Just saw this on website of Chilean Embassy in DC:

The $131 entry fee is as bad as China. Was interested to find out though that you don't have to pay 18% sales tax on hotel room if you show tourist card and pay in US Dollars; I guess they are hurting for US currency. ;)

That is interesting on the hotel tax situation. We just paid that entry fee last year and now have new passports so we pay it again.

Thanks Marc for the information. I've pre-paid the Ritz-Carlton in Santiago through the tour company I'm using and I paid in US funds so I'll have to check the invoice to see if it included the tax. However, most hotels do usually add the tax on later once you get there even if the room has been pre-paid so at least I'll have this information handy if it comes up upon check-in or check-out. I'm assuming of course that it won't matter that I'm a Canadian paying in US funds versus an American paying in US funds for the hotel tax to be not levied but it could be just for you, US citizens.
Pat

Pat, we also prepaid one of the night's stays at the Grand Hyatt last year in Santiago. The final bill was printed out in CLP (Chilean Peso) with US$ equivalent next to it. The tax was NOT included, and I think the essential part of the transaction was using the credit card. If I remember correctly, there's a separate piece of paper you get at immigration and you turn in when you leave. That must be the 'tourist card' mentioned on the website Marc found.

The basis for the visa entry fee (according to the Chileans) is because they have to pay a visa fee to enter the US, Canada and Australia. Fees used to be $100 - US and Chile each raised it to $131 1/1/2008. I didn't check Canada or Australia.

Who else thinks Chile takes in more visa revenue from US, Canadian and Aussie visitors than vice versa? . That said, it's a great place to visit. Can't wait to go back. Enjoy your pre-cruise stay. Have a great cruise!

Cheers, Anne

Thanks Anne for letting me know how your check-out went at the hotel. I too think that Chile gets more reciprocity fee from visitors but it's a titt for tatt thing going on and we in North America started it first so I can't really blame them for collecting the fee. It's a minor expense in the grand total of things and certainly not something that I'm going to be bugged over.
Pat