When to go · Chile
Chile in September
Good month. Fiestas Patrias (18–19 Sep): fondas, barbecues, closed businesses; spring in the centre.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Good
- Crowds
- Medium
- Chile
- Prices
- Medium
- Chile
Verdict
Fiestas Patrias (18–19 Sep): fondas, barbecues, closed businesses; spring in the centre.
Is another month better than September?
September is rated good. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGreatPatagonia season starts properly; fewer crowds than Dec–Feb.
- DecemberGreatSummer; book Torres del Paine refugios and campsites months ahead.
- JanuaryGreatPatagonia peak with long days and strong wind; Chilean holidays; Atacama summer storms possible.
- FebruaryGreatStill peak; Tapati festival on Easter Island; wildfire risk in the centre.
Weather in September
- Atacama and the north · San Pedro de Atacama, Calama, Aricabest weather
Among the driest places on earth; summer 'Altiplanic winter' storms (Jan–Feb) can close high roads; cold nights, freezing at the geysers Jun–Aug.
- Central Chile · Santiago, Valparaíso, wine valleysfine
Mediterranean: hot dry summers (30 °C (86 °F)+), cool wet winters with smog in Santiago; harvest festivals in March.Mediterranean: hot dry summers (86 °F (30 °C)+), cool wet winters with smog in Santiago; harvest festivals in March.
- Lake District · Pucón, Puerto Varas, Chiloérainy
Green because it rains; summer is the dry-ish window; ski on volcanoes in winter.
- Patagonia · Torres del Paine, Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, Carretera Australcool
Nov–Mar long days and full services; very strong winds in summer; many services shut Jun–Aug.
- Easter Island · Rapa Nuifine
Subtropical; warm Dec–Mar, wetter and windier in winter.
- Central Chile: Santiago and central valley · Inland basin and valleysfine
Mediterranean: hot dry summers (30 °C (86 °F)+ in January), mild wet winters. Winter smog can linger.Mediterranean: hot dry summers (86 °F (30 °C)+ in January), mild wet winters. Winter smog can linger.
- Central Chile: Coast (Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Pichilemu) · Pacific shorefine
Cooler than inland, with morning fog in summer; rain mostly May–August.
- Central Chile: Andean ski resorts · Above 2,500 mcool
Ski season roughly June–September; check snow and road conditions before going.
- Los Ríos: Valdivia basin · Los Ríos regionrainy
Rainfall peaks May–July; summer (Dec–Feb) is mild, 15‑20 °C (68 °F).Rainfall peaks May–July; summer (Dec–Feb) is mild, 15‑68 °F (20 °C).
- Northern Chile: Coast (Arica, Iquique, Antofagasta, La Serena) · Pacific stripfine
Mild all year, almost no rain; sea fog (camanchaca) in winter mornings. Water is cold for swimming.
- Northern Chile: Atacama and highlands (San Pedro, Calama, Putre) · Desert and Andean plateaufine
The altiplano rainy season (Jan–Feb) can block highland roads; desert nights drop below freezing in winter (Jun–Aug). UV is extreme year-round.
- Patagonia, Chile: Aysén (northern Patagonia) · Coyhaique, Carretera Austral, fjordsfine
One of the wettest areas on earth, around 5,000 mm a year on the coast; Dec–Mar is the driest and warmest window. Rain gear matters more than a forecast.
- Patagonia, Chile: Magallanes (southern Patagonia) · Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales, Torres del Painefine
Cooler and drier than Aysén but windy; summer highs rarely pass 20 °C (68 °F), winter averages near 0 °C (32 °F) with snow. Nov–Mar is the trekking season.Cooler and drier than Aysén but windy; summer highs rarely pass 68 °F (20 °C), winter averages near 32 °F (0 °C) with snow. Nov–Mar is the trekking season.
- Southern Chile: Araucanía and Los Ríos · Temuco, Valdivia, Pucónfine
Warm dry summers Dec–Mar; rain most of the year, heaviest May–Aug.
- Southern Chile: Los Lagos and Chiloé · Puerto Varas, Puerto Montt, Castrofine
Cooler and wetter than the north of the region; wind on the ferry crossing.
