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Trip Coach: June 26, 2007

Wayne Bernhardson, author of the guidebook 'Moon Handbooks Chile (Including Easter Island),' answered your questions on Chile.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007 |

Thanks,
Greg

Wayne Bernhardson: The Aisén region, around the city of Coyhaique, is probably the best for fly-fishing. Saltwater sportfishing is less common.

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Rio de Janeiro, Brasil: Is it still possible to take a bus & ferry boat trip across the Chile lake region from Puerto Montt to Bariloche Ar (and vice versa) in one day? How can I find info on schedules for this trip?

Wayne Bernhardson: See the Cruce de Lagos website (www.crucedelagos.cl) for details. However, the crossing takes a full-day in either direction.

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Lake Elsinore, Calif.: Do we need a visa to visit Easter Island for a week?

Wayne Bernhardson: American citizens do not need advance visas to visit Chile as tourists. Chile does, however, collect a US$100 "reciprocity fee" at Santiago's international airport--because the US government requires Chileans to pay an identical fee just to apply for a visa (with no guarantees of getting it). The Chilean fee is valid for the life of your passport.

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St. Petersburg, Fla.: I'll be on an overland trip in December, travelling through the Lake District and the fiord region before getting to Moreno and Paine. What places or day trips would I regret not experiencing and which would I regret spending the time and money?

Wayne Bernhardson: This is a pretty open-ended question. I would say to avoid the rather drab cities along the Panamerican Highway, such as Temuco and Osorno, in favor of picturesque towns like Villarrica and Puerto Varas, which are convenient to several national parks.

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Note: This story was accurate when it was published. Please be sure to confirm all rates and details directly with the companies in question before planning your trip.

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