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Best time to visit Santiago: month by month
Short answer
September to November and March to April are best, with highs of 18–28°C, clear Andes views and the grape harvest in autumn. December to February is hot and dry at about 29°C, and many locals leave in February. Winter (June–August) is cool at 15–17°C by day, with frosty nights near 7°C or lower, smog on still days and skiing in the nearby Andes.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 29°C | 14°C | 1 | high |
| Feb | 29°C | 15°C | 1 | medium |
| Mar | 28°C | 14°C | 1 | high |
| Apr | 24°C | 12°C | 2 | medium |
| May | 19°C | 10°C | 2 | low |
| Jun | 16°C | 8°C | 6 | low |
| Jul | 15°C | 7°C | 4 | medium |
| Aug | 17°C | 8°C | 7 | medium |
| Sep | 18°C | 9°C | 8 | high |
| Oct | 22°C | 10°C | 4 | high |
| Nov | 26°C | 12°C | 2 | high |
| Dec | 29°C | 14°C | 0 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Highs rise from 18°C in September to 26°C in November, with lows of 9–12°C and few rainy days after September.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Hot and dry, with highs of 29°C, lows of 14–15°C and almost no rain.
Autumn (Mar–May)
Highs fall from 28°C in March to 19°C in May; grape harvest festivals and clear skies.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cool, with highs of 15–17°C and lows of 7–8°C; the rainy season (4–7 days a month), smog on still days and snow on the Andes.
Events worth planning around
- Fiestas Patrias, Chile's national holidays with fondas and cueca dancing (18–19 September).
- Grape harvest festivals (vendimia) in the Maipo and Colchagua valleys (March–April).
- Santiago a Mil, international theatre festival (January).
- Lollapalooza Chile (March, when held).
When to avoid
Winter can bring smog alerts on still days. February is quiet, with many local businesses closed for holidays.
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Common questions
What is the best time to visit Santiago?
September to November or March to April: highs of 18–28°C, clear mountain views and pleasant evenings.
Is Santiago very hot in summer?
Yes, December to February brings highs around 29°C and sometimes over 30°C, with dry air.
Can you ski near Santiago?
Yes, resorts such as Valle Nevado and Farellones are about 1.5–2 hours away, roughly June to September.