La Serena: When to Go

La Serena absorbs hordes of Chilean holidaymakers in January and February; although this is peak season, it's not necessarily the best time to visit. It's fairly peaceful outside the summer rush - November and March are good months. Most of the best-known local festivals are in February, including the Artisan's Fair, Feria Internacional del Libro de La Serena (Writer's Fair) and the Festival de La Serena, a music and comedy event (gotta love those Chilean jokes).

Weather

South of the Atacama Desert, Norte Chico is a semi-arid transition zone to the central valley's Mediterranean-like climate. Though the region sees infrequent rain, especially in the northern reaches, its coastline is often cloaked with a moisture-rich ocean fog: camanchaca . La Serena is warmest between December and February (summer), but it never gets too hot and there's little temperature variation throughout the year.

Temperature (average ° C)

Rainfall (average mm)