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Best destinations to visit in February in South America

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Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
8.1
Carnival fills the city in February or early March with samba school parades at the Sambadrome. Street parties called blocos spill into neighbourhoods for weeks. Highs near 90 degrees Fahrenheit keep Ipanema and Copacabana beaches full. Christ the Redeemer stands 98 feet tall on Corcovado mountain.
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
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
7.4
February days are about 15 degrees Fahrenheit cooler than in Buenos Aires, with highs near 70. Lake Nahuel Huapi has beaches, kayaking and boat rides to Isla Victoria. The Circuito Chico loop road passes lakeside viewpoints. Chocolate shops on Mitre Street make the city a sweet stop.
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
Cartagena
Walled city of Caribbean color
7.2
Stone walls surround the Old City, which UNESCO listed in 1984. The dry season brings little rain and highs near 90 degrees Fahrenheit in February. Colourful balconies line the lanes of Getsemaní. Castillo San Felipe de Barajas is a hilltop fort with tunnels to explore.
Highlights:
  • 🍉 Photograph the vibrant Palenqueras fruit vendors
  • 🛡️ Explore Castillo de San Felipe de Barajas fortress
  • 🏰 Walk the historic Walled City and soak in colors
Mendoza
Wine, Andes and Adventure Bliss
7.2
The sweet smell of crushed grapes drifts from Malbec wineries as the harvest begins. Picking starts in February or March. The national harvest festival, the Vendimia, follows in early March with parades and a crowned queen. Aconcagua rises to the west at 6,961 metres, the highest peak in the Americas.
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
Salvador
Afro-Brazilian Soul on the Sea
6.6
On 2 February locals gather at Rio Vermelho and offer flowers and gifts to Iemanjá, goddess of the sea. Fishermen carry the offerings out to sea in boats. The day ends with drumming and street food. Carnival, with giant sound trucks called trio elétricos, follows in February or March.
Highlights:
  • 🌅 Watch the sunset over All Saints Bay from the São Marcelo Fort
  • 🥁 Listen to live samba rhythms on the streets at night
  • 🎨 Explore the colorful Pelourinho district and its colonial architecture
San Martin de los Andes
Patagonian Paradise by Lake Lácar
7.1
The Seven Lakes Road starts here and runs about 110 kilometres to Villa La Angostura. Lake Lácar has small beaches and boat rides in summer. Lanín Volcano rises to 3,776 metres in the national park nearby. Warm days and cool nights suit hiking in February.
Highlights:
  • 🏖️ Relax and swim at Playa Quila Quina beach
  • ⛷️ Ski or snowboard at Cerro Chapelco Resort
  • 🛣️ Drive the scenic Route of the Seven Lakes
Santa Marta
Coastal jewel where Caribbean meets mountains
8.0
Rodrigo de Bastidas founded the city in 1525. Simón Bolívar died in 1830 at an estate nearby called Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino. Dry sunny days near 90 degrees Fahrenheit are common in February. The Sierra Nevada de Santa Marta rises behind the coast to more than 5,700 metres.
Highlights:
  • 🏛️ Visit Quinta de San Pedro Alejandrino museum
  • 🚶‍♂️ Stroll cobblestone streets of historic Santa Marta
  • 🏖️ Explore Tayrona National Park's pristine beaches
Pucon
Volcano Views and Adventure Bliss
7.6
Lake Villarrica spreads at the foot of a snowcapped volcano that rises 2,847 metres. Summer brings warm beaches and rafting on the Trancura River in February. Guided hikes climb to the crater rim on clear days. Hot springs in the nearby forest soothe tired legs afterwards.
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
This region runs south through windswept steppe to Tierra del Fuego. February is summer with long days for hiking near El Chaltén and Mount Fitz Roy. Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate is about 5 kilometres wide. Boat trips pass its ice wall, which rises about 70 metres above the lake.
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
Howler monkeys call from the forest while waves roll onto pale beaches at Cabo San Juan. February is dry, but the park has closed for part of the month in recent years. The closures rest the ecosystem and let indigenous communities hold ceremonies. Check the dates before you plan.
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
Chile
Land of dramatic climate contrasts
8.3
The Rapa Nui people carved nearly 900 moai statues on Easter Island between about 1250 and 1500. Their Tapati festival fills the island in the first two weeks of February with canoe races, dances and body painting. Torres del Paine in Patagonia has long summer days for hiking. The Atacama has clear skies for stargazing.
Highlights:
  • 🗿 Visit the iconic Easter Island moai statues
  • 🌋 Hike to the summit of the active Villarrica Volcano
  • 🏜️ Explore the surreal landscapes of the Atacama Desert
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