How is New Year’s Eve celebrated in Chile?
December 31 is usually celebrated at the home of family or friends, with dinner, music, and traditions that repeat year after year:
- A New Year’s Eve dinner with meats, fresh salads, and plenty of seasonal fruit.
- A midnight toast with sparkling wine or Chilean wine to welcome the new year.
- The classic spoonful of lentils, which many people eat right after midnight to attract abundance.
- The “suitcase tradition,” holding a suitcase in your hand for those who dream of traveling more in the coming year.
- Yellow underwear, hugs, wishes, and promises for the new year.
Classic destinations to ring out the year
During New Year’s week, Chileans and visitors spread out across several settings:
- Central coast (Valparaíso, Viña del Mar, Reñaca): known for fireworks shows and a festive atmosphere.
- Northern and southern beaches: ideal for those looking for sun, sea, and rest.
- Southern Chile (lakes and volcanoes region): perfect for those who prefer green nature, rivers, and mountains.
- San Pedro de Atacama: to start the year in the driest desert in the world.
Spending New Year’s week in San Pedro de Atacama means trading fireworks for star-filled skies and the noise of the city for the silence of the desert.
In just a few days in San Pedro de Atacama, you can:
- Visit high-altitude lagoons surrounded by volcanoes and otherworldly landscapes.
- Explore the Valley of the Moon and watch the sunset paint the desert in orange, pink, and violet.
- Walk among geysers, salt flats, vicuñas, and flamingos, discovering the most extreme side of northern Chile.
- End the year—or begin the new one—on an astronomy tour, gazing at the Milky Way under one of the clearest skies on the planet.
Why is New Year’s week ideal for traveling?
The last week of December and the first week of January are perfect for a getaway because:
- Many people are already on vacation or take time off, allowing trips of 4 to 7 days without disrupting schedules too much.
- The weather is on your side: full summer, ideal for outdoor activities, hikes, and excursions.
- It’s a symbolic time to close chapters and start the year with fresh energy, in a place that truly makes a difference.
Give experiences this New Year
At Caminandes, we believe the best memories of the year aren’t always wrapped in gift paper, but in shared moments:
- A tour to the high-altitude lagoons or the Valley of the Moon.
- A full day among salt flats, viewpoints, and highland villages.
- A couple’s getaway, a family trip, or a trip with friends to start the year in the middle of the desert.
New Year’s week in Chile is summer, family, and celebrations—but it can also be travel, clear skies, and new stories to write.
If you want to say goodbye to the old year and welcome the new one somewhere different, we’ll be happy to help you plan your next adventure in San Pedro de Atacama.