Updated: April 25, 2025
Travelers usually start here, asking us: “when is the best time to visit South America?”
Well… the short answer is: anytime! 🌎✨
The longer (and more exciting) answer? It depends on where you want to go and what kind of experience you’re dreaming of.
South America is a continent of contrasts—think sun-soaked beaches in Brazil, snow-capped peaks in Patagonia, and misty cloud forests in Peru. The best time to visit really depends on the experiences you’re dreaming of—and that’s exactly what this guide is here to help you with.
In this updated guide, I’ll walk you through the best places to visit in South America based on the month and season of your travel. Whether you’re chasing wildlife in the Galápagos, sipping Malbec under the Argentine sun, or planning your once-in-a-lifetime honeymoon adventure— this guide will help you start dreaming — and planning — with confidence.
This isn’t just about weather—it’s about the right place at the right time, so you don’t miss the magic.
Ready to discover when (and where) to go for an unforgettable South American journey?
Let’s find your perfect moment to travel 💛
Navigate to where you want to go:
Let’s Start with These Basic Facts:
Before we dive into the best destinations by month and season, there’s something important you should know: South America follows the seasons of the Southern Hemisphere — so if you’re coming from North America or Europe, things are flipped!
👉 Summer runs from December to March
👉 Autumn from April to June
👉 Winter from July to September
👉 Spring from September to November
Plus, since South America is so diverse — stretching from the equator to the edge of Antarctica — some destinations (like Peru or Ecuador) are ideal year-round, while others (like the Atacama Desert or the Amazon) are best visited during dry or shoulder seasons.
What does that mean for you? You can travel to South America any time of the year — you just need to know where to go and when.
Best Time to Visit South America: Summer – warm from December until March.
It’s high season in many places like Brazil, Patagonia, and the Atlantic coast; beaches, festivals, and new year’s eve celebrations are busy, although worth the try. At the same time, it’s the best time to visit Patagonia.
The Austral summer months are ideal for visiting the southern tip of South America since winters make it a bit unkind for travel here.
What is it perfect for, and what to expect?
✨The beaches in Uruguay – José Ignacio and La Pedrera, are my favorites.
✨Hike in Patagonia – Fitz Roy in Chalten or the classic W of Torres del Paine and trek the Perito Moreno glacier spectacle.
✨Wildlife in Patagonia and Antarctica – penguins in Peninsula Valdes and Ushuaia, all the diversity of the marine fauna in Antarctica at its glory.
READ MORE: Best time to visit Patagonia: planning a trip to this breathtaking region requires a little more than just a sense of wanderlust. Timing is everything. Read Here why.
✨Carnival festival and New Year’s Eve in Rio de Janeiro – are both massive colorful celebrations.
👉 Want to Visit South America for New Year’s Eve? Read here: Best New Years Eve Vacations in South America in 2026
✨ Galapagos – Although any month is excellent for this destination, Summer is fantastic because it offers nice temperatures and a lot of wildlife.
✨ Dry Season for the deserts – Atacama and Uyuni Desserts are unique places to explore. March, for example, offers a shoulder-season period that provides an enjoyable time to travel to South America.
🌟 My itinerary recommendation for the summertime in South America: Patagonia Romantic Bliss
READ MORE: Best Summer Destinations in South America: January – March
Best Time to Visit South America: Autumn is vibrant from April to June.
Autumn is the best time to visit South America if you want to explore the cities; temperatures ease slightly from hot summers, and fewer tourists are around. When it comes to Patagonia, this is the best time to go as well; after the summer and high season but not as cold yet as the winter to come, it makes perfect for exploring as it is a shoulder season and hotels are less expensive.
You can visit Iguazu Falls in Argentina and Brazil all year round – Autumn is a great time to visit because it is less crowded.
What is it perfect for, and what should you expect?
✨Iguazu Falls – an ideal time to explore this jungle experience; the weather is delightful so it’s a lot better to enjoy the fantastic falls.
✨ Shoulder season in Peru: Autumn is a wonderful time to visit Peru, especially for those seeking a more relaxed and authentic experience. The rainy season is ending, leaving behind lush green landscapes and clearer skies—perfect for exploring Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley, and Cusco. It’s also a shoulder season, so you’ll enjoy fewer crowds, better hotel availability, and a quieter atmosphere in luxury lodges. Whether you’re hiking ancient trails or savoring gourmet meals in Lima, autumn offers the ideal blend of beauty, comfort, and serenity.
✨City escape in Buenos Aires – With more pleasant weather, it’s the perfect time to explore the city and walk its streets in San Telmo, Recoleta, and Palermo.
✨City escapes Rio de Janeiro – the temperature eases from the hot summer, and although you have to expect the rain to continue (10 days per month approximately), it’s a lovely time to see Rio and its natural side with a lot fewer tourists
✨City Escape to Santiago de Chile and Its Wine Route– Autumn is a magical time to escape to Santiago de Chile and its nearby wine regions. As the summer heat fades, the city’s parks and streets turn golden with fall colors, creating a cozy, vibrant atmosphere perfect for exploring. Just a short drive away, the famous wine valleys like Casablanca, Maipo, and Colchagua are in full harvest mode, offering incredible wine tastings, vineyard tours, and festive harvest celebrations. With mild temperatures, fewer crowds, and picture-perfect landscapes, autumn is one of the best seasons to experience the authentic charm of Chile’s capital and its world-class wine country. 🍷🍂
READ MORE: Best time time to Visit Chile.
