What's the weather like in Santiago in January
Temperature
January is the hottest month in Santiago and may feel uncomfortable to some people who are not used to the heat. The average monthly temperature in Santiago in January is 21°C. Daytime averages hit 30°C and this is consistent throughout the entire month. Nights drop down to an average of 11°C.
Rainfall
In addition to being the hottest, January is also the driest month in Santiago. Rainfall totals average just a trace, usually less than 10mm during one shower in the entire month. The chance of rain is less than 4% in January.
Sunshine Hours
Santiago has a sunny January. On average there are 11 hours of sunshine every day throughout the month. The length of the day is between 14 hours 19 minutes at the beginning of January and 13 hours 43 minutes at the end of the month. There's only a 10% chance of mostly cloudy or overcast skies.
Humidity
Santiago is very dry in January with an average relative humidity of 59%, slowly climbing as the month progresses. Most people will find this a very dry heat.
Wind
Winds in Santiago in January average a light 3.1 m/s. It will help you cool off just a little bit. Average wind directions are evenly split between easterly and westerly directions with periods of southerly winds.
Sea Temperature
The average temperature of the nearby Pacific Ocean on the western coast of Chile is a consistent 16°C throughout the month of January.
Dress Code
Chileans run the range of dress attire, but the most important thing for you to remember is to be comfortable, especially in the heat. Shorts and sandals are perfectly acceptable for daytime explorations. During the evenings you may want to consider long pants or a dress if you're going out. It also cools down considerably after the sun goes down, so bring a light sweater or jacket. Don't forget the appropriate hat, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Check the Santiago 14-day forecast for the most up-to-date information before leaving home.
Santiago Hotels in January
Hotel Santiago
Enjoy five-star accommodations in the center of Santiago at the luxurious Hotel Santiago. The spacious, modern rooms provide wonderful views of the city and surrounding mountains. The standard rooms are more than you could ask for, but there are also suites with kitchenettes and jacuzzis. The exterior of Hotel Santiago is beautiful as well, surrounded by lush gardens. Enjoy the waterfall that flows into the immaculate pool. Hotel Santiago provides a superior breakfast buffet and three other dining options. There is one Thai restaurant, a Japanese restaurant, and the Mediterranean Senso restaurant. Hotel Sanitago is within walking distance of countless restaurants, shops, and one large shopping mall.
Atton Vitacura
The Atton Vitacura is a four-star stylish high-rise in the swanky Vitacura district of Santiago. The 295 clean rooms are all outfitted with modern accommodations including relaxing beds, flatscreen TVs, Wi-Fi, and spacious bathrooms. Cool off in their outdoor pool or enjoy a cocktail on the surrounding patio. An excellent breakfast buffet is included for all guests and there is also a delicious Italian restaurant on-site. Guests also have access to a very reasonable fitness center. Atton Vitacura is within walking distance to the nearest bus stop and a number of other restaurants.
Director Hotel Vitacura
The Director Hotel is another four-star hotel in the upscale Vitacura district. The Director Hotel features laid-back, simple rooms with large bathrooms, comfortable beds, electronic safes, and Wi-Fi. Suites are also available with separate living areas. Guests will enjoy other accommodations like an outdoor pool, fitness center, sauna, and meeting rooms. The Director Hotel also has one casual restaurant serving international fare in a relaxed dining room, including an outdoor patio option. Free parking is provided for hotel guests; the nearest bus stop is only a few minutes away and the metro station is 2km from the hotel.
InterContinental Santiago
The InterContinental Santiago is a five-star towering hotel in the Metropolitan region of Santiago. The recently renovated rooms all feature comfortable beds, a minibar, and great views of the Santiago skyline. Guests can upgrade to suites, which feature separate dining rooms, living rooms, and hot tubs. The InterContinental has a cozy little bar serving Chile's national Pisco Sour drinks, and a rustic steakhouse with tender meats. A variety of other restaurants, bars, and shopping opportunities are within a few blocks of the InterContinental. The InterContinental features multiple meeting rooms, a swimming pool, fitness center, and day spa.
Beaches in Santiago in January
Playa Reñaca
Santiago can get hot in the summer, and you're not far from the relaxing waters of the Pacific Ocean. Playa Reñaca is a relaxed beach in the attractive city of Viña Del Mar. This beach is just over 90 minutes from Santiago. You'll find many different things to do here. Lazy beach goers will appreciate just lying on the beach and tanning, while the more adventurous can explore the nearby rocks full of sea lions and other wildlife. The promenade along the beach is full of bars, restaurants, and souvenir shops. The waters can be dangerous in big surf, but otherwise dipping in the ocean to cool off will be just fine.
