Most travelers will fly into centrally-located Santiago, the country's capital and largest city. Because it is in the southern hemisphere, Chile's seasons are the exact opposite of those in North America and Europe. Chile's summer season is from November to February; winter is June to August.
Summer temperatures in Santiago top out around 82 degrees Fahrenheit (28 degrees Celsius). Nights can be a little chilly, with temperatures bottoming out around 50 degrees Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius). Very little rain falls in the summer. December is the wettest summer month with about 1/2 inch of precipitation. January and February see even less rain.
Winter, although not terribly cold, will force you to pack a jacket. June to August temperatures range from 35 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (2 to 12 degrees Celsius). Each winter sees about 3 inches of rain.
Santiago's elevation also may take some getting used to. The city is 1,555 feet (474m) above sea level.
Puerto Montt is a popular travel destination in the heart of Chile's Lake District.
Temperatures there are fairly consistent year round, with summers ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (10 to 20 degrees Celsius) and winters from 40 to 51 degrees Fahrenheit (5 to 11 degrees Celsius).
Rain is much more prevalent here than most other places in Chile. Summer months receive between 4 and 5 inches of rain; May, June and July see close to 10 inches of precipitation per month.
The elevation is only 43 feet (13m) above sea level.
If you plan on traveling south for skiing and other adventures, Punta Arenas is a perfect stomping ground. It is also a great place to arrange tours of the Straits of Magellan and Antarctica.
Despite its location, it doesn't get terribly cold (unless you venture into mountainous areas). Summer brings temperatures between 45 to 55 degrees Fahrenheit (7 to 15 degrees Celsius); winter between 32 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit (0 to 4 degrees Celsius). Monthly rain amounts range from 1 to 1 1/2 inches.
The actual city of Punta Arenas only has an elevation of 121ft (37m), but there are plenty of mountains around the area.
Arica is about as far north as you can get and still be in Chile. There isn't much in the actual town, but if you're traveling from Peru you will most likely make a stop here, and it will give you a good sense as to the temperature and climate conditions around the area.
Arica only sees about an inch of total rainfall throughout the year, so there is no need for rain gear. You will need to pack some shorts and loose fitting clothing however. During the summer months, temperatures range anywhere from 86 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit (30 to 35 degrees Celsius). The winter is extremely mild as the temp stays around 64 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (18 to 21 degrees Celsius)
An island located around 1000 miles west of Chile's mainland, East Island is home to some of the most fascinating sites in the world. The Moai heads have made the island one of the great tourist destinations (of course it's temperatures help too).
During the summer, Easter Island sees its temps sit in between 67 and 81 degrees Fahrenheit (19 to 27 degrees Celsius). The rest of the year is fairly consistent, with the winter bringing the local temperature around 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit (17 to 22 degrees Celsius). Rainfall, however, is something to be concerned with, and rain gear is strongly advised. Every month of the year sees on average 5 inches of rain, with April and May receiving around 8 inches.
