pitter

My husband and I have three weeks available for travel next summer. We would like to go to Easter Island, Atacama Desert, Santiago, and Valparaiso. We read that the temperature will be cool on Easter Island, but good weather for hiking. However, it seems that most travelers go there during our (North America) winter months. We are not beach folks, so we don't need hot weather. Does anyone have any advice or suggestions?

Thanks. Pitter

Huentetu

The good side is that flights to EI will be cheaper at that time of year. EI is worth seeing at any time. As they say, there is no bad weather - only inappropriate clothes. The shortest amount of time you need to see the island is 3 complete days, although many people stay longer. It is a good idea to build in an extra day in case of one day with long periods of rain. Usually the rain does not last all day.
Santiago and Valparaíso will be in the middle of winter, but Santiago has ski slopes an hour or so away. Even if you don't ski you get to see the winter Andes covered in snow. San Pedro de Atacama is always warm during the day and always cool to cold at night.

Jeff_Costa_Rica

Chile will be chilly.

Someone had to say that.

Huentetu

Glad it was you not me, Jeff!

pitter

Thanks. That is helpful. So, Chile will by Chily in July. How chilly? Also, will Santiago, Valparaiso, and Atacama be dreary in the winter like upstate New York?

pitter

one last thing.... I checked flights to Easter Island for next July and they are currently $800. Will they be cheaper that that if I wait? When would be the best time to book a flight to EI?

Thanks again.

Huentetu

This past winter was late coming and not too bad. We always get a lot of sunny days in winter, but no one can guarantee you won't get a run of dreary days. Day temps are usually around 12C average, with night temps dropping to single digits C. It is the coldest month. Skiing slopes are and hour and a bit away.
Valparaíso is often dreary at that time of year as it gets foggy.
San Pedro de Atacama gets sunny warm days in July and is always cool to cold at night all year.
Easter Island will have warm temps but rain a fair amount. US$800 is a good fare to EI. It might drop by a bit, but in general the longer you wait the higher the fares go.
The fee to the Easter Island national park (most of the island) will be raised in January to US$60 per person for foreign visitors. For the past 15 years it has been about US$10.