The Best Places to Visit in South and Central America in Winter
Content and CRM Executive
Whether it’s to avoid the summer season crowds or simply to load up on Vitamin D, travelling in winter offers a load of unique benefits, and South and Central America is a great region to take full advantage. Here is a selection of our winter trips in this beautiful part of the world.
Central and South America in winter offers dramatic variations in weather as you travel from north to south. The winter months in Colombia and Costa Rica will always remain hot and humid – but visit the wilderness of Patagonia in the far south of Argentina and you’ll need to be wrapped up warm as you explore glaciers and hiking trails. From steamy rainforests to sun-soaked beaches and remote island adventures, here are the best places to visit in South and Central America in winter, courtesy of Culture Trip.
Costa Rica, for rainforests and waterfalls
Costa Rica’s winter is from May right through to December – but it’s not a traditional winter season, rather, it’s the country’s dry season. This is the best time to plan a South America trip that includes Costa Rica because you’ll experience the coolest and driest weather of the year. This eight-day group tour with Culture Trip can help you to explore Costa Rica’s rainforests – as you travel from San Jose to the wilds of Arenal in search of volcanoes, waterfalls and hot springs. In the Monteverde Cloud Forest, you’ll find sloths, hanging bridges and zip lines – while in Tamarindo, you can tackle the big waves of the Pacific Ocean as you learn how to surf, or simply kick back with a cocktail on the beach.
From US$2099
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
San Jose, Costa Rica
ENDS AT
Tamarindo, Provincia De Guanacaste
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
17
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Brazil, for beach-worthy weather
Our Dazzling Brazil trip, starting in Sao Paulo and heading down to Rio de Janeiro, is at its sparkling best from December through to March. It’ll be summertime in this part of the world, so you get to enjoy absolutely ideal beach conditions. Make the most of the weather as we head to the coastal region surrounding Paraty, where crystalline waters are ripe for exploring, before basking in the beauty of Rio’s legendary beaches, the Ipanema and Copacabana. Work on your volleyball technique, sip caipirinhas on the beach and watch the sun go down over Rio. Don’t forget, February is also Carnaval season – surely the best time of year to visit Brazil.
From US$2099
Next available from 8th Dec 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Sao Paulo, Brazil
ENDS AT
Rio De Janeiro, Brazil
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Mexico City, for a gastronomic city break
Mexico City is cool and dry in the winter – while you might want to pack a jumper for the evenings, you’re going to love the bright sunshine that lights up the Mexican capital from October all the way through to March. This five-day tour might be short, but it’s absolutely packed with activities. Start by touring through the trendy neighborhoods of Roma and Condesa – before eating your way through taco stands at a local gastronomic market. You’ll visit the Aztec temples of Tenochtitlan, step back into the past at the Monument to the Revolution and experience the revelry and beer of a lucha libre match.
From US$802
Next available from 1st Jan 1970
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Mexico City, Mexico
ENDS AT
Mexico City, Mexico
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Easy
STYLE
Discovery
Colombia's Caribbean Coast, for rum-tasting in Cartagena
Colombia’s Caribbean Coast is hot throughout the year, but you’ll want to visit in the dry, winter season when things are a little cooler and there are no hurricanes in sight. December to February is the time to visit, and on this eight-day tour, you’ll learn how to dance, how to mix rum cocktails and how to enjoy life on the Colombian coast. Start with a street food tour of Cartagena, visit the first free African town in the Americas and then snorkel off the Rosario Islands. The second part of the tour is based in Palomino, where you’ll search for jaguars in the jungles of Tayrona National Park, tube down the Rio Don Diego and kick back with cocktails on the beach.
From US$1711
Next available from 9th Dec 2023
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cartagena, Colombia
ENDS AT
Santa Marta, Colombia
DURATION
8
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Moderate
STYLE
Discovery
Peru, to see Machu Picchu at its best
Avoid the Northern Hemisphere crowds by visiting Peru’s most famous landmark during winter. Don’t get us wrong, this bucket-list classic is busy all year round, but the crowds are a little calmer this time of year, while the weather remains dry and pleasant, so you can really soak in the majesty of this mysterious Inca ruin. Our Ancient Peru trips also takes in the Sacred Valley, Piuray Lagoon and Colca Canyon, as well as the charming cities of Cusco and Arequipa.
From US$1824
Next available from 1st Dec 2023
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Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Cusco, Peru
ENDS AT
Arequipa, Peru
DURATION
9
GROUP SIZE
16
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
Galapagos Islands, to see exotic flora and fauna flourish
December to March is peak season in the Galapagos, but with good reason. The main attraction of this incredible archipelago is the wildlife, and the warm, humid weather leads to an explosion of natural life, with plants blooming and rare birds at their most active. The warm weather continues underwater, which attracts sea turtles, sea lions and tropical fish in their droves. It’s also breeding season here, so you might even get to spot baby iguanas and turtles – more than adorable enough to justify the peak season prices. Our five-day tour of the Galapagos sees you snorkelling with penguins, swimming with sea lions and glamping with giant tortoises. Now that’s the full Galapagos experience!
From US$1869
Next available from 6th Jan 2024
Secure your spot with a low deposit
Trip highlights and details
STARTS AT
Puerto Ayora, Santa Cruz Island
ENDS AT
Puerto Baquerizo Moreno, San Cristobal Island
DURATION
5
GROUP SIZE
14
PHYSICAL RATING
Light
STYLE
Discovery
This is an updated version of an article originally written by Richard Collett, with additional words from Maja Proescholdt.
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