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Sand dune amid Valley of the Moon rock formations

Chile travel guide

A 4,300km ribbon of desert, coast and glacier for travellers who like to cover ground

Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec

Photo: Diego Delso / Wikimedia Commons

Capital
Santiago
Language
Spanish
Currency
Chilean peso (CLP)
Time zone
UTC-06:00, UTC-04:00
Plugs
Type C, L · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
130 / 131 / 132

Why visit Chile

Chile stretches from the driest desert in the north to glaciers in the south, so it suits travellers who want contrast and don't mind long distances between stops. December to March is the best window across the country, when Valparaíso, La Serena, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas all hit their best months. Santiago runs on a different calendar, with April, May, October and November working better there. The honest trade-off: no single month suits every region, so you'll plan around the capital separately from the rest.

  • A country of extreme length

    Chile stretches across 756,102 km2 but is famously narrow, running from the dry north to the far south. This means you can combine desert landscapes with southern coastal towns like Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas in one trip, each with its own climate and season.

  • Santiago, a major capital

    Santiago is home to over 6,257,516 people, making it one of South America's largest cities. Its best months are April, May, October and November, giving travellers a clear window outside the busy summer season to explore the capital.

  • Colourful coastal Valparaíso

    Valparaíso is a coastal city of 296,655 people with a best-season window of December to March, matching the warmer months. It sits close enough to Santiago for an easy add-on trip along the central coast.

  • Patagonia at the southern tip

    Punta Arenas, with 123,403 residents, is the gateway to Chilean Patagonia. Its best months are January and February, when the far south gets its warmest and most stable weather for exploring this remote coastal region.

  • Northern desert cities with a short clear season

    Iquique, a coastal city of 188,003 people, has a tight best-season window of just February and March. This narrow timing reflects the dry, desert-edge climate of northern Chile, distinct from the wetter south around Valdivia and Puerto Montt.

Is Chile right for you?

Great for

  • Summer sun seekers: Santiago hits highs near 29°C in January and February with under 1 rain day a month
  • Long-distance travellers planning a multi-region trip, since Chile spans 756,102 km2 across many climates
  • Coastal city hoppers, with Valparaíso, La Serena, Iquique, Puerto Montt and Punta Arenas all coastal
  • Shoulder-season city sightseers: Santiago's own best months are April, May, October and November, cooler and drier for walking
  • Patagonia-bound travellers heading to Punta Arenas in the January–February peak window

Less ideal for

  • Travellers wanting guaranteed dry days in winter: Santiago sees 6.3 rain days in August and just 8.4 sun hours
  • Visitors hoping for warm evenings in mid-year, as Santiago lows drop to around 6°C in June and July
  • Single-timezone trip planners, since Chile spans two timezones (UTC-06:00 and UTC-04:00)
  • Travellers who dislike heat without much rain relief, as Santiago gets only 9 mm of rain in January

Chile right now: November

7.6/10
Avg high
26°C
Avg low
12°C
Rain days
2

Averages for Santiago.

Weather by month

This chart covers Santiago: January, February, March and December score best, with highs of 28–30°C, barely any rain and up to 13.5 hours of sunshine a day. June, July and August are the toughest months, with highs dropping to 15–16°C, lows near 6–7°C and the most rain, peaking at 79mm in June with under 7 hours of sun.

Average highs and lows in Santiago by month January: high 30°C, low 16°C , 0 rain days . February: high 29°C, low 16°C , 1 rain days . March: high 28°C, low 15°C , 1 rain days . April: high 23°C, low 12°C , 2 rain days . May: high 19°C, low 9°C , 5 rain days . June: high 16°C, low 7°C , 6 rain days . July: high 15°C, low 6°C , 5 rain days . August: high 16°C, low 7°C , 6 rain days . September: high 19°C, low 9°C , 6 rain days . October: high 22°C, low 10°C , 5 rain days . November: high 26°C, low 12°C , 2 rain days . December: high 28°C, low 14°C , 1 rain days . 30°C 16°C JAN 0d 29°C 16°C FEB 1d 28°C 15°C MAR 1d 23°C 12°C APR 2d 19°C 9°C MAY 5d 16°C 7°C JUN 6d 15°C 6°C JUL 5d 16°C 7°C AUG 6d 19°C 9°C SEP 6d 22°C 10°C OCT 5d 26°C 12°C NOV 2d 28°C 14°C DEC 1d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Santiago · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Chile: month-by-month weather →

Chile's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Central Chile & Desert North

    Santiago, Valparaíso, La Serena, Iquique

    Santiago, Valparaíso, La Serena and Iquique share a dry, mild climate with only 22.6 rain days a year. January highs reach 24.5°C and July highs stay near 16°C, so February, March, April and November bring warm, rain-free days.

