When to go · Chile
Chile, month by month
The best months for Chile: Jan, Feb, Mar, Nov, Dec.
Month by month
- JanuaryGreatPatagonia peak with long days and strong wind; Chilean holidays; Atacama summer storms possible.Atacama and the north: rainy · Central Chile: hot · Lake District: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGreatStill peak; Tapati festival on Easter Island; wildfire risk in the centre.Atacama and the north: fine · Central Chile: hot · Lake District: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- MarchGreatWine harvest festivals; Patagonia quieter with autumn colour late in the month.Atacama and the north: best weather · Central Chile: best weather · Lake District: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGoodAutumn beech colours in Patagonia; last reliable month for Torres del Paine services.Atacama and the north: best weather · Central Chile: best weather · Lake District: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- MayGoodGood for the Atacama and Santiago; south turning wet and cold.Atacama and the north: best weather · Central Chile: fine · Lake District: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- JuneMixedWinter: Andes passes may close; Patagonia reduced services (winter rules at Torres del Paine).Atacama and the north: cool · Central Chile: cool · Lake District: rainyCrowds: Low · 2 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedSki season and school holidays; cold Atacama nights.Atacama and the north: cool · Central Chile: cool · Lake District: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- AugustMixedWinter continues; the Atacama may bloom after a rainy year (desierto florido, check).Atacama and the north: cool · Central Chile: cool · Lake District: rainyCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberGoodFiestas Patrias (18–19 Sep): fondas, barbecues, closed businesses; spring in the centre.Atacama and the north: best weather · Central Chile: fine · Lake District: rainyCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- OctoberGoodSpring; Patagonia opens (shoulder); good Atacama weather.Atacama and the north: best weather · Central Chile: best weather · Lake District: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- NovemberGreatPatagonia season starts properly; fewer crowds than Dec–Feb.Atacama and the north: best weather · Central Chile: best weather · Lake District: fineCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- DecemberGreatSummer; book Torres del Paine refugios and campsites months ahead.Atacama and the north: best weather · Central Chile: best weather · Lake District: best weatherCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Atacama and the northSan Pedro de Atacama, Calama, Arica | Wet | OK | Best | Best | Best | Cool | Cool | Cool | Best | Best | Best | Best |
| Central ChileSantiago, Valparaíso, wine valleys | Hot | Hot | Best | Best | OK | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best | Best |
| Lake DistrictPucón, Puerto Varas, Chiloé | Best | Best | OK | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | Best |
| PatagoniaTorres del Paine, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Carretera Austral | Best | Best | OK | OK | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | Cool | OK | Best | Best |
| Easter IslandRapa Nui | Best | Best | Best | OK | OK | Wet | Wet | OK | OK | OK | Best | Best |