PATAGONIA CAMPERVAN TRAVEL TIPS: Practical Guide for Van Travelers

A white campervan is parked on a dirt road, with snow-capped mountains glowing in the soft morning light of Patagonia. The vehicle’s rear doors are open, and two people lean out, enjoying the breathtaking view. This is the cover photo for a blog post Patagonia Campervan Travel Tips

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Exploring Patagonia with a van—yep, it’s as wild and awesome as it sounds.

Wind-swept landscapes, rugged mountains, and miles and miles of untamed wilderness.

Driving through Patagonia, whether it’s through the almost-otherwordly Tierra del Fuego, along the endless stretches of Ruta 40 in Argentina, or down the famous Carretera Austral in Chile, is abso-freakin’-lutely one of those once-in-a-lifetime experiences for your bucket list.

We spent around two months traveling through Patagonia in a van that we had bought in Chile, had our share of ups and downs, mastered the art of border crossing (Chile really doesn’t like raisins, FYI) and pooped at places with jaw-dropping views. What? That’s vanlife too! 😆

So whether you’re thinking about a shorter road trip or slow van travel, here’s the no-BS Patagonia campervan travel guide with all the tips we picked up along the way.

(Because we weren’t as cool as you, planning in advance and all that. We kinda did it on a whim, lol).


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Pinterest image for 'Patagonia Campervan Travel Guide' showing a white campervan driving down a gravel road with snow-capped mountains of Torres del Paine national park in the background at sunset. Two people lean out of the van’s rear windows with their arms outstretched.

PATAGONIA CAMPERVAN TRAVEL GUIDE

All right, those are the must-know tips for campervan travel in Patagonia, along with frequently asked questions that we got about our Patagonia van trip.

BEST TIME TO VISIT PATAGONIA WITH A VAN

The best time for exploring Patagonia with a van is between December and February, when the weather is basically at its best: the days are long, and temperatures are warmer. The only—er, unpleasant—thing during this time is the strong Patagonian winds that often hit the region and can sometimes make driving quite challenging.

However, this is also the busiest season, meaning that most travelers opt for a Patagonia road trip during this time. Despite this, don’t worry about finding quiet camping spots—Patagonia is vast! That being said, popular hiking trails and famous destinations will be more crowded.

Early autumn can be a beautiful time to travel around Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia. We visited during the fall, and while the weather can change quickly, especially in southern Patagonia, bringing more rain and colder temperatures, it was still a lovely time!

During winter, many roads and activities are closed, making van travel more difficult, though not impossible.

If you’re into a real adventure, some snow won’t stop you, right? 😛

A white campervan is parked on the side of an empty road in Patagonia, surrounded by bare trees under a cloudy sky. Two people dressed warmly stand beside the van, taking in the remote and rugged landscape

CROSSING BORDERS IN PATAGONIA

When traveling by van in Patagonia, you’ll likely cross the border between Chile and Argentina several times. The process is not too stressful, but it’s kinda funny, and it does take some time.

At each border, you’ll need to get out of the van, fill out paperwork for passengers and the vehicle, drive to the other border post, and repeat the process there.

It’s generally less hassle to enter Argentina than Chile because Chile has stricter rules about what you can bring in—no fresh fruits, vegetables, animal products, or plants.

I ended up on Chile’s blacklist twice! 😄

The first time was for homemade honey that I’d actually bought in Chile at a local market, but because it didn’t have an official “lot number,” it was confiscated when we returned to Chile from Argentina, and my name was put in some kind of register! 

The second time, it was for motherfudging raisins.

The officer was checking our van, found raisins, and asked me if they had seeds. I had no idea, so she opened one, found seeds, and once again—blacklist! 

PRO TIP: Stop before the border and eat or cook fresh produce to avoid any problems. Lots of sauces were made that way during our time in Patagonia 🌶️🍅🧅

Once, we had to go from Argentina to Chile to pick up a package at the post office in the town not far from the border. 

We drove back to Argentina a day later, and the officers were like: “You’re here AGAIN? Why?” 😃 

But all in all, crossing borders between Chile and Argentina should be easy even if you do it many times like us, and officers and the officers are—if not friendly—at least not complicating. As long as you’re kind and respectful, you are going to be fine.