    Best: Feb, Mar, Apr, Nov

  • Lake District Coast (Puerto Montt)

    Puerto Montt

    Puerto Montt is wet almost year-round, with 193.7 rain days annually. January and February are the driest, warmest months, with highs around 18°C, while July highs drop to 9.7°C.

    Best: Jan, Feb

  • Valdivia & the Rainforest South

    Valdivia

    Valdivia sees 138.7 rain days a year but still offers a clear summer window. December through March bring highs up to 22.2°C, well above the 10.5°C July average.

    Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec

  • Patagonia (Punta Arenas)

    Punta Arenas

    Punta Arenas is cool and rainy for most of the year, with 177.8 rain days. January and February are the mildest months, with highs of 13.4°C, compared with just 4°C in July.

    Best: Jan, Feb

Where to go in Chile

City guides with their own best months and weather.

Sample itineraries

7 days

Santiago to La Serena coastal loop

  1. Day 1–3

    Santiago

    Chile's capital has 6257516 residents. Spend your first days exploring the city center and nearby hills before heading to the coast. April, November, May and October are the best months to visit.

  2. Day 4–5

    Valparaíso

    This coastal city of 296655 people is known for its hillside streets and colorful houses. Best months to visit are February, January, March and December.

  3. Day 6–7

    La Serena

    A coastal city of 195382 people with beaches and clear skies. January, February, November and March are the best months to visit, with warm, dry weather.

10 days

Santiago south to Chilean Patagonia

  1. Day 1–2

    Santiago

    Start in Chile's capital, home to 6257516 people. Use these days to settle in and explore the city center. April, November, May and October bring mild weather.

  2. Day 3–4

    Valparaíso

    Visit this coastal port city of 296655 residents for its steep streets and ocean views. February, January, March and December are the best months to go.

  3. Day 5–6

    Valdivia

    An inland city of 150048 people set among rivers, good for a quieter stop. January, February, March and December are the best months to visit.

  4. Day 7–8

    Puerto Montt

    A coastal gateway city of 169736 people leading south toward Patagonia. January and February are the best months, with milder summer temperatures.

  5. Day 9–10

    Punta Arenas

    This southern coastal city of 123403 people sits near the tip of South America. January and February offer the longest daylight and calmest conditions for travel in the far south.

Where to stay

One good base in each main city and who it suits.

Lastarria

Santiago

Good for first-timers, culture, walkers

A compact area of old buildings, small cafés, bookshops and galleries next to Cerro Santa Lucía, with the historic centre and Bellavista within walking distance. It is a good base for seeing the main sights on foot. Weekend evenings can be loud, and bag snatching is a known problem, so stay alert.

Cerro Alegre

Valparaíso

Good for first-timers, cafés, walking

A hill of painted houses, murals and steep lanes, with many guesthouses, restaurants and viewpoints close together. It is the easiest base for exploring on foot and sits near the old funiculars down to the flat centre. The streets are steep and cobbled, which is hard work with heavy luggage, and it gets crowded with day visitors.

Centro Histórico

La Serena

Good for first-timers, culture, no car

The old centre has colonial-style churches, the Plaza de Armas, museums, markets and plenty of places to eat, all within walking distance. Most buses and tours leave from here or nearby, so it makes a practical base. The beach is a bus or taxi ride away, and some streets feel empty in the evening once the shops close.

Cavancha

Iquique

Good for first-timers, beach lovers, families

This is Iquique's main beach area, with a long seafront promenade, calm water for swimming and plenty of cafés and restaurants. Staying here puts you on the sand and within a short taxi or colectivo ride of the centre. The drawback is that it is built up with tall apartment blocks and gets crowded and noisy on summer weekends.

