Are you thinking of planning your holidays to Chile?
This country in South America is a nature lover's paradise, home to stunning landscapes like flamingo-populated salt lakes and spouting geysers. From the vast, picturesque gorges in Atacama Desert to the towering, jagged peaks of the Chilean Patagonia, you're truly spoilt for choice in what to explore.
But when is the best time of year to visit Chile?
The temperature and dry weather vary through the year depending on when you travel. So, for the most ideal experience, we've highlighted when best to explore key regions, from Atacama Desert to the Chilean Patagonia.
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 Rapa Nui, Chile
Easter Island (Rapa Nui) is a unique place to visit in any season.
In the Chilean summer, Rapa Nui has particularly warm weather. But the Chilean territory enjoys excellent year-round conditions, so you can see the monolithic Moai statues and explore the spectacular Rano Kau crater at any time.
A tour of Ahu Akivi introduces you to the iconic stone figures, including one at the AhuHuri site which is the only known Moai to have four hands. This cultural experience of Rapa Nui continues to AhuAkivi, an archaeological site noted for the legends about its seven Moai, before stopping at AhuVaiTek. Here, it’s believed that the large concentration of caverns and holes potentially contained water resources for early Rapa Nui inhabitants.
From start to finish, you’ll embark on an extraordinary journey like no other.
Visiting Chile in February
February is a popular time to visit Chile, as you’re avoiding the peak Christmas and January period, and are still in the middle of the southern hemisphere summer months. It’s also a particularly good time to visit Rapa Nui, with the annual Tapati festival in full swing – a competition between clans, where each chooses a candidate for queen of the festival.
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 Visit Chile's Lake District
The best time to visit Chile's Lake District is from October to April.
Between Christmas and the end of January, the picturesque region is at its busiest. So, we recommend a visit outside of these months so you can truly experience the best of what it has to offer. Staying in the small town of Puerto Varas allows you to head out and explore the stunning Andean Lake crossing into Argentina. You may also want to seek out the lush native forestry home to the wonderful falls of Petrohué.
Puerto Varas’ local history is an experience in and of itself. In 1852, German colonists settled in the town, to which their influence can be found today with many intricately designed buildings like the church of Sagrado Corazon.
Visiting Chile in April
April is an ideal time to travel for those wanting to hike without the crowds, in one of the best months of the year for trekking. The autumn is in full swing, with the scenery having made a full transformation. Take your time in immersing yourself in Chile's natural beauty with the tourists you might find earlier in the year.
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 Visit Aysén, Chile
The best time to visit Aysén is from December to February.
Chile’s summer offers the most accessible months for visitors heading to the southern region. Its untamed wilderness makes it slightly more difficult to navigate. But the dry summer opens the region up for exploration, and particularly for a self-drive adventure.
Discover the ‘place of lagoons’ in Coyhaique, an area surrounded by snow-capped mountains that features many grade III rapids for kayaking. Descending along the beautiful Baker River is a magical experience, presenting marvellous sights and places to visit along the way – including the unique forest village of Tortel, where everything is connected via footbridges.
Perfect for relaxing on those hot summer days, the Puyuhuapi hot springs are one of Latin America’s most famous springs. It overlooks the spectacular Puyuhuapi fjord and is fed by the waters of Melimeyu Volcano.
Visiting Chile in January
January is a lovely time to visit as it's the hottest month in Chile. In Aysén, the stunning landscapes provide picture-perfect shots, from capturing the glacial Laguna Cerro Castillo to snapping photos of the southernmost temperate rainforest in the world – Parque Pumalín. It feels like wherever you go, you're able to come away with an album of striking images.
"The Aysén region of Chile is one of the least visited and populated parts of the country, providing some of the wildest parts of Patagonia. The scenery along the Carretera Austral is stunning, cutting through the various fjords and glaciers that line the region. For those looking to really explore, I would recommend a self-drive itinerary where the roads are easy to navigate, and you can go for hours without seeing another person, let alone a tourist!" – Jack Brooker, Latin America Product Manager
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.
Discover the Alluring Beauty of Chile
South America’s captivating west-sided country is a place with everything. So, by speaking with our Travel Specialists, we can help narrow down your focus and start planning your ultimate Chilean experience.
