Are you planning to leave the freezing Northern Hemisphere during the winter? Then, South America should be in your travel check list! As a most part of it sits in the equator, South America gets the biggest chunk of sunshine. Voyage through the thick rainforests, explore the white-sand beaches, and roam around the culturally-rich towns under a sparkling sunshine. That said, we have compiled nine best destinations to spend an amazing winter in South America. So, call your travel buddies and start planning the trips!
Places to Spend Winter in South America – Summary
- Easter Island, Chile
- Atacama Desert, Chile
- Ambergris Caye, Belize
- Cancun, Mexico
- Puerto Rico
- Cartagena, Colombia
- Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
- Costa Rica
- Lake Atitlan, Guatemala
Easter Island, Chile
We are going anti-mainstream by starting the list with Easter Island. Sitting off the coast of Chile, Easter Island is a remote yet highly fascinating destination. It is home to the world-famous moai statues. The human face-shaped statues has stayed mysterious for centuries – uncracked by researchers and historians. Nonetheless, the magical and enigmatic historical complex is worth to visit.
Visiting Easter Island is about discovering the moais in archaeological parks like AhuAkivi and Rano Rakaru. However, you can expect to see other attractions. Winter, specifically February, welcomes the Tapati Rapa Nui Festival. It celebrates the Polynesian culture with traditional costumes, dance, and music. Therefore, Easter Island is one of the best places to spend winter in South America.
Weather: Shoulder season (November – December) with temperatures hovering around 21-25°C; summer (January – February) with similar temperatures but lower humidity
Things to Do in Easter Island in Winter: Visiting Rano Raraku and Ahu Te Peu historical sites, seeing Sebastian Englert Anthropology Museum, and seeing the Tapati Rapa Nui Festival
Atacama Desert, Chile
Let’s go extreme when it comes to winter sun – desert! Spice up your winter holiday by traveling to the driest area on earth, which is the Atacama Desert. The desert features a jaw-dropping landscape of rocky plains, crimson dunes, and towering volcanoes. The otherworldly landscape will make you feel like you are not on planet Earth anymore. However, Atacama Desert does not fully represent a ‘desert’ so much. You can find other astonishing landscapes like vegetation-clad oasis, hissing geysers, and salt flats.
Winter in the Northern Hemisphere means dry season in Atacama Desert. It is the time go horseback-riding along the desert and set a camp. The absence of rainfalls creates dark and clear night skies. You can go stargazing in Atacama Desert or even spot the Milky Way. Therefore, it is one of the best places to spend winter in South America.
Weather: Dry season (December – February) with an average temperature of 18°C and colder nights
Things to Do in Atacama Desert in Winter: Hiking the Valle de La Luna – which offer a ‘walking-on-the-moon’ experience, seeing the geyser fields, hiking Cero Terro volcano, camping, and stargazing
Ambergris Caye, Belize
This sunsoaked island in Belize answers your wish for a perfect beach vacation. It is home to outstanding coral reefs, flawless white-sand beaches, and lush tropical rainforests. Ambergris Caye also attracts wildlife enthusiasts as capuchin monkeys and jaguars roam around the island. Moreover, Ambergris Caye has 300-days of sunshine. It is an amazing destination for winter in South America.
A holiday in Ambergris Caye looks like lazing on sunbeds and exploring the laidback capital of San Pedro. However, the main deal about this island is the underwater landscape. It is a treasure trove of marine species, ranging from tropical fish to whale sharks. Please note that December marks the beginning of rainy season, so make sure you get the calendar right to dive!
Weather: Rain season with December being the coldest month. Temperatures hovering around 26°C
Things to Do in Ambergris Caye in Winter: Seeing underwater species in Hol Chan Marine Reserve, greeting iguanas in Calvin’s Green Iguana Ecopark, exploring San Pedro Town, and trying out Belizean cuisine.
Cancun, Mexico
Parties, beaches, and many more – that what makes Cancun a beloved destination. Sitting on Mexico’s Yucatan Peninsula, Cancun boasts pearly coastline and turquoise-sapphire waters. Besides that, travelers can find jungle-clad cenotes, centuries-old Mayan pyramids, and fantastic party scenes. In a nutshell, Cancun offers a little bit of everything for everyone.
Cancun is one of the most popular places to spend winter in South America. Tourists start flying on December, hunting for the clear skies and warm sunshine. It is also the time for unique celebrations and cultural festivals, including the advent period (posadas) and Dia de Los Reyes. So, are you ready to get your tan while immersing yourself in fantastic cultural scene?
Weather: Rain season with December being the coldest month. Temperatures hovering around 26°C
Things to Do in Cancun in Winter: Scuba diving or snorkeling at Royal Garrafon Reef Park, seeing bioluminescence in a night snorkel, checking out the ancient ruins of Chichen Itza, celebrating New Year’s Eve, going for a dinner cruise, and partying.
Choosing to spend the winter in South America is always awesome. Get the best out of South America, from pearly beaches to striking rainforests, as summer approaches the Southern Hemisphere.
Then, are you thinking about traveling to South America this winter? Sit back and relax as JoinMyTrip has the perfect group trips for you! Each trip is crafted by experienced travelers and dedicated locals who know the destination like the back of their hand. Whether you want to party all night long in Cancun or sample a Belizean dish, there is always someone to show the way.
Check out these trips to South America dan start traveling!