Updated for the 2026–27 season.
There is no single best time to visit South America: when it is summer in Patagonia, it is the rainy season in the Andes, and the best months for Machu Picchu are winter in the south. As a rule, May to September is best for Peru, Bolivia and the Amazon, November to March for Patagonia, Antarctica and the beaches of Brazil, and the shoulder months of April, May, October and November are the best for a trip that combines several countries.
Andes and AmazonMay to September
Patagonia, AntarcticaNovember to March
Rio and the beachesDecember to March
All yearThe Galápagos, the Atacama, Iguazú and Buenos Aires
Several countriesApril, May, October and November
Why the seasons are different across South America
South America is in the southern hemisphere, so summer runs from December to March and winter from June to August. But latitude and altitude matter more than the calendar. In the tropical Andes of Peru and Bolivia, the year is divided into a dry season and a rainy season; the far south has four strong seasons with long summer days and short winter ones; and the coasts, deserts and islands have climates of their own.
The best time to visit each destination
| Destination | Best months | Also good | Keep in mind | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu and the Andes (Peru, Bolivia) | May to September | April and October | Rainy from November to March; the Inca Trail closes in February | Peru, Machu Picchu |
| Lima and the Peruvian coast | December to April | May and November | Grey skies from June to October, but no rain | Peru |
| The Peruvian Amazon | May to October | November | Heavy rain from December to April | Peru |
| The Uyuni Salt Flats (Bolivia) | January to March for the mirror; May to October for the dry salt and lagoons | April and November | Very cold nights from June to August | Uyuni, Bolivia |
| The Atacama Desert (Chile) | April, May and September to November | All year | Storms in January and February can close El Tatio and the high lagoons | Atacama |
| The Galápagos Islands (Ecuador) | December to May for warm water and calm seas | June to November for marine life | Rougher seas in August and September | Galápagos |
| Patagonia (Argentina, Chile) | November to March | October and April | Winter closures from May to September | Patagonia |
| Buenos Aires and Mendoza | March to May, September to November | December to February, hot | The grape harvest in Mendoza is in March | Argentina |
| Iguazú Falls (Argentina, Brazil) | March to May, August to November | All year | Hot and humid from December to February, with the most water | Iguazú |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | December to March for the beach and Carnival | April to November, milder | Summer showers and heat from December to March | Brazil |
| Easter Island (Chile) | January to March | October to December | Cooler and wetter from about April to August | Easter Island |
| Antarctica | November to March | — | No voyages from April to October | Antarctica |
South America month by month
| Month | Where to go | Highlights |
|---|---|---|
| January | Patagonia, Antarctica, Rio, Easter Island, Lima and the coast, Uyuni | Long summer days in the south; the Uyuni mirror begins |
| February | Patagonia, Antarctica, Rio, Easter Island, Uyuni | Carnival in Rio, the Candelaria in Puno and the Tapati festival on Easter Island |
| March | Patagonia, Mendoza, the Galápagos, Uyuni, Lima | Calmer winds and fewer people in Patagonia; the grape harvest in Mendoza |
| April | Machu Picchu, Patagonia, Buenos Aires, the Galápagos, the Atacama | Green Andes as the rains fade; autumn colours in Patagonia |
| May | Machu Picchu and the Andes, the Atacama, Buenos Aires, Iguazú, the Galápagos | One of the best months for Peru: dry and before the peak |
| June | Machu Picchu, the Amazon, Uyuni, the Galápagos | Inti Raymi in Cusco on 24 June; ski season starts in the south |
| July | Machu Picchu, the Amazon, Uyuni, the Galápagos | The driest and busiest month in the Andes |
| August | Machu Picchu, the Amazon, Iguazú, Península Valdés | Amazon wildlife; whales arrive on the Patagonian coast |
| September | Machu Picchu, the Atacama, Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Península Valdés | Dry Andes with fewer people; spring in Argentina |
| October | Machu Picchu, the Atacama, Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Patagonia | Patagonia reopens; a great month to combine the Andes and the south |
| November | Patagonia, the Atacama, Buenos Aires, Iguazú, Antarctica | Long days in Patagonia before the crowds; the Antarctic season begins |
| December | Patagonia, Antarctica, the Galápagos, Rio, Lima, Easter Island | Summer in the south; warm water in the Galápagos |
The seasons, region by region
December to March: summer in the south
The best time for Patagonia, Antarctica, Easter Island and the beaches of Rio, Búzios and the Peruvian coast. In the Andes it is the rainy season: Machu Picchu is green and quiet, but expect showers, and the Uyuni Salt Flats may turn into a mirror.
