Chile
Chile runs about 4,270 km from the Atacama Desert in the north to the glaciers of Patagonia in the south, with Easter Island far out in the Pacific.
Chile is a long, narrow country on the western side of the Andes, with Santiago as its capital and largest city. It stretches about 4,270 km from north to south but averages only about 175 km in width, so the coast and the mountains are never far away. The Atacama Desert in the north is described as the driest desert in the world. Central Chile, including Santiago, holds most of the population. Farther south, forests, lakes and volcanoes give way to fjords, islands and the glaciers and steppe of Patagonia.
Spanish is the official language and the currency is the Chilean peso (CLP). Easter Island (Rapa Nui), in Polynesia, has been part of Chile since 1888, and the Juan Fernández islands lie more than 600 km off the mainland. Chile lies in the Pacific Ring of Fire, so earthquakes and volcanic activity are a real consideration for travelers. Central Chile has a Mediterranean climate, with dry, warm summers and rainy, cold winters.
Five things to know before Chile
- Book Torres del Paine campsites and refugios first
Overnight stays on the W and O circuits need a reservation for every night, and summer dates sell out months ahead. Book them before your flights. Bookings and refugios
- Declare all food when you land
Chile's agricultural checks are strict at airports and land borders. Declare fruit, meat, cheese, honey, seeds and nuts, or risk a fine; bags are scanned on arrival.
- Keep your tourist card until you leave
Immigration gives you a tourist card on arrival, which you hand back when you depart. If you lose it, request a copy online from the PDI or at a PDI office. Visas and entry
- Meet Easter Island's entry rules
Visitors to Rapa Nui complete an entry form and show a return ticket and an accommodation booking. Many sites in the national park can only be visited with a licensed guide. Easter Island
- Plan the Atacama around altitude and cold nights
San Pedro de Atacama sits at about 2,400 m and the El Tatio geysers above 4,000 m, visited before dawn below freezing. Take a day to adjust before the high trips. Atacama Desert
Chile travel guides
Practical guides from writers who live there.
The W and O treks, park entry and the bus from Puerto Natales.
Read the guideBookings and refugiosHow to reserve every night on the W before it sells out.
Read the guideAtacama DesertSan Pedro, stargazing and the high-altitude trips.
Read the guideSantiagoWhere to stay, the metro and wine valleys nearby.
Read the guideValparaísoHillside neighborhoods, funiculars and street art.
Read the guideEaster IslandEntry rules, the park ticket and guided sites.
Read the guide
Destinations in Chile
CityPucónExplore
CityIquiqueExplore
CitySan Pedro de AtacamaExplore
CityViña Del MarExplore
CityCoyhaiqueExplore
CityPuerto NatalesExplore
CityConcepciónExplore
CityPunta ArenasExplore
CityPuerto VarasExplore
CityCajón del MaipoExplore
CityAricaExplore
CityValparaísoExplore
CitySantiagoExplore
CityPuerto MonttExplore
CityLa SerenaExplore
Hostel beds, cheap eats, buses and free sights.
- Bed a night
- CLP 18,000
- Food
- CLP 15,000
- Transport
- CLP 2,500
- Sights
- Free
A 3-star room, casual restaurants, public transport and one paid sight a day.
- Bed a night
- CLP 55,000
- Food
- CLP 35,000
- Transport
- CLP 10,000
- Sights
- CLP 10,000
A 4-star room, good restaurants, taxis and a guided tour.
