Best destinations to visit in July in South America
Best destinations to visit in July in South America
July draws some of the year's biggest crowds to parts of South America, even as the far south stays locked in winter.
Andean trekking season is in full swing, and July counts among the most popular months for hiking toward Peru's mountain routes, partly thanks to Northern Hemisphere summer holidays lining up with the region's dry season. Ski resorts in the southern Andes, including spots in Chile and Argentina, reach peak season too, with reliable snow drawing winter sports travelers. The Amazon stays in its dry season, keeping water levels low and wildlife easier to spot. Patagonia remains largely closed for the winter, with most towns and services on pause until spring. Booking trekking permits and guides well ahead becomes especially important during this busy stretch.
The destinations on our list for South America reflect that same range, from peak trekking and ski season to warm coastlines further north.
Lists by region
City in Peru
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
Sacsayhuamán fortress was started by the Killke culture around 1100 AD and expanded by the Inca. July is the coldest month at an average of 49.5°F. It falls in the dry season with high sunshine and little rain. Cusco stands at about 11,200 feet and was the Inca capital until 1532.
Archaeological Site in Peru
Machu Picchu
Lost Inca city among clouds
July falls in the dry season, when monthly rainfall drops to about 2 to 3 inches. The citadel at 7,970 feet dates to around 1450 and was likely an estate of the Inca emperor Pachacuti. The daily limit rose to 4,500 visitors in 2024, with up to 5,600 allowed in peak season. Book early.
City in Argentina
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
The city centre was redesigned in the 1930s to resemble a European alpine town, earning the nickname Little Switzerland. Chocolate is a local speciality. Most tourists visit in winter from roughly June to September. Cerro Catedral is described as the largest ski resort in South America. Winter daytime temperatures run from 34 to 46°F.
Town in Argentina
Ushuaia
End of the World Adventures
Cerro Castor opened in 1999 about 17 miles north of town. It is called the southernmost full fledged ski resort in the world. The season typically runs from June to October. July averages 34°F and winter daylight lasts just over 7 hours. The summit reaches 3,291 feet.
Ski Resort in Chile
Valle Nevado
Snow‑kissed peaks and alpine serenity
French entrepreneurs founded the resort in 1988, 29 miles east of Santiago. The base lies at 9,843 feet. Skiable terrain covers 2,224 acres with 34 marked runs. Sixteen mechanical lifts serve them. Snowfall averages about 290 inches a year. The season traditionally runs from June to October.
National Park in Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons
Established on 2 June 1981, the park covers about 600 square miles of dunes. Some dunes reach 130 feet. Rain from January to June fills the valleys between dunes with freshwater lagoons. Lagoon water ranges from 82 to 90°F. Lagoons evaporate up to about 3 feet a month in the dry season.
Salt Flat in Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni
World's largest surreal salt mirror
Salt stretches across 4,086 square miles at roughly 12,000 feet, making it the world's largest salt flat. April to November brings only 0.04 to 0.12 inches of rain a month. Nights stay cold year round at 16 to 41°F. Incahuasi Island has giant cacti up to about 39 feet tall.
Ski Resort in Chile
Portillo
Alpine elegance meets Chilean winter wonderland
The ski season typically runs from mid June to early October. Hotel Portillo, owned by the Purcell family, stands at 9,450 feet. The ski area opened in 1949 and hosted the Alpine World Ski Championships in August 1966. Fourteen lifts serve 35 named runs. Santiago lies about 100 miles away by road.
National Park in Brazil
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
World's largest tropical wetland paradise
The world's largest tropical wetland covers up to about 75,000 square miles. Most rain falls from November to March. Roughly 80% of the floodplains are then submerged. June is the driest month. Jaguar numbers here are among the largest and healthiest on Earth. The wetland supports 463 bird species.
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