Visiting Chile in May

Winter is on the horizon, so you can expect temperatures to drop across the country. It’s still warm in Santiago with little rain over the capital this month, so it’s a good time to explore the city if you’d prefer sightseeing when it’s quiet and not too hot. Valparaiso has similar temperatures with highs of around 18-19C, and plenty of vibrant architecture to brighten up any grey days.

The days are shorter in the Atacama Desert and while it’s warm at lunchtime, it’s usually only a few degrees above zero during the night, so desert camping and stargazing becomes a much colder experience. San Pedro de Atacama is one of the driest places on earth, so if you’re looking for some guaranteed rain-free days, this is the place to go.

In the south, there’s a higher chance of rain and some seriously chilly weather in Patagonia – while it’s not impossible to visit this month, many areas are inaccessible, it’s wetter and windier, with temperatures dropping to zero and some snowfall this month.

It’s also wet in the Central Valley, so not a particularly tempting time of year to visit the winelands or the Lake District, and the wettest month of the year in Easter Island too.

Festivals: May 1 is a national holiday for Labour Day, with many places closing for the celebrations, including colourful parades as workers take to the streets.

On May 31, Chileans celebrate Naval Glories Day, marking the victory at the naval battle of Iquique during the 19th century War of the Pacific, with flowers decorating public buildings and more parades. Some of the biggest celebrations are in Valparaiso and Santiago, as well as Iquique itself.

Best for: Exploring the cities, dry days in the Atacama desert