Best time to visit South America

Visiting South America in February

Fine, summer weather continues across much of the continent. It’s a good time to visit The Falklands with long days and wildlife rearing young, or to take a trip to the Galapagos where land and sea temperatures are warming, land birds begin unusual courtship rituals, sea turtles are nesting and marine iguanas’ vivid hues indicate its mating season.

Events & Festivals

• Carnival (week before Lent): Carnival is celebrated across Latin America with the most renowned celebrations in Rio where visitors crowd to see samba parades and attend lively street parties.

Visiting South America in March

As the crowds begin to ease off and hotel prices drop a little, March is a great time to travel across much of South America. Chile, particularly the Lake District and winelands, is very pretty at this time of year, or possibly take a trip to Uruguay’s beaches, Colombia’s coffee district or go hiking in Patagonia where the trails will now be quieter.

Events & Festivals

• Wine Harvest (late February to early May): Many areas host wine festivals during harvest time with grape stomping, local music and wine tasting.
• Fiesta de la Patria Gaucha (early March): Taking place in Tacuarembó, this festival celebrates all things guacho, featuring parades, rodeos and traditional music.
• Holy Week (March or April): Sombre but elaborate religious processions occur across many towns and cities in the continent.

Visiting South America in April

The summer heat eases and visitor numbers tail off in April making it a great time to hike in Patagonia or visit Mendoza's winelands. Sea turtles and land iguanas are hatching in the Galapagos, and the sea around Uruguay is at its warmest making it a good time to go snorkelling here.

Visiting South America in May

The rains ease off in the Andes, and both Bolivia and the Pantanal in Brazil enter their dry seasons. While it’s not quite high season, it’s a great time to visit with lower prices and fewer visitors at attractions such as Lake Titicaca and Machu Picchu. It’s also a good time to visit Argentina's wetlands, Esteros de Iberá, with good wildlife spotting opportunities.

Events & Festivals

• El Señor del Gran Poder (May or June): The feast of El Señor del Gran Poder brings over 20,000 dancers in vivid costumes to the streets of La Paz in Bolivia.

Visiting South America in June

June marks the start of the peak season for visitors in Peru, Bolivia and Ecuador where the weather is warm and dry. By mid-month Argentina’s ski season begins and southern right whales arrive at the Península Valdés. Whales can also be seen off Uruguay’s coast, and it’s a great time to visit the Green Coast between Rio and São Paulo in Brazil.

Events & Festivals

• El Señor del Gran Poder (May or June): The feast of El Señor del Gran Poder brings over 20,000 dancers in vivid costumes to the streets of La Paz in Bolivia.
• Inti Raymi (24th June): The Inca Festival of the Sun is celebrated on the winter solstice with a theatrical representation of the traditional Inca religious rite in Saksaywaman.

Visiting South America in July

July is a great month to visit the Galapagos where you can see the mating ritual of blue-footed boobies and flightless cormorants and the bright red pouches of frigatebird. Cooler evenings make it a good month to visit Buenos Aires, ski season is in full swing in the Argentinian mountains, and Colombia experiences a short dry season ideal for touring.

Visiting South America in August

August is one of the best times of the year to visit the tropical wetlands of the Pantanal and is a great time to visit Rio with spring weather, largely blue skies and rising temperatures. Meanwhile, it’s peak season in Peru and Bolivia, so plan well in advance, up to a year ahead if you wish to hike the Inca Trail.

Events & Festivals

• Medellín Flower Festival (early August): Medellín’s annual flower festival sees the streets filled with monumental flower displays as well as live music and other festivities.
• Buenos Aires Tango Festival (mid-August): This annual festival sees two weeks of free events, featuring performances by the world's best tango dancers, art exhibitions and opportunities for visitors to get involved.

Visiting South America in September

September is a great month to visit the Península Valdés in Argentina where you can expect sightings of whales, seals, penguins and lots of seabirds. In Chile, the weather is beginning to warm up but visitor numbers are still low making it a good time to visit Santiago, the Atacama Desert and the central valleys of the north.

Events & Festivals

• Chilean Independence Day (18th September): Nationwide festivities take place to mark the anniversary of Chile's independence from Spain, including parties, dances and traditional meals.

Visiting South America in October

The weather is warming up and wildflowers are blooming across Argentina’s Lake District making it a wonderful time for walking here, or a good time to visit Patagonia before the peak summer crowds arrive. The winds are dropping in the Galapagos, the seas are calmer, blue-footed boobies are raising their chicks on Española and Isabela, and sea lion pups play in the water.

Visiting South America in November

Warmer weather, longer days and wildlife rearing their young make this a good time to visit the Falkland Islands. Brazil, Chile and Uruguay are ramping up for the summer crowds, though the beaches are quieter than in December. Patagonia is becoming increasingly busy and it’s advisable to book well in advance.

Visiting South America in December

Although a busy time, December offers the best chance of warm, clear weather in Patagonia with dramatic views and scenic hiking opportunities. Good travel conditions in Colombia bring increased visitor numbers but ideal weather for visiting colonial cities and the beaches, while the season’s rains have filled the rivers and Iguazú Falls is thundering dramatically over the cliff edge.

Events & Festivals

• Santurantikuy Market (24th December): Vendors from the High Andes arrive in Cusco to sell grasses and plants for the nativity manger.
• New Year's Eve (31st December): New Year's Eve is a sight to be seen in Rio, where much of the city dresses in white and gathers on Copacabana Beach to watch a huge fireworks show over the sea.