Chile in May

Good for the Atacama and Santiago; south turning wet and cold.

• 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 valleysfine

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

• Lake District · Pucón, Puerto Varas, Chiloérainy

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

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

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

• Easter Island · Rapa Nuifine

  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.

• Labour Day

  1 May

  Public holiday.

• Navy Day

  21 May

  Public holiday.

Crowds · Chile

Low

Prices · Chile

Low

• Layers: a fleece or light jacket
• A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast

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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)

• Santiago

  Cool; smog begins some days.