- Santiago20 °C (68 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 3 rain days
- Achao12 °C (54 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 14 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 14 rain days
- Algarrobo17 °C (63 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 7 rain days
- Ancud11 °C (52 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 12 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 12 rain days
- Antofagasta18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 0 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 0 rain days
- Arica19 °C (66 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 0 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 0 rain days
- Calama24 °C (75 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 0 rain days75 °F (24 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 0 rain days
- Caldera22 °C (72 °F) / 13 °C (55 °F), 0 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 55 °F (13 °C), 0 rain days
- Castro14 °C (57 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 8 rain days
- Chaitén12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 15 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 15 rain days
- Chillán12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 5 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 5 rain days
- Concepción16 °C (61 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 10 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 10 rain days
- Copiapó22 °C (72 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 0 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 0 rain days
- Coquimbo18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 6 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 6 rain days
- Coyhaique10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 11 rain days
- Curacautín14 °C (57 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 10 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 10 rain days
- Farellones20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 4 rain days
- Frutillar15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 10 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 10 rain days
- Futaleufú13 °C (55 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 11 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 11 rain days
- Iquique19 °C (66 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 0 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 0 rain days
- La Parva20 °C (68 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 3 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 3 rain days
- La Serena18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 1 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 1 rain days
- Los Andes19 °C (66 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 5 rain days66 °F (19 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 5 rain days
- Monte Águila18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 5 rain days
- Monte Verde12 °C (54 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 13 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 13 rain days
- Nevados de Chillan16 °C (61 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain days
- Pelluhue15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 7 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 7 rain days
- Pichilemu18 °C (64 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 3 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 3 rain days
- Pisco Elqui21 °C (70 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 2 rain days70 °F (21 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 2 rain days
- Portillo15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 5 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 5 rain days
- Pucón15 °C (59 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 11 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 11 rain days
- Puerto Montt13 °C (55 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 17 rain days55 °F (13 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 17 rain days
- Puerto Natales12 °C (54 °F) / -1 °C (30 °F), 9 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 30 °F (-1 °C), 9 rain days
- Puerto Rio Tranquilo9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 8 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 8 rain days
- Puerto Varas10 °C (50 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 11 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 11 rain days
- Puerto Williams-1 °C (30 °F) / -5 °C (23 °F), 6 rain days30 °F (-1 °C) / 23 °F (-5 °C), 6 rain days
- Punta Arenas10 °C (50 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 9 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 9 rain days
- Punta de Choros17 °C (63 °F) / 10 °C (50 °F), 4 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 50 °F (10 °C), 4 rain days
- Putre12 °C (54 °F) / 1 °C (34 °F), 7 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 34 °F (1 °C), 7 rain days
- Quellón6.2 °C (43 °F) / 1.8 °C (35 °F), 175 rain days43 °F (6.2 °C) / 35 °F (1.8 °C), 175 rain days
- Quintay15 °C (59 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 5 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 5 rain days
- Rancagua20 °C (68 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 6 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 6 rain days
- Reñaca16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain days
- San Pedro de Atacama25 °C (77 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 0 rain days77 °F (25 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 0 rain days
- Santa Cruz20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 4 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 4 rain days
- Talca20 °C (68 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 9 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 9 rain days
- Temuco15 °C (59 °F) / 6 °C (43 °F), 9 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 43 °F (6 °C), 9 rain days
- Valdivia15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 12 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 12 rain days
- Valle Nevado10 °C (50 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 5 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 5 rain days
- Valparaíso17 °C (63 °F) / 8 °C (46 °F), 38 rain days63 °F (17 °C) / 46 °F (8 °C), 38 rain days
- Vicuña20 °C (68 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 1 rain days68 °F (20 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 1 rain days
- Villa O'Higgins9 °C (48 °F) / 0 °C (32 °F), 7 rain days48 °F (9 °C) / 32 °F (0 °C), 7 rain days
- Villarrica15 °C (59 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 9 rain days59 °F (15 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 9 rain days
- Viña del Mar18 °C (64 °F) / 7 °C (45 °F), 8 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 45 °F (7 °C), 8 rain days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Fiestas Patrias big impact
18–19 Sep
Independence and Army days; fondas, businesses closed, travel peak.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Chile
- Medium
- Prices · Chile
- Medium
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Chile, side by side.
Verdict
Sep: Good
Jan: Great (better)
Crowds
Sep: Medium
Jan: High
Prices
Sep: Medium
Jan: High
Festivals listed
Sep: 1
Jan: 1
September: Fiestas Patrias (18–19 Sep): fondas, barbecues, closed businesses; spring in the centre.
January: Patagonia peak with long days and strong wind; Chilean holidays; Atacama summer storms possible.
Chile: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in September
Rated best or good this month
Atacama and the north
Best weather of the year (San Pedro de Atacama, Calama, Arica)
Spring; Fiestas Patrias week (around 18 September) is busy.
Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov (dry, mild temperatures)
Best months: Year-round; Dec–Mar for beach weather, Sep–Nov and Mar–May for valleys and altiplano
Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Dec
Best months: Jun–Oct (ski season and milder weather)
Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov
Best months: June–September (Southern winter)
Best months: Dec–Mar (summer, warm sea); Apr–May and Sep–Nov for mild weather and fewer crowds
Best months: June–Sept (ski season); Dec–Feb (summer hiking)
Best months: Dec–Mar for beach weather; Sep–Nov and Mar–Apr for cooler sightseeing
Best months: Mar–May, Sep–Nov