South America - Travel Insights and Tips!

Shoulder seasons are excellent for travelers who are not strapped for time. Ecuador in November goes through plenty of changes weather-wise, but you can still expect comfortable conditions with not too much rain and mild temperatures. The highlands are still hikable, the Amazon basin has not flooded, and coastal waters are warming up—all excellent opportunities for adventure-hungry travelers. The beginning of the month has a few traditional celebrations, where visitors can get an even greater understanding and appreciation for local customs. Have a look at our tours in Ecuador to find out what your holiday in November can look like.

The Amazon remains relatively dry in October, making this a great time to explore the jungle by foot for wildlife sightings and seeing caimans lay their eggs on riverbanks. The Galapagos Islands are also dry during this time, and cooler temperatures make for more pleasant hikes around the islands. In the Highlands though, rainy days are back and the region transitions into the low season. However, this also means you can find great discounts on tours and accommodation if you visit Ecuador in October.

Seasons are changing in Ecuador in May, with crowds set to roll in from next month, meaning you can still enjoy low season prices without the queues. With luscious green landscapes and a chance to see blue-footed boobies displaying their famous mating dance, May is a fantastic time to visit the Galapagos Islands. Mountain trekking also returns in May, but as the rest of the country heads into dry season, the rainy Amazon in May is perfect for adventurous rafters and kayakers. Read on to find out what your Ecuadorian holiday this month can look like.

From the historical attractions of Valparaiso and the stunning natural beauty of Torres del Paine to the glacial fjords and rainforest of Patagonia, Chile has a lot going for it. The southernmost country in the world. Chile occupies a long strip of land between the Andes and the Pacific Ocean. Here you will find beaches, deserts, rainforests, and mountains. In other words, there is no shortage of exciting places to visit in Chile. And if you are traveling to Chile in February, all the better. This is one of the best times to visit the country, as the long summer days provide the ideal weather for outdoor activities, surfing, and relaxing on the beach.

As the dry season comes to an end, Ecuador in September sees some of the best weather of the year. Temperatures are mild all around, ideal for hiking and embarking on Amazon adventures. Point your compass anywhere in the Andes and you will be blessed with good conditions. From Quito in the north to Loja in the south, there is pleasant outdoor weather everywhere. Go whale watching in the Galapagos, museum hopping in Guayaquil, or exploring Machala, the banana capital of the world, an Ecuador trip will fascinate you.

When the equator runs straight through the country, it is hard to distinguish between summer and winter. Ecuador in April is typically characterized by lots of rain in the highlands and warm weather on the coast. Weather-wise, it might be one of the worst months to visit the country but, in contrast, it is one of the best times to venture out to the Galapagos islands. You will not be hiking much in April but the flooded rivers bring a whole heap of new adventures. Quito is overtaken by Easter celebrations in April and Cuenca is taken over by a similar jovial atmosphere. April calls for slow travel through Ecuador, urging you to get creative with the places you visit and delve deeper into cultural attractions along the way.

With mild temperature, low rainfall, and longish summer days all calling for outdoor adventure, your trip to Patagonia in February is guaranteed to be an enjoyable one. The weather is simply perfect for hiking, mountain biking, wildlife observation, and camping in Patagonia. Additionally, travelers can also enjoy activities like swimming, canoeing, and kayaking. But do be warned that February marks the tail end of Patagonia's peak season, which means there will be a huge influx of tourists, and prices of tours and accommodation could be significantly high.

With winter still in touch and spring creeping in, you will find the visitor numbers dropping in Patagonia in September. This is the time when you will have snow-covered landscapes and national parks all to yourselves. If you do not mind the pesky weather on your trip to Patagonia, September is a perfect time for skiing on the dramatic peaks between Chile and Argentina, watching whales around Peninsula Valdes, or snapping up some rare wildlife with your camera at Torres del Paine National Park.

With an abundance of sunshine, pleasant weather, and longer daylight hours, Patagonia in December provides a perfect trifecta for endless outdoor fun. The shoulder season between spring and summer is a wonderful time to travel to Patagonia. If you are considering visiting Patagonia in December, you are in for a treat. But do make sure to book your tour ahead of time and try to arrange your holiday in the first half of the month before the holiday tour groups arrive. That way, you will have the best chance of enjoying a crowd-free tour and avoiding price hikes.

The start of the Amazon rainy season offers fantastic opportunities to spot wildlife that are more elusive in the dry season, as abundant food supply draws them into the forest canopy. Hot, sunny days on the coast are perfect for beach lovers, while surfers make the most of the epic waves while traveling in Ecuador in March. This is also the best time of year for snorkeling and scuba diving around the Galapagos Islands, not only because of the pleasant warm waters but also for a chance to spot manta rays.

With shorter days and chilly weather, Patagonia in May experiences the end of the shoulder season. Although a lot of hotels, attractions, and restaurants close when the first winter snow starts falling, northern Patagonia is still warm enough for trekking, and further south, ski resorts are just getting started for the upcoming winter fun. Travelers will enjoy Patagonia with fewer tourists than at any other time of year. From endless pampas to soaring peaks, to glacial rivers, visiting Patagonia in May is as good a month as any.

The streets are alive in Ecuador in February, as the carnival festivities begin. Join the locals in one of their biggest celebrations of the year. Exploring Ecuador’s coast is the thing to do this month. Crowds flock to the beaches to surf and soak up the sun. Nature and wildlife lovers, meanwhile, can head to the Ecuadorian cloud forests and the Galapagos Islands. To escape tourist crowds, visit the highlands, where fewer travelers venture on the account of rainy weather. Places like the indigenous city of Otavalo are less crowded with tourists this time of year.