Chile’s diverse landscapes mean the best time to visit depends on when you plan to go for a trip. If you are travelling to the southern melodrama of Patagonia, October to March is best. These are the warmest and most accessible months, with long days, clear skies, and pleasant temperatures around 22°C—excellent for trekking and outdoor adventures.
Central Chile, including Santiago, the fertile valleys, and the Atacama Desert, can be visited year-round. Expect hot, dry weather during the peak summer months of December to February, with temperatures reaching up to 30°C. It’s a popular and the best time to visit Chile, and early booking is necessary.
Snowfall in the Andes during winter (the months of June to August) means that skiing near Santiago is at its best. However, many attractions in southern regions close for the season. In central areas, temperatures range between 15°C and 16°C, and crowds are fewer.
If you’re looking for something more relaxing and attractive, April is the best time. Autumn transforms Chile’s wine regions with golden foliage, and the crowds thin out. It’s also one of the best times to visit wildlife in Torres del Paine, including the elusive puma—just be ready for chilly conditions, with temperatures dropping to around 0°C.
The months of January and February are the summer peak in Chile, which makes this a busy and popular time for travellers. It is often said that the best time to travel to Chile is in the summer if you want to visit the country's well-known landscapes in the sunshine, but it is best to plan ahead, especially if you are planning a trip to Torres del Paine National Park! All of the best accommodations book up quickly during these months, if not all accommodations, and prices are everywhere for a lot of travellers!
Santiago is quieter during this time, with locals heading out on vacation—resulting in less congestion and better hotel deals.
In the Atacama Desert, be aware of occasional heavy rains from late January to early February. Check with your travel specialist for the latest conditions.
Events & Festivals
Vendimias (Late February to Early May): These traditional wine harvest festivals take place throughout Chile's renowned wine regions. Expect lively celebrations with grape stomping, regional music, and, of course, plenty of wine tasting—a festive way to cap off your summer adventure in Chile.
Located in the heart of the Atacama Desert, the Salar de Atacama is Chile’s largest salt flat and a natural wonder that dazzles with its stark beauty. Surrounded by volcanoes and dotted with turquoise lagoons, it’s ...
Chilean cuisine blends the best of Spanish culinary traditions with native Chilean flavours and is inspired by other European cuisines, bringing in a vibrant variety of colourful and deeply flavourful dishes. Chile food is know...
Chile travel tips often start with understanding the warmth of its people. Chile is a country populated by very affectionate individuals, where kisses, handshakes, and hugs are part of everyday interactions. Making eye contact ...
Chiloe Island, located off the coast of southern Chile, is a unique destination known for its colourful stilt houses (palafitos), UNESCO-listed wooden churches, and rich mythology.
Located just outside Santiago, Concha y Toro Winery is one of Chile’s most renowned wine estates and a must-visit destination for wine lovers. Surrounded by lush vineyards and elegant colonial architecture, the winery off...
Nestled between Santiago and the Pacific Coast, the Curacaví and Casablanca Valleys are two of Chile’s most picturesque and productive wine regions.
The Domeyko Mountains, stretching parallel to the Andes in northern Chile, are a lesser-known but striking feature of the Atacama Desert. Named after the Polish-Chilean geologist Ignacio Domeyko, this ancient range is known for...
Easter Island, or Rapa Nui, is one of the most remote inhabited islands in the world, located in the Pacific Ocean and part of Chile. Famous for its iconic moai statues—massive stone heads carved by the Rapa Nui people&md...
El Tatio Geyser Field, located at over 4,300 metres above sea level in the Andes Mountains, is one of the highest and largest geyser fields in the world. Best visited at sunrise, this geothermal wonder comes alive with columns ...
Lake Chaxa, located within the Los Flamencos National Reserve in northern Chile, is a breathtaking salt lagoon known for its serene beauty and abundant birdlife.