What is the best time to visit South America?

Question

I will be traveling throughout SA and would like to know the rainy seasons/dry seasons for each SA country.

Answer 1

South America is huge, and in some places you might find quite heavy rain or extreme heat or extreme cold.

Let me put a case in point about my country, Ecuador.

Year-round average temperature in the mid 70's in the capital city of Quito, whereas the coastal city of Guayaquil has an average temperature in the upper 80's or low 90's.

We do not have 4 seasons as most countries in the extreme north or south (US/Canada or Chile/Argentina), because Ecuador sits in the equator. Nevertheless, in a small country such as Ecuador, you can have, within a short flight time period, extreme heat (coastal areas), or extreme cold (Andes mountanious region), or extreme humidity and heavy rains (in the jungle areas to the east). You can, within a 30 minute flight distance, enjoy wonderfull beaches, and be in a half hour flight, climbing well over 5.000 meter high snowed mountain peaks.

Colombia is very much like Ecuador in geography and climate, whereas Venezuela, further north of the equator enjoys much warmer climate most of the year.

Peru to the south of Ecuador, is mostly dry along the coast and Andes region, but hot and humid along the Amazon basin.

Chile, Argentina, Uruguay and Paraguay at present are going into full winter season characterized by regular rain storms until October or November, whereas Brazil (specially Sao Paulo, Rio) enjoys cold temperatures but not too low so as to freezing point. Nevertheless, further north in Brazil if you reach Manaus (a wonderfull place to visit), you will enjoy year round hot and humid weather conditions.

All in all, if you plan on travelling to this region, drop by Ecuador first. Tour around Quito and enjoy our historic district, visit Cuenca also a nice city to go, visit our indian markets and perhaps take a flight to the Galapagos Islands just a couple of hours flight from Quito.....and if you enjoy jungle lodges, nothing like our eastern mostly unexplored part of the country. And if you do travel, bring along: heavy jacket for the cold in the Andes region/cities, your best swimming suit for the beaches, and light but confortable gear for jungle trips......and your camera for the best wild-life shots you will ever catch.

Answer 2

Because it's in the southern hemisphere, summer time is December/January and I think that's the best time to visit if you're into beaches, lakes, rafting, horseback riding, hiking, etc.  If you're more into winter sports like skiing, boarding, sledding (or just drinking cocoa in a ski lodge) then you'll want to head to Chile and Argentina in July/August.  Note that the Inca Trail and Machu Picchu are closed during the month of February for repairs, so if you're planning to go to Peru keep that in mind.  I think that you'll risk rainy weather at any time of the year depending on exactly where you'll be traveling.  Have a great trip!

Answer 3

Well...I will talk about Colombia, Panama, Venezuela, Ecuador and the north of Brazil and Peru...The dry season is more like from october to january..the rainy season, specially in Colombia. is from after february or march till i dont know...still raining a lot specially in the coast area of Colombia and probably Panama...so, i think the best season to travel is in November or december..good luck and enjoy your trip

Answer 4

Before 5 p.m. After that, you might not get a table.

Answer 5

I should say that the best time to come to South America is our Spring season. That is october, and november. That months are nice in almost all the continent.

If you like winter sports......then june and july in Argentine and Chile.

If you like beaches, then Brazil all the year, or Uruguay in december, january, and february.

I agree with the answerer that said that if you start  in the north of south america it should be better if you do it in september, that way, in summer you will be in the south..Argentine and Uruguay, that arent as much hot as the tropical northern countries as Venezuela, Ecuador, or Brazil