Travel to Chile — everything you need to know
When to go to Chile?
- November – March — Southern summer : Best period for Patagonia and the south. Santiago and Atacama are ideal year-round, but summer is perfect.
- June – August — Skiing in the Andes : Excellent ski season near Santiago (Valle Nevado, Portillo). Atacama remains perfect in any season.
- September – October — Spring, fewer crowds : Patagonia already accessible, Santiago pleasant, fewer tourists than summer. A good value-for-money compromise.
Weather in Chile
Check the weather city by city, starting with Santiago.
- Santiago: daytime highs from 16 to 30 °C depending on the season, 24 mm of rain per month on average.
- Puerto Natales: daytime highs from 3 to 16 °C depending on the season, 128 mm of rain per month on average.
- San Pedro de Atacama: daytime highs from 13 to 21 °C depending on the season, 3 mm of rain per month on average.
- Valparaíso: daytime highs from 15 to 23 °C depending on the season, 44 mm of rain per month on average.
What to do in Chile?
Chile is a ribbon-shaped country stretching 4,300 km between the Andes and the Pacific: from the world's driest Atacama Desert to the glaciers of Patagonia, by way of vineyards and cosmopolitan Santiago. A country of extremes with excellent tourist infrastructure.
Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine National Park is one of the most beautiful in the world, with its three granite towers, glaciers and wildlife (guanacos, condors, pumas). The W or O trek is a classic adventure.
Highlights : Mirador Las Torres, Grey Glacier, French Valley, Lake Pehoé.
Atacama Desert
The Atacama Desert is the driest in the world and offers breathtaking Martian-like landscapes: the El Tatio geysers at 4,500 m, the Moon Valley, colourful lagoons and some of the clearest starry skies in the world.
Highlights : El Tatio Geysers, Moon Valley, Cejar Lagoon, Atacama Salt Flat.
Santiago & Valparaíso
Santiago is a modern capital with the Andes as a backdrop. 1.5 hours away, Valparaíso is a bohemian port city with funiculars and colourful murals, listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Highlights : Valparaíso (hills), Chilean Museum of Pre-Columbian Art, San Cristóbal Hill, Casablanca vineyards.
Easter Island
A legendary Pacific island 3,700 km off the Chilean coast, Rapa Nui is famous for its moai, the monumental statues erected by ancient Polynesians. A fascinating archaeological mystery set against a volcanic backdrop.
Highlights : Ahu Tongariki (15 moai), Rano Raraku (quarry), Anakena (beach), Orongo (ceremonial village).
Travel budget for Chile
Chile is one of the most expensive countries in South America, with well-developed tourist infrastructure. Patagonia and Easter Island are particularly costly.
- Backpacker : 40–65 €/j — Hostel, almuerzo, public transport
- Comfort : 90–150 €/j — 3-star hotel, mid-range restaurants, guided excursions
- Luxury : 250 €+/j — Luxury hotel, fine dining, domestic flights
Practical tips for travelling to Chile
- Flight from Paris : ~14–15h (Air France, Iberia, KLM via connection)
- Visa : Visa-free for French citizens (90 days)
- Currency : Chilean Peso (1€ ≈ 950–1,000 CLP)
- Language : Spanish (Chilean)
- Electricity : Type L – 220V (adapter recommended)
- Mobile network : 4G in cities, limited coverage in Patagonia
- Tap water : Drinkable in Santiago, bottled water recommended in Patagonia
- Health : No mandatory vaccines, altitude should be considered in Atacama
Compare Chile with other destinations