Peso bills come in denominations of 1,000, 2,000, 5,000, 10,000 and 20,000.Visitors can exchange money at Santiago’s International Airport but the rates are usually worse than in town. Money and traveller’s cheques can be exchanged at a casa de cambio (money exchange house) for a small fee. 

These little exchanges can be found near the centre of every major city but they are scarce in small towns and villages. The exchange buildings are generally open from 09:00 to 18:00 Monday through Friday and until 13:00 on Saturdays. 

Like many businesses in Chile, they close from 13:00 until 15:00 for lunch. You can also exchange money at banks and some hotels, but their rates are always the worst.

Banks in Chile are open Monday through Friday from 09:00 until 14:00. They are one of the few businesses in the country that do not close for lunch.