CreditO; Wikimedia

Cruise and overnight visitors to Punta Arenas in Chile will find that the best times to go are during the months of October through March.

Punta Arenas is one of several common cruise ports along the lengthy strip of land that makes up the South American country of Chile.

The country extends 2,653 miles from the northwest coast of South America to Cape Horn by the Strait of Magellan at the southern tip.

Punta Arenas lies near the southern tip at Cape Horn. As a result, temperatures are cooler than most destinations in South America including northern Chile ports such as Puerto Montt.

Cruise lines usually visit destinations such as Punta Arenas during the southern hemisphere summers because of the warmer temperatures and lesser rain during that time of year.

Summer During Winter

Because South America is located below the equator, summers take place during the months that the north experiences as winter.

But a summer in Punta Arenas is not like a summer in Florida.

Average high temperatures in Punta Arenas hover in the mid-50s Fahrenheit or high teens Celsius during the months of October through March, according to historical data from the Meteorological Directorate of Chile.

Nighttime temperatures fall to the low 40s Fahrenheit or single digits Celsius.

In the depths of winter during June and July, the average highs reach the upper 30s Fahrenheit.

Few if any cruise ships visit Punta Arenas outside of the summer months because of the low temperatures.

Rainfall Not a Factor

Rainfall is not a factor in deciding on the best times to cruise to Punta Arenas.

The city averages about one to one and a half inches of rain each month. December, February and March average about one inch apiece.

During most months, it rains on average about 10 to 15 days, which means the average rainfall is light.