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Chile (South)
South Chile is all about the wild and dramatic landscapes of Patagonia. You can hike past giant mountain peaks or take a boat near massive blue glaciers. It is a dream destination for anyone who loves hiking and fresh air.
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Summary
Did you know?
Marble Cathedrals – On Lake General Carrera, crashing waves carved a dazzling network of blue and white marble caves that you can paddle boats through.
Overview
Months
April, August, December, February, January, July, June, March, May, November, October, September
Vacation type
Beach, Couple, Family, Mountains, Skiing
Expenses
<150€, <200€, <100€, Over 200€
Temperature
0-10°C, 10-20°C
Rainfall
0-50mm, 50-100mm, 100-150mm
Safety
Very safe
Continent
South America
Currency
Chilean peso
Languages
Spanish
Currency Converter
When to visit
The best time to travel to Southern Chile is during the summer months from December to March. During this window, daylight lasts up to 18 hours in the deep south, temperatures are at their warmest (averaging 12°C to 20°C / 53°F to 68°F), and the remote gravel passes of the Carretera Austral are free of winter snowpack. This is the only safe and reliable time to hike the famous W Trek in Torres del Paine without a mandatory winter mountain guide.
The off-peak winter season runs from June to August. Southern Chile experiences harsh winters: the Lakes District receives relentless, freezing rain for weeks on end, while Aysén and Magallanes are blanketed in deep snow. Daylight in Punta Arenas drops to roughly seven hours a day. While winter in Patagonia offers incredibly stark, snow-covered photography and puma-tracking opportunities, many hotels, ferry routes, and national park facilities close completely, and unpaved mountain roads become impassable.
The shoulder seasons (October-November and April) offer brilliant spring wildflowers and autumn beech-forest foliage, though the notorious Patagonian winds are at their most ferocious during the spring.
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Plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Climate Data
Peak Season: December to March (Patagonian Summer)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 7 to 9 hours.
Rain Frequency: 8 to 12 days per month (Patagonia's weather is notoriously unpredictable even in summer).
Rainy Hours per Day: 2 to 4 hours.
Intensity: Squalls, sudden sleet, and ferocious winds that can exceed 100 km/h (60 mph).
Duration: Weather fronts move incredibly fast; it is common to experience bright sunshine, gale-force winds, rain, and snow all in the same afternoon.
Off-Peak Season: June to August (Winter)
Average Sunny Hours per Day: 3 to 5 hours.
Rain Frequency: 18 to 24 days per month (Lakes District) / Heavy snowfall (Patagonia).
Rainy Hours per Day: 5 to 8 hours.
Intensity: Heavy, sustained winter rain, blizzards, and freezing fog.
Duration: Multi-day storm systems regularly halt ferries and domestic flights in the deep south.
Climate Chart
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Data Source: Global Historical Climatology Network
ClimateCharts.net
Weather, Crowds and Costs
Per one person
Tourist Season: December-March
Budget Vacation ($55-90/day)
Accommodation: $20-35/night (backpacker hostels in Puerto Natales or Pucón, municipal campsites).
Food: $12-20/day (grocery store pasta, local bakeries, empanadas).
Activities: $10-20/day (national park entry fees for day hikes, municipal hot springs).
Transportation: $8-15/day (local buses, hitchhiking along the Carretera Austral is very common for backpackers).
Other Costs: $5/day (instant coffee, camp stove gas).
Mid-Range Vacation ($150-280/day)
Accommodation: $80-160/night (comfortable 3-star wooden chalets in Puerto Varas, cozy bed-and-breakfasts in Punta Arenas).
Food: $30-50/day (craft breweries in Valdivia, hearty Patagonian lamb dinners, local salmon dishes).
Activities: $40-90/day (shared boat trips to the Marble Caves, organized penguin colony tours, day-hike shuttle buses).
Transportation: $30-60/day (daily car rental rates or long-distance coach bus tickets, domestic flight hops).
Other Costs: $10/day (tips, craft beer, trail snacks).
