The camanchaca and the climate of northern Chile

Northern Chile includes the Atacama Desert, the driest in the world, where it may not rain for years. But the coast has its own phenomenon: the camanchaca.

What the camanchaca is

The camanchaca is a dense fog that rolls in from the sea and blankets the coast and hills of the north (Iquique, Antofagasta). It brings moisture to an extremely dry environment and forms a grey sky similar to Lima's garúa.

Sun and radiation

Away from the coastal fog, the north has very clear skies and extreme UV radiation. Use sun protection all year and check the UV index before going out.