Chile in March

March weather, activities, events & insider tips

March Weather in Chile

28°C (82°F) High Temp

11°C (51°F) Low Temp

0 mm (0 inches) Rainfall

70% Humidity

Is March Right for You?

Advantages

Harvest season means exceptional wine experiences with fresh grape juice (chicha) available only March-April, perfect weather 22-28°C (72-82°F) for vineyard visits
Peak hiking season in travel to Patagonia with stable weather, minimal rainfall, and lupines blooming across Torres del Paine - trails fully accessible without winter closures
Shoulder season pricing saves 30-40% on accommodations in the city and experience Valparaíso while maintaining excellent weather for city exploration
Festival season peaks with Vendimia (harvest festivals) throughout wine regions and the city's Festival de Jazz reaching full swing in ideal outdoor concert weather

Considerations

Patagonian winds intensify in late March, reaching 80+ km/h (50+ mph), making some outdoor activities uncomfortable despite good weather
Popular trekking routes like the W Circuit start getting crowded as shoulder season transitions to peak season - book refugios 60+ days ahead
Large temperature swings require layering - morning temperatures 11°C (51°F) can reach 28°C (82°F) by afternoon, making packing challenging

Best Activities in March

Wine Harvest Festival Tours

March is peak harvest season across Maipo, the city, and Colchagua valleys. Temperatures 22-26°C (72-79°F) are perfect for walking vineyards, and you'll witness actual grape picking, crushing ceremonies, and taste fresh chicha (grape juice) available only during harvest. The lack of rainfall (0mm expected) means perfect conditions for outdoor tastings.

Booking Tip: Book wine tour packages 15-20 days ahead as harvest festivals fill quickly. Expect to pay CLP 45,000-75,000 for full-day experiences including transport from the city. Look for tours that include harvest participation, not just tastings. Reference booking widget for current harvest tour options.

Patagonia Base Trekking

March offers travel to Patagonia's most stable weather window before winter sets in. Torres del Paine experiences minimal rainfall and temperatures 8-18°C (46-64°F) - perfect for the W Circuit and day hikes. Lupines bloom across the steppes, creating purple carpets against granite towers. Winds are manageable early March but intensify late month.

Booking Tip: Book refugio beds and campsites 60-90 days ahead for popular routes. Full W Circuit packages typically cost CLP 180,000-280,000 including accommodation and some meals. Choose early March dates for calmer winds. See current trekking packages in booking section below.

Atacama Desert Night Sky Tours

March in Atacama offers crystal-clear skies with minimal cloud cover and comfortable evening temperatures 10-15°C (50-59°F). Autumn positioning provides excellent views of southern hemisphere constellations. The 0mm rainfall and low humidity create perfect astronomical conditions, with some of the world's darkest skies.

Booking Tip: Stargazing tours cost CLP 25,000-45,000 per person. Book 7-10 days ahead as clear March nights fill quickly. Choose tours departing after 8:30pm for optimal darkness. Many operators provide warm clothing for temperature drops. Check current astronomy tours in booking widget below.

Central Valley Thermal Springs

March's cool evenings 11°C (51°F) and warm days make thermal springs particularly appealing. Termas de Chillán, Puyehue, and Geometric hot springs operate in ideal conditions - comfortable soaking temperatures against crisp mountain air. Recent rains have filled natural pools while March typically stays dry.

Booking Tip: Day passes range CLP 15,000-35,000 depending on facility level. Book weekend visits 10-14 days ahead. Weekday visits offer better availability and 20-30% lower prices. Many include spa treatments and mountain lodge access. See current thermal springs packages in booking section.

Valparaíso Street Art Walking Routes

March's comfortable temperatures 18-24°C (64-75°F) and minimal rainfall make this perfect for exploring experience Valparaíso's hillside murals. The city's outdoor art scene peaks with good weather bringing artists outdoors. Historic funiculars operate smoothly without winter weather disruptions, and the Pacific coast provides cooling breezes.