✨Mendoza and wine route – If you want to avoid the crowds, March and April are charming months to visit Mendoza. In fall, many vineyards are finishing the harvest and starting the winemaking process, making it an enjoyable time to taste grapes and get involved in winemaking.
✨Hiking in Patagonia – stunning photos while saying goodbye to crowds are the main reasons to choose this time of the year to hike in Patagonia.
✨ Stargazing in Atacama desert: Autumn is a fantastic time to visit the Atacama Desert, offering clear blue skies, mild daytime temperatures, and cool, comfortable nights. After the summer rains, the landscapes are fresh and vibrant, perfect for exploring the salt flats, geysers, and otherworldly valleys without the intense heat or crowds. It’s also an ideal season for stargazing, with some of the clearest skies in the world revealing breathtaking views of the Milky Way. Pro tip: Visit in late April or early May for the best combination of lush scenery and crystal-clear skies, just before the temperatures start to drop in winter.
🌟I suggest this “perfect itinerary” for autumn in South America: South America: Adventure in Peru and Luxury Galapagos Cruise
Learn more about When to see turtles in Galapagos Islands on this blog post from our Instagram
Best Time to Visit South America: Winter – stunning from the end of June until mid-September.
While the word “winter” might make you think of freezing temps and bundling up, South America’s winter is surprisingly mild compared to what you’d experience in the Northern Hemisphere. Yes, it does get cold in the far south, especially in Patagonia, where frost and snow are common and temperatures can dip just below 0°C (32°F). But even then, the landscapes are absolutely stunning—snow-capped peaks, icy lakes, and crisp mountain air make Patagonia a dream destination for adventurous travelers during these months.
But here’s the real magic of South America in winter: the Andes Mountains, especially in Peru and Ecuador, are at their best. It’s dry season in the Sacred Valley, which means you’ll have clear blue skies and sunshine, making it the perfect time to hike to Machu Picchu or explore ancient ruins without worrying about rain or mud. The trails are more manageable, the views are spectacular, and everything just feels crisp and fresh.
And if the Galapagos Islands are on your list (as they should be!), winter brings cooler air and ocean temperatures, but the wildlife activity is incredible. This is one of the best times to spot dolphins and whales, and you can enjoy the islands without the intense summer heat.
So whether you’re dreaming of mystical mountain adventures, a wildlife-filled island escape, or breathtaking southern landscapes, winter in South America offers a bit of everything—with fewer crowds, better weather in many regions, and a more peaceful, immersive experience overall
What is it Perfect for, and what to expect?
✨ The Pantanal in Brazil – it’s the best time to see animals since it’s the dry season, running from April/ May to October.
✨Winter sports in Argentina and Chile – from Las Lenas in Mendoza to Bariloche and Ushuaia in Argentina, you can either enjoy skiing at the end of the world or head to Chile’s Valle Nevado ski resort. ✨ Machu Picchu & Inca Trail – Warm days, cool nights, and lowest rainfall of the whole year: the winter months are known as the ‘dry season,’ and you’ve got a very high chance of encountering a sunny day.
➢ Read more in our blog: When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu?
✨Tango world festival in Buenos Aires – Tango can be enjoyed all over the year in Buenos Aires. However, August is predominantly important since the Tango’s International Festival and Dance World Cup take place this time of the year.
✨ Pachamama Festival in San Antonio de Los Cobres, Salta, this incredible and local tradition celebrating the “Mother Earth” happens every August at the Quebrada de Humahuaca, a magical place located in the northwest of Argentina.
🌟My itinerary recommendation for winter in South America: Charming South America in 2 weeks
Best Time to Visit South America: Springtime – lovely from September until the end of November.
Springtime in South America—running from September through the end of November—is simply lovely and one of the best-kept secrets for travelers. It’s a season of renewal and warmth, without the intense crowds or high prices of the peak summer months. In the Amazon, it’s the dry season, making it easier to explore the jungle trails and spot wildlife, although the lush, thick forests mean the animals can sometimes be a bit more elusive. Still, river excursions and lodge stays are fantastic this time of year.
If you’re dreaming of vibrant cities, Buenos Aires and Rio de Janeiro are absolutely delightful in spring. The weather is beautiful—warm but not overly hot—and with fewer tourists around, you can enjoy iconic neighborhoods, gardens bursting with flowers, and lively local culture at a more relaxed pace. Plus, hotel rates and flights are often more affordable compared to the busy summer season.
