With the climate varying so widely in this continent, trying to plan your South America trip can be an absolute nightmare. Now with that seed of despair planted in your mind, let me give you some good news: there is no bad time to visit South America!
Regardless of the time of year that you plan to travel, there will always be a country in full bloom and ready to showcase its assets to visitors. In order to help you plan your journey, let’s start with a very basic breakdown of some of the suggested months to visit each country.
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- Epic South America Backpacking Itineraries
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Contents
Your South America Climate Planner!
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These months have been selected based on a number of factors including, weather, temperatures, transport accessibility, prices and overall attraction/activity availability. However, with countries so vast in size, all of these things vary hugely from one end to another.
For example, June may be a great time to visit the North of Chile but the South is a no-go because of transport disruption. With this in mind, check out the individual country overviews below which contain more specific guidance on particular regions. Before you start looking through the country breakdowns, make some quick notes about the type of activities you would like to do in each country. This will help you to decide where to start your research and what kind of climate is ideal. As always, don’t forget to make sure your travel insurance covers you for any activities you have planned!
The Best Time To Visit Argentina
March – May: These are great months to visit Argentina’s cities as temperatures are pleasant and the weather is good. If you’re a wine lover, be sure to visit Mendoza in March as this is when the grapes are harvested.
June – August: If you are hoping to get your skis on, this is the best time to visit. The winter months are great for snow sports but it gets super cold during this time. Expect reduced bus services and flight cancellations due to bad weather and make sure you pack for the cold and the wet.
September – November: Temperatures are warm in both North and Central Argentina whilst still being mild in the South. You can visit practically anywhere in the country and enjoy fair weather over this period. This is a great time to road trip the 7 Lakes route!
December – February: These are the best months to visit Patagonia (although prices are high) and enjoy some of Argentina’s best hikes. It is also a good time to visit the country’s beaches. Temperatures in the South are at their warmest which makes it the perfect time to get involved in some outdoor adventures. Read more about backpacking Argentina!
The Best Time to Visit Bolivia
May – October: This is the high season and the best time to visit the country. Dry weather brings clear skies and decent conditions for outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling and climbing. Be aware that this is the Bolivian winter season, so temperatures will vary all over and be fairly cool outside of the Amazon. La Paz tends to fluctuate between highs of seventeen and lows of zero from May to October!
November – April: It is probably easier for travellers to avoid the country during the rainy season. If you do visit, be prepared for transport disruption from flooding, landslides and severe fog. This also means that outdoor sports are a no-go at this time. The cities are still good places to check out though, especially when the festival season begins in February. If you want to see the famous Salt Flats in all their reflective glory, April is actually the best time of year to visit! Find out more about backpacking Bolivia!
The Best Time to Visit Brazil
March – June: Temperatures are warm which means prices are lower to tempt in visitors before winter hits. Only consider visiting the Amazon from the end of May onwards if you don’t want to go everywhere via canoe, flooding is common from January up until this point.
June – September: These are the winter months in Brazil although temperatures tend to stay warm near the equator. Generally speaking, the higher the altitude or the further south in the country, the milder the temperatures (marginally).
October – November: Prices tend to be cheaper as these months are not the most popular with tourists. Temperatures are mostly comfortable and visiting out of peak season means you will avoid most of the holidays that draw in the crowds.
December – February: The summer season hits and brings hoards of tourists with it. As the temperatures peak, travellers flock to the country’s beaches. Prices will be hiked up around the time of the Carnival which takes place in either February or early March. Learn more about backpacking Brazil!
The Best Time to Visit Chile
March – May: The autumn season is a good time to visit Chilean Patagonia as it is cheaper, although you will have to make compromises. Throughout autumn many places shut up for the low season because of the cold temperatures. Don’t expect highs to regularly exceed ten degrees and prepare yourself for even colder nights. As a result of the plummeting temperatures, your accommodation options will be limited.
June – August: The weather in the North is good but avoid Chilean Patagonia because of freezing rainfall. Winter season sees the worst of the weather which leaves many roads blocked and forces attractions in the South to close.
September – October: This is a good time to visit the Atacama Desert, as well as the city of Santiago because the climate is pleasant. You will still want to pack something warm for the evenings though as it can get chilly.
November – February: This is the best time to visit Chilean Patagonia as temperatures are at their highest. However, this will mean time spent there will be expensive. More sun means that it is the best time to visit the beach but unfortunately everyone has the same idea. Read more about backpacking Chile!
Top Tip!
The Best Time to Visit Colombia
April – July: The Highlands should be avoided as this is when the country says hello to the rainy season. Transport disruption as a result of flooding is likely.
August – September: The rain begins to ease off around the start of this period so the country is more suited for outdoor adventures. To see Medellin in bloom, check out Feria de las Flores (The Flower Festival) which takes place in August.
October – November: The rain returns which scares off the majority of tourists. As a result, prices drop and the crowds ease off. This is a great opportunity to visit the Amazon for trekking as the rainforest is surprisingly dry this time of year.
December – March: These are the driest months across the country which makes them well-suited for a whole variety of outdoor activities including trekking in the Andes.Find out more about backpacking Colombia!
The Best Time to Visit Ecuador
June – September: This is the peak season for visitors to the country. The temperatures are warm year-round in Ecuador, with the exception of in the Highlands which benefit from warmer temperatures and drier days. This is a particularly expensive time to do a Galapagos cruise.
