Quillagua

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Quillagua is an oasis in northern Chile, about 800 meters above sea level. It lies in the Tocopilla Province of the Antofagasta Region and is part of the María Elena commune. The Loa River runs nearby, and the Pan-American Highway crosses the area.

Quillagua is known as the driest place on Earth. Chile’s meteorological service says it is drier than Arica, and Guinness World Records also recognizes it as the planet’s driest spot.

Climate in Quillagua is extremely arid, with almost no rainfall most years. January is one of the warmer months, with average high temperatures near 27 C (about 81 F), while nights can be cooler. In winter, daytime highs are around 14–20 C (57–68 F) and nights can drop to about 9–12 C (48–54 F). Humidity is generally low, typically between about 24% and 47% depending on the month. The overall climate is hot and dry, with rainfall effectively negligible—only a tiny amount in January and almost zero in the other months.

For context, Quillagua is part of the Atacama Desert region. Nearby events of note include the 2007 Tocopilla earthquake.