- Bed a night
- CLP 95,000
- Food
- CLP 75,000
- Transport
- CLP 30,000
- Sights
- CLP 60,000
When to go
- Rainy days
- Best
- JanuaryClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low17°Hot, dryJanuaryClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 12 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
- FebruaryClear1 rainy dayHigh31°Low17°Hot, harvestFebruaryClear
- High
- 31°
- Low
- 17°
- Precipitation
- 4 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, harvest
- MarchClear1 rainy dayHigh29°Low15°Warm, harvestMarchClear
Best
- High
- 29°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 2 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm, harvest
- AprilClear2 rainy daysHigh24°Low12°Mild, autumnAprilClear
Best
- High
- 24°
- Low
- 12°
- Precipitation
- 38 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, autumn
- MayClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°CoolMayClear
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 58 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool
- JunePartly cloudy7 rainy daysHigh16°Low7°Cold, some rainJunePartly cloudy
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 106 mm
- Rainy days
- 7
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, some rain
- JulyClear5 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Cold, ski seasonJulyClear
- High
- 16°
- Low
- 6°
- Precipitation
- 63 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cold, ski season
- AugustClear6 rainy daysHigh18°Low7°Cool, ski seasonAugustClear
- High
- 18°
- Low
- 7°
- Precipitation
- 68 mm
- Rainy days
- 6
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Cool, ski season
- SeptemberClear5 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°MildSeptemberClear
- High
- 20°
- Low
- 9°
- Precipitation
- 36 mm
- Rainy days
- 5
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild
- OctoberClear3 rainy daysHigh23°Low10°Mild, springOctoberClear
Best
- High
- 23°
- Low
- 10°
- Precipitation
- 26 mm
- Rainy days
- 3
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Mild, spring
- NovemberClear2 rainy daysHigh27°Low13°WarmNovemberClear
Best
- High
- 27°
- Low
- 13°
- Precipitation
- 14 mm
- Rainy days
- 2
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Warm
- DecemberClear1 rainy dayHigh30°Low15°Hot, dryDecemberClear
- High
- 30°
- Low
- 15°
- Precipitation
- 3 mm
- Rainy days
- 1
- Snowy days
- 0
- Days with storms
- 0
Hot, dry
Average daily high and low in Santiago, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.
Right now in Chile
Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.
20
- Feels like
- 17°
- Humidity
- 49%
- Wind
- 14 km/h
- Chance of rain
- 100%
Chile
05:36 PM
Monday, November 2
- Today22°13°100%Monday: Drizzle. High 22°, Low 13°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Tue18°12°100%Tuesday: Thunderstorms. High 18°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 100%.
- Wed21°10°6%Wednesday: Cloudy. High 21°, Low 10°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Thu21°12°2%Thursday: Fog. High 21°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 2%.
- Fri18°11°6%Friday: Drizzle. High 18°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 6%.
- Sat27°9°4%Saturday: Clear. High 27°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 4%.
- Sun27°14°5%Sunday: Clear. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 5%.
Updated 02:06 PM local time · Powered by WeatherAPI.com · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com
Money
Mid-market rate1 USD = 990.8 CLP
Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API
Festivals by month
- JanFrutillar Musical WeeksPuerto Varas
- FebViña del Mar International Song FestivalViña Del Mar
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
On tour in Chile: Rush Fifty Something Tour Santiago, Jan 17 – 19, 2027 · Karol G Tropitour Santiago, Jan 28 – 31, 2027 · Foo Fighters Take Cover Tour Santiago, Feb 28, 2027 · Slipknot (sic)est Stadium Tour 2027 Santiago, Sep 12, 2027
Chile FAQ
Do I need a visa for Chile?
UK and Canadian citizens can visit visa-free for up to 90 days; check other passports on Chile's official immigration site. Keep the tourist card you get on arrival.
How many days do I need in Chile?
Two weeks covers Santiago and Valparaíso, three or four days in the Atacama and five days in Torres del Paine, with flights between them. Easter Island needs three or four days more.
When is the best time to hike Torres del Paine?
November to March, when all campsites and refugios are open and days are long. It is windy all season; October and April are quieter and colder.
How do I get to Easter Island?
By direct flight from Santiago, about five and a half hours each way. Flights and rooms are limited, so book both together.
Can I cross from Chile to Argentina by bus?
Yes, on routes such as Santiago to Mendoza and Puerto Natales to El Calafate. Mountain passes can close in winter snow.