October – November: These months see prices drop as there is less interest from tourists. This results in lower prices and also means that advance booking isn’t usually necessary. Both October and November are a good time to visit the Amazon as rivers are generally passable.
December – May: Whilst this is the rainy season, it is an ideal time to visit Ecuador’s beaches as you can enjoy warm, sunny mornings with short bursts of tropical rain in the afternoons and evenings. These are the warmest months for the Galapagos and the wind drops which is great if you are looking for an island cruise. Read up on Ecuador backpacking!
The Best Time to Visit French Guiana
January – June: This is the rainy season which puts many travellers off exploring the country. The temperatures are still warm but the rain makes for humid days. From March onwards, prices begin to drop to entice visitors.
July – September: Temperatures begin to rise and August sees the peak month of travel which bumps up prices. Rain eases off but the climate remains humid.
October – December: This is still a busy period for the industry so expect to see continued high prices. Rainfall begins to increase so expect a wetter experience, especially if interacting with the wildlife.
The Best Time to Visit Guyana
Late January – April: This marks the wind down of the rainy season, leaving the country more passable for rainforest exploration. Waterfalls are at their fullest and the foliage is lush and green. Whilst there is not yet a defined traveller trail, Guyana is popular with tourists during these months and prices will be higher.
May – Mid July: During this time, road travel can become troublesome owing to flooding from the rainy season. However, these months are a great time to spot Jaguar as they come out of the rainforest and onto the roads to dry off.
Late July – Mid November: These months see temperatures begin to increase (although they stay between mid-twenties and low thirties year-round owing to the proximity to the equator) and boggy parts of the jungle become easier to access.
Late November – Mid January: This is the second of Guyana’s rainy seasons and probably not the most advisable time to travel to the country. Learn more about backpacking Guyana!
The Best Time to Visit Paraguay
April – September: These are the peak months of tourism in Paraguay. The weather is less humid although still hot. Many travellers use this to their advantage to visit the Chaco, a vast plain which encompasses the entire western half of the country. Many important cultural festivals also take place within this time frame.
October – March: This is the summer season and a popular time for travellers to visit the country. As you would expect, temperatures are high and the humidity is extreme which can mean that outdoor activities are not the most comfortable!
Click for more on backpacking Paraguay!
The Best Time to Visit Peru
June – August: These months welcome the dry season which makes it a great time to embark on some of Peru’s best hikes, particularly in the Andes. Both July and August are the peak times to visit Machu Picchu, so make sure you book your trip at least six months in advance in order to obtain a permit.
September – November: Except for the Highlands, the weather is hot, with temperatures tending to hover around thirty degrees. As many tourists leave after August, it is a good time to do the busiest attractions.
December – March: Expect rain on the Highlands and around Cusco but make the most of the hot weather which comes with it. This is a good time to enjoy the coast of Peru because the rainfall is less in these areas and the days are sunny.
April – May: Visiting the country after the rainy season means that the landscape is at its greenest. You will also get to avoid the big crowds of tourists who are attracted by the peak season which means permits for hikes can be organised closer to the time. Read more about backpacking Peru!
The Best Time to Visit Suriname
February – April: This is the first of the dry seasons in the country and the cooler of the two. Visit during late February to May to get the most out of turtle watching in the country.
May – July: These are generally months to avoid travelling through Suriname because of the volume of rainfall. The road network is fairly limited in certain areas and it can struggle to withstand the flooding that comes with the wet season.
August – November: This is the second of the dry seasons and is hotter than the first. Prices for accommodation and flights will be higher in these months but it is still possible to get some decent deals if you book in advance.
December – January: Temperatures are at their coolest, although it is still pretty hot during these months. There is also an increase in rainfall which means much fewer tourists and lower prices.
The Best Time to Visit Uruguay
January – March: Both Carnival and Easter mean that these are expensive months to visit the country but temperatures are high and rainfall isn’t too bad.
April – May: This may be the autumn season but despite this, the sea is at it’s warmest. During this time, the beaches really come into their own. It is arguably the best time to go snorkelling off the coast.
June – October: Temperatures drop during the winter months which means cheaper accommodation and fewer crowds. If you’re interested in wildlife and would like to do some whale watching, head to the coast where they come to breed for the winter season.
November – December: Tourists from neighbouring countries tend to travel to Uruguay around the end of the year to spend the holiday season. Prices go up massively during the Christmas and New Year period and the temperatures begin to climb to just over twenty degrees. Click for more on Uruguay backpacking!
The Best Time to Visit Venezuela
February – March: It is slightly cooler this time of year which means visitors are able to enjoy the Easter Carnival celebrations which take place.
April – September: Temperatures start to warm up but it also gets wetter. Visiting Gran Sabana and the Angel Falls is the perfect activity as the rainy season makes them more accessible and offers better photos opportunities.
October – November: This is the low season so visitors to the country can enjoy lower prices. November signifies the beginning of the driest months of the year which offers the perfect excuse for hiking or getting involved in other outdoor pursuits.
December – January: These tend to be the months where most of the locals travel because of the Christmas and New Year holidays. Prices will go up rapidly and accommodation will fill up way in advance. Find out more about backpacking Venezuela!
Where are you going next?!
Sheree Hooker | Editor @ South America Backpacker + Winging The World
Sheree is the awkward British wanderluster behind wingingtheworld.com, a travel blog designed to show that even the most useless of us can travel. Follow Sheree’s adventures as she blunders around the globe, falling into squat toilets, getting into cars with machete men and running away from angry peacocks.
