Best time to visit Northern Chile (Atacama Desert)

Northern Chile (Atacama Desert) works in any month. Every month of the year rates go on daytime heat and rainfall, so timing is down to crowds and price rather than weather.

Driest desert on earth; go anytime

Best window
Year-round
Driest month
September · 0% rainy days
Warmest month
January · 26.6°C / 80°F
Coolest month
July · 18.3°C / 65°F
Months rated go
12 of 12

Month by month

Monthly climate normals for Northern Chile (Atacama Desert), 1991–2020
MonthHigh °CHigh °FRainy daysVerdict
January26.6803%Go
February26.1794%Go
March25.5782%Go
April23.4741%Go
May20.3691%Go
June18.6651%Go
July18.3651%Go
August20.2681%Go
September22.0720%Go
October24.1750%Go
November25.6781%Go
December26.4802%Go

Verdict combines mean daytime high with rainy-day frequency. “Rainy days” is the share of days in the month with at least 1 mm of rain.

What the numbers say

September is the driest month, with rain on 0% of days and daytime highs near 22.0°C (72°F). February is the wettest, at 4%. The warmest month is January at 26.6°C (80°F); the coolest is July at 18.3°C (65°F).

Where else to go