N
The Daily Insight

What is the average temperature of the Atacama Desert?

Author

Olivia Shea

Updated on February 27, 2026

Old, hot and dry In other deserts around the world, like the Sahara, the mercury can soar above 130 degrees Fahrenheit (50 degrees Celsius). But temperatures in the Atacama are comparatively mild throughout the year. The average temperature in the desert is about 63 degrees F (18 degrees C).

What is the temperature in Chile in November?

In November, in Santiago, Chile, the average high-temperature is 21.5°C (70.7°F), and the average low-temperature is 9.1°C (48.4°F).

How cold does the Atacama Desert?

0 to 30 degrees
Even though the Atacama is the driest place in the world that does not mean it is the hottest. The Atacama Desert is actually a really cold place with temperatures ranging from 0 to 30 degrees.

Does the Atacama Desert have seasons?

The most popular season for visiting the Atacama Desert are the summer months of December, January, and February. Fall and spring in the Atacama Desert are shoulder seasons accompanied by good temperatures and fewer tourists.

Is the Atacama Desert the hottest place on earth?

The Atacama Desert. Although the 40,441-square-mile (104,741-square-kilometer) Atacama Desert of Chile and Peru is a very hot desert with daytime temperatures hovering around 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) in the hot season, some places in the world get hotter.

Which desert is colder in winter?

Gobi Desert
The Gobi Desert in Central Asia is one of the coldest deserts in the world. In winter, temperatures can drop to -40ºF (-40ºC.) Many scientists consider Antarctica to be a type of cold desert because it gets very little rain or snow.

What season is it in November in Santiago Chile?

Spring
Santiago is good all year round but at its best in the summer when less busy. As a general rule however, the seasons run as follows: Summer (December to February), Autumn (March to May), Winter (June to August) and Spring (September to November).

What is the best time to go to Chile?

Travelling to Chile? Here’s the best time to go

  • Best outdoor adventure weather: November to February. Best crowd-free months: September, October, March, April.
  • Best months for stargazing: December to February. Most crowded month: January.
  • Best months for snow sports: June to August.

What season is November in Chile?

spring
There are four seasons in most of the country: summer (December to February), autumn (March to May), winter (June to August), and spring (September to November).