Chile

The weather in Chile varies enormously from the north to the south, and as a result, the best times to visit these areas within the same country are different as well.

For southern Chile, particularly the Lake District, as well as northern and southern Patagonia, the southern hemisphere summer is the best time to visit in terms of the weather, from November to late March/early April. The festive season in December, as well as January and the first half of February are the busiest times to visit, but it’s also when the weather is typically warmest. Most lodges in Patagonia close for the winter season between May and October.

For the northern part of Chile, particularly the Atacama Desert, the season is quite different due to the altitude within the Andes mountain range. Despite being one of the most arid deserts in the world, the Atacama Desert experiences a rainy season from Dec-Feb. Sometimes the rains are heavier and other times less so, however, there have been reports of flooding that have disrupted trips in the past, so we always advise avoiding these months if possible. The dry season is typically a better time to visit this part of the country, from April-November, however, note that in the height of the dry season (July/Aug) it can get very cold at night and can even snow in some areas.

Easter Island is visitable all year-around, with February being a key month for cultural events on the island. The temperature varies little throughout the year but it is typically warmer from January to March and coolest from July to September.

If you’re doing a trip combining both the north of Chile and the south, we would recommend travelling in the ‘shoulder’ seasons for both extremes, which would mean March/April or late October to early December, which would also work well for Easter Island.