Best time to visit Chile

As you might have guessed from Chile’s impressive length, it’s a country of extreme altitudes and climates, but this also makes it possible to visit at any time of year. Northern Chile, Santiago and the Atacama Desert are enjoyable almost all year round. If you’re visiting Santiago for its ski resorts, hitting the slopes in summer (December to February) is possible but you’ll find the best conditions between early July and August. The notorious Santiago smog lingers between May and October, which may be difficult for anyone with a respiratory condition. And if you’d like to be in Chile for the wine festivals, plan a visit between March and April. Although rain is never a factor in the Atacama, December to February tend to provide the clearest skies, but winter is also a beautiful time to visit when the flowers are in bloom. Conditions in Patagonia are temperamental but you’ll find the most pleasant and activity-friendly weather between November and February (sunrises at El Tatio geyser are particularly stunning). Patagonia is extremely popular and if you’d like to avoid the crowds, a visit between September and October, or between March and April is a good bet. Winter is a no-go because many attractions close and the conditions can make the region difficult to navigate.