Weather
Given Chile's geography and unique length, the weather can change drastically depending on where you travel. Santiago will experience highs of 60s (Fahrenheit) in May with slightly more moisture. The weather gets warmer and drier as you head north into the Atacama Desert, while coastal towns stay cool with Pacific Ocean breezes.
If you don't mind the chilly weather, this can be a nice time to visit Patagonia. Winds are not as strong as they are in the summer, and the forests will still offer brightly colored fall foliage. Daily highs fall into the 30s and 40s, making chilly conditions for exploration, and occasional rain showers are likely.
Crowds & Costs
May is Chile's fall shoulder season without the threat of Easter crowds (like April). This makes it a great time to take advantage of consistent off-season pricing before the winter ski season picks up steam. In other words, both hotel rates and crowds are at some of their lowest levels of the year.
Where to Go
Squeezed between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes Mountains, and stretching over 2,600 miles (4,184 km) from the Atacama Desert to the glaciers of Patagonia, you should enjoy as much of Chile as you have time for. Most international visitors will arrive in Santiago, their entry point for farther explorations, including mountains, glaciers, deserts, and a rugged coastline. Big on the list is usually Torres del Paine National Park, which offers some of the world's most beautiful natural sculptures rising from the vast Patagonian landscape with guanacos, pumas, condors, as well as stunning fjords that extend to Chile's southern border. This is a good time to explore the region before winter arrives.
Santiago and Valparaíso are worth experiencing for their urban culture. There are also plenty of places to unwind and relax in the Atacama Desert, Elqui Valley, and scenic wine valleys like Aconcagua, Maipo, and Casablanca, which offer perfect day trips for touring vineyards.
Chat with a local specialist who can help organize your trip.
What to Do
Outdoor enthusiasts are spoiled for choice in Chile, with day hikes, multiday treks, glacier tours, wildlife sightings, and adrenaline sports available.
For something unique, the starry skies in the Atacama Desert and Elqui Valley are truly a sight to behold. If visiting these areas, you'll want to join an expert-led astronomical tour and visit a proper observatory. You can also take great daytime excursions from San Pedro de Atacama to visit the Tatio Geysers early in the morning to appreciate the fumaroles before the temperatures warm up. After lunch, when the sun is less intense, you can visit the Valley of the Moon and Death Valley to watch the sunset with a glass of Chilean wine.
On that note, it's well worth spending a night drinking wine under the stars in one of Chile's award-winning winery accommodations in central Chile, especially in Colchagua Valley, where you'll also find beautiful colonial architecture and a museum showcasing pre-Columbian art and archaeological findings.
Events in May
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.
Other than that, this is a quiet month for the whole country in terms of events and festivals. It's best to check out the wine valleys to see what remaining vendimias (harvest festivals) are taking place. Through the autumn months, wine regions across Chile hold vendimias, filled with song and dance, to honor the grape harvest. Town squares become lively markets for locally produced wine, artisanal foods, and grape-stomping competition.
Traveling to Chile in May? Check out these great itineraries
Chile's Capital, Wine Country & Lake District - 10 Days. You'll go from sipping some of the world's best wines to thrilling outdoor adventures on this 10-day trip around Chile's vibrant capital and enchanting Lake District. Kick off the journey by getting to know Santiago through a city tour and dinner with a local chef, before venturing on day trips to colorful Valparaíso and the surrounding wine regions. After five days, you'll fly to the Lake District for exciting outdoor activities like kayaking, whitewater rafting, and trekking in the nearby national park.
Ultimate Patagonian Adventure - 12 Days. This itinerary is ideal for adventure enthusiasts looking to get the most out of Chile's Patagonia region. After two days in Santiago, head to the south of the continent for a series of unique guided excursions in and around Torres del Paine National Park. You'll also visit a working Patagonian ranch and tour a series of caves known for archaeological sites—all while staying in some of the area's best hotels.
More Helpful Information
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Best Time of Year to Visit Chile
How Many Days to Spend in Chile