Luxury Vacation ($500-1,200+/day)
Accommodation: $350-900+/night (premium all-inclusive luxury lodges inside Torres del Paine, boutique high-end eco-resorts in the Lakes District).
Food: $80-150/day (gourmet Patagonian-fusion dining, premium king crab feasts, fine Chilean wines).
Activities: $150-300+/day (private puma tracking safaris, helicopter glacier tours, private fly-fishing guides).
Transportation: $100-200/day (heavy-duty 4x4 pickup truck rental, private chauffeured transfers).
Other Costs: $30+/day (fine alpaca or sheep wool textiles, spa treatments).
Off-Peak Season: June-August
Budget Vacation ($45-75/day)
Accommodation: $15-25/night (discounted hostel dorms).
Food: $10-18/day (indoor local markets, hearty winter soups).
Activities: $5-15/day (museums, local walks on clear days).
Transportation: $5-10/day (public buses).
Other Costs: $5/day (extra hot tea, hand warmers).
Mid-Range Vacation ($100-180/day)
Accommodation: $50-100/night (steep discounts on cabins and standard hotel rooms).
Food: $20-40/day (indoor dining, cozy cafes).
Activities: $20-45/day (thermal baths, sheltered boat tours if operating).
Transportation: $20-40/day (intercity buses, reliable winter vehicle rentals).
Other Costs: $5/day (museum cloakrooms, warm drinks).
Luxury Vacation ($300-700+/day)
Accommodation: $200-450+/night (luxury lodges offering winter rates, though many shut down entirely).
Food: $60-120/day (hotel restaurants, fine dining).
Activities: $100-200/day (private winter photography tours, specialized puma tracking).
Transportation: $80-150/day (4x4 winterized vehicle transfers).
Other Costs: $20/day (artisan shopping, winter gear).
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You can find accomendations that fit your trip and budget on Booking.com, Vrbo and Hotels.com
Best Regions to visit
Cities
1. Pucón
- The adventure-sports capital of the Araucanía region, sitting on Lake Villarrica at the base of the smoldering Villarrica Volcano.
2. Valdivia
- A lush, river-laced city in the Los Ríos region famous for its deep German immigrant heritage, craft breweries, and sea lions lounging at the riverfront fish market.
3. Puerto Varas
- Known as the "City of Roses," this picturesque town sits on the shores of Lake Llanquihue with sweeping views of the perfectly conical, snow-capped Osorno Volcano.
4. Castro (Chiloé)
- The capital of Chiloé Island, celebrated for its palafitos (brightly painted wooden stilt houses built out over the water) and centuries-old wooden churches.
5. Coyhaique
- The commercial hub and largest city in the remote Aysén region, acting as the primary resupply base for road-trippers tackling the Carretera Austral.
6. Puerto Natales
- A windswept port town on the Ultima Esperanza Sound that serves as the mandatory logistical gateway and basecamp for Torres del Paine National Park.
7. Punta Arenas
- A wealthy, historic port city on the Strait of Magellan. It is the capital of the Magallanes region and the gateway to Chilean Antarctica and Tierra del Fuego.
Pucón
Did you know?
Penguin Islands – Magdalena Island is home to over 120,000 Magellanic penguins that casually waddle right past hikers on the walking paths.
Islands
1. Chiloé Island (Isla Grande de Chiloé)
- A massive, culturally distinct island known for deep maritime mythology, lush rolling pastures, and 16 UNESCO-listed wooden churches built entirely without nails.
2. Magdalena Island (Los Pingüinos Natural Monument)
- A small island located in the Strait of Magellan, serving as the breeding ground for over 100,000 Magellanic penguins from October to March.
3. Navarino Island
- Located across the Beagle Channel from Argentina, featuring the town of Puerto Williams (the southernmost town in the world) and the grueling Dientes de Navarino trekking circuit.
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Find the perfect place to stay in any of these top cities and islands with Booking.com, Hotels.com and Vrbo – offering entire homes and apartments for a comfortable and private experience.