Booking Tip: Self-guided routes are free, but guided street art tours cost CLP 12,000-20,000 per person. Book 3-5 days ahead for weekend tours. Choose morning tours 9-11am for best lighting and comfortable temperatures before afternoon heat. Current cultural tour options available in booking widget.

Lake District Volcano Hiking

March offers the year's best volcano hiking conditions in the city and Villarrica areas. Stable weather, minimal snow on lower slopes, and comfortable hiking temperatures 12-20°C (54-68°F) make ascents of Villarrica volcano accessible to intermediate hikers. Clear skies provide stunning Andes views typically obscured other months.

Booking Tip: Volcano ascent tours range CLP 55,000-85,000 including equipment. Book 14-21 days ahead as March is peak volcano season. Weather conditions change rapidly - choose operators offering flexible rescheduling. Most tours include crampons and cold weather gear. Check current volcano tours in booking section below.

March Events & Festivals

Mid March

Vendimia Harvest Festivals

Wine regions celebrate harvest season with traditional grape-stomping ceremonies, folk music, and fresh wine tastings. Each valley hosts its own festival with local artisans and regional foods. The festival atmosphere peaks mid-March when most grapes reach perfect ripeness.

Early to Mid March

Festival Internacional de Jazz de Santiago

the city's premier jazz festival brings international and local artists to outdoor venues across the city. March's perfect evening temperatures make concert-going ideal, with performances in parks and plazas taking advantage of stable weather.

Late March

Semana Valdivia

Valdivia's annual celebration includes river parades, traditional German-Chilean cultural events, and craft beer festivals. The event showcases the experience Lake District's unique cultural blend with outdoor activities perfectly suited to March's mild weather.

Essential Tips

What to Pack

Layering system essential - mornings start 11°C (51°F) then reach 28°C (82°F), pack merino wool base layers plus cotton t-shirts

SPF 50+ sunscreen mandatory - UV index hits 8 and Andean altitude intensifies exposure even on cloudy days

Waterproof hiking boots for travel to Patagonia - trails can be muddy from recent rains even when current weather is dry

Light down jacket for evening wine tours and thermal springs - temperature drops 15°C (27°F) after sunset

Quality sunglasses with UV protection - Atacama and Patagonian light reflection off salt flats and glaciers is intense

Merino wool socks 3-4 pairs minimum - essential for multi-day trekking and temperature regulation in variable conditions

Rain jacket despite low rainfall forecast - Patagonian weather changes rapidly and afternoon showers possible

Breathable hiking pants plus shorts - temperature swings require versatility for day-long outdoor activities

Wide-brimmed hat - essential protection during wine valley tours and desert excursions under intense UV

Insulated water bottle - stays cool during hot afternoon activities and prevents freezing during high-altitude excursions

Insider Knowledge

Chilean wineries offer their best harvest experiences to walk-in visitors mid-March - skip expensive tour packages and drive directly to family vineyards in Alto Maipo for authentic grape-picking participation

Book travel to Patagonia accommodations Tuesday-Thursday arrivals for 40% savings over weekend rates, plus better weather window before infamous Sunday-Monday wind patterns intensify

the city's metro extension to Pudahuel airport opens fully in 2025 - skip expensive taxi transfers and use Line 6 direct connection for CLP 830 vs CLP 15,000+ taxi fare

March lupine blooms in Torres del Paine peak around March 15-25 - time visits for this brief spectacular purple wildflower display that only lasts 10-14 days annually

Avoid These Mistakes

Underestimating temperature swings and packing only for warm daytime weather - nights drop to 11°C (51°F) even when days hit 28°C (82°F), leaving tourists shivering at outdoor dinners and evening activities

Booking travel to Patagonia trips for late March when winds intensify to 80+ km/h (50+ mph) - early March offers much better conditions for outdoor activities and hiking

Assuming harvest season means discounted wine tours - March is actually peak pricing for vineyard experiences due to harvest festival demand, with prices 30-50% higher than off-season