Information for Incoming Summer Students
Accomodation:
Students are expected to make their own housing arrangements during the internship. An extra allowance is available for students that can demonstrate they need extra housing.
Transport from the airport
The Joint ALMA Observary (JAO) office is located in Alonso de Córdova 3107, Vitacura, Santiago. Shuttle vans run from the airport to various locations in the city door to door. Most of them have a desk in the baggage hall and on the arrivals level. About taxis, it is recommended to agree a price with the driver before using the taxi (a common fare between the airport and the Vitacura area is around CLP 18000-20000, EUR 23.00 - 25.00). For more information, check here.
For more information about shopping and services at the airport, check here.
Public Transportation in Santiago
- Metro The closer station from the ALMA office in Vitacura (Santiago) is the metro station 'Tobalaba' (Línea 1). Exit the Tobalaba station at Luis Thayer Ojeda street and walk until the bus stop no. 405, go off in Vitacura with Alonso de Cordova avenue and walk until the ESO office.
- Buses Transantiago is the public transport in Santiago. In order to travel by Metro and buses in Santiago, you must have the BIP card (tarjeta BIP) that can be acquired in the Metro stations.The cost of the card will be CLP$1550 (EUR 2.00) and you may load it with at least $2000 more which will cover at least two trips that do not take more than 90 minutes in total.
- Taxis The black cars with their yellow roofs can be hailed anywhere. In Santiago, there is a base price of 300 pesos (EUR 0.38) plus around 130 pesos for each 200 m driven (or per minute when waiting). The rates are posted on the windscreen; the meter has to be where you can see it. For longer hauls or cross-country, you can negotiate a price beforehand. Tipping is not customary.
Please be aware that like in many other big cities, you have to be careful with your belongings, specially cameras and money. Wear a money belt, or cross your purse strap across your chest. Do not wear jewelry if you plan an excursion inside town, and never change money on the street, but do it in the established exchange offices or banks.
Travel to ALMA
The Joint ALMA Observary (JAO) offices in Chile are located in Vitacura, one of the districts of Santiago. Please check the details how to Travel to ALMA Vitacura Office, Santiago.
Weather in Santiago
Santiago, due to its position in the central region, has a Mediterranean climate with well-defined seasons. In May, the temperature can reach around 17-18°C (62-66º F).
You can check the weather on the Weather Channel.
Other Useful Information
- Chile's standard time zone is UTC/GMT -3 hours.
- Currency converter
- Santiago Metro
- Do you need a Visa to enter Chile? Check here!
- Sightseeing in Santiago: Sightseeing, museums, shopping malls, picturesque quarters are described here and here.
Restaurants in Vitacura
There is a number of restaurants and small places to eat around the ALMA office. You can find more information here. All of them are fairly expensive. Most JAO staff bring their own lunch from home. Microwaves and cutlery are available.
