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Best destinations to visit in August in South America

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Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
8.4
Sacsayhuamán is an Inca fortress above the city with stone blocks that weigh over 100 tons. Qorikancha, the Inca sun temple, lies beneath the Santo Domingo church. Skies stay clear and blue through the dry month of August. Days reach about 67 degrees Fahrenheit and nights fall near freezing.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Stroll through Plaza de Armas and admire colonial architecture
  • 🏔️ Take the train or trek to the awe-inspiring Machu Picchu
  • 🧱 Visit the ancient Inca site of Sacsayhuamán overlooking the city
Ushuaia
End of the World Adventures
7.0
This city is about as far south as Moscow is north. Winter highs in August stay near 38 degrees Fahrenheit. Cerro Castor is a ski resort about 16 miles from town and stays open into early October. Boats cruise the Beagle Channel past sea lions and the Les Eclaireurs lighthouse.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike to Laguna Esmeralda surrounded by snow-capped peaks
  • 🚂 Take the End of the World Train to Tierra del Fuego National Park
  • 🚢 Cruise through the Beagle Channel and spot sea lions
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
Sea lions bark on the beaches while cool misty air drifts over the hills. The cool dry season runs through August with water near 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The Humboldt Current brings cold nutrient rich water that feeds penguins and fish. Snorkellers swim beside sea lions and sea turtles.
Highlights:
  • 🦩 Walk among blue-footed boobies on North Seymour Island
  • 🐢 Spot giant tortoises roaming freely in the highlands
  • 🐢 Snorkel with sea lions and turtles at Isla Lobos
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
World's largest tropical wetland paradise
7.6
August falls in the dry season when water levels drop and animals gather near rivers. Jaguars are seen most often from July to October along the Cuiabá River near Porto Jofre. Boat safaris also pass caimans, giant river otters and capybaras. The Pantanal is among the largest tropical wetlands on Earth.
Highlights:
  • 🐎 Experience horseback riding across flooded plains and trails
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour through the Pantanal’s winding waterways
  • 🐆 Join a guided wildlife safari to spot elusive jaguars
Machu Picchu
Lost Inca city among clouds
A ridge 2,430 metres above sea level holds the Inca citadel high above the Urubamba River. The site is about 50 miles northwest of Cusco. Mornings are clear in the dry month of August. Entry tickets use timed slots so book early. Huayna Picchu rises behind the ruins for a steep climb.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Explore the ancient Inca temples and ceremonial sites
  • 🥾 Climb Huayna Picchu for panoramic mountain views
  • 🌅 Watch sunrise from the iconic Guardian’s House viewpoint
Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
8.3
The Urubamba River runs through this valley from Pisac to Ollantaytambo, about 40 miles apart. The valley floor is near 9,000 feet and lower than Cusco, which helps visitors adjust to the altitude. Sunny dry days are the norm in August. Pisac has a Sunday market and Ollantaytambo has Inca terraces.
Highlights:
  • 🛍️ Stroll through Pisac market, shop woven textiles
  • 🗿 Explore Ollantaytambo ruins, climb fortress walls
  • 🏔️ Hike to Machu Picchu via the Inca Trail
Portillo
Alpine elegance meets Chilean winter wonderland
8.8
Guests usually book a full week at the yellow Hotel Portillo, arriving and leaving on Saturdays. The resort is high in the Andes with a base near 2,880 metres. Laguna del Inca lies beside the hotel and often freezes in winter. The ski season runs from about June to early October.
Highlights:
  • 🍖 Enjoy a traditional Chilean barbecue at a local lodge
  • 🏘️ Stroll through the historic wooden town center
  • 🎿 Ski down Portillo's world‑class pistes in winter
Cerro Catedral
Alpine wonderland with world‑class slopes
8.7
In 1936 the National Parks Directorate hired skier Hans Nöbl to find a site for a winter resort. He chose this mountain. The first drag lifts opened in 1940. Today the resort has 39 lifts and a top elevation of 2,100 metres. It is 12 miles from Bariloche and August is peak ski season.
Highlights:
  • 🥾 Hike the panoramic trails to spot Andean wildlife
  • ⛷️ Ski or snowboard on world‑class pistes during winter season
  • 🏔️ Climb Cerro Catedral’s summit via cable car
Valle Nevado
Snow‑kissed peaks and alpine serenity
9.1
Dry powder snow squeaks underfoot and the air feels thin and crisp at the 3,000 metre base. The resort is 29 miles east of Santiago up a road with many hairpin turns. About 900 hectares of terrain cover the slopes. The season runs from June to October so August is the middle of it.
Highlights:
  • 🚠 Take a cable car ride for panoramic Andes views
  • ⛷️ Ski or snowboard on world‑class pistes during winter season
  • 🏔️ Hike to the summit of Valle Nevado ski resort
Ecuador
Compact country, immense biodiversity
6.5
The country takes its name from the equator. The line runs just north of Quito, where the Mitad del Mundo monument stands. Dry Andean weather in August keeps volcano views clear. Cotopaxi rises to 5,897 metres south of the capital. Quito's old town earned UNESCO status in 1978.
Highlights:
  • 🌍 Stand at the Equator at Mitad del Mundo
  • 🛍️ Visit the iconic Otavalo Market for local crafts
  • 🥾 Hike the stunning trails of Cajas National Park
Salar de Uyuni
World's largest surreal salt mirror
Isla Incahuasi is a rocky island of giant cacti in the middle of the salt flat. Dry weather keeps the crust firm so four wheel drive tours cross it easily. The mirror effect needs rain so August brings white salt and deep blue skies. Nights drop well below freezing at 3,656 metres.
Highlights:
  • 🚂 Explore the eerie Train Cemetery near Uyuni town
  • 🌵 Visit Incahuasi Island and climb among giant cacti
  • 📸 Take surreal photos with salt flat perspective illusions
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