Chile

Penalties for possession, use, or trafficking of illegal drugs in Chile are severe — convicted offenders can expect jail sentences and heavy fines.

Long prison sentences.

Cannabis is illegal in Chile and possession is a criminal offence, not a fine - article 4 of Ley 20.000 punishes possessing or carrying even small amounts with imprisonment and a fine of 10 to 40 monthly tax units, and personal use is only a justification you have to persuade a court to accept. Private personal consumption on its own is not punished, but consuming in a public place, or in a private place with a group that arranged to do it, is a separate offence carrying a fine, a compulsory prevention or treatment programme or community service, and suspension of your driving licence for up to six months. There is no legal way to buy cannabis in Chile, and passing some to another person carries the same prison penalty as possession.

Possessing, transporting, keeping or carrying small quantities: presidio menor in its medium to maximum degrees plus a fine of 10 to 40 monthly tax units, unless justified as for medical treatment or for exclusive and imminent personal use (Ley 20.000 art. 4). Acquiring, transferring, supplying or facilitating small quantities for another person to consume carries the same penalty. Unauthorised cultivation: presidio menor in its maximum degree to presidio mayor in its minimum degree plus a fine of 40 to 400 monthly tax units (art. 8). Consuming in public, or in private premises with a group that arranged to do so, and holding or carrying in such places: a fine of 1 to 10 monthly tax units, or a prevention programme of up to 60 days, or treatment or rehabilitation of up to 180 days, or up to 30 hours of community work, plus suspension of the driving licence for up to six months, rising to up to one year on a second offence and up to two years on a third, which the judge may not suspend (art. 50).

Check with the Chilean health authority (ISP) to confirm your prescription medication is legal, and carry it in original packaging with your prescription.

You must declare cash or bearer instruments over USD 10,000 (or equivalent) when entering or leaving Chile.

Failing to declare is treated as the crime of smuggling (contrabando) — Customs retains the entire amount on detection.

Declare all agricultural items on your Chilean customs form when arriving — including packaged food, fruit, seeds, and plants — or you can be detained and heavily fined.

Detention and heavy fines for undeclared agricultural items (Government of Canada).

Visitors can drive in Chile with a valid US license for the duration of their tourist permit (usually 90 days), but rental insurance may not be available in some forms without a Chilean or international driver's license.

Chile enforces a zero-tolerance policy for drinking and driving — penalties include license suspension, fines, and detention, and driving under the influence can result in incarceration.

License suspension, fines, detention; DUI is severely punished and can mean incarceration (US State Dept).

Same-sex marriage has been legal in Chile since 2022; there are no legal restrictions on adult same-sex relations or LGB events, though discrimination and violence have been reported.

Open fires are illegal in Chilean national parks outside permitted camping areas — including cooking burners — and starting one can cost you your tourist permit or get you deported.

Revocation of tourist permit or deportation; criminal penalties and fines if a wildfire results (UK FCDO).