Best Time of Year to Visit Chile: Going from North to South

Best Time to Visit Atacama Desert, Chile

Atacama is a region that can be visited all year round. The driest period of the year to visit the Atacama Desert, though, is from May to September.

This time is ideal for travelling thanks to the drier conditions, making it a great option for the UK summer holidays and acting as the reverse of a Patagonian experience.

Atacama Desert is the driest desert in the world. So, you’re able to explore wind-sculpted canyons, active volcanoes and sandy dunes. But there are also more water-based sights to see, like bright green and red lakes or spouting geysers. It’s a land of polarising extremes. One moment, you may be observing flamingos at Laguna Chaxa; the next, you could be watching the sunset over Moon Valley.

Visiting Chile in May

May is a beautiful time to visit Chile in the north, as the weather is mild and the skies clear. This allows you to explore the salt flats, geysers and hot springs of Atacama Desert without feeling too hot or wet. Also, since the skies are clearer this time of year, you can gaze out across otherworldly landscapes like Devil’s Throat and its picturesque gorges.

Suggested Reading: Discover the Magic of Chile's Atacama Desert: An In-Depth Guide for First Timers

Best Time to Visit Chile's Wine Country

The Chilean winelands are a year-round destination, but perhaps the best time to visit is from March to April.

If you plan your holidays to the Chilean winelands for the autumn shoulder season, you get to experience the wine region at its absolute best – from wine tasting to grape stomping and exploring its wine routes.

Areas such as Colchagua Valley, set in the heart of the central valley, host grape harvest festivals every year with music and cheer ringing through the air. Discover the beautiful Viña Santa Cruz to get a first-hand notion of wine production, which also includes a wine tasting session and tour of a local winery.

Wine festivals in general introduce you to the wonders of Chilean gastronomy. You can learn about which wines pair best with the country's traditional dishes, such as cazuela – the national comfort food.

For wine enthusiasts, the Central Chile region is like heaven on Earth.

Visiting Chile in March

March is one of the best times to go to Chile. The transition from summer to autumn brings with it a new coat of paint across the landscapes. Shades of red and yellow bathe the forests and hills, reflecting from the crystal-clear lakes. Lush vegetation spreads throughout nature too, breathing new life into the region.

Best Time to go to Patagonia, Chile

The Chilean Patagonia is accessible from the end of October all the way through until April. The best time of year to go depends on whether you want to have the parks and trails to yourself, or if you want to travel in the warmest and driest period of the year!

In February and March, you avoid the Chilean summer holidays, which bring with them more tourists – both domestic, and international. Instead, you get to enjoy a quieter travel experience along with good temperatures – and a little less wind!

Torres del Paine National Park, a few hours' drive from Punta Arenas in the far south, is home to wild landscapes that are part of the Andes Mountain Range, from awe-inspiring glaciers to magnificent, rugged plains. Pressing on higher up the winding routes, you’ll immerse yourself in these spectacular surroundings, all the while enjoying a more remote, less crowded experience in the solitude of nature.

Visiting Chile in November

November is an ideal time to visit Chile as you can take advantage of the month's mild temperatures for your outdoor activities in Patagonia. As a result, enjoy the adrenaline-pumping rush of white-water rafting or the more relaxed pace of a guided hike. Along the Carretera Austral route, beautiful lupins bloom in their thousands, creating a sea of purple.

Suggested Reading: Exploring Chile's Southern Patagonia in the Shoulder Season

Best Time to go on an Australis Fjord Cruise in Chile

The best time to go on an Australis Fjord Cruise is in the Chilean summer period, from the end of November to the beginning of March.

December is a particularly lovely time of year as Chile transitions into full summer. By embarking on an Australis Cruise, you get to explore the wilds of Patagonia and reach places only accessible via ship. Pristine sub-polar forest, azure glaciers and rugged snow-capped mountains all seem to shine in the glowing sun high above.

On top of seeing this wide range of beautiful scenery, there are plenty of daily activities. Explore remote terrain on foot for a closer look at the abundant wildlife, including penguins, elephant seals and an amazing array of birdlife. The zodiac cruise even allows you to visit uninhabited islands home to rare species.

Your expedition leaders will teach you all about the region’s flora, fauna and history.

Visiting Chile in December

December is one of the best months to go to Chile since the summer is well underway, when the country's staggering peaks, glaciers and turquoise lakes sparkle in the sunshine. Thanks to the 17 hours of daylight this time of year, you can more easily spot local birdlife as well as sea lions, and, occasionally, whales and dolphins.