Things to see
Natural Attractions
1. Torres del Paine National Park
- Chile's crown jewel, featuring towering granite horns (Los Cuernos), massive glaciers spilling into gray lakes, and golden pampas populated by guanacos and rheas.
2. Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol)
- Spectacular, water-sculpted caverns of solid marble located on the turquoise waters of General Carrera Lake in the Aysén region.
3. San Rafael Glacier
- A massive tidewater glacier accessible only by boat or small plane, calving massive blue icebergs into the San Rafael Lagoon.
4. Queulat National Park
- A lush, temperate rainforest reserve famous for the Ventisquero Colgante (Hanging Glacier), which sends meltwater plunging hundreds of meters down a sheer cliff face.
5. Villarrica Volcano
- One of Chile's most active volcanoes, offering travelers the chance to hike up the snow-covered cone to peer directly into a bubbling lava lake.
Historical and Cultural Sites
1. Chiloé's Wooden Churches
- 16 UNESCO World Heritage churches built in the 18th and 19th centuries by Jesuit missionaries and local indigenous builders, using advanced shipbuilding techniques adapted for architecture.
2. Valdivian Fort System (Fuerte Niebla)
- A network of 17th-century coastal Spanish colonial stone fortresses built to defend the vital port of Valdivia from pirates and rival European powers.
3. Nao Victoria Museum (Punta Arenas)
- An interactive maritime museum featuring full-sized, historically accurate replicas of ships that explored the region, including Ferdinand Magellan’s Nao Victoria and HMS Beagle.
4. Cueva del Milodón (Milodon Cave)
- A massive natural cave near Puerto Natales where German explorer Hermann Eberhard discovered the remarkably preserved skin and bones of an extinct giant ground sloth in 1895.
Unique Experiences
1. Hiking the W Trek
- Completing the legendary 4- to 5-day hiking circuit in Torres del Paine, walking past Grey Glacier, the French Valley, and the base of the granite Torres.
2. Driving the Carretera Austral (Route 7)
- Embarking on a 1,200-kilometer road trip along one of the world's most remote and rugged unpaved highways, cutting through untouched Patagonian fjords and rainforests.
3. Walking with Magellanic Penguins
- Taking a morning speedboat from Punta Arenas to Magdalena Island to walk on roped paths directly through a massive, squawking penguin colony.
4. Attending a Curanto Feast
- Participating in a traditional Chiloé communal meal where seafood, meat, and potato dumplings are cooked in a pit filled with hot stones and covered in massive nalca (wild rhubarb) leaves.
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The best way to explore major cities and must-see attractions is by booking guided tours.* They offer convenience, local insights, and often save time when visiting popular sights.
Torres del Paine
Unique Accomondations/Foodspots
Accommodations
Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Adventure
Location: Torres del Paine National Park, Southern Chile
A magnificent architectural marvel clad in local lenga wood, curving gracefully into the Patagonian steppe with floor-to-ceiling windows framing the jagged granite towers of the Paine massif and Lake Sarmiento.
Restaurants / Bars
Mesita Patagona
Location: Puerto Natales, Last Hope Sound, Southern Chile
An intimate, cozy culinary haven celebrating authentic southern Patagonian comfort food, famous for its slow-cooked local lamb, artisanal breads, and hearty stews welcoming travelers returning from glacier treks.
Tours to do
1. Torres del Paine Full-Day Guided Tour
- A comprehensive full-day bus and walking tour departing from Puerto Natales. It covers the park's primary viewpoints, including the Cuernos del Paine, Salto Grande waterfall, and the shores of Grey Lake.
Duration: Full day (approx. 10 to 12 hours).
Best Time: November to March.
Average Cost: Starting at $110 per person when booked online for a guaranteed seat; note that national park entry fees and Milodon Cave tickets are paid separately in local currency.
