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.

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).