When is the best time to visit Chile?

The best time to visit Chile depends on the region you’re travelling to. October to March are the warmest and most accessible months for visitors heading to Patagonia in the south of the country.

Meanwhile, Santiago, the Central Valleys, and the Atacama Desert are truly year-round destinations. June to August are popular for skiers in the mountains around Santiago, while April’s displays of autumnal leaves in Chile’s winelands make this month an appealing time for a visit.

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March is a wonderful month to visit Chile - the strongest winds in Patagonia are starting to ease, autumn leaves are beginning to show in the Lake District and the national parks are getting quieter, making for a really special experience.

Chloe, Latin America Specialist

Chile Climate Guide

Destination	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Easter Island	27°C 85mm	27°C 74mm	27°C 85mm	26°C 114mm	24°C 134mm	22°C 106mm	22°C 110mm	21°C 90mm	22°C 83mm	23°C 82mm	24°C 73mm	26°C 93mm
Elqui Valley	24°C 0mm	25°C 0mm	23°C 0mm	20°C 3mm	18°C 9mm	16°C 24mm	16°C 19mm	17°C 15mm	19°C 6mm	20°C 3mm	23°C 1mm	24°C 0mm
Puerto Varas	20°C 76mm	19°C 83mm	17°C 120mm	15°C 152mm	12°C 241mm	11°C 233mm	10°C 216mm	11°C 186mm	12°C 143mm	15°C 110mm	16°C 105mm	18°C 92mm
San Pedro de Atacama	24°C 22mm	24°C 4mm	23°C 2mm	21°C 2mm	19°C 1mm	16°C 0mm	16°C 0mm	18°C 0mm	21°C 3mm	22°C 3mm	23°C 1mm	24°C 3mm
Santiago	30°C 0mm	29°C 2mm	26°C 2mm	23°C 20mm	19°C 64mm	15°C 93mm	15°C 93mm	16°C 55mm	19°C 30mm	22°C 19mm	26°C 16mm	28°C 3mm
Torres del Paine National Park	11°C 81mm	10°C 86mm	9°C 115mm	6°C 105mm	2°C 87mm	0°C 79mm	0°C 91mm	1°C 85mm	4°C 75mm	7°C 85mm	8°C 79mm	10°C 87mm
Valparaiso	23°C 4mm	22°C 1mm	21°C 5mm	19°C 25mm	17°C 89mm	15°C 161mm	15°C 124mm	15°C 81mm	17°C 39mm	18°C 20mm	20°C 8mm	22°C 4mm

Month-by-month guide to travelling in Chile

January - February Jan - Feb
March Mar
April - August Apr - Aug
September Sep
October Oct
November Nov
December Dec

Visiting Chile in January - February

January and February are busy times to visit Chile, it being the peak of the country's summer. Accommodation in Torres del Paine National Park in particular gets full very quickly and prices shoot up here at this time of year. This is a good time to visit Santiago as many residents travel out of the city; reducing congestion and hotel prices.

If you’re thinking of visiting the Atacama Desert, it's worth noting that, in recent years, this region has seen freak heavy rainfall for a short period (normally just a few days) in late January to early February. Please talk to your specialist for more information.

Events & Festivals

Vendimias (late February to early May): These are wine harvesting festivals that take place across Chile's wine growing area, usually featuring grape stomping, local music and wine tasting.

Visiting Chile in March

As the crowds in Patagonia ease off and accommodation prices drop a little, March is a lovely time to travel across Chile; particularly to the Lake District and winelands.

Events & Festivals

Vendimias (late February to early May): These are wine harvesting festivals that take place across Chile's wine growing area, usually featuring grape stomping, local music and wine tasting.

Wild guanacoes, Torres del Paine National Park

Visiting Chile in April - August

April to August are much quieter in terms of visitor numbers in Patagonia in particular, with many hotels closing for the season. However, for those wishing to experience Torres del Paine at its wildest, the park remains open and unique wildlife spotting opportunities are available.

Events & Festivals

Puma spotting in Torres del Paine National Park (April and May): There is an increased chance of spotting the elusive puma during these months. Read more »
Vendimias (late February to early May): These are wine harvesting festivals that take place across Chile's wine growing area, usually featuring grape stomping, local music and wine tasting.

Visiting Chile in September

September is a good month for a visit that combines Santiago, the central valleys and the north of the country; including the Atacama Desert. Crowds are small and the days are beginning to warm up.

Events & Festivals

Independence Day (18th September): Nationwide festivities take place to mark the anniversary of Chile's independence from Spain, including parties, dances and traditional meals.

Visiting Chile in October

Spring flowers in the Lake District begin to make an appearance in October, creating beautiful scenery. You can, however, expect more rain here at this time of year.

Visiting Chile in November

November is the start of Chile's summer and crowds across the country - particularly in Patagonia - begin to increase in size. Make sure you book well in advance if travelling at this time to ensure you get the best accommodation choices.

Visiting Chile in December

Chileans like to take their holidays in December, so coastal areas such as Valparaiso can become busy. As with January and February, December is a popular time to visit Torres del Paine National Park and we recommend booking well in advance for a stay here during this period.

Events & Festivals

New Year's Eve (31st December): The New Year can be celebrated in style in Valparaiso, where many of our favourite hotels offer terrific views of the fireworks displays that take place over the bay. Read more »