Weather
July tends to be Chile's wettest month overall. This is when the country's mild winter weather is on full display, though geographically, this depends on where you're traveling along the extensive 2,653-mile (4,270 km) length. Santiago will see highs in the low-60s (Fahrenheit)—comfortable for sightseeing, though prepare to put on layers after the sun goes down. For slightly warmer, drier weather, it's best to stay north of Santiago in the Atacama Desert, often considered the driest place on the planet.
Patagonia typically stays in the 30s with a range of microclimates depending on where you travel. This isn't really a draw this time of year due to wet and cold conditions. Plus, there are only about seven hours of daylight, which means outdoor activities are somewhat limited.
Crowds & Costs
Winter sees relatively few foreign visitors compared to other seasons. Still, mountain resorts near Santiago and the Lake District tend to bustle with Chilean skiers and snowboarders, especially families taking winter breaks. Thus, this is an expensive month to hit the slopes.
If you plan to visit Northern Chile, you'll find excellent deals and few crowds. Southern Chilean Patagonia is devoid of tourists, though temperatures and rain deter people for a reason (plus many lodgings close for the season, so there are fewer options). Still, those who brave Patagonia can luck out with gorgeous winter landscapes without the infamous wind of summer, though transport services tend to run at a minimum.
Where to Go
Most incoming travelers will fly in and out of Santiago, making it a great stopover for checking out the city's museums and up-and-coming neighborhoods. From here, you can drive to the east, west, and south of the city, which takes you through the country's stunning and fertile wine valleys. This gently rolling countryside represents the heart of Chilean wine production and is often a must-see for many who visit the country.
A two-hour drive from Santiago, Valparaíso is a quirky port city that has come to be one of the real highlights of any visit to Chile. You can easily spend a few days checking out the colorful hills (cerros) that overlook the city. Explore the cobblestone lanes zigzagging their way up and down hilly neighborhoods, lined with colorfully painted 19th-century houses. If you don't feel like walking, there are over a dozen old-fashioned funiculars, saving your legs from the steep climb.
Northern Chile also offers plenty of opportunities this time of year along its beautiful coastline, as well as inland in the Elqui Valley and the Atacama Desert, with dramatic landscapes including red canyons, rocky valleys, gorges, thermal lakes, and geysers. This otherworldly region is gaining more attention each year as more travelers search for ways to unplug and return to nature.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Winter is the best time to visit for skiing, snowboarding, and heli-skiing. A popular spot for locals is Valle Nevado, close to Santiago, with 17 lifts, including the country's only gondola. Due to its altitude of 9,924 feet (3,025 m), Valle Nevado typically receives the most snow of the Central Valley resorts, with a seasonal average of 300+ inches.
For those who wish to skip the slopes, Chile's northern coastline makes a memorable road trip journey. You'll find sleepy fishing villages, lively surf towns, and wild national parks where the desert goes right to the edge of the sea, with chances to spot penguins, sea lions, and dolphins on the rocky islands of the Reserva Nacional Pingüino de Humboldt.
For something unique, the Chilean territory halfway between Tahiti and Chile, called Rapa Nui (Easter Island), offers excellent scuba diving due to the lack of pollution and algae, making the water here one of the world's clearest. There are several great diving spots offshore with an abundance of undisturbed marine life.
Events in July
Fiesta de la Nieve, Puerto Williams. The Snow Festival is held during the third or fourth week of July. It's the most important festival of the year and draws the largest audiences in town. This event includes various art and recreation activities related to the winter season.
Carnaval de Invierno, Punta Arenas. The Winter Carnival is celebrated for two days at the beginning of the winter season. The event ends on the banks of the Strait of Magellan with a show of fireworks that will delight both adults and children.
Fiesta de La Tirana, La Tirana. Taking place in the Atacama Desert, the Festival of the Virgin of Mount Carmel is a multiday celebration that features traditional music and dance, a mix of Inca and Catholic cultures.
Traveling to Chile in July? Check out these great itineraries
Easter Island & Santiago - 7 Days. On this adventure, you'll explore remote Rapa Nui. Fly into Santiago to experience the culture of the capital city and seaside Valparaíso. After a wine tour and an excursion into the Chilean mountains, you'll finally hop on a flight to Easter Island, where you'll hang out with the famous stone moai statues found nowhere else on Earth.
Explore Santiago & the Chilean Lake District - 10 Days. From bustling Santiago to the far-flung villages of Isla Chiloé, this trip perfectly balances culture and adventure. Begin with a tour of the capital before exploring the seaside resorts of nearby Viña del Mar and Valparaíso. Then you're off to the northernmost reaches of Patagonia for six days in the glorious Lake District—discovering the region's German and First Nations heritage, paddling across glassy lakes, hiking through ancient forests, and more.
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