If you need more information about the paperwork required to enter Argentina or other countries with a Chilean-registered van, I recommend checking out this blog post about buying a van in Chile.

Chile is one of the most popular countries (besides Colombia) for foreigners looking to purchase a camper van in South America. The article provides a comprehensive guide on the process and the documents you’ll need, so it’s a great resource if you’re planning to buy and travel with a van in South America.


A white campervan drives down a dirt road in Patagonia, surrounded by rugged mountains and wide-open spaces under a clear blue sky, symbolizing the adventure of exploring the region by van.
Our Pisco the Van after crossing into Argentina for the first time.

TRAVELING WITH YOUR DOG IN PATAGONIA

Bringing a dog to your Patagonia campervan trip?

It’s doable, but I wouldn’t call it a walk in the park (pun intended).

The real challenge is actually getting your dog to Chile or Argentina if you’re coming from the States or Europe, especially if your dog weighs more than 8 kg and isn’t allowed in the cabin on a plane. You’ll need to check all the entry regulations ahead of time to make sure everything’s in order and get your pup ready to travel in cargo.


I found these two sites with official info about bringing your pet to Chile or Argentina.


Once you’re there, it’s not museums you have to worry about—because, let’s face it, you’re probably not coming to Patagonia for museum tours—it’s the national parks. Unfortunately, they don’t allow pets (for obvious reasons, though).

So, if you’re traveling with your pup, you might need to leave them in the van or skip the national parks altogether and find alternative trails to hike (which shouldn’t be a problem given how vast Patagonia is).

That being said, we saw plenty of people traveling with their dogs in a van, so if you have the chance and want to bring your four-legged friend, go for it!

If we were to do the trip again, we’d bring ours without a second thought because we hate being away from our dogs for too long (but we’d only do it if we were traveling for months—I wouldn’t put my dogs through the stress of plane travel for just a few weeks-long vacation).

Whether dogs are allowed in restaurants and cafes in Patagonia depends on the place, so it’s always best to ask beforehand. In general, you shouldn’t have any problems where there is an outdoor sitting are.

But the good news is, more and more places are becoming dog-friendly, so I guess our options are growing!

DRIVING REGULATIONS IN PATAGONIA

While both Chile and Argentina have toll roads, I honestly don’t remember encountering any in the Patagonian wilderness.

In both countries, driving is on the right side.

As for speed limits, here’s what to keep in mind:

  • In Argentina, the limit is 40 km/h in residential areas and 60 km/h in urban areas, while on open rural roads, it’s 80 km/h, and on motorways, it’s 100-120 km/h.
  • In Chile, the limit is 50 km/h in urban areas, while on open rural roads, it’s 100 km/h, and on motorways, it’s 100-120 km/h.

While there are no tolls in Patagonia, you might encounter police checkpoints from time to time. Just slow down and drive past them—they rarely stop travelers. If they do, simply show your and the van’s documents, and that’s it.

We’ve heard stories about police asking you to pay fines on the spot, which are supposedly scams since fines should be paid at the police station or a bank. We’ve never had any problems, so I can’t speak from first-hand experience, but if you’re fined, just ask for a ticket to be issued.

I probably don’t need to tell you that you need to have your van lights on and seatbelts are obligatory.

The legal alcohol limit for driving is 0.03% in Chile, and Argentina recently adopted a zero-tolerance national law, so make sure you don’t drive after trying Patagonian craft beers!

 white campervan is seen driving through the dry, golden grasslands of Patagonia, with hills and a wide-open sky framing the background, highlighting the vastness of the region’s landscapes.

ROAD CONDITIONS AND TIPS FOR DRIVING PATAGONIA

Roads in Patagonia are a mix of everything—some are a dream to drive on, while others make you feel like you’re on a wild adventure (and not always in a good way).

The few main roads (like Ruta 40 or Ruta 3) are usually wide, paved, and in pretty good shape, stretching out for miles with almost no traffic. We often drove for hours without seeing another car, which was both peaceful and a bit eerie. And a bit nerve-wracking when our tire broke once.


