Countries to visit in South America
Compare 8 countries at a glance, then open one for official tourism sites, transport links and practical tips.
| Country and best time to visit | Currency | Language |
|---|---|---|
| Argentina Oct–Apr; Patagonia Nov–Mar | $ Argentine peso (ARS) | Spanish |
| Bolivia May–Oct (dry season) | Bs Bolivian boliviano (BOB) | Spanish; Quechua, Aymara and others |
| Brazil Year-round; Dec–Mar is peak summer | R$ Brazilian real (BRL) | Portuguese |
| Chile Oct–Apr; Patagonia Nov–Mar | $ Chilean peso (CLP) | Spanish |
| Colombia Dec–Mar and Jul–Aug (drier months) | $ Colombian peso (COP) | Spanish |
| Ecuador Jun–Sep in the Andes; Galápagos year-round | $ US dollar (USD) | Spanish |
| Peru May–Sep (dry season in the Andes) | Peruvian sol (PEN) | Spanish, Quechua |
| Uruguay Dec–Mar | $ Uruguayan peso (UYU) | Spanish |
Seasons
Best time to visit South America, month by month
Most countries in season: December to March (5 of 8). Counts come from each country's best-time note. Pick a month for its list.
Travel resources by country
- Argentina
Tango in Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls, Mendoza's vineyards and the glaciers and peaks of Patagonia.
- Bolivia
The Salar de Uyuni salt flat, La Paz's cable cars above the Andes, colonial Sucre and Lake Titicaca.
- Brazil
Rio's beaches and mountains, the Amazon, Iguaçu Falls and Salvador's Afro-Brazilian old town.
- Chile
The Atacama Desert, Santiago, the central wine valleys and the granite towers of Patagonia.
- Colombia
Caribbean old towns, Andean cities, coffee country and protected coastline.
- Ecuador
The Galápagos Islands, colonial Quito and Cuenca, and Andean volcanoes.
- Peru
Machu Picchu, Cusco and the Sacred Valley, Lima's food scene and Lake Titicaca high in the Andes.
- Uruguay
Montevideo's waterfront promenade, the cobbled old town of Colonia, Punta del Este's beaches and remote Cabo Polonio.