Visiting Chile in February

February is another of the busiest months for a holiday in Chile, but with some of the best weather across the country. It’s still hot in Santiago, with average high temperatures of 30C, and the locals tend to flee to the beach, the Lake District and the countryside. It’s slightly cooler at the coast in eye-catching Valparaiso, where you can find a few breezes by the bright clifftop houses which have helped make the port city a UNESCO World Heritage.

If you love hiking, this is when to go to Chile’s southern region, Patagonia, with long days and pleasant weather, whether you’re looking for a more challenging hike or a more relaxed way to discover the dramatic landscape of Torres del Paine. Take a boat trip out to Chiloé to spot the Humboldt and Magellanic penguin colonies found here, spot whales, discover the southernmost continental city in the world at Punta Arenas, or see the icefields of the Carretera Austral, which can be one of the quieter areas during Patagonia’s high season.

This period is the best time to visit Chile if you’re hoping to see the whole country, with clear skies over the Atacama desert – ideal for stargazing. You’re also guaranteed to avoid the rain as you explore volcanoes, geysers and salt flats around San Pedro de Atacama, where it has been dry for over 400 years. February is perfect for a holiday in Chile’s Lake District as the horseflies start to vanish, and you could even combine it with a visit to Argentina.

It’s also one of the best months to discover Polynesian culture on Easter Island, with the island’s biggest festival this month and some great weather.

Festivals: Tapati Rapa Nui Festival, also known as Rapa Nui week, is the biggest cultural celebration on Easter Island, designed to celebrate the culture of the Rapa Nui and to teach these traditions to the next generation, featuring everything from sharing legends to body painting. Runs for the first two weeks of February.

The Carnavalon festival is Chile’s equivalent of Carnival, with indigenous traditions mixed in in the northern regions of the country, celebrating Mother Earth, Father Sun and the symbolic welcome to No Carnavalon, which represents fertility and fortune.

Best for: Seeing the whole country, hiking and wildlife in Patagonia, summer in Valparaiso, stargazing in the Atacama, road trip, Lake District