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5 tips for planning a solo trip to Chile

Chile is a beautiful country to visit as it has a lot to offer, including the diverse landscape and culture, beauty, and attractive sites. Located in South America, it has become a favorite for many travelers. It is a safe place for solo travelers who love to explore, whether they’re planning a trip or fancy a spontaneous adventure. According to Michel Karam, CEO and founder of muvTravel, “Travel… is an adventure that can happen anytime, at the spur of the moment.”

However, if you want to get the most out of your stay, it’s worth doing some preparation beforehand. If you are planning to visit Chile on your own, here are a few tips to help you plan:

1. Figure out where to stay

First thing’s first, you’ll need somewhere to stay. Youth hostels are the cheapest options available and charge about ten dollars a night, which is about 6,500 Chilean Peso. Most of these hostels have Wi-Fi and free breakfast. You can also choose to stay in a budget hostel which charges about $40 or $50 dollars a night which is about 25,000 to 35,000 Chilean peso. You can also search for accommodation through various rental sites available for booking hotels in cities like Santiago. For those comfortable with camping, you can camp with your tent for around $10 per night.

2. Budget plan

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You should figure out how much money you will have to spend on your trip. Be sure to include transport, food and accommodation expenses. You can specify a fixed daily spending amount to ensure that you don’t overspend. Chile is budget friendly, meaning $40 to $60 daily spending can work for you. Using buses to travel is cheaper and will save you money compared to taxis.

3. Top sites in Chile

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Research the best places to visit while in Chile. You can search online to get the top attractions so you ensure you don’t miss out on any on your trip. Some of the best places to visit include the Easter Islands, which are known for their monumental statues (Moai), Torres del Paine National Park, and San Marco’s Cathedral.

4. Communication

When you are traveling solo, it is good to have some form of communication in case of emergency. You can purchase a local SIM card in Chile or have your service provider activate international calls. You can still use your phone in Wi-Fi mode without having to purchase an additional SIM card, however, it is advisable to have a local SIM card to allow for communication in areas without Wi-Fi.

5. Best place to view the Solar Eclipse

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If you are in Chile, you have the opportunity to view the total solar eclipse which will occur on 2nd July 2019. The best place to get a better view is the Elqui Valley found in Chile. This is because it happens to be in the path of the Eclipse and it also has over 360 clear nights in a year. A total solar eclipse, also known as a totality, is an event where the new moon gets between the Sun and the Earth and obscures the entire disc of the Sun. This only happens around once every two years, so you don’t want to miss this opportunity. It will last about two minutes. The eclipse will start at around 3.30 pm, and the Totality will begin at 4.30 pm. Don’t forget protective gear for safety, like solar glasses!

This is a guest post.