Chile - The Rough Guide to South America on a Budget - page 373

normal and appreciated. Bargaining is
not common and rarely done, even in
marketplaces, though Chileans are often
excellent at seeking out bargain prices.
Chileans are family- and child-oriented ,
and young people tend to live with their
parents until they get married. The
predominant religion is Catholicism ,
though the Church is not as influential
as it used to be. Machismo is not as
prevalent here as in other parts of
Latin America; women are more
respected and a lone woman travelling
around the country is not likely to
encounter any trouble beyond catcalls.
While homosexuality is still frowned
upon, it is tolerated, and there is a
thriving gay scene in larger cities.
Chileans are very sociable people and
will go out of their way to greet you in
the street if they know you. If arranging
to go out with Chileans, be aware that
they may turn up later than the arranged
time. When it comes to topics of
conversation, Pinochet's rule is still
very much a divisive subject, so unless
you wish to be drawn into a heated
discussion, steer clear.

guitar-led ballads, though the tempo
and the instruments vary from region
to region. La cueca is most commonly
seen during the Chilean independence
celebrations in September, when troupes
perform on streets and stages across the
country, though Chileans often take little
persuading to show off their beloved
dance whatever the opportunity.

WATERSPORTS
The mighty rivers of the Lake District
and Patagonia offer excellent white-water
rafting and kayaking , with Río Trancura,
Río Petrohué and Río Futaleufú offering
class 5 challenges. Futaleufú in particular
is hailed as one of the top white-water
runs in the world.
Sea kayakers can choose between
multi-day paddling in the Patagonian
fjords, shorter trips to small islands off
the coast of Chiloé and wildlife-viewing
on Isla Damas near La Serena.
Surfers head to Chile's top spot,
Pichilemu, just south of Santiago,
though there are excellent surfing and
windsurfing opportunities all along the
coast north of the capital, around Iquique
in particular, and year-round swells on
Easter Island.
In the northern half of the country,
lack of rain makes for good visibility
and abundant marine life for divers and
snorkellers , while Easter Island and the
Juan Fernández Archipelago both have
world-class dive spots.

4

SPORTS AND OUTDOOR
ACTIVITIES
While Chile is not quite in the same
league as Argentina or Brazil when it
comes to football , the game is taken very
seriously and attending a live match in
Santiago (CH$4000-13,000) is very
worthwhile for the atmosphere alone.
Be aware, though, that the passion for
football can turn aggressive, and be
ready to make an exit. Santiago team
Colo Colo has the largest and most
enthusiastic following.
Every year, over three hundred rodeos
are staged during the season (Sept-May)
in Middle Chile and Aisén in particular.
Evolved from the rural huaso (cowboy)
culture, the rodeo is a spectacle worth
going out of your way for.
La cueca , Chile's national dance , is also
firmly rooted in huaso culture; it re-enacts
the courting ritual between a rooster
and a hen. Men and women clad in
traditional outfits dance largely to

HIKING, CLIMBING AND SKIING
Hiking in the Torres del Paine National
Park, on Isla Navarino or anywhere in
the south is limited to the summer,
spring and autumn, but the rest of Chile
can be visited at any time of year. There
are currently 55 Rutas Patrimoniales
( W bienesnacionales.cl - click on Rutas
Patrimoniales in the left-hand column)
covering the whole of Chile as part of
a government initiative to preserve
and develop land that has natural and
historical value. These can all be explored
on foot, by bike or on horseback.
Another ambitious project, Senderos de
Chile ( W senderodechile.cl), consists of 35
trail sections intended to span the whole