South America Tours

Summer is roughly from November to February, and winter from June to August. Most of the countries are all year round destinations. 

It depends on the activities you wish to do and on places you want to visit. 

• Between October - November is the dry season in the Amazon, making for fine wildlife watching. 
• December - March is the high season in Brazil and the Atlantic coast, the best time to visit Patagonia but also the busiest.
• You can go to Patagonia from late September until beginning of April.  
• For Peru, it is preferable to avoid the rainy season which takes place between January and March  

Yes, travelling in South America is generally safe, but as with any destination, it's essential to remain cautious and aware of your surroundings. While some places and situations can pose risks, most tourist destinations prioritize visitor safety, and governments work with law enforcement to ensure security measures are in place.

Here are some safety tips for travelling in South America:

• Keep valuables secure: Avoid carrying valuable items with you while exploring. Use hotel safety deposit boxes for storing passports, extra cash, and other valuables.
• Stay aware: Be mindful of your surroundings and avoid venturing into areas where tourists are not expected, especially at night or in unfamiliar neighbourhoods. If in doubt, always ask your South America tour guide where it's safest to explore after dark.
• Keep essentials close: Keep your spending money, camera, and phone secure, preferably hidden beneath your clothing or in a secure bag.
• Use official transportation: Stick to reputable taxi services with official identification or ride-sharing apps where available. Avoid unmarked or unofficial taxis, especially if you're travelling alone.

Aside from a few minor foreign exceptions (Dutch in Suriname, English in the Falkland Islands and Guyana, and French in French Guyana), one major exception (Portuguese in Brazil), and countless indigenous languages (Quechua up in the Andes or Tehuelche in Patagonia), the primary spoken language in South America is Spanish.

If you speak some Spanish, you'll notice distinct regional differences – from Peru to Chile, Argentina and even Uruguay: each country has its own peculiarities regarding vocabulary and pronunciation so you'll no doubt find conversations with locals to be both amusing and enlightening!

Yet, as far as travellers are concerned, it's important to stress that you can travel through all of South America without speaking any Spanish or Portuguese at all. Would it help to know a few local greetings and phrases and, perhaps, have a basic grasp of numbers? Sure! Locals love it when you 'attempt' to say at least 'hola!" However, speaking Spanish or Portuguese is no prerequisite to having a fantastic time on your South America tour!

Every country in South America has a different currency, however, US dollars are widely exchangeable and accepted in many large hotels, restaurants and supermarkets.

Argentina - Peso (ARS), Bolivia - Boliviano (BOB), Brazil - Brazilian Real (BRL), Chile - Chilean Peso (CLP), Colombia - Colombian Peso (COP), Ecuador - US Dollar (USD), Paraguay - Guarani (PYG), Peru - Nuevo Sol (PEN), Uruguay –Uruguayan Peso (UYU), Venezuela–Bolivar (VEF). You can check currency exchanges at www.xe.com

Visas are required by some nationalities for travel to certain South American countries. Please refer to the detailed information on the specific countries that you plan to travel through for visa requirements. 

Before travelling to South America it is recommended that you visit a medical professional to see which vaccinations are needed for a specific country. Recommended vaccinations are not mandatory, but required vaccinations are. The minimum vaccinations recommended from our side are: Yellow Fever, Hepatitis (A and B), Typhoid, Diphtheria, Cholera, Rabies, and Tetanus. 

It depends on the level of physical activity involved in your chosen itinerary, but it is always recommended to take comfortable walking shoes and clothes appropriate to the weather conditions. It is recommended to research the weather conditions of each country before you depart on your trip to South America.