When to go · San Pedro de Atacama
San Pedro de Atacama in January
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (El Tatio nights to −15 °C (5 °F)), Jan–Feb (rain can close altiplano roads).Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (El Tatio nights to 5 °F (−15 °C)), Jan–Feb (rain can close altiplano roads).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 29°C (84°F)84°F (29°C) / 12°C (54°F)54°F (12°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 3
- Crowds
- High
- Chile overall
- Prices
- High
- Chile overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (El Tatio nights to −15 °C (5 °F)), Jan–Feb (rain can close altiplano roads).Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (El Tatio nights to 5 °F (−15 °C)), Jan–Feb (rain can close altiplano roads).
Is another month better than January?
January is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
Weather in January
- San Pedro de AtacamaHighs around 29 °C (84 °F), lows around 12 °C (54 °F), rain on about 3 daysHighs around 84 °F (29 °C), lows around 54 °F (12 °C), rain on about 3 days
- Atacama and the north, Chile · San Pedro de Atacama, Calama, Aricarainy
Among the driest places on earth; summer 'Altiplanic winter' storms (Jan–Feb) can close high roads; cold nights, freezing at the geysers Jun–Aug.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Chile overall
- High
- Prices · Chile overall
- High
Chile overall: Patagonia peak with long days and strong wind; Chilean holidays; Atacama summer storms possible.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in San Pedro de Atacama, side by side.
Verdict
Jan: Avoid
Mar: Great (better)
Daytime high
Jan: 29 °C (84 °F)84 °F (29 °C)
Mar: 27 °C (81 °F)81 °F (27 °C)
Night low
Jan: 12 °C (54 °F)54 °F (12 °C)
Mar: 10 °C (50 °F)50 °F (10 °C)
Rain days
Jan: 3
Mar: 1 (better)
Crowds
Jan: High
Mar: Medium
Prices
Jan: High
Mar: Medium
Festivals listed
Jan: 0
Mar: 0
January: Listed as a month to avoid: Jun–Aug (El Tatio nights to −15 °C), Jan–Feb (rain can close altiplano roads).
March: Inside San Pedro de Atacama's best window: Mar–May, Sep–Dec.
San Pedro de Atacama: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm layer for the evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast