What's the weather like in Santiago in December
Temperature
December is almost the hottest month in Santiago, one degree less than the hottest month of January. The average monthly temperature is 20°C. During the daytime, average temperatures hit 25°C, climbing slowly as the month progresses. Nighttime temperatures begin to warm up a little bit, averaging 9°C.
Rainfall
December is one of the driest months in Santiago, with only trace amounts of less than 10mm during one rain event in the month. The chances of rain in Santiago in December are only 3%.
Sunshine Hours
Santiago gets a long average of ten hours of sunshine every day in December. The chances of a cloudy sky drop to 11% by the end of the month. On top of that, December 21st is the longest day of the year with 14 hours 23 minutes between sunrise and sunset.
Humidity
The average relative humidity in Santiago in December maintains a constant low of 58% until it starts to rise slightly again in January. The air will feel quite dry to most visitors.
Wind
The average wind speed in Santiago in December stays a steady 3.1 m/s throughout the month. Wind directions are evenly split between north and south with some southerly winds thrown into the mix.
Sea Temperature
The average water temperature of the Pacific Ocean near Santiago rises sharply in December, from 14°C to 16°C.
Dress Code
Santiago will be hot and dry during the day in December so dress comfortably. Light shirts, shorts, and skirts are good for the daytime. It's a different story at night. Not only does the temperature drop significantly when the sun goes down, but Chileans also dress up when they go out at night. So long pants and a nice dress with a jacket or sweater should also be in your pack. Be sure to check the Santiago 14-day forecast before you head out on your trip for a better picture of expected weather.
Santiago Hotels in December
Luciano K Hotel
The Luciano K Hotel is a classic-style boutique hotel near Plaza Baquendano and Parque Forestal. This four-star hotel in Lastarria was built in the early 1920s and maintains its historic charm while offering modern amenities. The hotel offers 38 cozy rooms with art deco-inspired design. All rooms feature plush bedding, Bluetooth sound systems, a minibar, and air conditioning. The hotel restaurant serves gourmet cuisine created especially for the hotel by the chef. There is also a rooftop terrace serving cocktails and tapas. Other accommodations include a sauna, outdoor pool, and business center. The hotel is across the street from the Baquedano metro station.
Kennedy Hotel
The Kennedy Hotel is a five-star accommodation in upscale Vitacura, located in a beautiful glass high-rise. All 123 rooms feature a minibar, workdesks, air conditioning, and premium plush linens. There are also ten suites at the Kennedy Hotel, which also add a separate living area, a whirlpool tub, and a balcony overlooking the Andes. Other hotel accommodations include an indoor pool, outdoor pool with terrace, sauna, and fitness center. Lunch and dinner is served in the Aquarium Restaurant, an award-winning restaurant serving fine international cuisine. The Kennedy Hotel is near the acclaimed Los Leones Golf Club and Parque Araucano.
Hotel Bonaparte
For a cozy boutique hotel in a quiet neighborhood, look into the Hotel Bonaparte. This affordable four-star hotel has a great location on a small street, yet within easy walking distance of the International Museum of Chile, a number of restaurants, and bus stops. The clean, contemporary rooms all feature modest accommodations with comfortable beds, a minibar, wooden floors, and rustic furniture. Other accommodations include a business center, laundry, room service, and a quaint outdoor pool with terrace. The on-site Restaurant Bonaparte serves delicious international cuisine throughout the day, available on the patio. The staff at Hotel Bonaparte are frequently praised in reviews.
Hotel Loreto
Travelers who don't need to be spoiled by five-star accommodations can check out the Hotel Loreto, a wonderful three-star option near Cerro San Cristobal and the Santiago Zoo. Hotel Loreto is situated in a historic old building with a central courtyard and rooftop terrace. The humble rooms feature comfortable beds, modern bathrooms with walk-in showers, and double doors that open onto small balconies. Hotel Loreto does not have a restaurant on-site, but they do offer all guests a continental breakfast. The hotel is also close to the amazing restaurants of the Bellavista neighborhood. The nearest metro station is within walking distance.
Beaches in Santiago in December
Playa las Salinas
Playa las Salinas is in Reñaca, about 20 minutes from Viña del Mar. This beach is beautiful and great for families. It's more protected than some of the other beaches in the area and as such the waters can be a little flatter and the winds calmer. This beach gets crowded during the summer but has a more family-oriented crowd. The beach itself has a café with cold drinks and snacks, and across the street there's a larger selection of restaurants and bars. If you drive here you'll have to pay for parking; there is a bus stop right in front of the beach and entry is free. There are umbrellas available for rent.
