Chile in December

Summer; book Torres del Paine refugios and campsites months ahead.

• Atacama and the north · San Pedro de Atacama, Calama, Aricabest weather

  Among the driest places on earth; summer 'Altiplanic winter' storms (Jan–Feb) can close high roads; cold nights, freezing at the geysers Jun–Aug.

• Central Chile · Santiago, Valparaíso, wine valleysbest weather

  Mediterranean: hot dry summers (30 °C+), cool wet winters with smog in Santiago; harvest festivals in March.

• Lake District · Pucón, Puerto Varas, Chiloébest weather

  Green because it rains; summer is the dry-ish window; ski on volcanoes in winter.

• Patagonia · Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Carretera Australbest weather

  Nov–Mar long days and full services; very strong winds in summer; many services shut Jun–Aug.

• Easter Island · Rapa Nuibest weather

  Subtropical; warm Dec–Mar, wetter and windier in winter.

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Immaculate Conception, Christmas

  8 Dec, 25 Dec

  Summer holiday season begins.

Crowds · Chile

High

Prices · Chile

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

Nothing unusual for the weather this month.

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Rated best or good this month

• Atacama and the north

  Best weather of the year (San Pedro de Atacama, Calama, Arica)

• Central Chile

  Best weather of the year (Santiago, Valparaíso, wine valleys)

• Lake District

  Best weather of the year (Pucón, Puerto Varas, Chiloé)

• Patagonia

  Best weather of the year (Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Carretera Austral)

• Easter Island

  Best weather of the year (Rapa Nui)

• Santiago

  Warm to hot; Christmas week is quiet.