Last updated: July 2, 2025
Understanding the UV Index in Santiago, Peru is crucial for maintaining your skin health and preventing sunburn, especially in this region known for its BWk climate. With UV levels peaking at 10 around noon, awareness of daily fluctuations is vital to protect yourself from the sun's harmful rays. The high altitude and clear skies can intensify UV exposure, making it essential to adapt your sun safety measures accordingly. Whether you're enjoying outdoor activities or simply soaking up the sun, staying informed about UV levels will help you enjoy Santiago safely and safely.
The UV Index starts off low in the early morning hours, with a maximum of 1 at 7:00 AM. As the day progresses, the sun's intensity increases, peaking sharply at 12:00 PM and 1:00 PM with a staggering 10. From this zenith, the UV levels gradually decline, dropping to 7 by 2:00 PM and subsequently falling to 0 by 7:00 PM. The sun's journey clearly highlights the need for sun protection during the midday hours when UV exposure is most intense, making it essential to be vigilant from 10:00 AM to 2:00 PM.
| Time | UVI | Category | Time to Burn |
|---|---|---|---|
| 07:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 08:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 09:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 10:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 11:00 | 9 | very high | 15 min |
| 12:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 13:00 | 10 | very high | 15 min |
| 14:00 | 7 | high | 25 min |
| 15:00 | 4 | moderate | 30 min |
| 16:00 | 2 | low | 45 min |
| 17:00 | 1 | low | 45 min |
| 18:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
| 19:00 | 0 | low | 45 min |
Throughout the year, UV Index readings indicate significant variability in exposure levels, particularly highlighting high-risk months. From January to April, the UV Index consistently reaches 16 (extreme), allowing for a burn time of merely 10 minutes. May experiences a slight decrease to an index of 11 (still extreme), shifting burn time to 10 minutes. Entering peak summer, June and July show a reduced index of 9 and 10 respectively (very high), allowing for an increased burn time of 15 minutes. However, as fall approaches, months like August and September again see figures hitting 12 and 14 (extreme), narrowing burn time back to 10 minutes. The year concludes with high readings from October to December (16), underscoring that winter months are not to be underestimated. Visitors and residents are strongly advised to take precautions year-round—especially during high-risk months like January through April, August, and November—by wearing sunscreen, protective clothing, and sunglasses, and seeking shade when necessary to mitigate harmful UV exposure.
UV Risk Categories
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Callao UVI | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
| Lima UVI | 14 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 10 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 13 |
| Trujillo UVI | 15 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 |
| Chiclayo UVI | 14 | 15 | 15 | 14 | 13 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 13 |
| Santiago | 16 | 16 | 15 | 14 | 11 | 9 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 16 |
| Arequipa UVI | 18 | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 10 | 11 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 17 |