PRO TIP: Learn how to change tires so you can at least make it to the first town and mechanic for a check-up! And carry a basic toolkit with you—you’re 100% going to need it at some point while driving through the wilderness of Patagonia.


 A man changes a tire on his white campervan parked on the side of a remote Patagonian road. The scene captures a moment of maintenance during a long van journey.

The only thing that can make driving on those main roads challenging is the previously mentioned famous Patagonian winds, which are no joke. They can come out of nowhere and hit you hard, so keep both hands on the wheel and be prepared for some intense gusts, especially in open plains.

Now, if you decide to leave the main roads (which, let’s be honest, you probably will at some point), things start to change.

Many of the smaller routes are gravel or dirt roads, and they can be super bumpy, filled with potholes, and uneven as hell. We had our fair share of bouncing around, so based on our experience—I can’t recommend good suspension enough 😂.

Before you head off to Patagonia, it’s also worth getting your van checked to make sure it’s ready for the challenge.

We were traveling in a Mitsubishi L300, which, to be fair, did a pretty good job on most of the roads, partly because it’s smaller and not that high. But there were definitely moments when I wished we had a 4×4.

There were some amazing camping spots we just couldn’t reach because the roads were too rough! If you want the freedom to explore those hidden gems, having a four-wheel drive would make a huge difference, but driving through Patagonia is totally doable with a regular campervan as well.

Another thing—gravel roads can really slow you down.

Take the Carretera Austral, for example. It’s one of the most beautiful routes out there, but since a lot of it is unpaved, the drive takes way longer than what Google Maps suggests.

A long, unpaved Carretera Austral road stretching toward a distant mountain under a clear blue sky. On both sides, there are low shrubs and dry grass, with rugged hills framing the scene.

The same goes for any kind of shortcut!

I remember taking one while going north on Ruta 40 in Argentina, and we ended up driving way longer than we would have on a paved Ruta 40 because it was the bumpiest road ever, and we were going at snail speed! 😀

If you’re planning a route on these roads, always add a few extra hours to what your map app says, because, let’s be real—Google Maps has no clue about the condition of these roads.

But I do, and I remember them well.

Now, the good news: traffic is almost nonexistent in Patagonia.

You won’t meet many other vehicles, and when you do, drivers are generally chill. Honestly, compared to Bolivia, Chilean and Argentinian drivers are pretty laid-back.

We didn’t have any issues, even in cities.

My husband never complained, even when we were driving around Santiago (which, btw, isn’t in Patagonia, but you get the point). And since there aren’t any big cities in Patagonia itself, you don’t have to worry about heavy traffic.

An empty, straight road stretches into the horizon, flanked by barren land and a vast blue sky in Patagonia, evoking the solitude and freedom of long drives in the region.
Just us and an endless road.

FINDING MECHANICS IN PATAGONIA

If you’re planning to travel through Patagonia with a camper van for a while, you’ll probably need to visit a mechanic at some point—it’s just part of the adventure.

The good news is that almost every town has at least one mechanic, so you’re not totally stranded when something goes wrong.

The iOverlander app is a lifesaver for finding mechanics (and pretty much anything else in South America), and I highly recommend using it.

However, don’t expect English-speaking mechanics. In most cases, you’ll be communicating entirely in Spanish. By the end of our trip, I’d become a pro at Spanish mechanic terms—something I never imagined would happen, even though I can communicate in “non-technical” Spanish.

I had to translate between the mechanics and my husband, who doesn’t speak Spanish, on several occasions, without any internet.

And trust me, trying to explain car issues when you don’t know a thing about cars was quite, er—interesting. 😂

A man stands in front of a rustic tire shop ("Gomería") in Patagonia, inspecting the building. The scene captures the local roadside services encountered during our Patagonia campervan trip.
Trying to make sense of what’s going on.

IS PATAGONIA SAFE FOR CAMPERVAN TRAVEL?

Absolutely! Patagonia is a region shared between Chile and Argentina, and both countries are very campervan-friendly.

We often slept in remote places, where the only potential danger could be stumbling upon a mountain lion during a nighttime bathroom break. I mean, that one’s quite a biggie, tbh.

