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Best destinations to visit in December in South America

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Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
8.1
In December a giant floating Christmas tree lights up the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas while Ipanema and Copacabana are busy with beachgoers at the start of summer. On New Year's Eve more than a million people dress in white on Copacabana to watch fireworks over the sea.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax on the iconic sands of Copacabana Beach
  • ✝️ Stand before Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado Mountain
  • 🚠 Take the cable car up Sugarloaf Mountain for breathtaking views
Medellín
The City of Eternal Spring
7.4
Unlike most cities in the tropics, Medellin has a mild spring like climate all year because it sits in a valley at about 4,900 feet. The Alumbrados, a Christmas light show along the Medellin River, lasts from November to January with millions of colourful lights in the parks and streets.
Highlights:
  • 🌺 Stroll through the Botanical Garden and its orchid collection
  • 🎨 Explore Comuna 13’s colorful murals and vibrant street art
  • 🚡 Ride the Metrocable to Parque Arví for panoramic views
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
7.4
Families in Bariloche walk along Mitre Street, a main street lined with chocolate shops, to drink thick hot chocolate with churros, a habit that dates from the Swiss and German settlers of the early 1900s. December is early summer, so hikers climb Cerro Campanario for views over Nahuel Huapi Lake.
Highlights:
  • 🏘️ Explore the Bavarian-style Centro Cívico and museums
  • 🥾 Hike the scenic trails of Nahuel Huapi National Park
  • 🚡 Take a cable car to Cerro Otto for panoramic views
Santiago
A vibrant city between mountains
7.4
Unlike most capital cities, Santiago has snowy Andes peaks right behind it, even in summer. December has dry sunny weather and long evenings, so people eat outdoors in Bellavista, ride the funicular up Cerro San Cristobal and take day trips to the Maipo Valley wineries.
Highlights:
  • 🎨 Stroll through the colorful alleys of Barrio Bellavista and enjoy local art
  • ⛪ Explore the historic Plaza de Armas and its stunning cathedral
  • 🚠 Ride the cable car up Cerro San Cristóbal for sweeping city views
Ushuaia
End of the World Adventures
7.0
At the southern tip of South America on the Beagle Channel, Ushuaia has snowy mountains behind the harbour and boats that sail to sea lion islands and a red and white lighthouse. December is early summer with long daylight while ships leave from here for Antarctica between November and March.
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
Iguazu Falls
Breathtaking waterfalls spanning two countries
People who visit Iguazu Falls often see them from both countries. The Argentine side has catwalks that go right over the water while the Brazilian side has wide views of all 275 falls. December is warm and humid with brief downpours, so the rivers are full and the forest is loud with birds.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Walk the forest trails and spot colorful toucans
  • 🚤 Take a boat ride beneath the cascading falls
  • 🌊 Stand before the roaring Devil’s Throat viewpoint
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
7.2
The Castillo San Felipe de Barajas, a stone fortress built in the 1600s and expanded in the 1700s, has tunnels and cannons that guarded Cartagena from pirates. December is the start of the dry season with sunny days and sea breezes, so walkers circle the old city walls at sunset.
Highlights:
  • 🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
  • 🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
Quito
Andean Charm Meets Colonial Splendor
6.9
High in an Andean valley at about 9,350 feet, Quito has an old town that is a UNESCO World Heritage site, with baroque churches and gold covered altars. In early December the Fiestas de Quito have street parades, music and open sided party buses called chivas.
Highlights:
  • 🌍 Visit the Middle of the World monument and stand on the equator line
  • 🚠 Ride the TelefériQo for stunning Andean mountain views
  • 🏛️ Explore the historic center, a UNESCO World Heritage site
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
December is the start of the warm season in the Galapagos, with calm seas, sunny mornings and an occasional shower, so snorkellers swim with sea lions and green sea turtles in clear water. Giant tortoise eggs begin to hatch on Santa Cruz island while the dry lowlands turn green.
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
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
7.2
The vineyards of the Uco Valley south of Mendoza sit below the snowy Andes and have tasting rooms among green vines. December is early summer with sunny days while the climbing season is open on Aconcagua, 22,837 feet high and the tallest mountain in the Americas, about 110 miles to the west.
Highlights:
  • 🍇 Join a tasting at a traditional Mendoza bodega
  • 🏔️ Drive along the scenic Route of the Andes to Aconcagua
  • 🍷 Tour vineyards and sample Malbec in the heart of wine country
Florianopolis
Beaches, lagoons and island adventure
6.8
On an island off the southern coast of Brazil, Florianopolis has about 40 beaches, from lively Jurere to wild Joaquina, where sandboarders slide down tall dunes. December is the start of summer with long sunny days, so surfers, families and visitors from Argentina fill the sand.
Highlights:
  • 🦐 Eat fresh seafood at sunset in Santo Antônio de Lisboa
  • 🌅 Walk the wooden trails above the Lagoa da Conceição dunes
  • 🏄‍♀️ Swim and surf at Praia Mole’s scenic coastline
El Chalten
Hiking Capital of Argentina
7.7
Argentina founded El Chalten in 1985 to claim a border area in the Andes, while today the village is a base for hikers beneath Mount Fitz Roy, a granite peak 11,171 feet high. In December the days are long with light until late evening, so trails to Laguna de los Tres are open.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Climb steep trail sections for breathtaking mountain panoramas
  • 🌊 Explore Laguna Capri’s peaceful turquoise waters
  • 🏞️ Hike to Laguna de Los Tres for Mount Fitz Roy views
Torres del Paine National Park
Epic Landscapes and Untamed Wilderness
8.1
The roar of strong wind and the crack of ice from Grey Glacier are part of a hike in Torres del Paine, where three granite towers rise above turquoise lakes. December is early summer with long days, so hikers on the W trek may see guanacos, relatives of the llama, grazing beside the trail.
Highlights:
  • ⛰️ Trek the scenic French Valley with mountain views
  • 🛶 Take a boat tour to see stunning Grey Glacier
  • 🥾 Hike to the iconic Mirador Las Torres viewpoint
Punta del Este
Glamour, Beaches and Endless Sunsets
7.4
The barking of sea lions carries across the water from Isla de Lobos, a rocky island off the coast with a large colony. December is the start of the summer season, so Playa Brava and Playa Mansa are busy. La Mano, a giant sculpture of fingers rising from the sand, is a favourite photo stop.
Highlights:
  • 🦭 Explore Punta del Este Marina and watch sea lions
  • 🏖️ Relax on calm waters at Playa Mansa beach
  • 🖐️ Take photos at iconic Los Dedos sculpture on Playa Brava
Pucon
Volcano Views and Adventure Bliss
7.6
Pucon began as a small fort in 1883 on the shore of Lake Villarrica while today it is a base for climbing Villarrica, an active volcano 9,340 feet high with a smoking crater. December is early summer with long days, so lake beaches, hot springs and forest trails are all open.
Highlights:
  • 🚣‍♂️ Kayak on Lake Villarrica to private, serene beaches
  • ♨️ Soak in the soothing waters of Termas Geometricas hot springs
  • 🌋 Climb the active Villarrica Volcano and enjoy crater views
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
8.3
December is early summer in Patagonia, when days are long, wildflowers bloom along the roads and the trails of the Andes are open. At Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, hikers walk on the ice and boats pass the blue ice wall, which is 240 feet high, while chunks break off with a loud crack.
Highlights:
  • 🐧 Explore the diverse wildlife on Peninsula Valdés
  • ❄️ Witness the massive Perito Moreno Glacier up close
  • 🥾 Hike the legendary trails of Torres del Paine National Park
Tayrona National Park
Where Jungle Meets Turquoise Caribbean
7.5
Cabo San Juan, a beach with a hammock hut on a rocky point, is reached by a forest trail of about two hours in Tayrona National Park. December is the start of the dry season so the trail is firm, though swimming is safe only on a few calm beaches because of strong currents.
Highlights:
  • 🦜 Spot howler monkeys and exotic birds along forest paths
  • 🌴 Swim in crystal-clear Caribbean waters surrounded by palm trees
  • 🏝️ Hike through jungle trails to the stunning Cabo San Juan beach
Fernando de Noronha
World's Best Beaches and Dolphins
8.5
The splash of spinner dolphins and the sound of surf on white beaches are part of mornings in Fernando de Noronha, where dolphins gather in Dolphin Bay at sunrise. December is in the dry season with clear water for snorkelling, while green sea turtles nest on Leao beach from December to June.
Highlights:
  • 🛥️ Take a boat tour to spot dolphins and sea turtles
  • ⛰️ Hike to the Morro Dois Irmãos viewpoint for stunning vistas
  • 🤿 Snorkel vibrant reefs at Baía do Sancho, world’s top beach
Tierra del Fuego
Endless winds and rugged volcanic horizons
7.7
Ferdinand Magellan named the land Tierra del Fuego, Land of Fire, in 1520 after seeing the smoke and fires of Indigenous people on the shore. December is early summer with about 17 hours of daylight, so hikers visit Tierra del Fuego National Park, where beech forests meet the Beagle Channel.
Highlights:
  • ❄️ Explore Martial Glacier via guided snow trek
  • 🚤 Cruise through Beagle Channel, spot sea lions
  • 🏝️ Hike to the iconic Ushuaia lighthouse
Atacama Desert
Endless dunes under starlit desert skies
Compared with the green forests of southern Chile, the Atacama Desert is so dry that some places go years without rain. December is early summer with long sunny days and clear nights for stargazing, so visitors watch the sunset over the Valle de la Luna and the Andes.
Highlights:
  • 🗻 Hike to El Tatio geysers before sunrise
  • ✨ Stargaze from San Pedro observatory, record constellations
  • 🌄 Explore Valle de la Luna during golden hour
Salar de Uyuni
World's largest surreal salt mirror
Families in Colchani, a village at the edge of the salt flat, carve small llamas from salt and build houses of salt bricks. In December the rainy season begins and a thin layer of water makes the flat a huge mirror of the sky, though roads can be wet and some tours change.
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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