Travel to South America in November

November is a month of contrasts in South America, as spring reaches its peak in the south and the first rains touch parts of the Andes.

In Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, wildflowers blanket meadows, migratory birds return, and temperatures rise, making it an excellent time for hiking before the peak summer crowds arrive. In the Atacama Desert, mild days and clear skies remain ideal for exploring salt flats, geysers, and desert valleys. One of the most photogenic months in Antarctica, November brings sculpted icebergs, pristine snow, and the start of penguin courtship and nesting.

In Peru and Bolivia, the start of the rainy season brings occasional showers, but the landscapes around the Sacred Valley, Lake Titicaca, and the highlands remain lush and photogenic, with fewer visitors at major sites. The Galápagos enjoys warmer air and sea temperatures as the cool season gives way to the warm, with seabird chicks fledging and sea lion pups playing along the beaches.

In the Amazon, river levels begin to rise, and the forests come alive with bird calls and lush foliage. Brazil’s Pantanal is transitioning toward the wet season, with dramatic skies and excellent opportunities to spot birdlife before the rains set in. Colombia’s Caribbean coast stays sunny and calm, perfect for combining Cartagena’s cultural scene with island escapes. In Ecuador’s highlands, clear mornings give way to short afternoon showers, framing snow-capped volcanoes against vivid green valleys.