When to Go

It seems that all of Chile heads to the coast in the summer months of January and February. This can be a great time to visit, with the weather at its warmest and the nightlife hopping. But it's also a tough time to find a room, especially on weekends. Make reservations as far in advance as possible. Spring (September, October, and November) and fall (March, April, and May) can be perfect times to visit, when the days are warm and breezy, and the nights cool. Consider visiting during the shoulder months of December and March too, which have decent weather but also provide relative solitude in which to explore.

Festivals and Seasonal Events

The annual Festival Internacional de la Canción (International Song Festival) takes place during a week in mid-February in Viña del Mar. The concerts are broadcast live on television. Most towns have colorful processions on Día de San Pedro (June 29). A statue of St. Peter, patron saint of fishermen, is typically hoisted onto a fishing boat and led along a coastal procession. When the clock strikes midnight on New Year’s Eve, the bay that runs from Valparaíso to Concón plays host to one of the world’s most spectacular fireworks shows.