South America destination guide FAQ
Your South America questions, answered.
The same ground the South America destination guide covers — travel tips, the best months, local culture and where to go — set out as the questions people actually ask us before they book.
Planning a trip to South America
- Choose the landscape, then the month — what does that mean for a trip to South America?
- Patagonia, the Amazon, the Atacama and the Brazilian coast peak at different times, and two of them are usually wrong whenever you travel. Pick the one you came for and build the rest of the trip around its window.
- Respect the altitude — what does that mean for a trip to South America?
- Check current official travel-health guidance and consult a qualified clinician about an itinerary involving altitude. This guide does not give individual acclimatisation or fluid-intake instructions. Where an itinerary allows, gain altitude gradually rather than flying straight to the highest point.
- Internal flights save days — what does that mean for a trip to South America?
- The distances are continental — Santiago to Patagonia is a long flight, not a drive. Budget for domestic legs, book them early in January and February when Argentines and Chileans are on holiday, and leave a buffer before any international connection.
- Patagonia has a short window — what does that mean for a trip to South America?
- November to March is the season, and even then the wind is a constant and the weather changes hourly. Layers, a proper waterproof shell and flexible plans matter more than any packing list detail.
- Carry cash, and watch your surroundings in cities — what does that mean for a trip to South America?
- Cards work in hotels and better restaurants, but cash is still king in markets and small towns, and some countries have volatile exchange rates worth understanding before you arrive. In the large cities, ordinary urban caution — discreet phones, booked cars at night — goes a long way.
The best time to visit South America
- When is the best time to visit South America?
- December to February: Ask Patagonia, Rio, Argentina, Chile and Brazil properties directly about current availability for this window, and enquire with Amazon lodges about current water levels. March to May: Ask Patagonia properties directly about current conditions and closing dates for the season, and check current Peruvian highland forecasts before booking Inca Trail dates. June to August: Check current forecasts for Peru and Bolivia before booking Machu Picchu or salt-flat dates, and ask Patagonia properties directly about current closures. Check current snow reports for the Chilean and Argentine Andes. September to November: Ask Patagonia properties directly about current reopening dates and rates, and check current Peruvian forecasts before booking this window. Rates on every villa move with these seasons, and the live partner panels on each listing show what a given week actually costs.
- What is South America like in December to February?
- Ask Patagonia, Rio, Argentina, Chile and Brazil properties directly about current availability for this window, and enquire with Amazon lodges about current water levels.
- What is South America like in March to May?
- Ask Patagonia properties directly about current conditions and closing dates for the season, and check current Peruvian highland forecasts before booking Inca Trail dates.
- What is South America like in June to August?
- Check current forecasts for Peru and Bolivia before booking Machu Picchu or salt-flat dates, and ask Patagonia properties directly about current closures. Check current snow reports for the Chilean and Argentine Andes.
- What is South America like in September to November?
- Ask Patagonia properties directly about current reopening dates and rates, and check current Peruvian forecasts before booking this window.
Local culture and etiquette in South America
- Greetings are warm and physical — what is expected of visitors?
- A single cheek kiss between acquaintances is standard in much of the continent, two in parts of Brazil and Argentina. Handshakes are firm and eye contact matters. Stepping back from it reads as cold rather than polite.
- Meals run late — what is expected of visitors?
- Dinner at nine is early in Buenos Aires and Santiago, and many kitchens do not open before eight. Lunch is the substantial meal in much of the Andes. Plan the day around that rather than fighting it.
- A little Spanish or Portuguese goes far — what is expected of visitors?
- English is not widely spoken outside hotels and tourist areas. A dozen phrases, used badly, are received generously. Brazil speaks Portuguese, not Spanish, and the distinction is felt.
- Tipping is modest and expected — what is expected of visitors?
- Check service charges on each bill and ask your local operator for its tipping guidance. Customs and inclusions vary by country and establishment.
Where to go in South America
- Which places in South America should I build a trip around?
- Patagonia — Torres del Paine and the Fitz Roy massif; ask the property directly for its current view on season dates and expect wind year-round. The Atacama Desert — A desert itinerary in northern Chile; ask your accommodation about current conditions and transfer arrangements. Cusco and the Sacred Valley — Machu Picchu and the high Andes; check the current Inca Trail permit system directly and book as early as the official process allows. Rio de Janeiro and the Costa Verde — Beaches, Paraty and the islands south of the city; check current forecasts before booking a specific window. Mendoza and the Argentine wine country — Malbec at the foot of the Andes; ask the vineyard directly for its current harvest timing before booking. The Galápagos — Wildlife year-round; ask the operator directly for its current view on sea temperature and diving conditions.
- How do I book a villa in South America?
- We do not currently hold villas in South America, so this guide is editorial rather than a listing page. Everything we do list sits in the Collection, and the trip planner can help shape a route if you are weighing South America against somewhere we cover.