Chile in August: Experience the Dramatic Extremes
With massive glaciers and vast deserts, golden beaches, and thermal waters, epic driving routes and ancient vineyards, lush valleys, and snow-capped peaks, Chile promise a memorable experience for tourists, no matter their proclivities. But if skiing and other winter sports get your adrenaline pumping, the prospect of visiting Chile in August should be nothing short of mouth-watering. Though the winter season is just about to wind up around this time, there will be enough snow to enjoy. The best part is that you will not have to compete with the crowd of local vacationers if you travel to Chile in August.
- Gwendolyn Thorne
Chile Weather in August
The weather in Chile in August is usually chilly since it is still the winter season. The average temperatures range between 4 °C and 14°C. The weather gets warmer as you move up north to places like Santiago and Central Chile, with the daytime temperature reaching as high as 16° C. Areas in the Southern Andes, meanwhile, are cold and still covered in snow. This is where you'd want to be if you want to enjoy some snow sports. Expect cold and wet weather in Southern Patagonia as well, albeit without snow.
For a more seasonal overview, check out our guide on the best time to visit Chile.
Weather in Chile in August - Rainfall and Temperatures
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 30 | 29 | 27 | 23 | 18 | 15 | 15 | 16 | 18 | 22 | 25 | 28 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 11 | 11 | 9 | 7 | 5 | 3 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 11 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 86 | 85 | 81 | 74 | 65 | 59 | 59 | 61 | 65 | 72 | 77 | 83 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 52 | 52 | 49 | 45 | 41 | 38 | 38 | 40 | 41 | 45 | 49 | 52 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 50 | 40 | 80 | 40 | 20 | 10 | 10 | 10 |
| Jul | Aug | Sep | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Daily (°C) | 15 | 16 | 18 |
| Avg Nightly (°C) | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Avg Daily (°F) | 59 | 61 | 65 |
| Avg Nightly (°F) | 38 | 40 | 41 |
| Avg Rainfall (mm) | 80 | 40 | 20 |
Why Visit Chile in August
Chile is a country of dramatic extremes and one of the few tourist destinations that hold a year-round appeal for visitors. But if you travel to the country in August, you will get to experience the cold south and the dry north. Experience the best of both worlds on the same trip. Here are a few reasons why you should visit Chile in August:
- Better rates: Travel and accommodation costs are lower all over the country, particularly in ski resorts.
- Fewer crowds: August is the best month to visit Chile, as there are fewer tourist crowds at popular attractions. You can also easily get last-minute travel and accommodation arrangements.
- Skiing: Chile offers numerous excellent skiing destinations, with the Andes and Aysen being the cream of the crop. With low tourist crowds, you will get to enjoy the mountains and ski resorts in their full glory.
- Festivals: August is the month when Chile holds festivals like the Fiesta de Santa Rosa de Lima, a colorful Catholic celebration; and the Festival de Jazz de Nunoa, a free winter jazz festival.
Where to Go and What to Do
Chile’s weather in August is perfect for winter sports such as snowboarding, skiing, and heli-skiing. Thus, hitting a ski resort should be a natural option. Termas de Chillan is an exquisite ski area that offers abundant snow, mountain-style hotels, and wholesome meals. Alternatively, you could also visit the Torres del Paine National Park.
Chile is also a great place to explore by taking a road trip. For this, we recommend driving along the Carretera Austral highway. Starting at Puerto Montt in Patagonia and winding up at Villa O’Higgins, this wildly adventurous and deeply fulfilling road trip takes you through 1,240 km of constantly changing landscapes. One moment you are admiring lush, dense forests, and the next you are cruising through a backdrop of snow-capped mountains. You can spend all your time marveling at the beauty of landmark points such as Cerro Castillo, the Northern Fjords, Lago General Carrera, Pumalin Park, and many other wonders of nature.
Head to the city of Arica to enjoy pleasant beaches and archeological history on a day trip to the Lluta and Azapa valleys. Also, do not forget the Atacama Desert, which is a surprisingly pleasant place to visit during the winter. Scorching desert heat will be the least of your worries if you visit the region in August. Experience an awesome stargazing experience on a cold night, see the Salar de Atacama salt flats and visit the Tatio Geysers.
You do not want to leave the country without indulging your taste buds by experiencing the exquisite wine it produces. So take a trip to the vineyards in Colchagua Valley, Chile’s equivalent of Mendoza, for this experience.
August in Chile promises a healthy dose of outdoor adventure despite the cold weather. You will have enough time to explore the country’s stunning landscapes, snow-capped peaks, towering mountains, and vast deserts. There will be few tourist crowds in the country around this time, so you will have greater flexibility with last-minute accommodations and travel arrangements.
Other Related Articles:
Chile in July
Chile in September
Winter in Chile
