when to go to chile
The best time to visit Chile depends on where you plan to travel to, and it is difficult to definitively say when the best time to visit is due to its large geographic scale and shape. There are seven main climate pockets, ranging from desert in the north to glaciers and alpine grassland in the south. The central part of the country is temperate and Mediterranean, whilst Rapa Nui offers subtropical humidity. As a general rule the seasons are: summer (December to February), autumn (March to May), winter (June to August) and spring (September to November).
Santiago
The climate in the capital is Mediterranean, with temperatures ranging between 0-13C in winter and 16-35C in summer. The region is accessible year-round, with its vineyards attracting visitors every season. In Spring, the region becomes beautifully green, whilst summers are very pleasant with 12 hours of sunshine guaranteed. Hot weather in the summer draws the crowds between December to February, so it’s important to book well in advance. June to August are popular for skiers in the mountains around Santiago.
Atacama Desert
The driest desert on the planet, Atacama is a year-round destination. Summer days get very hot whilst nights keep a constant low temperature due to the altitudes. The altiplano winter consists of afternoon downpours alongside electrical storms.
Wine Regions
April displays beautiful autumnal leaves making this month an appealing time to visit. There are also lower visitor numbers giving you more space to explore. However most wineries are year-round destinations.
Patagonia
October to March are the warmest and most accessible months for visitors heading to Patagonia in the south of the country. This is summer in the Southern Hemisphere and the weather is very pleasant, with warm temperatures of around 22°C. Some areas become totally inaccessible in the autumn and winter months, with temperatures dipping as low as -15C and strong, persistent winds being more prominent from December to January. The summer attracts the biggest crowds meaning visiting in Spring and Autumn is also ideal.
Torres del Paine National Park
All four seasons can be experienced here and despite the park being open all year round, the best season to visit is the summer. Winters can be very wet as well as cold. Spring is also a good time to visit and you can expect up to 16 hours of daylight.
Easter Island
The high season on the island is the summer. Outside this season, it gets cooler and quieter although like the North of Chile, this area remains temperate. March is probably the best time of the year to go when the crowds ease off and the weather is warm.
Other considerations
January and February are the best months to travel if you are interested in local events centred around food, music, dance and culture.
Contact Destination Seekers to plan your Chile adventure
