Time Zone, Business Hours, and Holidays
Because Chile is in the Southern Hemisphere, its seasons are opposite those in the United States. This means that when the United States enters daylight savings time, Chile falls back at about the same time. Consequently, during the northern winter, Chile is 2 hours ahead of Eastern Standard Time. In the summer, Chile is the same time as Eastern Daylight Time.
Business hours in Chile are roughly the same as the United States. Most offices open at 8:30 or 9:00 am and continue until usually 6:00 pm or later. Lunchtime is usually later (beginning at 1:00 pm or later) and longer (1-2 hours) than in the United States.
The following are Chile’s main holidays for 2012. Dates may vary year to year.
Holiday |
Date |
New Year’s Day |
1-Jan |
Good Friday |
6-Apr |
Labour Day |
1-May |
Commemoration of the Battle of Iquique |
21-May |
Saint Peter and Saint Paul |
2-Jul |
Carmen’s Virgen Solemnity Day |
16-Jul |
Assumption Day |
15-Aug |
Fiestas Patrias |
17-Sep |
Independence day |
18-Sep |
Army Day |
19-Sep |
Columbus Day |
15-Oct |
Municipal Elections (Sunday) |
28-Oct |
All Saints’ Day |
1-Nov |
National day of Evangelical and Protestant Churches |
2-Nov |
Immaculate Conception |
8-Dec |
Christmas day |
25-Dec |
*Banking day |
31-Dec |
* Banks and other financial institutions close down. Workers in other fields are not given the day off, though the workday schedule is usually shorter