2. Marble Caves (Capillas de Mármol) Boat Navigation
- A navigation excursion on the brilliant turquoise waters of General Carrera Lake, departing from the remote village of Puerto Río Tranquilo. Visitors board small motorized boats to slip directly into the glacial-carved marble caverns, including the Chapel and Cathedral formations.
Duration: 1.5 to 2.5 hours.
Best Time: November to March (morning light is best).
Average Cost: Walk-up boat departures at the pier cost roughly 20,000 to 25,000 CLP, while booking ahead online for guaranteed seats with English-speaking guides starts around $65.
3. Magdalena Island Penguin Colony Boat Tour
- A half-day wildlife excursion departing from the docks of Punta Arenas. Visitors take a fast zodiac or standard ferry across the Strait of Magellan to Magdalena Island, where they are granted exactly one hour to walk the designated trails through the nesting grounds of over 100,000 Magellanic penguins.
Duration: Half-day (approx. 4 to 5 hours).
Best Time: October to March (penguins migrate away in winter).
Average Cost: $90 – $130 per person (includes boat transit and island entry fee).
4. Osorno Volcano & Petrohué Waterfalls Excursion
- A scenic day trip from Puerto Varas. The tour stops at the roaring, emerald-green rapids of the Petrohué Waterfalls in Vicente Pérez Rosales National Park before ascending the winding road up the slopes of the Osorno Volcano, offering panoramic views of Lake Llanquihue and the surrounding Andean peaks.
Duration: Half-day (approx. 5 to 6 hours).
Best Time: September to April.
Average Cost: $35 – $60 per person (includes transport and guide; chairlift tickets on the volcano are extra).
Marble Caves
How to get around
1. Domestic Flights (LATAM, Sky, JetSMART)
- The region is too vast to drive quickly. Flights connect Santiago to Temuco (ZCO), Puerto Montt (PMC), Balmaceda (BBA - for Aysén), Puerto Natales (PNT - summer only), and Punta Arenas (PUQ).
2. Navimag Ferries
- A slow, scenic cargo-and-passenger ferry that navigates the Patagonian fjords between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales. The journey takes 4 days and 3 nights, functioning as a budget cruise.
3. The Carretera Austral (Route 7)
- This rugged highway requires a reliable, high-clearance vehicle (4x4 is highly recommended). Much of it remains unpaved gravel (ripio). Gas stations are scarce; you must fill up at every opportunity.
4. Intercity Buses
- The bus network from Santiago down to Puerto Montt is world-class. South of Puerto Montt, buses become smaller, less frequent, and highly dependent on ferry schedules.
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You can find great car rental deals for your vacation on Expedia *
Did you know?
Underground Roots – The temperate rainforests of Chiloé hide ancient, twisted alerce trees that live for over 3,000 years, rivaling California redwoods.
What to eat
1. Cordero al Palo (Patagonian Roast Lamb)
- The ultimate Patagonian feast. A whole lamb is splayed open on an iron cross and slow-roasted for hours over a smoldering wood fire. The meat is basted repeatedly with a mixture of warm water, garlic, and salt, resulting in incredibly tender meat and crispy skin.
2. Curanto en Hoyo
- An ancient, indigenous Chiloé culinary tradition. A pit is dug in the ground, lined with red-hot stones, and layered with clams, mussels, pork, chicken, longaniza sausage, and potato dumplings (milcaos). The mound is covered with massive nalca leaves and earth, steaming the ingredients for hours.
3. Centolla (Patagonian King Crab)
- Harvested from the freezing, nutrient-rich waters of the Strait of Magellan and Tierra del Fuego. The sweet, massive chunks of white crab meat are typically served simply with fresh lemon and mayonnaise, or baked into a rich, bubbling cheese-and-bread casserole known as chupe de centolla.
4. Kuchen
- A direct legacy of the 19th-century German settlers who colonized the Lakes District. These rich, buttery crumb-cakes are found in every cafe from Valdivia to Puerto Varas, heavily layered with native berries like murta, raspberries, or apples.
Cordero al Palo
Flights
Flight prices are approximate and vary by departure city, airline, and booking time. Check airlines or travel platforms for the latest details.
