Overview
San Pedro de Atacama, located in Chile’s far north, sits within one of the driest deserts on Earth - the Atacama Desert. The region enjoys year-round sunshine, with wide temperature swings between day and night. Its arid, high-altitude desert climate makes it ideal for stargazing, hiking, and exploring salt flats and geysers, particularly during the cooler months.
Temperatures
- Summer (December to February): Daytime highs average around 27°C (81°F), with nighttime lows dropping to about 10°C (50°F).
- Autumn (March to May): Highs range from 24°C to 20°C (75°F to 68°F), with lows between 8°C to 5°C (46°F to 41°F).
- Winter (June to August): Days remain sunny with highs around 21°C (70°F), but nights are cold, often falling to 1°C or below (34°F or lower).
- Spring (September to November): Temperatures climb steadily, with highs between 22°C to 26°C (72°F to 79°F) and lows from 3°C to 8°C (37°F to 46°F).
Rainfall
Rain is extremely scarce in San Pedro de Atacama, with annual precipitation typically under 20 mm (0.8 inches). However, occasional summer showers may occur between January and February due to the Altiplanic Winter (Bolivian Winter), bringing brief but intense rainstorms.
Image credit: Tierra Atacama
