Santiago's dry air means big swings between day and night. A January afternoon hits 31°C (88°F) and the night drops to 16°C (61°F), and in winter 16°C (61°F) days fall to 7°C (45°F) nights in a city where many homes and older apartments have little or no central heating, so pack for both ends of the day.
Santiago weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 31°C88°F | 32°C90°F | 29°C84°F | 24°C75°F | 18°C64°F | 16°C61°F | 16°C61°F | 16°C61°F | 19°C66°F | 23°C73°F | 25°C77°F | 29°C84°F |
| Low | 16°C61°F | 17°C63°F | 15°C59°F | 12°C54°F | 9°C48°F | 7°C45°F | 7°C45°F | 7°C45°F | 9°C48°F | 10°C50°F | 12°C54°F | 14°C57°F |
| Rain days | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 2 | 1 |
Season by season
Summer
December–FebruaryHot and close to rainless, with highs of 29°C (84°F) to 32°C (90°F) and 0 or 1 rain days a month. The sun is strong, so take sunscreen, a hat and water every time you head up Cerro San Cristóbal. Nights drop to 14°C (57°F) to 17°C (63°F), which feels cool after the heat. Pack light clothes plus one warm layer.
Autumn
March–MayMarch is still summer-like at 29°C (84°F), April cools to 24°C (75°F) and May to 18°C (64°F). Rain stays rare until May, which gets 5 rain days. It's harvest time in the Maipo and Casablanca valleys, so pack layers for vineyard day trips.
Winter
June–AugustHighs sit at 16°C (61°F) with lows of 7°C (45°F), and August is the wettest month with 7 rain days. Smog can hang over the city on still days, while snow covers the Andes for skiing at Valle Nevado and Farellones. Bring a warm coat for mornings and evenings.
Spring
September–NovemberHighs climb from 19°C (66°F) in September to 25°C (77°F) in November, with only 2 to 5 rain days a month. The air clears and the Andes are still snow-capped. Pack layers, because mornings start at 9°C (48°F) to 12°C (54°F).
What to bring to Santiago
0 of 20 packed- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
Santiago's summer is dry and hits 32°C (90°F) in February, and this 24 oz bottle keeps water cold for 24 hours and fits most car cupholders for wine-country drives.
- A warm wrapClothing
Summer nights land around 15°C (59°F) below the afternoon high, and a wool or cashmere wrap covers the evening chill and the long flight down.
- Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Tech CrossbodyDocuments & Security
Pickpockets work Plaza de Armas and the metro, and this crossbody's steel-wire strap and lockable zip pullers make you a harder target.
- Allbirds Women's Tree Dasher 2Footwear & Shoe Care
The walks up Cerro San Cristóbal and Santa Lucía want cushioning and grip, and the breathable knit upper helps on 31°C (88°F) afternoons.
- Allbirds Men's Tree Dasher 2Footwear & Shoe Care
A breathable eucalyptus-fiber knit for hot, dry afternoons, and it's machine washable when the city dust gets into everything.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
Maps, the metro and rideshare apps drain your phone, and this 5,000mAh battery plugs straight into USB-C with no cable.
- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Chile's type C sockets take its EU plug, and 5 USB ports mean one outlet charges your whole kit.
Clothing
- Light layers · 431°C days, 16°C nights in January
- Warm sweater · 1
- Insulated jacket · 1Jun–Aug nights fall to 7°C
- Warm sleepwear · 1Many homes have little heating
- Long trousers · 2
Footwear
- Sandals · 1
Gear
- Sun hat · 1
- Sunglasses · 1
- Compact umbrella · 1Jun–Aug
- Ski gear or rental planAndes ski areas 1.5–2 hours away
Health and toiletries
- High-SPF sunscreen
- Moisturizer and lip balmDry air
Documents and money
- Passport
What shoes should you pack for Santiago?
Comfortable sneakers for Lastarria, Bellavista and the walk up Cerro Santa Lucía. If you're hiking the hills around the city, bring trail shoes with grip. For a ski day, you can rent boots at the resorts.
What do people wear in Santiago?
Santiago dresses neat and casual, a lot like a European city, with jeans, darker colors and a good jacket. Locals cover up more than visitors tend to, even in summer, so beach-style outfits stand out in Centro. Smart casual is fine for most restaurants in Providencia and Vitacura.
What plugs does Santiago use?
Chile uses type C and L plugs at 220V. C is the standard round two-pin European plug, and L is a three-pin in a straight line. Visitors from the US, UK and Australia need an adapter, and an EU plug fits the C sockets. Most phone and laptop chargers handle 220V.
Tours and things to do in Santiago
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Santiago.
What should you leave at home for Santiago?
Leave the heavy rain gear, Santiago barely sees rain outside May to September. Skip flashy jewelry and keep your phone out of sight in crowded spots like Plaza de Armas and the metro. And don't pack only summer clothes for a January trip, the nights get cool.
Packing for Santiago: questions people ask
What should I wear in Santiago in summer?
Light clothes, a hat and sunscreen for 31°C (88°F) to 32°C (90°F) afternoons, plus a layer for evenings that drop to 16°C (61°F) to 17°C (63°F).
Is Santiago cold in winter?
Cool rather than freezing, with highs of 16°C (61°F) and lows of 7°C (45°F) from June to August. Many homes and older apartments have little or no central heating, so warm layers help indoors too.
Does it rain much in Santiago?
Hardly. August is the wettest month with just 7 rain days, and January and February average none.
What should I pack for skiing near Santiago?
Warm layers, gloves and sun protection. Valle Nevado and Farellones are roughly 1.5 to 2 hours by road, longer on busy weekends, and you can rent skis and boots there.
What plug adapter do I need for Chile?
Chile uses type C and L at 220V. A universal adapter with an EU plug fits the common type C sockets.
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