Best time to visit South America

South America Starts Here

Spending 2 months in South America seems like a lot—until you actually get there. The size of the continent and the distance between places is somewhat evident on maps, or when you start perusing bus schedules, but you don’t viscerally comprehend it until your feet are on the ground.

To put it another way, unless you’re flexible in the amount of time you can spend, you probably won’t get to see all the best places to visit in South America, at least not on your first trip. (Once you make peace with this, of course, you can also admit that you’ll probably be back for another at some point!)

But let’s not start off on a negative note. Whether you’re seeking backpacking routes in South America or want to approach a trip to the continent from a more luxurious bent, this article is about what you can accomplish—not what you can’t.

Practical Matters

When to Visit South America

The best time to travel to South America varies slightly throughout the continent, but I generally like going during the southern summer (between December-March), especially if you plan to explore areas further south. Much of equatorial South America (i.e. Colombia, Ecuador and northern Brazil) is great to visit 365 days per year, while specific destination (Bolivia’s salt flats and Brazil’s bizarre sand dunes) are actually best to visit during their rainy seasons—February and July are good months, respectively. As for how long to travel South America? Well, that’s what this entire page is about.

Where to Stay in South America

South America has an impressive range of lounging, whether you’re taking a South America honeymoon and want to stay someplace luxurious, or are seeking out the best hotels in the world. Certainly, I’ve experienced many ends of the spectrum, from the opulent Hotel Fasano on Ipanema Beach in Rio de Janeiro, to the simple Loki Hostel in Cusco, Peru. Camping is also a popular option in wilder reaches of the continent, particularly in Patagonia, while wilder (even floating!) lodging is possible in the Amazon.

How to Get Around in South America

Unless your South America travel route is extremely ambitious, you’ll probably be traversing most of it by land. This is both because regional flights tend to be exorbitantly priced, and because long-distance buses are not only cheap by comparison, but excellent—you can enjoy steak and champagne on ones in Argentina! Many South American cities feature excellent and safe public transportation, though if you have to take a private car, I’d recommend an app like Uber over a sketchy local taxi any day.

Money, Costs and Communication

You’ll exchange currency plenty of times during your 2 months in South America, since most every country uses a different currency, from pesos in Colombia, Argentina and Chile, to Brazilian reaí, to Peruvian soles to Bolivian bolivianos. In terms of costs, you can generally expect the larger countries in the south to be more expensive than the smaller ones in the north, though the poor economies of Argentina and Brazil especially have reduced costs to far below what they used to be.

Irrespective of whether you’re in the cheapest countries in South America or the most expensive ones, WiFi is relatively good throughout the continent. With this being said, I do recommend getting local SIM cards, though this can admittedly be a hassle since you’ll need to purchase a new one in each country. In terms of linguistic communications, it is absolutely essential to have at least a basic grasp of Spanish—Portuguese also helps a lot.

Visas in South America

The issue of South America visas has become less complicated over the years, especially if you’re European or American. In fact, it was just announced recently that Americans no longer need a visa to enter Brazil (which was previously the most troublesome visa among South America’s major countries), while both Argentina and Chile have ended the “reciprocity fee” scheme long in place. Bolivia’s $160 fee is the highest in South America for US citizens (many European don’t need this), though it’s relatively easy to get.

Where to Go With 2 Months in South America

Colombia

If you’re wondering “is Colombia safe?” the answer is yes, with some caveats I’ll mention in a few paragraphs. The more important point? Colombia is absolutely amazing, whether you explore the gorgeous city of Cartagena, trek amid alien-like palm trees in the Valle del Cocora or sun yourself on the forlorn beaches of Tayrona National Park.

I would almost go so far as to say that if you have significantly less than 2 months in South America (which is to say that, with 8 weeks in South America, you can only visit one country), that Colombia should be it. It’s a microcosm of all there is to love about the continent—and it’s also the most convenient country to visit, at least for Americans.

Ecuador and the Galapagos Islands

Though I didn’t visit them the first time I saw South America in 2 months (largely because I assumed this would be impossible), it’s now clear to me that an excursion to the Galapagos Islands is very much doable during this span of time. This says nothing of all the other amazing things to do in Ecuador, from the beautiful capital Quito to the adventure hub of Baños.

I will say, generally speaking, that the longer your Galapagos trip is, the less I’d recommend spending time in mainland Ecuador. If you take an organized Galapagos tour, this will allow you to cover more ground in a shorter period of time (perfect if, say, you have just 6 weeks in South America) while going independently is more fulfilling, but also takes longer.

Peru is probably the South American country who seek my personalized Travel Coaching service inquire most about, thanks to iconic experiences like the Machu Picchu hike, as well as more obscure things to do. Lately, Lima (and its food scene) have been hot, as have excursions to Iquitos and the Peruvian Amazon.

Of course, whether the only thing you do in Peru during your 2 months South America itinerary is hike the Inca Trail, or you decide to explore somewhat underrated spots like the white city of Arequipa and the dramatic Colca Canyon, this country is not going to disappoint you.

Bolivia

The next stop along the South America backpacking route—even if you’re not a budget traveler—is Bolivia. For most travelers, this entails two main destinations: La Paz, the highest capital city in the world; and the Salar de Uyuni, a high desert whose mirrored appearance during the rainy season leads some people to believe it’s a beach.

Of course, depending on how you want to structure your South America trip, you could see other places in Bolivia once your Uyuni Salt Flats tour is done. Explore cities like Potosi and Sucre, or descend into the tropical jungles of Santa Cruz de la Sierra, an underrated urban center, and the gateway to the Bolivian Amazon.

Chile

When it comes to places to visit in Chile, I’ll be devoting this section to those outside of Patagonia—and, with the exception of the Atacama Desert near the border with Bolivia, those in the region of the capital Santiago. (Which, for what it’s worth, might just be my favorite city in South America, and certainly the only one where I could ever see myself living.)

Indeed, the first time I spent 2 or 3 months in South America, I spent most of my time in Chile in the capital region, which included the coastal cities of Valparaíso and Viña del Mar, as well as a couple of wineries just outside of Santiago-proper.

Argentina

Likewise, I’ll be spotlighting places to visit in Argentina that are in the northern reaches of the country, though I’ll be getting to Patagonia in a few paragraph. As you can probably imagine, most trips to Argentina begin and end in fabulous Buenos Aires, a European city misplaced in South America, which absolutely earns its nickname as the “Paris of the South.”

Beyond this (and the slightly less beautiful side of Iguazú Falls), other Argentina destinations I’d recommend adding to your 2 month South America itinerary include Mendoza and its surrounding wine country, as well as the underrated city of Cordoba.

Brazil

For most travelers, things to do in Brazil include a boat trip under Iguaçu Falls and a romp on one of Rio de Janeiro‘s beaches. However, I’ve enjoyed getting to know Brazil beyond these bright and shiny objects, even if they (and Christ the Redeemer, as well as the coastal city of Salvador) absolutely deserve their notoriety.

If you’re down to spend a disproportionate percentage of your 2 months in South America (and you speak a little Portuguese—this is key), consider exploring other destinations. São Paulo is one of the most underrated cities in South America (and is not really very dangerous), while the otherworldly Lençóis Maranhenses is one of the most magical places I’ve visited anywhere in the world.

Other South America Destinations

From Patagonia hiking, to secondary countries like Paraguay, Uruguay and the Guyanas/Suriname at the top of the continent, there are plenty of places to visit in South America besides those I’ve described in detail. You could even head to Venezuela if you have a death wish (or, less dramatically, if you’re traveling with a tour company in a rural area as far from civilization as possible).

The reason I didn’t say more about these destinations, frankly, is time. A comprehensive Amazon Rainforest trip, on its own, takes at least two weeks, irrespective of which country you choose as your origination point.

Sample 2 Months in South America Itineraries

The Classic 2 Months in South America

If you don’t have any particular proclivities and are just looking for a simple South America itinerary (2 months or longer), this is probably how yours will look:

• Two weeks in Colombia or Ecuador
• 10 days in Peru
• 3-5 days in Bolivia
• 10 days in northern Chile or Argentina
• 1 week in Patagonia
• Two weeks in Brazil

My favorite thing about this particular South America 2 month itinerary? You can easily adjust it to be longer than 2 months South America (or shorter, if you haven’t got a lot of time).

A South American Boutique Experience

From legitimate luxury South America experiences to boutique hotels throughout the continent, those of you with some extra pesos to spend will be handsomely rewarded:

• Bethel Bio Luxury Hotel in Colombia’s Tatacoa Desert
• Silver Luxury Cruise to Galapagos (or Antarctica—insert after Patagonia)
• Belmond Sanctuary Lodge at Machu Picchu
• Tierra Patagonia Hotel and Spa in Torres del Paine
• Hotel das Cataratas at Iguassu Falls
• Palacio Tangara in São Paulo

Aren’t a big baller? Neither am I! Enjoy the best of both worlds and integrate a couple of these into your 2 months in South America, rather than bankrupting yourself by following the whole thing.

