14 Chile Insights from the Amazing Race

The television show The Amazing Race sends multiple teams of two on a race around the world. This season’s race started with teams headed to Chile. This is the third time in 16 seasons that The Amazing Race has passed through Chile.

By watching the Race, you’ll get a little glimpse into travel and some quirks about Chile.

In the first episode, teams traveled from Los Angeles to Santiago and then on to Valparaíso. You can watch episode 1 on CBS’s website.

In the second episode, teams traveled from Valaparaíso to southern Chile and Puerto Varas. You can watch episode 2 on CBS’s website.

As you watch the videos, pay attention to these little tips and learn about Chile:

1. Illegal Fruits

As one of the teams was boarding their plane to Chile, they joked about having any illegal fruits or vegetables. In Chile, bringing in fruits or veggies is no joke. You’ll be fined and delayed upon arriving in Chile if you are carrying forbidden agricultural products.

2. Bus Travel

Major long range bus operators in Chile include Pullman and Turbus. Either of these companies will get you to most major cities in Chile. If you are traveling from Santiago to southern Chile, like the teams in The Amazing Race, overnight buses are typical. There are different types of seating so you don’t always have to sleep sitting up.

3. Standard Transmission

Most rental cars you’ll find in Chile have a standard, or manual, transmission. Be ready to drive a stick shift if you are renting a car in Chile:

4. Parking with an “E”

If you are looking for parking in Chile, look for a sign with a big letter “E”. Parking in Spanish is “estacionamiento,” thus instead of a “P” sign like you’d see in English, look for the “E” in Chile:

5. Collectivo vs. Taxis

Taxis in Chile are typically black with a yellow roof. Collectivos look similar to taxis but run a standard route (like a city bus) and have signs on their roofs of major destinations on their route. The car in this picture is a collectivo:

I’m not sure how the team got this collectivo to drive them where they wanted to go. My guess is that it was a combination of the camera man and the Americans waving dollar bills around.

6. Pesos or Dollars Only

One team tried to use Brazilian Reais to pay for a bus ticket. You’re best to have Chilean pesos on hand or at least US dollars on your trip to Chile. The farther away from Santiago and major tourist spots, the more likely you’ll need to pay in Chilean pesos.

This picture shows the cowboy team right before they had to get off the bus to exhange their money:

7. Colorful Valparaíso

As The Amazing Race host stated, “Multicolored homes are the visual trademark of Valparaíso.” You’ll see colorful houses throughout the city and up and down the hills of this coastal port city:

8. Funiculars

Contestants had to ride a funicular or acensor down a hill in Valparaíso. Don’t miss that chance if you are in Valpo. You can also ride one up the side of the San Cristobol hill in downtown Santiago.

9. Dogs Everywhere

It seems that the editors and cameramen on The Amazing Race found out about the dogs early during their stay in Chile. As you’ll note, dogs are everywhere in Chile. Most are benign but you’ll occasionally spot the roving pack of dogs where you’d least expect to see them.

Here a dog walks around the bus station in Valparaíso:

10. Southern Chile is Green and Beautiful

The Lake District in Southern Chile where The Amazing Race contestants traveled is covered in lush green forests and intermixed with snow-capped volcanoes towering over numerous lakes. It truly is an amazing visual experience.

Here are some waterfalls near where the teams traveled. Odds are these are the Saltos de Petrohue:

11. Be Ready for Rain in Southern Chile

The reason Southern Chile is always green is that it rains a lot. Contestants in The Amazing Race experienced typical weather of the region: hours of rain followed by some clearing skies and a sunny afternoon. Be ready for rain if traveling to Southern Chile.

12. Big Church in Every Town

This church in Puerto Varas dominates the skyline in this small town. You’ll find a large Catholic church in most towns in Chile.

13. German Influence

Southern Chile has a significant German heritage since many Germans immigrated there in the mid-19th century. You’ll find this German influence manifested in the foods of the region and architecture of homes and buildings.

For one challenge on The Amazing Race, contestants had to help make a traditional German kuchen cake:

14. Condor

During a challenge near Puerto Varas, contestants had to dress up like a condor and try to fly. Why the condor? It is one of Chile’s national animals. You’ll see it on Chile’s national seal and on many Chilean pesos.

More than 2 Days

Chile is so full of places to go and things to see that I’d recommend more than just two days to see it all. In fact, you may need to come back multiple times just like The Amazing Race has to experience everything on your list.

Posted February 24th, 2010 in Culture, Travel.

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