Other than that, we always felt safe, whether parked in nature or in towns.

The only time I would advise taking extra precautions is when you’re in larger towns, such as Bariloche in Argentina or Punta Arenas in Chile. In these places, certain areas have a reputation for break-ins, so we made sure to lock up everything securely and park the van in busy, well-lit areas where other cars were also parked.

We always avoided leaving the van in isolated spots—instead, we stopped in front of one of the many craft breweries in Patagonia, went for a beer, and asked if we could leave the van there while we explored the town. A few times (like in Bariloche and Valdivia, for example), we were even able to spend the night in the parking lot and use the restaurant’s facilities!

And speaking of locals—while Chileans might be a bit more reserved (as a nation) than Argentinians, they are all helpful.

If you ever need assistance, people will stop to lend a hand.

We had nothing but positive experiences when interacting with them, which made van travel in Patagonia feel even safer.

A large wooden barrel with the logo "Kunstmann" stands prominently outside a brewery in Patagonia, Chile, surrounded by parked cars and trees during sunset.
After the beer tasting in Valdivia, we were allowed to spend the night at their parking lot!

WILD CAMPING IN PATAGONIA

Wild camping in Patagonia is pretty much allowed everywhere. Yay!

We never had issues with being asked to move or being told we couldn’t spend the night somewhere. National parks have restrictions, but they might offer designated free camping areas, like the ones we used in Torres del Paine. We stayed there for three days, which saved us a lot on accommodation costs, plus the views were unbeatable.

Of all the places we’ve traveled with a van so far, wild camping in Chile and Argentina has been the easiest—and the best.

Wild camping in Montenegro came close, but Patagonia is my all-time favorite. It’s vast, safe, and unbeatably gorgeous.

Three vans are parked against the backdrop of a layered cliff on a pebble beach in Argentinian Patagonia. The image is from the post about Patagonia campervan travel tips.
A wild camping spot on the Argentinian coast where we made lifelong friends.

CAMPSITES IN PATAGONIA

Patagonia does have campsites, but don’t go expecting European-style luxury here—no fancy spa-like facilities, I’m afraid!

Most campsites are simple and mainly set up for tent campers, though they usually have spots for campervans, too. You’ll find the basics, like kitchens and bathrooms with hot showers.

However, if you’re used to Central European campsites, these might seem a bit on the rustic side.

But honestly, that’s part of the charm, riiight?

One thing I loved—especially in Chile—was that many campsites had wooden picnic tables and benches, much like the ones you’d find in the U.S. It’s not something you often see in Europe, so that was a nice touch!

On the first night, after we left Santiago with our van, we camped next to Siete Tazas National Park in Chile. It was a simple campsite in the woods, but I loved it—probably because it came with a few friendly stray dogs. It was the perfect start to our South American adventure!

And, yes, we did spend hours there just rearranging our stuff to get used to #vanlife.

And then there was the campsite in El Bolsón, Argentina—easily the quirkiest place we stayed. Think artsy, rustic, and completely unique. I would recommend it 10/10. 😀


A NOTE: We traveled during autumn, and as we got further into the season, the weather turned cold and rainy. Since our van didn’t exactly come with insulation or heating, we ended up staying in accommodations about once every 10 days (after we made it to the south), to warm up and take proper hot showers. Sometimes, we’d even stay for a few nights (like in El Chaltén in Argentina or Puerto Río Tranquilo along the Carretera Austral in Chile). Honestly, it was either that or risk catching a cold—or worse.


Not every accommodation in Patagonia is listed on booking platforms, so we often drove around looking for places with “vacancy” signs. It worked out well for us, and we found some decent spots that way.

Here are a few places that we stayed at and liked:

A rushing turquoise river flows over dark rocks in Patagonia, surrounded by rugged terrain and distant hills under a cloudy sky.
Sometimes, we’d change our Pisco for a cozy wooden cottage.

PARKING IN PATAGONIA

If there’s one thing that Patagonia doesn’t lack, it’s space. 😀

Patagonian towns are generally small—Punta Arenas in Chile, and Bariloche and Ushuaia in Argentina are the largest you’ll find. Even in those larger towns, we never had trouble finding parking.

