Chile is a land of incomparable beauty, both culturally and geographically, and offers a pristine environment rarely found today.   Considered a "new" destination for world travelers, Chile is the perfect introduction to Latin America.  Far away from the world's current trouble spots, it is a safe and friendly destination where Chileans offer Australians and New Zealanders a warm, genuine welcome.  

Chile encompasses 15 regions however the country can be divided into 6 general areas of interest according to geography and climate.

Northern Region

Atacama Desert - Valle de Luna

• The Highland Plains (Altiplano)
• Atacama Desert

The northern area is divided into two regions: the northernmost Norte Grande and the Norte Chico below it. In the Norte Grande, the Altiplano (high desert and mountainous area) has an average temperature of 20º C in the summer and 9ºC in the winter, with rain during December to March - April, known as the invierno boliviano (Bolivian Winter, because storms roll in from that country).

The central desert region is the driest in the world, with little or no rainfall, and marked contrasts in temperature between day and night during the winter (30º to 0º C). The coastal region sees little rainfall, but the region is cooled by frequent coastal breezes and a fog layer, with an average yearly temperature of 18º C.

The Norte Chico sees little rainfall, but when it occurs it causes a natural phenomena: the explosion of desert wildflowers.

Central Region

Artists in Santiago

• Santiago
• Andes
• Central Valley
• Central Coast & Beaches

The Andes Mountains (Cordillera) during its warmest months has an average temperature of 10º C; during the winter the Andes receive an average of 2 to 7 meters of snow depending on altitude. The Central Valley features a dry and temperate climate, best described as Mediterranean. Microclimates provide a diverse region for the production of produce, fruit and wine. The area has an average yearly temperature of 14º C, with dry summers and occasional rainfall during the winter.

The Central Coast enjoys a warm, pleasant climate but has a frequent cloud cover during the spring, and an average temperature of 14ºC and 462 mm. yearly rainfall.

Lake District

• Araucan : lakes, volcanoes, forest and rainforest
• Chilo
  

This region features a marine west coast climate, with more evenly distributed rainfall throughout the year, and wet winters. Travelers here during periods other than the summer months should bring waterproof gear. The summer months December through March see frequent sunny days, with an average summer temperature of 18º to 22ºC.

Patagonia

• The Austral Road (Carretera Austral), fjords and glaciers
• Magallanes region and Torres del Paine
• Tierra del Fuego

Located in northern Patagonia, the Austral Road region has no dry season and a rainy climate with an average yearly temperature of 9º C, and rainfall of 2,030 mm throughout the year. Patagonia has cold winters and capricious weather the rest of the year that can vary almost daily. During the summer and the end of spring and beginning of autumn, very strong winds can occur without any notice. The average yearly temperature is 7º C.

Antartica

Ice Sculpture

This frozen region is only visited during the summer months from November to February due to fierce weather, freezing temperatures, and excessive wind. The temperature of the warmest month of the year is less than 0ºC.

Pacific Islands

• Easter Island
• The Juan Fernández Islands (Robinson Crusoe Island)

Easter Island features a subtropical climate, with average temperatures of 21º C and yearly rainfall reaching 1,100 mm. Prevailing winds mean visitors should bring a light jacket. Robinson Crusoe Island features a warm, temperate climate from November to March, and rain in winter.