Cheapest and Most Expensive Times to Visit Santiago, Chile
The cheapest and most expensive months or times of year to visit Santiago, Chile will be based on seasons and holidays. Here's a complete breakdown of what you can expect.
Most Expensive Times To Visit Santiago, Chile
The most expensive times to visit Santiago are during the Chilean summer months, when locals take vacations and international tourists flood in for the good weather:
- December through February: Peak summer, with temperatures between 80–90°F (27–32°C). Hotels, tours, and flights are at their highest.
- September (Independence Day Holidays – Fiestas Patrias): Around September 18–19, prices spike due to major national celebrations. Locals travel domestically, and accommodations are in high demand.
- Holy Week (Semana Santa – March or April): Religious holidays cause domestic travel surges, making accommodations and some attractions more expensive.
- Christmas and New Year's (late December - early January): Santiago parties hard, and hotels, restaurants, and flights reach some of their highest prices.
- Major Events:
- Lollapalooza Chile (typically March): Huge influx of international visitors causes prices for hotels and flights to spike.
- Vendimia Wine Festivals (March and April): Held mostly outside Santiago (in wine country), but Santiago is the hub for wine tours, causing local lodging and tours to rise.
✈️ Flight Tip: December through February sees the highest international airfare into Santiago. Booking 4–6 months in advance is highly recommended if traveling in this window.
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Cheapest Months To Visit Santiago, Chile
The cheapest times to visit Santiago are during the cooler fall and winter months, when there are fewer tourists:
- May through September: It's winter in Chile, temperatures drop to 40–60°F (4–16°C). This is low tourist season in Santiago itself (not in nearby ski resorts, though!).
- April: After Easter, travel cools off dramatically, and prices for hotels and flights drop.
- Late March: After Lollapalooza and the summer crowds are gone but before the Easter holidays kick in, you can find cheaper rates.
Special Note about Winter Sports:
While Santiago itself is cheaper in winter, nearby ski resorts like Valle Nevado, La Parva, and El Colorado enter peak ski season (June–August). If you stay near the resorts, prices for lodging and transportation skyrocket. If you stay in the city and just do a day-trip to ski, you can still take advantage of low Santiago hotel rates while enjoying the mountains.
Santiago, Chile Travel Cost By Season
Below is a chart that breaks down the cost to visit Santiago during the different seasons of the year, and what you can expect.
| Time Period | Season | Cost Level | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| December–February | Summer | 💰 Most Expensive | Peak tourism season, best weather, high flight and hotel prices |
| Late December–Early January | Holidays | 💰 Most Expensive | Christmas and New Year’s celebrations drive costs up |
| Mid-September | Fiestas Patrias | 💰 Most Expensive | Chilean Independence Day; city very lively but expensive |
| March (Early) | Summer Events | 💰 Most Expensive | Lollapalooza and vendimia festivals raise costs |
| Late March–April (Post-Easter) | Early Fall | 💸 Cheaper | Weather still nice, fewer crowds, better hotel deals |
| May–September | Winter | 💸 Cheapest | Low season for Santiago city tourism, cooler weather, lowest hotel and flight prices |
| June–August (Mountains only) | Ski Season | 💰 Most Expensive (only near ski resorts) | City remains cheap; ski resorts like Valle Nevado are expensive |