Atacama Weather in December

Average temperatures, rainfall, sunshine and the best places to visit in Atacama, Chile in December.

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Copiapó Chañaral Caldera Bahia Inglesa

Considering a trip to Atacama, Chile this December and wondering about the expected weather conditions? Find all the crucial information you need right here, addressing your question:

What to Expect in Atacama in December

Atacama, Chile is a region in Chile. December in Atacama generally has temperatures that range from pleasant to warm, with almost no precipitation.

Temperatures

The average maximum daytime temperatures vary from pleasant in Bahia Inglesa at 21°C (70°F) to warm in Copiapó at 27°C (81°F). Nighttime temperatures generally drop to 15°C (59°F) in Copiapó and 15°C (59°F) in Bahia Inglesa.

To explore the conditions in Atacama, Chile in more detail, check the map below.

Precipitation

In December, precipitation varies across different areas. From almost no rainfall in Piedra Colgada with an average of 0.4 mm (0.02 in) to almost no rainfall in Chañaral with 4.9 mm (0.2 in).

Average sunshine

Several destinations enjoy plenty of sunshine this month. Copiapó sees close to 292 hours of sunlight, making it great for sun lovers.

Explore Atacama by month

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec

Best Places to Visit in Atacama in December

Click on a destination dot for more details. Toggle the map to compare temperatures or precipitation across Atacama.

Conditions Temperatures Precipitation
perfect weather
pleasant
tolerable
unpleasant
poor

Perfect weather is subjective. On this map perfect weather has been defined with temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 29°C (84°F) and not too much precipitation (less than 90 mm (3.5 in) a month).

Popular Destinations in Atacama

What is the weather like in December for some of the most popular destinations in Atacama, Chile?

Temperature range in Atacama (December)

Precipitation variation in Atacama (December)

Copiapó

In December Copiapó generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 27°C (81°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and almost no monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
25°C (77°F)
27°C (81°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
14°C (57°F)
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
Monthly sun hours
277 hours
292 hours
295 hours
Monthly rainfall
0.2 mm (0.01 in)
0.5 mm (0.02 in)
0.1 mm (0 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
4 days
Weather conditions
perfect
perfect
perfect
Climate in Copiapó →

Chañaral

In December Chañaral generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 22°C (72°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and almost no monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
20°C (68°F)
22°C (72°F)
23°C (73°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
Monthly rainfall
6.1 mm (0.2 in)
4.9 mm (0.2 in)
3.9 mm (0.2 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
2 days
3 days
Weather conditions
perfect
perfect
perfect
Climate in Chañaral →

Caldera

In December Caldera generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and almost no monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
19°C (66°F)
21°C (70°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
Monthly sun hours
277 hours
292 hours
295 hours
Monthly rainfall
1.8 mm (0.1 in)
1.7 mm (0.1 in)
1.5 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
0 days
a single day
2 days
Weather conditions
perfect
perfect
perfect
Climate in Caldera →

Bahia Inglesa

In December Bahia Inglesa generally has pleasant temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 21°C (70°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 15°C (59°F) and almost no monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
19°C (66°F)
21°C (70°F)
22°C (72°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
15°C (59°F)
16°C (61°F)
Monthly sun hours
277 hours
292 hours
295 hours
Monthly rainfall
1.7 mm (0.1 in)
1.6 mm (0.1 in)
1.4 mm (0.1 in)
Monthly rainy days
0 days
a single day
2 days
Weather conditions
perfect
perfect
perfect
Climate in Bahia Inglesa →

Vallenar

In December Vallenar generally has high temperatures with maximum daytime temperatures around 26°C (79°F), minimum nighttime temperatures around 14°C (57°F) and almost no monthly rainfall. So on average the conditions are perfect that month.

« November
December
January »
November
December
January
Max temperature
25°C (77°F)
26°C (79°F)
28°C (82°F)
Min temperature
13°C (55°F)
14°C (57°F)
16°C (61°F)
Monthly rainfall
0.3 mm (0.01 in)
0.6 mm (0.02 in)
0.3 mm (0.01 in)
Monthly rainy days
a single day
a single day
3 days
Weather conditions
perfect
perfect
perfect
Climate in Vallenar →

Is your destination not in the list? Have a look at all destinations in Atacama, in Chile.

Popular cities in December

Day & night temperatures, rainfall and average weather in Atacama in December.

City Weather Day temp Night temp Rainfall
Copiapó 27°C (81°F) 15°C (59°F) 0.5 mm (0.02 in)
Chañaral 22°C (72°F) 15°C (59°F) 4.9 mm (0.2 in)
Caldera 21°C (70°F) 15°C (59°F) 1.7 mm (0.1 in)
Bahia Inglesa 21°C (70°F) 15°C (59°F) 1.6 mm (0.1 in)
Vallenar 26°C (79°F) 14°C (57°F) 0.6 mm (0.02 in)
Piedra Colgada 26°C (79°F) 14°C (57°F) 0.4 mm (0.02 in)

Atacama weather in December: frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Atacama, Chile in December?

December in Atacama, Chile brings perfect weather. In Copiapó, daytime temperatures are typically around 27°C (81°F) and nighttime lows hover near 15°C (59°F).

What is the average temperature in Atacama, Chile in December?

Copiapó averages a daytime maximum of 27°C (81°F) in December, with overnight lows close to 15°C (59°F).

Does Atacama, Chile get a lot of rain in December?

Rain is generally moderate to light in Atacama, Chile during December, with Copiapó averaging close to 0.5 mm (0.02 in).

Is December a Good Time to Visit Atacama, Chile?

Given the typically perfect weather conditions in Copiapó, December might be a good time to visit Atacama, Chile.

Generally speaking, provide perfect weather in Copiapó.

Interested in more climate information?

We have much more information about the climate in Atacama.

Weather and climate has detailed information for every country in the world. Are you going to Chile? Get detailed historical weather averages for many cities in Chile.

Not sure yet where to go? We now have a tool which recommends destinations that suit your ideal travel conditions. Find out where to go with our weather planner.

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