Best time to visit South America
There's a time for everything on a continent contrasting humid tropics and scorching desert with Andean and Antarctic cool.
Its vast size and altitude contrasts means there is no single best time to visit South America. June, for example, offers cool, dry weather in Galapagos, steamy 30°C in the Amazon – but snow and ice will shut down much of southern Patagonia – which is best visited from Nov-Feb. Steep contour shifts can mean balmy temperatures on Chile's coast but snowy 5,000m chill just 100km away. September/October offers a good balance in many places, with generally comfortable spring temperatures and dry weather. But check specific locations – even within the same country – to help you set nature's thermostat to suit yourself during trips.
When to visit South America
Our South America Vacations
South America tour, coast to coast
Epic discovery journey across South America
From
£3233 to £3313
19 days
ex flights
Chile adventure vacation
Chile's best: the Atacama Desert, Lake District and Patagonia
From
US $5265 to US $5515
13 days
ex flights
Patagonia luxury adventure vacation
Luxury hotels and adventure in Patagonia
From
US $3644 to US $3883
11 days
ex flights
Tailor made vacation in Brazil
Green Coast, the Pantanal, and Iguaçu Falls
From
US $5600
15 days
ex flights
Southern Peru small group tour
Journey through south Peru, the heartland of the Inca Empire
From
£3131
14 days
ex flights
Galapagos & Amazon wildlife vacation, Ecuador
The ultimate wildlife trip to the Amazon and Galapagos
From
US $6190
16 days
ex flights
Hiking the Inca trail vacation
An unrivalled combination of history and spectacular scenery
From
US $1735 to US $1885
9 days
ex flights
Ecuador vacation, small group tour
Ecuador small group adventure vacation
From
US $2200 to US $2270
16 days
ex flights
Tour of Patagonia, El Calafate & Torres del Paine
Patagonia's best - Torres del Paine and Perito Moreno Glacier.
From
US $560 to US $1133
5 days
ex flights
Atacama and Patagonia hiking vacation
Explore Chile on foot Atacama Patagonia Walking Vacation
From
£4595 to £5170
14 days
ex flights
Peru highlights tour, Inca trail, Titicaca and Nazca
Taste Peru's diverse landscapes and fascinating culture
From
US $2865 to US $3265
15 days
ex flights
Patagonian adventure vacation
Explore the highlights of Argentine and Chilean Patagonia
From
US $3327 to US $3511
15 days
ex flights
Patagonia small group vacation
Explore Patagonia's National Parks by foot and small-ship.
From
US $5174 to US $6954
11 days
ex flights
Peru and Galapagos vacation
An inspirational tour combining Peru, Ecuador & the Galapagos
From
£5195
15 days
ex flights
Brazil wildlife vacation, tailor made
From the world’s largest jungle to the world’s largest swamp
From
£5115
14 days
inc UK flights
Ecuador ecolodge, Napo Wildlife Center
A luxurious eco-lodge in wildlife rich Ecuadorean Amazon
From
US $1467
4 days
ex flights
Bolivia and Peru tour
Explore the Amazon Andes and Inca trail
From
US $4504 to US $5515
25 days
ex flights
Peru tour, off the beaten track
An cultural small group tour to the Northern region of Peru.
From
£2885
14 days
ex flights
Patagonian adventure vacation in Chile and Argentina
Discover stunning Patagonia
From
£2580
12 days
ex flights
Guyana trekking vacation
Trekking tour in pristine rainforest of Guyana and Roraima
From
US $4125
16 days
ex flights
Highlights of Argentina, Buenos Aires & Southern Patagonia
Walk Patagonia's trails and explore Torres del Paine
From
US $2885 to US $3430
14 days
ex flights
Highlights of Southern Brazil vacation
Explore the Highlights of Brazil!
From
£1435
10 days
ex flights
Peru vacation, Machu Picchu, Cusco & Lake Titicaca
Tailor made amazing Andean adventure and cultural heritage
From
£3130
11 days
ex flights
Lima to Santiago overland vacation
Travel through Peru Bolivia & Chile
From
US $3485 to US $4199
21 days
ex flights
Paine and Fitz Roy trek, trekking vacation
Spectacular Andes scenery from glacial lakes to towering granite peaks
From
US $5299
15 days
ex flights
Highlights of Colombia vacation, tailor-made
Bogota, Coffee Region, Medellin & Cartagena - Tailormade
From
£1850
14 days
ex flights
Patagonia highlights vacation
Explore the wild, mountainous south of Argentina and Chile
From
US $4955 to US $5265
13 days
ex flights
1. Amazon
2. Atacama
3. Ecuador
4. The Galapagos
5. Iguazu Falls
6. The Pantanal
7. Patagonia
2. Atacama
3. Ecuador
4. The Galapagos
5. Iguazu Falls
6. The Pantanal
7. Patagonia
Amazon
1. Amazon
The Amazon is always warm and humid, with temperatures from 20s - high 30s. For trekking, avoid the wet season from January to May when the forest floods and you’ll be traveling by canoe. It’s also very humid with rain falling mainly in the afternoon. More details about the Amazon here
Atacama
2. Atacama
The world's driest desert isn't all about year-round baking heat. Its high altitude on an Andean plateau with peaks rising above 6,000m means cold nights and snow at higher altitudes. September-October can sometimes bring spring rains that spark stunning floral blooms in southern Atacama. More details about Atacama here
Ecuador
3. Ecuador
Straddling the equator, Ecuador's seasons are wet v dry rather than summer and winter – but none extreme enough to disrupt travel. Mid-June to early September are the busiest months, along with late December to early January. The Andes will get chilly, especially at night, while May, June and August are the wettest months in the Tena region of the Amazon. More details about Ecuador here.
