Chile holidays : introduction
Chile stretches nearly 3,000 miles north to south, always bound by the Andes to the east and the Pacific to the west, yet is on average only 100 miles wide. The scenery is extraordinarily diverse, from the deserts and salt flats in the north to the lakes and sculpted peaks of the Torres del Paine in the south. With one of Latin America's most successful economies and political stability it is a friendly and safe place to explore, with a level of efficiency in services that many will find unusual in Latin America.
It is easy to combine visits to Chile with Argentina or Bolivia. Journeys that are worthwhile in their own right include a lovely crossing by boat and bus in the Lake District, or a cruise through fjords between Punta Arenas and Ushuaia in the far south.
Climate and when to go
The hottest months are December to March. The Central region has a sunny Mediterranean-like climate; in July and August temperatures can drop to 10ºC. The Lake District enjoys a temperate climate similar to northern Europe but with heavy rainfall. In the far south the winter (June to mid-September) is more severe: it can snow and temperatures often drop to well below freezing. In Easter Island the rainy season is March to October (wettest in May, when torrential rain can fall, although usually in short bursts); the coldest month is August, and warmest is February.
“Thank you for arranging a wonderful holiday - it exceeded expectations. It was a truly wonderful few days on Easter Island and we also liked the very untouristy feel to North Chile. We now want to go back and when we've saved up we will be in touch again!” - SH