It is suggested that tourists purchase some sort of travel insurance, especially if you are planning on doing some adventure tourism, like rafting, skiing, or  mountain climbing!