The southern summer (December to March) is by far the best time — long evenings, warm but rarely hot days (18–22°C), and the clearest views of the volcanoes. February is the most crowded month; Chilean families are on holiday and the buses south fill up.
Autumn (April–May) is reliable, with cool clear days and gold colours on the southern beech forests. Winter (June–August) is wet, dark, and cold but not snowy at sea level; days are short, ferries run a reduced schedule, and many lake-district lodges close. The wettest months are May and June. Bring a windproof jacket year-round — the Reloncaví wind is constant.