Patagonia is another gem in spring. As winter releases its grip, the trails reopen, and trekking and hiking become possible again. It’s the perfect moment to explore stunning landscapes, from towering glaciers to dramatic mountain peaks—and with fewer travelers than in the height of summer, you can truly savor the region’s wild beauty. Spring is also prime whale-watching season in Patagonia, especially along the coast of Peninsula Valdés, where southern right whales gather in large numbers.
Overall, if you’re looking for that sweet spot of great weather, fewer crowds, and unforgettable wildlife experiences, springtime in South America might just be your perfect match.
What is it Perfect for, and what to expect?
✨ Wildlife in Peninsula Valdes – Sea lions, seals, killer whales, and the Southern Right Whale are the other main characters during this time of the year.
✨Wildlife in Amazon – low water season is from June to November, so the jungle trails are not flooded during winter or spring, which allows the naturalist guides to get deeper into the jungle by foot and also escorted by fewer mosquitoes than during the high water season.
✨ Polo Open Buenos Aires takes place from November until December each year, and Argentina has the greatest players in the world.
✨Copacabana time! Yet not so warm as in the summer months, so it allows enjoying the beach of Rio de Janeiro like a local in Copacabana – gives beach volley a try!
✨Atacama Dessert: Spring is a beautiful time to visit the Atacama Desert, with warmer days, clear skies, and the landscapes coming to life after the cooler winter months. The best time within spring is from late September through October, when temperatures are pleasant, and the desert is still quiet before the holiday season begins. It’s the perfect window for outdoor adventures like hiking through Valle de la Luna or exploring colorful high-altitude lagoons. You’ll also enjoy Atacama’s world-famous stargazing under crystal-clear skies, all in a peaceful, crowd-free atmosphere.
🌟Here is an ideal itinerary for springtime in South America: ✨ Atacama and Argentina Salt flats
Where should you go in South America and when?
As you can see, not only you can call South America any time of the year, you can visit South America more than once a year (!) since there is no such thing as the best time to visit South America.
Ultimately it depends on what you want to experience; still, don’t let the “seasons” stop you from visiting this great and exceptional part of the world.
Ask Across Team — Real Q&A from Women Who Get It! ✨
Planning your dream trip to South America? We get it — and that’s why we created Ask Across Team — Real Q&A from Women Who Get It: real answers from the women who know what makes a journey unforgettable.
Here’s a quick guide to some of the most common questions we get about visiting Patagonia — and a few insider tips to help you start planning with confidence.
What is the best month to go to South America?
The best month to visit South America depends on where you’re headed—but overall, November to March is ideal for Patagonia and southern regions, May to October is perfect for exploring Peru and Machu Picchu, and March to May is a dream for wine lovers in Chile and Argentina. If you’re heading to the Galápagos, go between December and May for warm, calm seas, or June to November for active marine life. There’s truly a perfect month for every kind of adventure!
What is the rainy season in South America?
The rainy season in much of South America typically runs from November to March, especially in tropical and highland areas like Peru, Bolivia, and parts of Brazil. In the Andes, this means heavier afternoon showers and muddier trails—less ideal for trekking. But in regions like the Amazon, it simply means fuller rivers and lush landscapes (which can actually enhance wildlife sightings!). If you’re planning to hike or explore ruins like Machu Picchu, it’s best to avoid this season and aim for the drier months instead.
What is the safest country to visit in South America?
While safety can vary by region and city, Uruguay is widely considered one of the safest countries to visit in South America. It has low crime rates, a stable political climate, and a relaxed, welcoming vibe—especially in places like Montevideo, Punta del Este, and Colonia del Sacramento. Chile is another great option for travelers seeking safety, with well-developed infrastructure and friendly locals. Of course, like anywhere, staying aware and using common sense goes a long way—but overall, these two countries consistently rank high for safety and ease of travel.
What months are hot in South America?
The hottest months in South America are generally December through March, which is summer in the Southern Hemisphere. During this time, countries like Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, and southern Brazil experience warm to hot weather—perfect for beaches and outdoor adventures. In tropical regions near the Equator, like Ecuador, and the Amazon, it’s warm year-round, but these months can also bring more humidity and rain depending on the area.
How to Plan you next South America Trip
Planning your dream trip to South America doesn’t have to feel overwhelming — in fact, it can be easy (and exciting!) when you have the right support. 🌎
At Across South America, we specialize in creating unforgettable, custom-made journeys that match your dreams — whether you’re chasing adventures in Patagonia, sipping Malbec under the Andean sun, or exploring ancient wonders in Peru.
💬 But here’s something important to know:
The best experiences, boutique accommodations, and private guides often book up months in advance — especially during the most popular seasons. If you’re dreaming about traveling soon, the time to start planning is now!
✨ You deserve a once-in-a-lifetime trip — just like our travelers have experienced.
Read their stories here!
When you’re ready, we’re here to make it all happen — crafting a journey that’s stress-free, meaningful, and entirely yours.
Let’s design your perfect South America adventure — together. 💛
👉 Contact Us to Start Planning Your Trip!
Maria Barciela Co-founder Across south America
PS Whether you’re ready to start planning or not, it’s fun to daydream about incredible places. Make sure you follow us on Instagram to get more inspiration!
