The Geography

• The Andes Mountains dominate Chile's inner territoryandes mountain image by Robert Ulph from Fotolia.com
  
  Chile has a coastline lined with low sloping mountains, the peaks of the Andes in the east near its border with Argentina, and a lush, green valley running north and south between the two. Because of this unique geography, it is ideal for both winter and summer activities.
  
  

The Seasons

• Summer and winter can coexist at altitudeLa cordillera de los andes image by Pedro from Fotolia.com
  
  The Southern Hemisphere has seasonal patterns that run opposite to the Northern Hemisphere. November to April are ideal for summer outdoor activities, with temperatures in the 70s and 80s during the day and in the 50-degree range at night. August is a popular month for snow skiing, according to Frommer's Travel Guides.
  
  

Seasonal Rates

• Check on exchange rates for the Chilean pesoun peso image by thierry planche from Fotolia.com
  
  Summer rates are higher than winter rates in coastal cities, while the opposite is true for ski areas. There was a favorable exchange rate for most Western currencies as of late summer 2010. The cost of flying to Chile is the most significant variable, pegged to peak seasons, which are mid-December to the end of February, mid-July and the week preceding Easter.