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Best time to visit San Pedro de Atacama: month by month
Short answer
The desert is dry all year, so any month works. September to November and March to May have mild days of about 21–28°C, cold nights and fewer crowds. Summer (December to February) is warmest at about 27–28°C but busiest, with occasional 'Bolivian winter' storms, and June to August is coldest, with highs of about 18–22°C and freezing nights, but the clearest skies.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 28°C | 11°C | 4 | very high |
| Feb | 27°C | 11°C | 3 | very high |
| Mar | 26°C | 11°C | 3 | medium |
| Apr | 24°C | 7°C | 0 | medium |
| May | 21°C | 5°C | 1 | low |
| Jun | 18°C | 2°C | 1 | low |
| Jul | 20°C | 4°C | 0 | high |
| Aug | 22°C | 3°C | 0 | medium |
| Sep | 24°C | 5°C | 0 | high |
| Oct | 26°C | 7°C | 0 | medium |
| Nov | 28°C | 9°C | 0 | medium |
| Dec | 28°C | 11°C | 2 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs rise from about 24°C in September to 28°C in November, with lows of 5–9°C and almost no rain; an excellent time to visit.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 27–28°C and lows of 11°C, with a few rainy days; the 'Bolivian winter' can bring storms that close high roads.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Highs fall from about 26°C in March to 21°C in May, with lows of 5–11°C; dry, clear and quieter.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Highs of about 18–22°C and lows of 2–4°C in the village, far colder at altitude; snow can close El Tatio or the lagoons, but skies are clearest.
Events worth planning around
- Carnival — February or March, date varies
- Fiesta de San Pedro y San Pablo, the village's patron saints — 29 June
- Fiestas Patrias, Chile's national holidays — around 18 September
When to avoid
Avoid January, February and the Christmas period if you dislike crowds and high prices. In June to August, be ready for very cold dawns and possible road closures from snow.
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Common questions
What is the best month to visit San Pedro de Atacama?
October, November, March or April, with mild days of about 24–28°C and fewer crowds.
Does it rain in the Atacama?
Very rarely. Summer storms (the 'Bolivian winter') can close high roads in some years.
Is San Pedro cold in winter?
Days are mild at about 18–22°C, but nights drop to about 2°C in the village and far below freezing at El Tatio.