Best Time of Year to Visit Chile

Seasonal Planning for Chile Travel

The best time to visit Chile depends on where you're going. This long, thin strip of a country stretches from the Atacama Desert in the north to glacier-covered Patagonia in the far south, with at least seven distinct climate zones in between. That said, we recommend the spring (September to November) and fall (March to May) shoulder seasons as the ideal time to visit. The weather is generally mild, crowds are thinner, and it's also a great time to see wildflowers and changing fall leaves, as well as take part in harvest festivals in Chile's wine country.

However, the most popular time to visit the Spanish-speaking country is from December to February. The long summer days offer the best climate for adventures big and small, including hiking, rafting, horseback riding, or simply hanging out on the beach. Not surprisingly, prices are highest during this time, and advance bookings are essential. While winter sees relatively few foreign visitors, resorts heave with Chilean snow-lovers. There's excellent skiing and snowboarding on powdery slopes, though prices are fairly high. It's also not a bad time to visit the north, with excellent deals and few crowds.

For ideas on Chile trip-planning, check out these tours and itineraries.

Spring in Chile (September to November)

Spring is a lovely time to visit Chile. In September, you can catch wildflowers in bloom across the central and northern parts of the country. Some travelers even plan their Atacama trip around those extraordinary desert blooms. Spring doesn't come to the south until November, which is a great month to beat the crowds and enjoy lower prices at beach resorts and in Patagonia.

Though it's low season in Chile, the country is full of life during these months. The Fiestas Patrias (Chilean Independence) is feted with much revelry during the week surrounding September 18. In the following month, you can tap into Chile's German roots with big Oktoberfests held in Malloco (just outside of Santiago), Valdivia, and Puerto Varas.

Events in Spring

Independence Day, Nationwide (September 18). Chilean Independence is feted during Fiestas Patrias (week of September 18) with a week of big barbecues, wine punch, and merrymaking all over Chile. These celebrations take place leading up to Independence Day in honor of significant historical events regarding Chile's independence.

Oktoberfest, Puerto Varas (October). Join the beer drinkers in Puerto Varas and Valdivia for live music in lederhosen with these annual German-themed festivals. There's also a celebration held in Malloco, just outside of Santiago.

All Saints' Day, Nationwide (November 1). A day to remember and honor passed loved ones, you can expect closures. 

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Chile in September
Chile in October
Chile in November

Summer in Chile (December to February)

During the high season in Chile, there's a wealth of adventures on offer, with long summer days and average daily high temperatures around 80°F/27°C. Along the coast, you'll enjoy mild temperatures and refreshing breezes, though once you head inland, the heat can be intense, especially in the desert country of the north.

Nights can get chilly even in the summer, particularly up in the Andes and in the Atacama desert, where lows drop to 54°F/12°C. It's wise to bring a sweater and a light jacket. The farther south you go, the colder and rainier the weather. In Valdivia, for instance, the high in January and February is around 72°F (22°C), while in Punta Arenas the high hovers around 57°F (14°C). 

If you're thinking of tacking on a trip to Easter Island, summer is the liveliest time to go, particularly if you plan your trip around the massive two-week-long cultural festival of Tapati Rapa Nui in February. Other lively summer events not to miss include Santiago a Mil, the biggest theater festival in Latin America, and New Year's Eve. One of the best places to be on December 31 is Valparaíso, with midnight fireworks launched over the bay.

Events in Summer

New Year's Eve, Valparaíso (December 31). While many towns along Chile's coastline hold fireworks and parties, Valparaíso boasts South America's biggest fireworks display and fiesta! Head to the harbor for the midnight show, which lasts for about 20 minutes before the party takes to the streets. This display won the Guinness World Records in 2007 for setting off a whopping 16,000 fireworks. 

The Love Parade, Santiago (January). This annual celebration of love attracts thousands to Santiago every year for colorful floats, live music, as well as food and drink. 

Muestra Cultural Mapuche, Lake District (January). This six-day festival includes artisans, Indigenous music, and ritual dance.

Tapati Rapa Nui, Easter Island (February). During the first two weeks of February, you can get your fill of Polynesian culture with numerous dancing and singing competitions, as well as traditional sporting events such as swimming, canoeing, and horse racing.

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Chile in December
Chile in January
Chile in February

Fall in Chile (March to May)

March is a bit of a transitional period, with summertime crowds thinning out by the end of the month. However, it's still a great month for hiking, with dry skies in Patagonia and the Andes. 

You can also catch some of the big harvest festivals in Chilean wine country. Santa Cruz in the Central Valley throws one of the best Fiestas de la Vendimia (grape harvest festivals), with folk dancing, food and craft stands, and free-flowing wines. 

Events in Fall

Fiesta de la Vendimia, Casablanca Valley (March). These wine harvest festivals are popular in Chile, and most towns in the wine regions will have one during the fall harvest (most fall in March and April). For instance, Casablanca's Plaza de Armas brings together wine lovers in its celebration of local grape harvests, featuring vineyards all over Casablanca Valley in late March. Santa Cruz in Chile's Colchagua Valley celebrates the grape harvest with stands from local wineries in the plaza, a crowned harvest queen, songs, and folk dancing.

Semana Santa, Nationwide (April). Since Chile is mostly Catholic, Holy Week is an important holiday week all over the country. This is when the streets are filled with parades, floats, food gatherings, and lots of people.

Día de las Glorias Navales, Coastal cities (May 21). Held annually, this Chilean national holiday commemorates the Battle of Iquique, which occurred on Wednesday, May 21, 1879, during the War of the Pacific. 

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Chile in March
Chile in April
Chile in May

Winter in Chile (June to August)

Chile's coldest three months see frosty temperatures, with average lows of around 38°F (3°C). Rain is rarely a concern in the north, though elsewhere there's a slight uptick in precipitation, with a nationwide average of 3 inches (76 mm) per month from June to August.

Things are slightly wetter in Central Chile, which has more of a Mediterranean-like climate (hot, dry summers and mild, rainy winters) than in the rain-free north. Some places in Chile use the winter rains as an excuse to celebrate: the Festival de la Lluvia in Puerto Varas in the Lakes District features concerts, street performances, and umbrella-themed parades, for example. 

The south is quite cold and very wet in the winter, and transport services are at a minimum in Patagonia. Intrepid travelers need not rule out the deep south, however, as far-flung places like Ushuaia offer skiing, snowboarding and even dogsledding in winter.

Events in Winter

Fiesta Nacional de la Noche mas Larga del Ano, Ushuaia (June). The longest night of the year, the winter solstice, can be celebrated in Chile. Though most celebrations occur in Ushuaia (the southernmost city in the world), you can look for smaller celebrations or celebrate with the Mapuche people's version known as We Tripantu.

Carnaval de Invierno, Punta Arenas (July). The Winter Carnival is celebrated in the city of Punta Arenas at the beginning of the winter season for two days. The event ends on the banks of the Strait of Magellan with a show of fireworks that will delight both adults and children.

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Chile in June
Chile in July
Chile in August