The Galapagos
4. The Galapagos
Seasons split into cool and dry (June-November) and warm and wet (December-June). The warmer season is arguably the best time to visit, as rain tends to fall in sharp bursts and leaves clear skies – though these islands are idyllic year-round. More details about the Galapagos here.
Iguazu Falls
5. Iguazu Falls
Dec-Feb sees the heaviest rains (and crowds). But while rain is good for the most impressive cascade volume plus getting-happily-soaked boat jaunts, it may also render San Martin Island and surrounding forest trails inaccessible. The driest months, meanwhile, can significantly reduce the flow of the falls. The best compromise for impressive water levels plus a decent chance of blue skies is Mar-Ap and Aug-Sep. More details about Iguazu Falls here.
The Pantanal
6. The Pantanal
Sep-Oct is a good time to visit this Brazilian wetland paradise – avoiding major vacations, the chilly southern winter and soggy season – when many access roads are closed. Wildlife clusters along the riverbanks in the dry season, and there is less vegetation to obscure your view. More details about the Pantanal here.
Patagonia
7. Patagonia
Temperatures peak in December and January – but so do crowds and prices. Oct/Nov is generally good for clear skies, spring blooms and fewer crowds. September is notoriously windy, while the winter is cold but often dry and calm – ideal to kayak amid icebergs! The summer months see much of the south snowbound and inaccessible. More details about Patagonia here.
Our top South America Vacation
Galapagos cruises
Sail in a charming red schooner
From
US $2614
8 days
ex flights
Tailor made:
Daily departures throughout the year.
Daily departures throughout the year.
Helpdesk
Hello. If you'd like to chat about South America or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help. Rosy & team.
Responsible Travel recommends
Guy Marks from our supplier Tribes Travel suggests the best time to see Brazil's wonderful wildlife:
“The Pantanal is seasonally flooded so there are islands of dry land where the wildlife concentrates. There’s only one road down there so in the very wet season it’s hard to access – it's certainly more difficult to see jaguars, you can’t drive anywhere, and you’ve got to travel by canoe. You can do horse rides – canters through deep water are fantastic – but you want to go in the dry season really, from July until October.
If you want to go to the Amazon it doesn’t really make much difference when you go; it’s the rainforest so it rains all year. There is high water and low water, but there are advantages to both. In low water you get more walks through the forest, and at high water (Jan-May) as much as ten metres of water rise through the forest – which means you’re ten metres higher into the canopy when you’re in a boat. So the animals that live in the canopy are not absolutely miles away – you can see them much closer!”
Elena Larkin from our supplier Natural World Safaris is originally from Lima, and she shares her best time to visit Peru's magnificent highlands:
"For me personally, the best time to see the mountains is mid-late April, because it's after the rainy season and everything is green. But it's the end of summer, so it's still a bit warmer. My least favourite time is July and August when they are filled with local families as well as tourists - it's too crowded, and very cold. Also, if you arrive in Lima during April, it's just finishing summer - so it doesn't have the grey skies you can expect to find there for the rest of the year."
Festivals & events
Did you know about...?
Carnival/Carnevale (Feb/Mar)
The Rio Carnival is famous but you may have more fun and feel less touristy joining Brazilian street parties in African-influenced Salvador or boho colonial Paraty, where incredible celebrations avoid Rio's hype (and price hikes). Other countries party too. In Argentina, top Carnevale spots are the colonial northern cities of Corrientes and Gualeguaychu, with parades over several weekends.
More about South America
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Our map helps you choose which places to visit in South America, whether you're enjoying an epic overland tour or a relaxing two-week vacation...
Trek in the Andes, spot Andean wildlife, discover Aymara, Quechua, Afro and Latino culture, or cross remote borders on a thrilling overland tour...
Latinos are famously welcoming towards children, and will be delighted to share folklore, street food, language and dance with any curious visitor...
Get tips on the best way to explore Patagonia, the Amazon vs the Pantanal, what to do in the Lake District and where to find the best street food...
Is there really such a thing as an ethical wildlife selfie? The spread of social media has encouraged a worrying trend in pictures of tourists holding, hugging and feeding wild animals, and NGO World Animal Protection has campaigned to stop this.
Across the continent there are issues with the displacement, deforestation and deep set poverty. Our guide helps you make wise - and kind - choices...
Find all of our South America guides in one place, for particular places in South America such as Bolivia, the Galapagos or Peru.
Why book with Responsible Travel
Photo credits: [Page banner: McKay Savage] [Top box - chart background: Alexander Martins Rodrigues]
[Atacama: Justin Jensen]
[RT recommends: Danielle Pereira]
[Elena Larkin quote: Glauber Ribeiro]
[Festivals and events: Team at Carnaval.com Studio]
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