Angelmó

Puerto Montt

Good for seafood lovers, markets, boat trips

This working fishing port west of the centre has the city's best-known seafood market, craft stalls and small boats across to Isla Tenglo. Staying here puts you next to cheap, fresh food and the sea. It is a working area with fish smells and heavy traffic by day, and it feels deserted after dark.

Centro

Valdivia

Good for first-timers, short stays, no car

The compact grid around Plaza de la República puts you within walking distance of the riverside Costanera, the fish market and the boat departures. Cafés, restaurants and buses to the coast are all close by. Streets near the plaza and main roads can be noisy with traffic and weekend crowds.

Centro

Punta Arenas

Good for first-timers, walkers, tour departures

The grid of streets around Plaza Muñoz Gamero holds most restaurants, cafés, tour agencies and museums, so you can do nearly everything on foot. It is the easiest base for booking trips to penguin colonies or Torres del Paine. Many shops close on Sundays, and some streets feel quiet and empty after dark.

Food to try in Chile

Empanada de pino

A pastry filled with chopped beef, onion, a hard-boiled egg, and an olive. It is baked and sold across Chile, from street stalls to family kitchens.

Pastel de choclo

A corn-based casserole with a layer of ground beef, chicken, onion, and egg underneath a sweet corn topping. It is a home-cooked dish, common in summer when corn is fresh.

Curanto

A mix of shellfish, meat, and potatoes traditionally cooked in a pit lined with hot stones and covered with nalca leaves. It comes from Chiloé island in the south.

Completo

A hot dog loaded with mashed avocado, tomato, mayonnaise, and sauerkraut. It is a fast-food staple sold at stands in cities like Santiago.

Pisco sour

A cocktail made with pisco, lime juice, sugar, and egg white. It is served as an aperitif in bars and restaurants nationwide.

Mote con huesillo

A cold drink of husked wheat and dried peach cooked in syrup. Street vendors sell it in summer, especially in central Chile.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Chile uses plug types C and L, and the voltage is 220 V. Check that your chargers work at 220 V. Bring an adapter if your plugs are a different type.
  • Driving side: Traffic in Chile drives on the right. If you come from a country that drives on the left, take extra care at junctions and roundabouts for the first few days.
  • Emergency numbers: The emergency numbers in Chile are 130, 131 and 132. Save them in your phone before you arrive, so you are not searching for them when something goes wrong.
  • Currency: The currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Check the exchange rate before you travel, so you can quickly judge whether a price seems fair.
  • Language: Spanish is the language of Chile. Learn a few basic phrases, and keep a translation app on your phone for menus, signs and bus stations.
  • Time zones: Chile has 2 time zones, listed as UTC-06:00 and UTC-04:00. Check which one applies to your destination when you book flights, tours or transfers.
  • Calling code: The country calling code for Chile is +56. Use it when you save local numbers, such as your hotel or tour operator, in your phone.

Chile: frequently asked questions

Is Chile good to visit in August?

August is an ok month for Chile, scoring 5.6 out of 10. In Santiago, days average 16.4°C and nights 7.1°C, with 6.3 rain days and 66 mm of rain. It's the heart of the southern winter, so pack layers and expect cooler, wetter conditions than in summer.

What is the best month to visit Chile?

February scores highest at 8.3, followed by January, March and December. These are Chile's summer months, with Santiago highs near 28-29.5°C, low rainfall of 5-9 mm, and 12.7 to 13.5 hours of sun a day, making them the most reliable for travel.

Is Chile hot in January?

Yes, January is one of Chile's hottest months. Santiago averages a high of 29.5°C and a low of 15.8°C, with almost no rain (9 mm over just 0.4 rain days) and 13.5 hours of sunshine. This dry, sunny weather is typical of Chilean summer.

When is the rainy season in Chile?

Santiago's wettest months run from May to September. June is the peak, with 79 mm of rain over 5.9 days, followed by August at 66 mm over 6.3 days. These months also bring the coolest temperatures, with July lows averaging 6.2°C.

Is Chile good to visit in November?

Yes, November rates as one of the best months, scoring 7.6. It falls in southern spring, with Santiago highs of 25.6°C, lows of 12.1°C, and just 12 mm of rain over 2.3 days. It's also listed as a top month for La Serena and Puerto Montt.

Similar destinations

Countries with a year of weather much like Chile.