Month guide · Santiago · Chile
Santiago in December
What December is really like in Santiago: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Carlos yo, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
December is a shoulder-season month. Expect average highs of 29°C (84°F), lows of 12°C (54°F), about 0 rainy days and roughly 14.4 hours of daylight. Early summer heat and Christmas shopping crowds in the malls and the centre.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 29°C (84°F) / 12°C (54°F)
- Rainy days
- About 0
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
Weather in December
December is the 3rd-warmest month in Santiago: days average 29°C (84°F) against a yearly average high of 23°C (73°F), and nights fall to about 12°C (54°F). Rain falls on roughly 0 of its 31 days. Compared with November (26°C (79°F)), December is warmer; by January highs stay near 30°C (86°F).
- Sunrise (15 December)
- About 06:28
- Sunset (15 December)
- About 20:49
- Daylight
- About 14.4 hours
Autumn (March–May). Grape harvest and autumn colours in the vineyards, comfortable days and the first rains by May.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, December rates 3 for crowds (the peak is September at 4) and 3 for hotel prices (highest in January). Prices sit in the middle of the year's range.
Events in December
- New Year's Eve fireworks at the Costanera Center tower (31 December)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in December
Mild, settled days suit walking, viewpoints and time outdoors.
Landmark · Centro Histórico
Plaza de Armas and Metropolitan Cathedral
Laid out when Pedro de Valdivia founded the city in 1541, the palm-shaded main square is framed by the Metropolitan Cathedral, the Central Post Office and the Museo Histórico Nacional in the old Royal Audience building.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- History
- Architecture
Palace · Centro Histórico
La Moneda Palace
Combine the façade and plaza with an exhibition at the underground cultural centre, entered from the south side of the palace.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- History
- Architecture
- Free
- Iconic
Market · Centro Histórico
Mercado Central
A wrought-iron hall prefabricated in Britain and opened in 1872 houses fishmongers and seafood restaurants serving caldillo de congrio, paila marina and machas a la parmesana.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Architecture
- Iconic
Museum · Centro Histórico
Museo Chileno de Arte Precolombino
Allow time for the basement Chile gallery, which many visitors miss after the main floors.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- History
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 29°C, lows near 12°C and 0 wet days: light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; comfortable walking shoes.
Is December a good time to visit Santiago?
A shoulder-season month, with a notable event on the calendar. If your dates are flexible, March–April and October–November are better overall. Compare every month.
Santiago in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is December a good time to visit Santiago?
It is a shoulder-season month. Early summer heat and Christmas shopping crowds in the malls and the centre.
+How warm is Santiago in December?
Average highs are around 29°C (84°F) and lows around 12°C (54°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Santiago in December?
Expect rain on about 0 days of the month, so it is usually dry.