Few travel destinations are as exciting as South America in December. The entire continent is gearing up for Christmas, and all the major hubs, from Buenos Aires to Rio de Janeiro and even Cusco, are positively humming with a festive feel. December also marks the start of summer here, so even the typically coldest corners of the far south, in Patagonia, are now enjoying their best conditions of the year. In the north, you'll find the Galápagos teeming with wildlife and Cartagena sliding into its dry season. The days are long, sunny, and incredibly enjoyable across the board.
A Christmas trip to South America is popular for all these reasons, but you’ll need to book well in advance if that's your plan. Want to soak up all the benefits but be home for Christmas? Book your trip for the first two weeks of December to get all the rewards without the peak crowds and prices. It's one of South American travel's best-kept secrets.
Planning a trip for a slightly different time of year? Check out our guides to South America travel in November and South America travel in January, too.
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South America in December – An Overview
Best Wilderness & Wildlife Experiences in December
South America weather in December is just about perfect (almost) everywhere. Summer brings some rain in the central regions, but the higher temperatures make up for it.
Cusco comes alive with the Santurantikuy, one of the largest traditional craft fairs in South America, held on Christmas Eve. It’s a spectacular and authentic experience which you will love if planning Christmas in Peru.
Patagonia is at its prime, with all trails and lodges open, long daylight hours, and the hiking season just getting started. Antarctica expedition season also kicks into full swing from Ushuaia.
Chiloé Island in Chilean Patagonia experiences its warmest temperatures and lowest rainfall of the year in December, making it perfect for seeing its remarkable wooden churches and exploring its unique food culture.
The Galápagos are a wildlife spectacle this month, and although you will have some overcast days, it is a superb month overall, with the warmest temps of the year. Giant tortoise hatchlings and fledgling waved albatross are a few of December’s highlights.
Colombia’s dry season is well underway, making Cartagena and the Caribbean coast a fantastic choice for early December travel.
Everything about Patagonia in December is perfect. The good season is just getting underway, which means you get near-peak conditions for the best hikes without the January crowds. Book accommodation in advance, though, as the region is sparsely populated and lodges fill up quickly once the season starts.
December is also when the Antarctica expedition cruise season hits full swing from Ushuaia (Tierra del Fuego). It’s the perfect add-on for anyone who wants to push even further south after Patagonia.
December is one of the best months to visit Patagonia’s many glaciers
December is an excellent month for a Galápagos cruise. This month sees the islands transition from colder and drier to warmer and wetter, with the first two weeks being ideal. Calmer seas, warming waters, and excellent underwater visibility make it a treat for snorkelling and diving. As the islands receive their first rains, wildflowers begin to bloom, a beautiful sight in its own right.
The famed wildlife is spectacular too: fledgling waved albatross on Española, giant tortoise hatchlings on Isabela, and mating green turtles, marine iguanas, and land iguanas are all December highlights. Tourist crowds peak in January, so December is also a good month to find deals on Galápagos cruises.
See our full range of Galápagos Tours and Cruises
December brings calmer seas, warming waters, and a spectacular array of wildlife activity to the Galápagos Islands.
Chiloé is one of those hidden secrets that doesn't get nearly enough attention; in fact, most people have never even heard of it. Sitting off the coast of Los Lagos in northern Chilean Patagonia, this unique island is a world unto itself: the waterfront is lined with wooden palafito stilt houses and the landscape is sprinkled with UNESCO-listed churches. What we love here is the cuisine and, in a continent renowned for its culinary prowess, that’s saying a lot. The mix of seafood and smoked meats really set it apart from anywhere else on the continent.
The island’s northwest coast is where blue whales come to feed, and the tiny Islotes de Puñihuil just off its shore is one of the rare places on earth where Magellanic and Humboldt penguins interbreed. If you're heading into Patagonia, it's a wonderful first stop that most people skip.
Chiloé iconic stilt homes were originally designed to cope with flowing tides and grant direct water access to a population that relied heavily on fishing.
Long summer days mean sightseeing galore, siestas, evenings out in historic centres, and bars and restaurants spilling onto the street with happy people. If you want wonderful weather combined with the kind of excitable atmosphere only December brings, here are the cities to consider.
Also, one of the most underrated benefits of exploring South America in December is that the higher temperatures mean you wear and pack less, which can make travel so very enjoyable.
December is a wonderful time to visit Buenos Aires. The city is in full summer bloom, with warm, long days that are perfect for exploring the trendiest neighbourhoods, early morning strolling, long lunches, and evenings that stretch late into the night.
Buenos Aires in December is warm, colourful and ready to celebrate Christmas.
December is traditionally the wettest month of the year in Rio, but the short downpours are refreshing, given that the temperatures are climbing fast. Hit the beaches in and south of the city, check out all the spectacular sights, and enjoy one of the most vibrant cities in South America at one of its most colourful times of year. Prices don’t start peaking until Carnaval in February, so December is actually a great time to find good deals.
Do note that schools close early in Brazil (around the 6th of December), so plan to arrive right at the start of the month for the quietest days.
Rio in December is hot, buzzing, and packed with things to see.
December marks the start of Colombia’s driest season, making it a great time to enjoy the Andean highlands, the Caribbean islands, and all those sensational colonial treasures that make this country so compelling. Cartagena is particularly lovely at this time of year, the walled city and Caribbean coastline are at their most accessible, and you can travel extensively through this lesser-visited country without worrying about rain disrupting your plans.
Colombia's Magdalena River also makes for a fantastic journey off the typical tourist trail. The Magic of Colombia river cruise runs year-round and matches well with a stay in Cartagena.
December brings dry skies and warm temperatures to Cartagena and the entire Caribbean coast.
December is a superb month to visit the Galápagos Islands (more on that below), and spending a few nights in Quito before or after your cruise is well worth it. With its UNESCO-listed colonial core, fascinating Andean day trips, and an overall quieter feel than many South American capitals, Ecuador is never overcrowded, and December’s relative quiet makes it even more pleasant to discover at your own pace.
Quito’s UNESCO-listed old town is delightful and easy to enjoy with lower tourist crowds in December.
December is rainy season in the central highlands, which makes extensive trekking in Cusco tricky. But it also delivers one of the most spectacular local experiences in South America. On Christmas Eve, the Plaza de Armas fills with thousands of artisans for the Santurantikuy, one of the largest traditional craft fairs on the continent. Stalls overflow with hand-carved saints, nativity figures, textiles, and Andean ceramics in a festival that has been celebrated in Cusco for centuries. It’s a remarkable thing to witness, ideal if you’d love a glimpse of local culture during your trip.
For those who prefer drier conditions, Lima is worth exploring: December is actually one of its sunniest months, a nice contrast to the grey skies the capital is famous for much of the year. Combined with the extraordinary food scene, and the chance to see the famed Nazca Lines nearby, it makes for an enticing city break at the start of your Peru itinerary.
Santurantikuy means “sale of the saints” in Quechuan, but nowadays you’ll find more than holy figurines on sale at this centuries-old Christmas market. Photo courtesy of Renate Zindel.
At Viva Expeditions, we’ve travelled just about every corner of South America, in just about every season (summer, winter, and the wet), and we’d love to show you around.
Browse our full range of South America tours and contact our Destination Specialists for personalised advice on where to go in South America in December.
Laura PattaraLaura Pattara writes for Viva Expeditions with a special love for all things Latin America. She had guided overland tours across the continent, reached Machu Picchu five times on foot, and even dressed up as a giant toucan for Carnaval. With a degree in languages and two decades of global travel experience behind her, Laura has a long-standing love for the Andes, soaring condors, and a truly delicious empanada. |
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