South America Vacations

This depends on what you want to do and when you want to travel. For cruises around the holidays you may need to book 1 to 2 years in advance, especially for the Galapagos Islands. If you wish to hike the Inca Trail or visit Rio during Carnival we advise booking at least 6 months in advance.

Due to its vast size and geographical diversity there is always somewhere good to go in South America regardless of the season. However in the Southern Hemisphere the warmer summer months tend to fall between December and February and colder winter months between June and August.

We recommend not trying to visit too many countries on your vacation as South America is a big continent and journey times are surprisingly long. One or two neighboring countries is advisable. Ecuador and Peru are a common combination, with the Galapagos Islands and Machu Picchu a popular itinerary.

Argentina and Brazil are South America’s most visited countries, but Chile, Ecuador and Peru are always popular thanks to their abundant natural and archaeological wonders. Bolivia is growing in popularity thanks to its alluring otherworldly landscapes and intact indigenous cultures.

While some parts of South America have been deemed dangerous by the U.S. Department of State, much of the continent is perfectly safe to visit, with the exception of Venezuela. Uruguay and Chile are regarded as the safest countries in South America by the Global Peace Index.