Laws are one thing, but the day-to-day feeling of a place is another. When I first arrived, I quickly learned that the social atmosphere has a "Tale of Two Chiles" – much like the difference between a major US city and a more rural area.
In Major Cities (Santiago, Valparaiso, Viña del Mar):
The experience is cosmopolitan and open. In neighborhoods like Providencia, Lastarria, and Bellavista in Santiago, life feels very much like it does in Chicago, Madrid, or any other major Western city. Seeing same-sex couples walking hand-in-hand is a normal part of the urban landscape. There’s a vibrant, creative energy, and a palpable sense of freedom.
In Rural & More Traditional Areas:
As you travel outside the main cities, life becomes slower and more traditional. Here, people are generally polite and reserved, but social attitudes are more conservative. You are very unlikely to face any negativity, but you’ll notice that public displays of affection are less common for all couples. It's less about intolerance and more about a traditional sense of public etiquette.