Bars and Restaurants
La Misión
La Misión is a trendy restaurant in the affluent Las Condes neighborhood serving contemporary South American cuisine with French accents. The amazing food menu is comprised of various appetizers, tapas, and entrees made up of fresh seafood, meats, vegetables, and pastas. The sommeliers work just as hard, if not harder, than the chefs. La Misión features over 250 labels of wine from around the world. Pairing menus, tastings, and cellar tours are available for the wine enthusiasts. La Misión is open Monday thru Wednesday from 12:30PM to midnight and Thursday thru Saturday from 12:30PM to 1AM. Reservations are accepted.
Bao Bar
This fun late-night tapas bar is located in Providencia on Manuel Montt Ave. Bao Bar has a critically acclaimed tapas menu featuring croquettes, Spanish tortillas, and bao burgers of pulled pork, wagyu beef, and squid. A full bar is available and serves a number of beers, Piscos, gin cocktails, and wine. Be sure to save room for their sweet desserts. Bao Bar offers enclosed outdoor patio seating and a warm indoor dining room. They are open Monday thru Wednesday from 6PM to 1AM, Thursday from 12:30PM to 1AM, and Friday & Saturday from 12:30PM to 2:30AM.
Bocanariz
Bocanariz is a must-visit restaurant, perfect if you just finished exploring nearby Cerro Santa Lucia or the Museum of Fine Arts. This trendy wine bar has a very relaxed dining room where they serve delicious plates of grilled fish, oysters, steaks, and lamb. Their expert staff will help you pick the appropriate wine pairing to go with your meal. There is also a separate tasting room where you can sample the large selections of wine in their cellar. Bocanariz offers themed sommelier workshops for those who want to refine their wine education even further. Bocanariz is open Monday thru Wednesday from noon until midnight, Thursday thru Saturday from noon until 12:30AM, and on Sunday from 7PM to 11PM.
Foccacia
Take a break from the heat with a delicious pizza and cold beer at Foccacia. This relaxed, casual restaurant is in Providencia and near the Manuel Montt metro station. Foccacia has a warm staff and will make you feel at home in this small establishment. Their pizzas are served in the traditional thin crust style and available with a number of different flavorful toppings, including chorizo, grilled eggplant, and goat cheese. Their beer menu has a great selection of Chilean and German beer. Outdoor patio seating is also available.
Things to do in Santiago in December
Santiago Planetarium
The Planetario is an impressive planetarium near Central Station and Parque Quinta Normal and is operated by the University of Santiago. It provides an educational experience for both children and adults alike. Exhibits include 3D films taking you through a tour of the galaxy, films about robots, physics, and even dinosaurs. The large central dome projects 360 degrees around the viewers. There are also a number of interactive displays and guided tours around the planetarium's exhibits. Planetario is open Tuesday thru Friday from 2PM to 7PM and Saturday & Sunday from 2PM to 6PM.
Cerro San Cristobal
Santiago is dominated by the massive 300m Cerro San Cristobal, a large hill and park in the northern part of the city. This park is equally popular among tourists and locals. The Chilean National Zoo is on the south side of the park and close to many trendy restaurants. A 45-minute walk will take you to the top of the hill where you'll find the large statue of the Virgin Mary that looks over Santiago. The statue is surrounded by a plaza used for religious services and other events, and is where Pope John Paul II said mass in 1989. Alternatively to walking, you can take the historic funicular. When the temperatures heat up you can dip in the two beautiful Tepahue pools at Cerro San Cristobal.
Plaza De Armas
The social center of Santiago is Plaza de Armas, the historic 16th century city center. Plaza de Armas is home to the beautiful Metropolitan Cathedral, the most impressive cathedral in the New World. Next to that is the National History Museum. This incredibly interesting museum is located in the former Royal Palace and contains a large collection of artifacts from all periods of Chile's history. The other buildings surrounding the plaza contain a number of great shops, trendy cafes, and delicious restaurants. It gets quite busy on the weekends, so you may want to consider visiting mid-week.
La Moneda Presidential Palace
Just a few blocks south of Plaza de Armas you'll find the stately Palacio de La Moneda, a gorgeous building that serves as the seat of the Chilean government. This historic building is open for tours; they must be arranged at least seven days in advance and you can't go without a guide. They've even preserved bullet holes from the 1973 military coup. If you can't get signed up for a tour, you can still visit the grounds and watch the Changing of the Guard. This elaborate ceremony takes place every other morning and is rooted in military tradition. Colorful horses, loud brass bands, and a number of soldiers participate in this impressive display. It's a popular attraction among both tourists and locals.
