Travel guide: Chile 🇨🇱

Best time to go

• Central Chile (Santiago, Valparaiso): Spring (September to November) and Autumn (March to May) are best when the weather is mild and there are fewer crowds. Summer (December to February) can be hot, especially in Santiago, while winter (June to August) brings cooler temperatures and occasional rain
• Northern Chile: The Atacama Desert is one of the driest places on Earth and can be visited year-round. However, the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons (Spring and Autumn) when temperatures are more moderate, and there's less chance of rain
• Southern Chile (Patagonia, Torres del Paine): The best time is the summer months (December to February) when the weather is warmer and more suitable for outdoor activities like hiking and wildlife spotting; Easter Island: can be visited year-round, but the best time to visit is during the shoulder seasons (spring and autumn) when the weather is mild with fewer crowds

Good things to know

• The official currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP)
• There are many hiking tours to Torres del Paine in the Patagonia region, which is known for its giant glaciers and dramatic mountains
• If you are travelling to high-altitude areas like the Atacama Desert or the Andes Mountains, be aware of altitude sickness. Take it easy for the first few days, drink plenty of water, and avoid alcohol
• Learning some basic Spanish can come in handy
• Evenings tend to be cold in many parts of the country, so bring layers for cooler nights
• Chile is home to around 30,000 species, 25% of which are endemic. The central and southern zones of the country are considered a global biodiversity hotspot and among the most threatened

Check out Kodama Travel's Chile Tours