Santiago
A lively capital ringed by the Andes, with great restaurants, markets and museums, and wineries less than an hour away.
Best for Food, a first night or two
Why Chile
Chile stretches from the Atacama, one of the driest places on earth, to the granite towers and glaciers of Patagonia, with wine valleys in between.
Highlights
- Torres del Paine
- Stargazing in the Atacama
- Wine valleys near Santiago
- Easter Island
Where to go in Chile
Desert in the north, glaciers in the south and wine country in between, all in one long, thin country.
Getting around
- Santiago to the AtacamaAbout 2 hours by air to Calama, then 1.5 by road
- Santiago to Puerto NatalesAbout 3.5 hours by air
- Puerto Natales to Torres del PaineAbout 2 hours by road
- Santiago to ValparaísoAbout 1.5 hours by road
- Santiago to the Colchagua ValleyAbout 2.5 hours by road
- Santiago to Easter IslandAbout 5.5 hours by air
Valparaíso
Colorful hillside houses, funiculars and street art above the Pacific, with the beach town of Viña del Mar next door.
Best for Art, photography, a day trip
Wine valleys
Colchagua, Casablanca and Maipo pour some of South America’s best reds and crisp coastal whites, with lovely lodges among the vines.
Best for Wine lovers, slow days
The Atacama Desert
Salt flats, flamingos, geysers at sunrise and some of the clearest night skies on earth, based in the oasis town of San Pedro.
Best for Stargazing, landscapes
The Lake District
Volcanoes reflected in deep blue lakes, German-style towns and hot springs around Puerto Varas.
Best for Scenery, gentle adventure
Torres del Paine
Granite towers, glaciers and turquoise lakes in Patagonia, with hiking from easy walks to full days and lodges with front-row views.
Best for Hiking, bucket-list views
Easter Island
The moai of Rapa Nui, standing on a remote Pacific island more than 2,000 miles from the mainland.
Best for History, mystery, the far-flung
When to go
October to April is best for Patagonia. The Atacama is good year-round.
Chile’s seasons are the reverse of ours. Patagonia is best in its summer, November to March, while the Atacama and Santiago work almost all year.
- JanPatagonia summer, long days
- FebWarm and windy, wine country hums
- MarHarvest begins, calmer winds
- AprFall color in Patagonia
- MayQuiet, great for the Atacama
- JunSki season starts
- JulSkiing near Santiago
- AugClear desert skies
- SepSpring; Independence Day fiestas
- OctPatagonia reopens
- NovWildflowers, long days
- DecSummer, holiday weeks
Peak season Shoulder season Low season
Average temperatures and rainfall
Jan0.0″
Feb0.0″
Mar0.2″
Apr0.5″
May1.7″
Jun2.6″
Jul2.7″
Aug1.9″
Sep0.8″
Oct0.4″
Nov0.2″
Dec0.1″
Jan1.5″
Feb1.1″
Mar1.3″
Apr1.4″
May1.3″
Jun1.2″
Jul1.1″
Aug1.1″
Sep0.9″
Oct0.9″
Nov1.1″
Dec1.3″
Approximate average daily high and low in °F, with average monthly rainfall in inches.
Spring (September to November)
Patagonia reopens in October, with fewer people and wildflowers by November. A lovely time for wine country and Santiago.
Summer (December to February)
Peak season in Patagonia, with long days and strong winds. Book Torres del Paine lodges nine to twelve months ahead.
Fall (March to May)
Harvest in the wine valleys, calmer winds and golden beech forests in Patagonia through April.
Winter (June to August)
Ski season in the Andes near Santiago, crisp clear nights in the Atacama, and most Patagonia lodges closed.
Ideas by month:
Trip ideas
Starting points only. Every Chile trip we plan is built around you.
Desert to Glacier
The Atacama, Santiago's wine country and Torres del Paine.
Patagonia Lodge Stay
Four or five nights hiking and riding from an all-inclusive lodge.
Where you'll stay
All-inclusive Patagonia lodges, desert hideaways and vineyard hotels. We choose every hotel ourselves and know which rooms have the view.
Good to know
The small things that make a big difference once you land.
Dress for four seasons
Patagonia’s weather changes by the hour. A windproof shell, warm layers and good boots matter more than anything else you pack.
Go slow at altitude
San Pedro de Atacama sits near 8,000 feet, and the geysers are higher still. We plan an easy first day so you can adjust.
Little jet lag
Santiago is the same time as Atlanta or up to two hours ahead, depending on the season, and overnight flights land in the morning.
Plan Patagonia early
The best lodges in Torres del Paine have limited rooms and sell out for December to February. Nine to twelve months ahead is ideal.
Chile questions
When is the best time to visit Chile?
October to April is best for Patagonia. The Atacama is good year-round.
How long should I spend in Chile?
Most of our travelers spend 12 to 16 days in Chile. We'll shape the length around what you want to see and how you like to travel.
Can Global Escapes plan a private trip to Chile?
Yes. Every trip we plan to Chile is designed around you, with hand-picked hotels, private guides where they make a difference and support while you travel. Call 706.549.1164 or tell us about your trip below.
More in South America
Tell us about your Chile dream.
Share as much or as little as you like. A member of our team will reach out personally to start shaping your trip.
Rather talk it through? Call 706.549.1164