Bars and Restaurants
Openbox, Patio Bellavista
One of Santiago's more casual eateries is Openbox Patio Bellavista near Cerro San Cristobal. This moderately-priced café serves almost anything you could be in the mood for, from pasta to pizza to burgers to sushi. And they do it well. Openbox features a modern, cozy dining room and also offers street side patio seating. Enjoy a cold cocktail and a juicy burger while watching city life go on around you. Openbox has some great daily specials, such as 15% off sushi on Mondays, 15% of ceviche on Tuesdays, and 15% off burgers on Thursdays. Do you like to sing? Openbox can also satisfy your karaoke cravings.
La Cuisine
La Cuisine is a wonderful family restaurant located right off the Manuel Montt metro station. La Cuisine serves traditional French food in a casual, cozy atmosphere that's also great for children. Chilean ingredients are used to create French dishes such as Escargots a la Bourguignonne, prawns, Boeuf Bourguignon, and duck confit. The chef also has a rotating daily menu for all courses. La Cuisine features a rather expansive dessert menu as well. La Cuisine is open during the week for lunch from 1PM until 4PM and then for dinner from 7PM until 11PM. On Saturday brunch starts at 11AM; they are closed on Sunday.
KrossBar Bellavista
One of the best gastropubs in Santiago is the affordable KrossBar Bellavista. Kross is a Chilean brewery with locations all over Chile, and the Bellavista location of KrossBar is known for their wonderful staff, great location, and excellent food. Some of the food items you'll find on the menu include pork loin marinated in avocado beer sauce, beer sausage, bacon & goat cheese sandwiches, ceviche, and shrimp pasta. KrossBar Bellavista is located near Cerro San Cristobal and is open Monday thru Saturday from 12:30PM until 1AM (2AM Thursday thru Saturday). They are also happy to provide tours of their brewery.
Taberna Satira
The popular Taberna Satira Pub & Restaurant is located outside of Vitacura, near Chilenidad Park, but is worth the trek. The atmosphere is of rustic wood décor and very warm & cozy, even on a hot summer day. Food is reasonably priced and includes pizzas, pastas, ceviche, and other seafood dishes. The drink menu has a great beer selection, wines, and includes a full bar. This pub is popular with locals and has live music on Tuesdays. Taberna Satira is open Monday thru Saturday from 12:30PM until 3AM.
Things to do in Santiago in January
Cerro Santa Lucia Park
Cerro Santa Lucia is a beautiful small hill in Metropolitan Santiago. It almost looks completely out of place, rising out of the tall buildings that immediately surround it. The park, which is a remnant of an old volcano, makes for a lovely evening stroll. Visitors can walk to the top of the hill, which is often a venue for live music and other shows in the summer. Further up on the hill you'll find an early 19th century Spanish fortress known as Hidalgo Castle. This beautiful building is now open to the public and hosts many different events. You'll find many other gems throughout the park, including fountains, monuments to explorers, viewpoints, and beautifully-manicured gardens.
Plaza De Armas
One of the most popular squares in Santiago is the sprawling Plaza De Armas in central Santiago. This is where Santiago began its expansion in the mid-16th century. One of the most recognizable facades in the plaza is the Metropolitan Cathedral of Santiago, open to tourists. You can also take some time to stroll through the National History Museum, situated in the former Royal Palace. Here you'll find a number of interesting artifacts spanning all of Chile's history. The buildings surrounding the square are full of casual cafes, great restaurants, and quaint little shops. This plaza is very busy in the evenings and on weekends, so the best time to go is during the day Monday thru Friday.
Cerro San Cristobal
Cerro San Cristobal is best known for two main attractions the large statue of the Virgin Mary, and the funicular used by Pope John Paul II for a service he gave at the statue. This hill rises 300m above the rest of Santiago and offers amazing panoramic views of the city and the Andes beyond. The amphitheater around the Virgin Mary statue is often used for religious services and entertainment. The large Chilean National Zoo is also halfway up Cerro San Cristobal. Walking to the top of Cerro San Cristobal will take approximately 45 minutes; you can also drive or take the funicular. Bring a bathing suit to cool down in either of the two immaculate pools at Tupahue.
Barrio Nueva Las Condes
The Las Condes neighborhood is one of the most affluent neighborhoods in Santiago. This sprawling urban area is dotted with beautiful parks, fountains, and golf courses. It is also where you will find some of the best restaurants and hotels in all of Santiago. One of the biggest attractions is on the east side of Las Condes, the giant Parque Cordillera San Carlos de Apoquindo. This massive natural area is comprised of a network of different parks comprised of rivers, waterfalls, cliffs, wildlife, and cultural heritage. There are over 110km of hiking trails throughout the parks and guides are available throughout the summer to lead treks discovering the various flora and fauna in this beautiful area.