Some spots were even free, while others required a small fee at parking machines.

 A white campervan is seen driving through the dry, golden grasslands of Patagonia, with hills and a wide-open sky framing the background.
Plenty of parking space, yes?

FRESH WATER FOR YOUR CAMPERVAN

You’ll be able to fill up your water tank at gas stations and campsites in Patagonia.

Supposedly, all the water in Patagonia is drinkable.

Every time I asked a local if the tap water was “potable” (which means safe to drink), they would confidently tell me it was “super potable, super potable!” The locals drink it just like we do in Slovenia, and usually, it’s all good.

But here’s where I take it with a grain of salt: we once filled up our tank at a small gas station along the Carretera Austral.

They told us it was fresh water, but it tasted a bit off.

The next day, I got sick.

I was in pretty bad shape for about a week, most of which was spent in the bathroom—it was probably E. Coli, according to the ER.

To be fair, we also had some dodgy bolognese that same night before I got sick (the meat tasted weird), so I still can’t be sure if it was the water or the food that did me in. 😃 My husband drank the same water, ate the same bolognese, and was completely fine, so who knows!

My advice? Maybe just taste the water before you fill up your tank. If it tastes as it should—clean and fresh—then you’re probably 100% safe.

But if you want to be extra careful, pack a water filter for your van or bring a portable one (Amazon has some great options). That way, you’ll be set no matter where you fill up.

A man leans against his white campervan in a parking lot under a cloudy sky. The van’s door is open, showing storage inside, as other cars and the highway are visible in the background.
Van chores time” at a gas station.

DISPOSING OF GREY AND BLACK WATER

First off, we didn’t have a chemical toilet in our tiny van—we went with the good old-fashioned trowel method. 😁

But if you do have a chemical toilet or are dealing with wastewater, the easiest way to dispose of it is at gas stations. Big rigs and trucks do it there too, so it’s not a problem.

Some of the larger gas stations have dedicated spots for dumping gray water, but the smaller ones might not have anything specific for that.

In those cases, try asking if you can empty the chemical toilet in the restroom facilities—and warn them about the smell in advance. 🤪

Now, if you’re in a remote area and far from a gas station, you might need to dispose of your wastewater somewhere, like a gravel road. If that’s the case, it’s super important to use biodegradable soaps and products so you’re not leaving any toxins behind.

Remember—as vanlifers, we often claim that we love being outside and respect nature, so this should be reflected in keeping the environment as pristine as we found it.

Leave no trace!

A man stands on a rocky beach in Patagonia, facing the ocean while holding a red throwel over his shoulder. He wears a beanie and a t-shirt, gazing out at the calm sea and rugged rocks under a clear blue sky.

INTERNET ACCESS IN PATAGONIA

Ah, the internet in Patagonia—that’s a fun one!

If I were to do this trip again, I’d definitely invest in either Starlink or a satellite phone. As soon as you leave a town, cell service pretty much disappears, which is great for disconnecting and soaking up the true vanlife experience in nature.

But let’s be real—it’s also nice to have a way to connect when you need to, whether it’s for safety reasons or because you’re trying to work from the road and need to be online more than just when you’re in town.

We spent a lot of time blogging and working from cafés, but the Wi-Fi was, er—”unpredictable.”

Often, it was so slow that we’d have to order extra coffee and snacks just to pass the time while waiting for a single blog post to upload. That was a couple of years ago, though, so maybe things have changed (fingers crossed!).

If you do manage to get a local SIM, you’ll have faster internet in town areas, but once you’re out in the wild, it’s offline mode.

That’s where the iOverlander and Maps.me apps become lifesavers—honestly, they’re must-haves when traveling in South America. They help you find everything from campsites to mechanics and wastewater dump sites, and the best part? They work offline.

Claro turned out to have the best coverage in Chilean Patagonia, while Movistar had decent coverage throughout Argentina.

Of course, nowadays, you can also opt for an eSIM and avoid the hassle of visiting kiosks (or pharmacies in Chile!) to top up, but I personally don’t have experience with those in Patagonia, so I can’t comment on the coverage.

