San Pedro de Atacama features an arid, high-altitude desert climate with warm, sunny days and cold, clear nights year-round. The region is famous for its dramatic temperature swings, extremely low rainfall, and over 300 days of sunshine annually. Seasonal changes are subtle, but visitors should prepare for both strong sun and chilly evenings.
The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.
Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.
Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.
Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.
Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.
San Pedro de Atacama, set at 2,443 metres above sea level, is located in one of the driest places on Earth. The climate is defined by its extreme aridity, with average annual rainfall as low as 15 mm and many months seeing virtually no precipitation. Days are typically warm and sunny, while nights can be cold, with temperatures often dropping below freezing in winter. The region experiences a significant diurnal temperature range: summer daytime highs (December–March) reach 24–27°C, while nights cool to 5–16°C. Winter days (June–August) are still pleasant, averaging 20–22°C, but nights can fall to 0°C or lower, with extremes down to –2°C. UV radiation is very high throughout the year, and clear skies make the Atacama one of the world’s best stargazing destinations.
Rain is rare, but the so-called Altiplanic Winter (January–March) can bring brief, heavy showers and thunderstorms, sometimes making highland roads impassable. The rest of the year, especially April to December, is extremely dry. Winds are generally light, but can be brisk in autumn and winter, occasionally stirring up sand or dust. Daylight varies from about 10.7 hours in June to 13.6 hours in December, and sunshine is nearly constant. The combination of high altitude, intense sun, and low humidity means hydration, sun protection, and layered clothing are essential for visitors.
| Average climate data for San Pedro de Atacama, Chile | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Average maximum temperature (°C) | 21 | 20 | 20 | 18 | 15 | 13 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 | 21 | 21 |
| Average minimum temperature (°C) | 9 | 10 | 8 | 6 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 0 |
| Average precipitation (mm) | 21 | 23 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 58 |
| Average rainfall days (days) | 7 | 8 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 24 |
| Average snowfall (mm) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8 |
| Average snowfall days (days) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| Average relative humidity (%) | 42 | 47 | 35 | 29 | 27 | 27 | 31 | 25 | 23 | 22 | 21 | 34 | 30 |
| Average wind speed (km/h) | 8 | 8 | 7 | 6 | 7 | 7 | 8 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 7 |
| Average daily daylight hours (h) | 13 | 12 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 12 | 13 | 13 | 12 |
| Average daily sunshine hours (h) | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 9 |
| Average cloud coverage (%) | 10 | 10 | 4 | 2 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 2 | 2 | 4 | 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Average UV index | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 |
The best times to visit San Pedro de Atacama are during the shoulder seasons: March–May and September–November. These months offer mild temperatures, clear skies, and fewer crowds. The weather is stable, with warm days, cool nights, and almost no rain, making it ideal for hiking, sightseeing, and stargazing.
The least favourable time is during the Altiplanic Winter (January–March), when brief but heavy rains can occur, especially in the highlands, potentially disrupting travel and excursions. Nights remain cool, and crowds are higher in January and February due to domestic tourism. Winter (June–August) brings the coldest nights but is still pleasant for most activities.
San Pedro de Atacama has an arid, high-altitude desert climate with warm, sunny days and cold, clear nights. Rain is extremely rare, and temperature swings between day and night are dramatic year-round.
Summer daytime temperatures typically reach 24–27°C, with nighttime lows of 5–16°C. The sun is strong, but the dry air and altitude keep conditions comfortable. Occasional brief rain showers may occur from January to March.
Winter days are mild (20–22°C), but nights can fall to 0°C or even –2°C. Frost is common, especially in July, and warm clothing is essential for early mornings and evenings.
The only notable rainy period is the Altiplanic Winter (January–March), when brief, heavy showers and thunderstorms may occur, mostly in the highlands. The rest of the year is extremely dry.
Yes, San Pedro de Atacama is one of the world’s best stargazing destinations, thanks to its high altitude, clear skies, and minimal light pollution. The dry season (April–November) offers the best visibility.
Pack layers for large temperature swings, a heavy jacket for cold nights, sun protection (hat, sunglasses, sun cream), and sturdy walking shoes. Bring a rain jacket if visiting from January to March.
San Pedro de Atacama can be visited year-round, but be prepared for cold nights and brief rain in summer. Altitude and sun exposure require caution—acclimatise slowly, hydrate well, and protect yourself from UV rays.
The warmest month, with the highest average maximum temperature, is December (20.6 °C). The month with the lowest average maximum temperature is July (12.2 °C). Overall, the average maximum temperature over the whole year is 17.2 °C.
The month with the highest average minimum temperature is February (9.8 °C). The coldest month, with the lowest average minimum temperature, is July (0.3 °C). Overall, the average minimum temperature over the whole year is 5.1 °C.
The wettest month, with the highest amount of precipitation, is February (23 mm). The driest months, with the least amount of precipitation, are October and November (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 58.4 mm of rainfall on average.
The month with the most days of rain is February (7.8 days). The month with the fewest days of rain is November (0.2 days). Over the whole year there are 23.7 days of rain on average.
The month with the most snowfall is July (4.1 mm). The months with the least snowfall are January, February, March, April, August, September, October, November and December (0 mm). Over the whole year there are 8.1 mm of snowfall on average.
The month with the most days of snowfall is May (0.5 days). The months with the fewest days of snowfall are February, September and November (0 days). Over the whole year there are 1.8 days of snowfall on average.
The month with the highest average relative humidity is February (47.1 %). The month with the lowest average relative humidity is November (21.3 %). The overall average relative humidity over the whole year is 30.3 %.
The windiest month, with the highest average wind speed, is December (8.4 km/h). The calmest month, with the lowest average wind speed, is April (6 km/h). The overall average wind speed over the whole year is 7.5 km/h.
The month with the cloudiest skies, so the highest cloud coverage, is February (10.1 %). The month with the clearest skies, so the lowest cloud coverage, is August (1.5 %). Over the whole year there is an average cloud coverage of 4.7 %.
The month with the longest days, so the most daylight, is December (Average daylight: 13 h). The months with the shortest days, so the least daylight, are June and July (Average daylight: 10.1 h). Over the whole year there are 11.7 h of daylight per day on average.
The month with the most sunshine per day is November (Average sunshine: 10.1 h). The month with the least sunshine per day is February (Average sunshine: 9 h). Over the whole year there are 9.3 h of sunlight per day on average.
The months with the highest average UV index are January, February, March, August, September, October, November and December (UV index: 4). The months with the lowest average UV index are April, May, June and July (UV index: 3). Over the whole year the average UV index is 3.7.