April and May: the best all-rounder
The rains end in the Andes, autumn colours the forests of Patagonia, and Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the Atacama are pleasant. A great time for a trip across several countries.
June to August: the Andes and the Amazon
The dry season in Peru and Bolivia, with clear skies over Machu Picchu and the best months for the Amazon. It is winter in Patagonia, with snow and many closures, and ski season in Bariloche and Ushuaia.
September to November: spring
Still dry in the Andes in September, then the first showers. Patagonia reopens in October and November, whales and penguins return to the Atlantic coast, and Buenos Aires is in bloom. October and November are ideal for combining Machu Picchu and Patagonia.
The best months for a multi-country trip
| Combination | Best months | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Machu Picchu and the Galápagos | April to November | Ecuador & Peru Highlights (15 days) |
| Peru and Bolivia | May to October; January to March for the Uyuni mirror | Peru & Bolivia Discovery (16 days) |
| Peru, Bolivia and the Atacama | April to November | Peru, Bolivia & Chile Expedition (21 days) |
| Machu Picchu and Patagonia | October, November, March and April | Peru, Chile & Argentina Journey (21 days) |
| Buenos Aires, Iguazú and Rio | March to May, September to November | Brazil & Argentina Experience (14 days) |
| Patagonia and Antarctica | November to March | Antarctica tours |
See how the routes fit together in our South America itineraries for 10 days to 4 weeks.
Festivals worth planning around
| When | Festival | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Early February | Virgen de la Candelaria | Puno, Peru |
| First half of February | Tapati Rapa Nui | Easter Island, Chile |
| February or March | Carnival | Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and Oruro, Bolivia |
| Early March | Vendimia, the grape harvest festival | Mendoza, Argentina |
| 24 June | Inti Raymi | Cusco, Peru |
| 28–29 July | Fiestas Patrias | Peru |
| 18–19 September | Fiestas Patrias | Chile |
Read our guide to Carnival in Brazil.
High season, low season and when to book
- High season: June to August in the Andes, December to February in Patagonia, Christmas, New Year, Easter and Carnival everywhere.
- Book early: Machu Picchu tickets and trains, the refugios of Torres del Paine and the Antarctic voyages sell out months ahead.
- Better value: the rainy season in the Andes, from January to March, and the shoulder months in Patagonia.
Planning by type of trip
Travelling as a couple? See our South America honeymoon guide. With children, our guide to South America family vacations explains how to fit school holidays and altitude. Ready to start? See our South America tours or plan a tailor-made trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit South America?
For a trip across several countries, April, May, October or November. In those months the Andes are mostly dry and Patagonia is open, with fewer visitors than in the peak months.
When is the rainy season in South America?
In the Andes of Peru and Bolivia and in the Amazon, from November to March or April. In Rio de Janeiro, summer from December to March brings heat and showers. In Patagonia it can rain in any month, especially on the Chilean side.
When is the best time to visit Machu Picchu and Patagonia on the same trip?
October, November, March or April. In these months Machu Picchu avoids the heaviest rain and Patagonia has open trails and long days.
Which places in South America can I visit all year?
The Galápagos Islands, the Atacama Desert, Iguazú Falls and Buenos Aires are good in every season, each with its own advantages.
When is the cheapest time to travel to South America?
Outside the high seasons and holidays: January to March in the Andes, and the shoulder months of April, May and September to November in much of the continent.
When can I visit Antarctica?
Only from November to March, the southern summer, when ships sail from Ushuaia and fly-cruises leave from Punta Arenas.
Ready to Experience This Firsthand?
Our travel consultants in Cusco design your itinerary around your dates, pace and hotel style.
Wilfredo Zúñiga Huamanguillas
Anthropologist & Hospitality Professional | South America Travel ExpertAnthropologist, hospitality professional and South America travel expert with 11 years of experience in tourism, trained at the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco. Wilfredo writes about the people, traditions and landscapes of the continent, from the Andes and Machu Picchu to Patagonia, Brazil and the Amazon.
More about Wilfredo →