ATMS AND CASH IN PATAGONIA

You’ll find ATMs in towns across Patagonia, especially in the larger ones.

But here’s the thing—towns are often pretty far apart, so it’s smart to carry enough cash with you, just in case. Whether it’s for an unexpected car repair or any other random expense (and trust me, something will pop up!), having a secret stash of cash can be a lifesaver.

In Chile, it’s best to withdraw money from Santander or Scotiabank, as they often didn’t have withdrawal fees at all, while fees were high in Argentina.

In Argentina, we also couldn’t withdraw as much cash as in Chile; in fact, having dollars with us to exchange in a coffee shop, for example, turned out to be a better strategy, as the dollar is more stable than the local currency.

When it comes to ATM safety, it’s the same as anywhere else—be cautious, use well-lit, busy locations, and keep an eye on your surroundings. The most widely accepted credit and debit cards are Mastercard and Visa.

One thing to remember: Argentina and Chile use different currencies (Argentinian and Chilean pesos), so you’ll need both, as you’ll most likely cross the border a few times.

wo Argentine peso coins resting on a textured gray fabric surface. The coins display intricate designs, with one showing the Argentine national emblem and the other marked '1 Peso' with decorative details, highlighting the currency often used during a van trip in Patagonia.

PATAGONIA CAMPERVAN TRAVEL COSTS

Traveling with a campervan in Patagonia is pretty affordable overall.

The biggest expense? Fuel.

Not because it’s super pricey, but because the distances you’re covering are huge—so you’ll be filling up often.

On the plus side, if the weather’s on your side and you have heating in your van (or if you’re hardcore and don’t mind freezing your buns off), you’ll save loads on accommodation, which balances things out.

Campsites were affordable; due to the off-season, the price for two people with a van usually didn’t exceed 10-15 EUR.

Plus, having a van means you can cook most of your meals, and local markets and supermarkets are great for finding affordable food.

Sure, you’ll want to try the famous local dishes now and then (empanadas, people!), but cooking in the van keeps costs low and gives you the freedom to park up with stunning views that no hotel can match.

Besides, there are lots of amazing things you can experience for free in Patagonia (like seeing thousands of penguins in Monte León National Park or snowstorm trekking in Ushuaia 😂), and national park entrance fees in Chile are way cheaper for those with a Chilean RUT (this only applies to those who buy their van in Chile, of course).

The amount of empanadas we ate is ridiculous.

Looking for unique experiences to include in your Patagonia van trip? These are all PRETTY epic IMO!

CHILE

ARGENTINA:

A green train labeled 'End of the world train' is stationed at a railway platform surrounded by lush autumn foliage and mountains capped with snow in Patagonia. The scene is set under a cloudy sky, capturing the charm of this historic train route amidst the stunning natural landscape.

OTHER PATAGONIA CAMPERVAN TRAVEL TIPS

Where to Shower in Patagonia

Remaining fresh and clean in Patagonia? Not a problem.

We didn’t have a shower in our van, so we often used gas station showers, especially the ones at larger Copec gas stations—big, clean, and some even stocked with amenities!

When we stayed in accommodations, we’d always take advantage of their showers, but if you’re traveling full-time and don’t have a shower built into your van, a portable shower is an option too.

One of our best shower experiences, believe it or not, was at a tourist information point in the middle of nowhere in Chilean Tierra del Fuego (specifically, in a small town called Cerro Sombrero).

They had hot, clean showers in heated facilities that felt like something out of a proper modern campsite, and we could even park overnight.

After freezing for days, I almost cried from happiness when I saw it.

Doing the Laundry

Laundromats (lavanderías) are available in most towns and are pretty affordable, so I wouldn’t even bother washing clothes by hand.

They’re a lifesaver for long-term travel, and nothing beats warm, freshly-washed bed linens—especially if you’re traveling when the weather is cold and wet. Been there, done that.

Fuel Availability in Patagonia

One thing to remember: Patagonia is huge, and gas stations are far apart, especially in remote areas.

My advice? Always fill up when you’re in a bigger town and calculate in advance how far you’ll be driving so you know approximately if you have enough gas. While villages might have fuel stations, they occasionally run out of gas, and you don’t want to be stuck.