* Please note: All prices are rough estimates for orientation purposes only and may vary by region.
Main Airport: Arturo Merino Benítez International Airport (SCL) in Santiago
(Note: SCL is the mandatory international gateway for Chile. Travelers must clear customs in Santiago before boarding domestic flights south to Puerto Montt [PMC], Balmaceda [BBA], or Punta Arenas [PUQ]).
Flight Prices and Seasons
From North America:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $600 to $1,100 (Direct flights from Miami, New York-JFK, Atlanta, and Dallas via LATAM, American, and Delta).
- Cheapest Months: April, May, and September.
- Peak Prices: December, January, and July.
From Europe:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $850 to $1,400 (Direct flights from Madrid, Paris, and London via Iberia, LATAM, Air France, and British Airways).
- Cheapest Months: March, April, and November.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and December.
From Australia (Domestic/Oceania):
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,000 to $1,600 (Direct trans-Pacific flights from Sydney and Melbourne to Santiago via LATAM and Qantas).
- Cheapest Months: May and August.
- Peak Prices: December and January.
From Asia:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,500 to $2,500 (Requires connecting flights through major US hubs like Los Angeles or via Auckland/Sydney).
- Cheapest Months: October and November.
- Peak Prices: Lunar New Year, July, and August.
From Africa:
- Average Round-Trip Cost: $1,200 to $2,000 (Connecting through European transit hubs or via São Paulo, Brazil).
- Cheapest Months: March and November.
- Peak Prices: July, August, and December.
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You can find the best flight deals with Skyscanner or plan the whole vacation, including flights, transportation, hotels and tours with Expedia *
Airport Location
Visa
1. Visa Requirement
- Most travelers do not need a visa to enter Chile for short stays, including citizens of the U.S., Canada, the U.K., Australia, and many EU countries.
2. Visa-Free Countries
- Citizens of several countries, including Argentina, Brazil, and Colombia, can enter without a visa for stays of up to 90 days.
3. Visa Application
- Travelers from countries that require a visa must apply at a Chilean embassy or consulate before traveling.
4. Types of Visa
- Commonly issued as tourist visas or business visas, typically valid for stays of up to 90 days.
5. Processing Time
- Visa processing can take from a few days to a few weeks, so it's advisable to apply well in advance.
6. Duration of Stay
- Most visa-free visitors can stay for up to 90 days, and visa holders are usually granted the same duration.
7. Health Requirements
- No specific vaccinations are required for entry, but travel insurance is recommended.
Important things to know
1. Payments
- The local currency is the Chilean Peso (CLP). Credit cards are widely accepted in urban areas.
2. Tap Water
- Tap water is generally safe to drink in most areas.
3. Electricity
- The voltage is 220V, and plug types C and L (two round pins) are used. An adapter may be needed for devices from other regions.
4. Tipping in Restaurants
- Tipping is customary, with 10-15% being standard for good service in restaurants.
5. SIM Cards
- Local SIM cards are available from providers like Entel, Movistar, and Claro. They can be purchased at stores, offering various prepaid data plans.
6. Driving Side
- In Chile, people drive on the right side of the road.
Souveniers
1. Mapuche Silver Jewelry (Trapelacucha)
- Intricate, heavy silver pectorals, headpieces, and earrings traditionally crafted and worn by the indigenous Mapuche women of the Araucanía region to display spiritual connection and status.
2. Chiloé Wool Sweaters (Chompas)
- Thick, incredibly warm hand-knit wool sweaters, socks, and hats crafted by local weavers on Chiloé Island. The wool is left raw and un-dyed, retaining its natural lanolin, making the garments naturally water-resistant against the harsh southern rains.
3. Mate Gourds & Bombillas
- While Mate is heavily associated with Argentina, it is consumed intensely in Chilean Patagonia. Artisan markets sell beautifully carved wooden or cured-squash mate gourds, paired with silver or stainless steel filter straws (bombillas).
Chompas
Location
Reviews
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