Weird and Amazing South America

Whether you’re seeking a Patagonia vacation or want to visit otherworldly destinations in Bolivia and Brazil, you can structure an entire itinerary around the extraordinary:

• Colombia’s Caño Cristales rainbow river
• Brazil’s Lencóis Maranhenses sand dunes
• Bolivia’s Salar de Uyuni
• Chile’s Atacama Desert
• Torres del Paine in Chilean Patagonia
• Mt. Fitzroy in Argentine Patagonia

Please note, as I mentioned in the introduction to this article, that you’ll need to visit both the Lençóis Maranhenses and the Salar de Uyuni during the rainy season (the former of which is the “cold” season in Patagonia) to get the full experience.

Is South America Safe?

As you travel South America 2 months (or longer), you’ll get your wits about you, and develop an ability to quickly suss out sketchiness. And that’s thankful: South America is not an especially safe place to travel, though I’ll conceded that many reports of how dangerous it is for travelers are sensationalistic and overblown.

Many, but not all. To be sure, although I have never encountered danger while backpacking South America—I’ve only really felt sketched out a handful of times, to be honest—I personally know two people who’ve been mugged at gunpoint, and one person who was actually shot.

Other FAQ About 2 Months in South America

How much money do you need for 2 months in South America?

Depending on where you go during your 2 month South America itinerary and how you like to travel, I’d say most travelers will spend between $4,500-18,000 during their trips. This is a wide range, to be sure, but this is a huge continent with many forks in the road!

What is the best month to visit South America?

My favorite time to spend 2 months in South America is during the Southern summer, and the months of January and February in particular. These are also the busiest and most expensive times to visit South America; “shoulder” months such as November and March or April will be less crowded, if you’re willing to deal with slightly less optimal weather.

How long do you need to travel South America?

Obviously, I think two months is a fine amount of time, given that I’ve created a South America 2 month itinerary. With this being said, you can enjoy trips in individual South American countries with a month or even less; truly comprehensive expeditions of this massive continent can last six months or longer.

The Bottom Line

Although 2 months in South America isn’t a huge amount of time, considering the size of the continent and the array of things to do there, it’s perfect for a first trip—or a second one, or a third one. Follow the traditional u-shaped route from Peru through Bolivia, down into Chile and up through Argentina to Brazil, or create a more eclectic itinerary that relies less on geography and more on your capacity for air travel. Still feeling flummoxed? Hire me to actualize your ultimate South America trip—you won’t regret it. Of all the places in the world you can utilize a 2 month itinerary, South America is definitely among my favorites.

best time to visit
South America

With weather conditions that are as diverse as the landscape, the best time to visit South America depends on which region you are planning to visit. It’s an enormous continent, spanning from the equator all the way to Cape Horn, so planning the perfect South America tours depends entirely on what you wish to see and do.

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Bolivia, Ecuador and Peru – Amazon Rainforest

In the jungle, expect warmer temperatures between 25 to 30 ° C throughout the year as well as high humidity. While in Bolivia, it’s best to travel to the rainforest in May, the Peruvian jungle is ideal for a visit between April to October. Ecuador receives the lowest amount of rainfall in September, making this the best month to visit the Amazon. Rainfall is highest between December to February.

The Galapagos

You can travel to the Galapagos Islands throughout the year. While the islands experience heavy rainfall between December to April, these showers usually last for a very short while.

Brazil

The climate of Northern Brazil is tropical, with little change in temperature through the year. You can travel to Southern Brazil at any time of the year. While winter is the best time to visit Brazil when the temperature is a pleasant 20 ° C, summers are usually very warm. Visit the Brazilian Amazon between the months of April and September – it rains the least at this time.

Argentina and Chile

As both of these countries stretch for a considerable distance from the north to the south, weather conditions in each region are varied. Set in the southern hemisphere, the climatic conditions are opposite to ours – the northern parts experience warm weather throughout the year although nights can get very cold. The best time to visit Chile and Argentina is between the months of October to April, especially if you are planning to visit Patagonia. Most hotels remain closed between the months of May to September.

Colombia

The country boasts a uniformly tropical climate with little or no seasonal variations. In the coastal areas to the northeast of Colombia, expect temperatures around 30 degree C, while in the mountainous regions of Cocora Valley and the Coffee Region, temperatures are about 25 degree C on an average. The higher you climb, the cooler it gets. The dry months of December to February is the best time to visit Colombia as there is no rain during this time. However, even in the rainy season, you can expect at least a few hours of bright sunshine.

The Best Time for South America Travels

Finding the ideal time for a South America vacation is not easy if you wish to visit several different regions. Having traveled extensively through the continent, our destinations experts are happy to share their inputs and design the perfect itinerary for your tour.

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