January · Chile
Best time to visit Calama in January Weather, crowds & prices
Weather in Calama in January
Average temperature 18°C, 1 mm of rain, about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 36% humidity — based on the five most recent complete years of ERA5 data (2021–2025).
January score
9.9/10
Ranked #1 of 12 months
- Avg temp
- 18°C
- Rainfall
- 1 mm
- Humidity
- 36%
- Days with 6h+ sun
- 31
- Crowd Density
- Peak Tourist Rush
- Average Expenses
- $$$ · Peak Season Rates ($$$)
January in Calama scores 9.9/10 for sightseeing and cultural travel - the single best month of the year. Expect around 18°C, 1 mm of rain, and roughly 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine this month.
Calama is the dry Atacama logistics town-airport gateway to San Pedro and Chuquicamata’s copper hinterland. Best window: cooler months from late autumn through early spring.
January in Calama — the year's strongest window
January averages 18°C (64°F), the range most people find easiest for walking a city all day without either overheating or losing daylight to weather.
Rain is a non-issue at 1 mm for the month, with about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine and 13.2 hours of daylight to work with.
On our climate-comfort scale this is the top-ranked month of the year for Calama at 9.9/10 — the reference point every other month on this page is measured against.
Pack layers you can shed by midday plus one warm layer for the evening.
Plan for peak pricing, with this is one of the busiest months here. You are paying the year's highest rates for the year's best conditions — book early or shift a few weeks either side.
Frequently asked
- What is the weather like in Calama in January?
- In January, Calama averages 18°C, 1 mm of rain, and about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine. Its climate-comfort score is 9.9/10.
- Is January a good time to visit Calama?
- January earns a 9.9/10 climate-comfort score. Use the year-round chart to weigh the weather against your budget and crowd preferences.
- How much does it rain in Calama in January?
- Expect about 1 mm of rain in January. Average humidity is 36% and there are about 31 days with 6+ hours of sunshine.
Curated in Calama
Tickets & experiences
Things to do in Calama
Calama, Chile. Live activities and tours from GetYourGuide, matched to this destination.