Chile
Chile in May
Where it is warm, dry and good for swimming in Chile in May — compared across the country’s main destinations.
Quick answers
- Where is it warmest in Chile in May?
- Iquique is the warmest of the 16 destinations compared, with highs of 22°C (72°F) in May; Punta Arenas is the coolest at 7°C (44°F).
- Can you swim in the sea in Chile in May?
- Hardly: even the warmest water, at Arica (20°C (67°F)), stays below 21 °C.
Warmest
22°
Iquique
Coolest
7°
Punta Arenas
Driest
0 mm
Iquique
Warmest sea
20°
Arica
Iquique is the warm end of Chile in May (22°C (72°F)); Punta Arenas the cool end (7°C (44°F)). On average it is 3 °C (5 °F) cooler than April. Some destinations see regular rain. Best bets this month: Iquique, Antofagasta, and San Pedro de Atacama.
Best places in Chile in May
98 
Iquique
Tarapacá · Chile
22° / 15° 0 mm May
94
Antofagasta
Antofagasta · Chile
21° / 14° 0 mm May
92
San Pedro de Atacama
Antofagasta · Chile
21° / 3° 0 mm May
94
Arica
Arica y Parinacota Region · Chile
21° / 15° 0 mm May
92
Calama
Antofagasta · Chile
20° / 3° 0 mm May
94
Hanga Roa
Valparaiso · Chile
23° / 19° 140 mm May
96
Pozo Almonte
Tarapacá · Chile
21° / 9° 0 mm May
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75
Santiago
Santiago Metropolitan · Chile
18° / 6° 69 mm May
Weather in May by city
| Place | Day | Night | Rain | Sea | Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Iquique | 22° | 15° | 0 mm | 19° | 98 |
| Antofagasta | 21° | 14° | 0 mm | 17° | 94 |
| Arica | 21° | 15° | 0 mm | 20° | 94 |
| San Pedro de Atacama | 21° | 3° | 0 mm | — | 92 |
| Calama | 20° | 3° | 0 mm | — | 92 |
| Rancagua | 20° | 9° | 113 mm | — | 81 |
| La Serena | 18° | 10° | 10 mm | 15° | 79 |
| Viña del Mar | 19° | 10° | 58 mm | — | 77 |
| Santiago | 18° | 6° | 69 mm | — | 75 |
| Valparaíso | 18° | 10° | 60 mm | — | 73 |
| Talca | 16° | 6° | 155 mm | — | 63 |
| Concepción | 15° | 7° | 193 mm | 13° | 59 |
| Valdivia | 13° | 6° | 322 mm | — | 45 |
| Port Montt | 13° | 5° | 239 mm | — | 40 |
| Puerto Natales | 7° | -1° | 32 mm | — | 24 |
| Punta Arenas | 7° | 1° | 52 mm | 7° | 19 |
Frequently asked questions
What is the weather like in Chile in May?
Average daytime highs range from 7° in Punta Arenas to 22° in Iquique.
Can you swim in Chile in May?
The sea is cool: the warmest water is around Arica at about 20°.