Lots of campervan travelers in Patagonia carry an extra fuel tank, just in case, and I suggest you do the same.

A man in a green hoodie stands with arms raised outside a white campervan, while a woman sits inside the open door smiling. They are parked in a wooded camping area,
See how we carry an extra fuel tank with us? Very classy (NOT). Very demure.

Monday Closures

Heads up—many museums and sites are closed on Mondays, so plan your itinerary accordingly.

You might want to use Monday as a day to rest, catch up on van chores, work, or use it for those long-distance drives.

Emergency Contacts

In case of an emergency, call these numbers:

ARGENTINA

  • 911 – General emergency number (works for police, fire, and medical help).
  • 100 – Fire department
  • 100 – Fire department
  • 106 – Coast guard (for incidents near rivers, lakes, or the sea)
  • 107 – Medical emergency
  • 109 – Police
  • 0800-999-5000 – Tourist Assistance Line (for issues regarding travel, accommodation, safety, etc.)

CHILE

  • 131Ambulance
  • 132 – Fire department (Bomberos)
  • 133 – Police (Carabineros) —> In short, ABC123
  • 136 – Mountain rescue
  • 137 – Coast guard

Language

The official language in Chile and Argentina is Spanish, and most locals don’t speak English very well (or not at all).

I’m sure you can survive without learning the language, too, but knowing at least some basic Spanish will be a huge help – especially when there’s no Google Translate to help you out.

Besides, knowing a few words helps you connect with the locals and shows you’re making an effort, which is usually really all that’s needed to make a true connection.

COMMON SPANISH WORDS & EXPRESSIONS FOR VAN TRAVELERS

  1. Hola (OH-lah) – Hello
  2. Adiós (ah-DYOS) – Goodbye
  3. Buenos días (BWEH-nos DEE-as) – Good day
  4. Buenas noches (BWEH-nas NOH-chess) – Good night
  5. Por favor (POR fah-VOR) – Please
  6. Gracias (GRAH-see-as) – Thank you
  7. ¡Ayuda! (ah-YOO-dah) – Help!
  8. Perdón / Disculpe (pehr-DOHN / dees-KOOL-peh) – Excuse me / Sorry
  9. (See) – Yes
  10. No (No) – No
  11. Camping (KAHM-peeng) – Campsite
  12. Electricidad (eh-lehk-tree-see-DAHD) – Electricity
  13. Cajero automático (kah-HEH-roh ow-toh-MAH-tee-koh) – ATM
  14. Gasolinera (gah-soh-lee-NEH-rah) – Gas station
  15. ¿Tienen propano? (TYEH-nen proh-PAH-noh) – Do you have propane?
  16. ¿Hay duchas aquí? (Ahy DOO-chahs ah-KEE) – Are there showers here?
  17. ¿Dónde puedo llenar agua? (DON-deh PWEH-doh yeh-NAR AH-gwah) – Where can I fill up water?
  18. ¿Dónde puedo vaciar agua? (DON-deh PWEH-doh bah-see-AR AH-gwah) – Where can I empty water? (For grey water)
  19. ¿Dónde puedo lavar ropa? (DON-deh PWEH-doh lah-VAR ROH-pah) – Where can I wash clothes?
  20. ¿Cuánto cuesta? (KWAN-toh KWES-tah) – How much does it cost?
  21. ¿Dónde está… (DON-deh es-TAH…) – Where is…
  22. ¿Dónde está el baño? (DON-deh es-TAH el BAH-nyoh) – Where is the bathroom?
  23. La cuenta, por favor (lah KWEN-tah, POR fah-VOR) – The bill, please
  24. Agua (AH-gwah) – Water
  25. Cerveza (sehr-BEH-sah) – Beer
  26. Comida (koh-MEE-dah) – Food
A white campervan is parked on an open landscape under a large, arching rainbow in Patagonia. The sky is painted in soft pink and blue hues as a person stands beside the van, embracing the beauty of the scenery.

Want to ask anything else? Drop a comment below! 😊

Happy Vagabonding!

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