For travelers in the northern part of the world planning travel to
South America, it is necessary to realize that the seasons in the
southern hemisphere are opposite those of the northern. This matters
little in places close to the equator (northern Brazil) and/or at high
altitudes (Peru’s Andes). In the first instance, there is almost
perpetual sun, and in the second, there are only 2 seasons, the dry and
the rainy season. However, further south, towards the shared tip of
Chile and Patagonia, the seasons are better marked and more recognizable
to travelers used to winter, summer, spring, and fall.
All of these
landscapes offer excellent destinations for travel to South America in
this hemisphere’s winter months of June through September. Here, we
highlight some of the best winter destinations in South America.For
those with an interest in skiing, Chile and Argentina are excellent
destinations. Within driving distance from the capital of Santiago,
various ski resorts rise up into the Andean foothills. Some slopes can
be visited as day trips from Santiago, but most have facilities for
overnight stays. Top resorts include Termas de Chillan, Valle Nevado,
Portillo, and El Colorado. These last three have artificial snow-maker
machines to guarantee great skiing throughout the winter months. Further
south are resorts such as Pucon, Antillanca, Antuco, and El Fraile. Ski
season begins in June and continues into September.
Argentina also has an abundance of ski resorts. In the Lakes
District, the lovely city of Bariloche hosts Cerro Catedral. Nearby are
Cerro Bayo and Chapelco, both excellent for skiing and snowboarding. In
the south, Ushuaia also hosts a low elevation ski resort.
If you’d rather vacation in tropical climes, Iguazu is the place to
go. Located on the border between Brazil and Argentina, the spectacular
waterfalls are great to visit in August and September. Rainy season
increases the thunderous quality of falling water. Temperatures are also
lower, resulting in more comfortable conditions to wander around the
falls. The Brazilian side of the falls are great for panoramic views,
while the Argentina side has trails and rivers to get a closer look at
this natural wonder.
The Uyuni Salt Flats are a fascinating destination for South America
travel. The world’s largest salt flats host attractions such as hotels
made of salt, working salt mines, lagoons in brilliant colors, unique
Andean wildlife, geysers, and hot springs. The winter months are the
best for travel. This is the dry season, when it is easier to navigate
the roads and reach more of the destinations. Be prepared for extremely
cold temperatures in the evenings.
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