Chile weather, climate and geography

Due to its long coastline, clearly Chile’s weather is extremely diverse and unpredictable although it is seasonal in much of the country. Summer is from December to February, autumn from March to May, winter from June to August, and spring from September to November.

However, it is difficult to pinpoint temperatures for the country as a whole due to the dry, arid desert in the north, there is a Mediterranean feel in its central region with a colder, wetter season (May to August), while it is usually cool and damp in the south.

Easter Island has its own humid sub-tropical temperatures, while much of the south, from Region VII down has a very high annual rainfall. Chile’s terrain is also variable, ranging from low coastal mountains to the Andes in the east and central valleys and although its lowest point is sea level - the Pacific Ocean - its highest point is 6,880 metres.

Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, La Serena and Coquimbo are the principal summer beach hubs in the north for local tourists, while Pucón in the south sees high tourism numbers from January to March. Due to its proximity to Santiago, Viña del Mar and Valparaíso beach areas see plenty of sunshine and beach bums during the summer, often filling up with neighbouring Argentinians. As Chile is in the southern hemisphere, the ski season takes place between June and August.

In terms of visiting Patagonia and south, the summer months from December to March are ideal as it is warmer for trekking and other outdoor activities. November and April are quieter times in terms of tourism but the weather is less dependable. It isn’t advisable to visit the south from the end of autumn to the end of winter - May to September - as many trails close due to bad weather and strong winds and waterways ice over. However, places in the north, such as the Atacama, can be visited year round.