Travel to South America in May

May is one of the most rewarding months to explore South America, as the dry season begins in many Andean regions, autumn colors linger in the south, and mild temperatures spread across the continent.

In Peru, the Sacred Valley, Cusco, and Machu Picchu enjoy clear, sunny days and cool nights — perfect for trekking the Inca Trail or exploring lesser-known highland paths. Corpus Christi processions may fill Cusco’s plazas with music, color, and tradition. In Bolivia’s highlands, brilliant skies frame Lake Titicaca, and early in the month, you might still catch the last shimmering reflections before the Uyuni Salt Flats begin to dry. Chile’s Atacama Desert offers crisp mornings, warm afternoons, and dazzling stargazing, while Patagonia’s short May season brings golden lenga forests, peaceful trails, and excellent wildlife viewing before winter closes in.

The Amazon remains in its high-water season, with canoe routes leading deep into flooded forests alive with macaws, sloths, monkeys, and pink river dolphins. In Brazil’s Pantanal, the drying season begins to draw wildlife to shrinking lagoons, making jaguar sightings more likely.

The Galápagos sees calm seas and abundant marine life, from blue-footed boobies in full courtship to waved albatross nesting on Española. In Ecuador’s highlands, clearer skies after the rains reveal snow-capped volcanoes and green valleys, while in Colombia, sunny days still warm Cartagena’s colonial streets and Tayrona’s palm-lined bays. Northern Brazil remains lush and vibrant, with occasional sunny interludes on its tropical beaches.