Best travel time South America
Would you like to visit a specific destination in South America but aren’t sure when the best time to travel is, or do you know the time of year you’d like to travel but aren’t sure which destination would suit you best? We’d be happy to help you choose the best time to travel or put together an itinerary that suits the best time of year for your destination. Below you’ll find information on the best time to visit each destination.
Argentina
Argentina is a vast country, larger than Europe, stretching from the north to the south of the continent. Due to its vast size, combined with the many differences in altitude and the diversity of its landscapes, the country has a huge variety of climates, ranging from subtropical to arctic. This, combined with various factors such as certain events taking place throughout the year that are well worth visiting, or the migration of some animal species such as whales, means that there is no single ‘best’ time to visit Argentina. The best time to visit Argentina depends in part on which regions and places you wish to visit during your trip and what you plan to do whilst you are there.
In brief:
- North-western Argentina: late March to December
- Southern Argentina: October to the end of April
- The rest of Argentina: all year round
Would you like to visit several regions? If so, the best time to visit Argentina is:
- October, November and December
- March and April
Bolivia
In principle, you can visit Bolivia all year round. Due to its location in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are exactly the opposite of ours. The country has a varied geography, ranging from vast lowlands in the Amazon to high plateaus above 4,000 metres. Although Bolivia lies in the tropical zone, this does not mean that warm weather is guaranteed everywhere. In the Amazon basin and the drier lowlands, temperatures can easily reach 35 °C, but if you’re travelling through the Andes, the mercury will often hover around 15–20 degrees (and can drop to as low as -20 ° at night in the higher regions!). Bolivia’s rainy season runs from December to April; during this period, expect heavy downpours in the lowlands, and overcast skies and showers in the Andes. The best months to visit the country are from May to December. These are the slightly cooler months, but the days are generally sunny and the nights crystal clear.
In brief:
- The rainy season runs from December to April, with heavy rainfall in the lowlands and overcast skies and showers in the Andes;
- The best months to visit the high mountains: May to December;
- The lowlands can be visited all year round;
- The phenomenon of the ‘mirror-like salt flats’ caused by rainwater can occur between December and March.
Brazil
The best time to visit Brazil depends on the region you wish to visit. You can visit the country all year round, but it is entirely up to your personal preferences as to when we can best plan your trip to Brazil.
In short:
- Would you like to visit the carnival in Rio de Janeiro? Then you should travel to Brazil in February or March, depending on when the carnival takes place.
- If you want guaranteed beach weather with high temperatures, it’s best to travel to Brazil from December to March.
- Not a fan of really hot weather or the beach? Then it’s best to travel between July and October, when temperatures are a bit lower and it can be a bit cooler, allowing you to get out and about.
- Would you like to see certain natural wonders, such as the Iguazu Falls, at their best? If so, we recommend visiting Brazil in October, November, April or May.
- Would you like to visit the water springs amongst the sand dunes at Lençois Maranhenses? If so, the best time to travel to Brazil is between May and August.
- Would you like to witness sea turtle eggs hatching? Then travel to Brazil between December and March to visit Praia do Forte beach. More interested in whale watching? This area is also known for the humpback whales that can be seen off the coast between July and October.
Chile
Chile is an incredibly long country, stretching over 4,200 kilometres from north to south. You could compare it to a country stretching from Oslo in Norway to Marrakech in Morocco. On its eastern side, Chile is flanked by the highest peaks of the Andes, with the highest point reaching 6,200 metres above sea level. In the north of Chile lies the driest desert in the world, whilst in the south you’ll find some of the wettest areas on Earth. This extreme geography means that Chile has many different climates, and the best time to visit depends on the areas of Chile you wish to explore.
In short:
- Northern Chile: April to January
- Southern Chile: October to May
- Easter Island: all year round
- The rest of Chile: all year round
Would you like to visit several regions? If so, the best time to visit Chile is:
- October, November and December
- March and April
Colombia
The best time to visit Colombia depends on the area you wish to visit and what you plan to do there. As Colombia lies close to the equator, the climate and temperature remain fairly constant throughout the year. This means that any time of year is a good time to visit Colombia. Would you like to go whale watching, visit the Amazon or enjoy a sunny and warm end to your trip on the Caribbean coast? If you have specific preferences, there may well be a best time to travel for your trip through Colombia.
In short:
- For whale watching on the Pacific coast, travel best during the months of June and October, when humpback whales come close to the coast.
- The Caribbean coast can be visited all year round. Temperatures are the same all year round. Between December and March is the dry period when there is the least rainfall.
- The Amazon region, high mountain areas and the coffee region can be visited all year round.
Ecuador & the Galápagos Islands
The best time to visit Ecuador depends on which area you wish to visit. The country lies on the equator, so in terms of temperature, it is always pleasant to travel there. As the country comprises roughly three different ecosystems, the best time to visit depends on which area you wish to visit.
In short, the following applies to Ecuador:
- The best travel time for Ecuador is actually all year round, as there are few seasonal differences;
- Ecuador can be divided into dry and rain periods;
- The Amazon is tropically warm throughout the year;
More about Best travel time Ecuador
Galápagos Islands
The Galápagos archipelago lies approximately 1,000 kilometres from the mainland of Ecuador, also around the equator. You can visit the Galápagos Islands all year round; the best time to visit depends on your personal preferences regarding temperatures and the types of flora and fauna you’d like to see.
In brief:
- The hot, wet season: from late December to June
- The cool, dry season: late June to December
- Every season has its own advantages, and the best time to visit the Galapagos Islands depends on what you want to see.
Peru
The best time to visit Peru depends on the area you wish to visit. The climate is just as varied as the landscapes you’ll find in this country. Due to the different landscapes and climate zones, temperatures across the country can vary considerably, meaning that the best time to visit Peru isn’t the same everywhere.
In short:
- The high mountains: May to December
- Amazon: all year round
- The coast: all year round
Would you like to visit several regions? If so, the best time to visit Peru is:
- April to November
Suriname
The best time to visit Suriname depends on the area you wish to visit. Suriname is close to the equator, so it is tropically warm all year round.
In a nutshell:
- The dry season runs from February to April and from mid-August to November
- The rainy season runs from December to January and from May to mid-August
- The climate in Suriname is characterised by plenty of sunshine and rainfall
- Rainfall often comes in the form of heavy, short, cooling showers, usually in the afternoon or at night
Uruguay
The best time to visit Uruguay depends on the area you wish to visit. You can visit the country all year round, but the best time to visit Uruguay depends on what you’d like to do.
In short:
- December to February are the warmest months, with temperatures ranging from 26 to 30 degrees
- June, July and August are the coldest months, with temperatures around 14 degrees
- During the rest of the year, the temperature is around 20 degrees
Fancy a trip of South America?
Would you like to organise your own trip of one of South America’s destinations and are you curious about the options? Then do take a look at the tours we’ve put together for inspiration. You can book these tours directly, but we’d also be happy to put together a personalised itinerary based on your preferences and ideas.
Do you have a question? Please feel free to contact us. Call +31 73 610 62 04 or send an email to info@sapapanatravel.nl. We’ll be happy to help.