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Best destinations to visit in March in South America

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Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
8.1
Christ the Redeemer, a 98 foot statue, opened on Corcovado in 1931. The peak rises about 2,300 feet above the city. Sugarloaf Mountain has a cable car that adds sunset views. March is late summer, so the ocean is warm for days on Copacabana and Ipanema beaches.
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 Pedro de Atacama
Mars-like Landscapes and Starry Nights
7.5
The Atacameño people built the Pukará de Quitor fortress in the 12th century above the oasis. The town lies at 7,897 feet. Valle de la Luna has old salt mine ruins and dunes that glow at sunset. El Tatio has more than 80 geysers. Nights are clear for stargazing.
Highlights:
  • 🌕 Explore the otherworldly landscapes of Valle de la Luna
  • 🧂 Float effortlessly in the salt-rich Laguna Cejar
  • 🌅 Witness sunrise at the geysers of El Tatio
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
8.5
Licensed guides lead every group onto the islands, a rule that protects the wildlife. The warm season runs from December to May with air and sea near 77 degrees Fahrenheit. March brings calm water for snorkelling with sea lions and turtles. Ecuador made most of the land a national park in 1959.
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
Aconcagua rises 22,837 feet in the Andes west of this city and is the highest peak outside Asia. Malbec grapes ripen in March. The Vendimia harvest festival fills the first week with parades, a night show and the crowning of a national queen. Wineries across the valley open for tastings.
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
Three bridges link this island city to the mainland, including the Hercílio Luz Bridge that opened in 1926. March keeps summer warmth with daily highs near 84 degrees Fahrenheit. Joaquina Beach has surf and dunes for sandboarding. Lagoa da Conceição has restaurants and water sports.
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
Foz do Iguaçu
Where three nations meet waterfalls
7.7
Summer rains keep Iguazu Falls heavy through March after peak flow from December to February. The falls stretch 2.7 kilometres with about 275 drops. The Brazilian side has broad panoramas while walkways reach the edge of Devil's Throat. Humid heat calls for light clothes and a rain jacket.
Highlights:
  • 🚤 Take a thrilling Macuco Safari boat ride near the falls
  • 🦜 Explore Parque das Aves, Latin America’s largest bird park
  • 🌊 Visit the breathtaking Iguazu Falls and Devil’s Throat
Patagonia
Untamed Beauty at the End of the World
8.3
Late March brings the first touches of autumn colour as beech forests turn red and gold. Trails are quieter than in peak summer. Glaciers such as Perito Moreno still calve loudly into their lake. Cool air carries the smell of wet earth and pine across the steppe.
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
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History
7.7
Diamond prospectors arrived in the 1840s and founded mining towns such as Mucugê. The region's name means diamond plateau. Rivers and waterfalls run full after the summer rains. Cachoeira da Fumaça drops about 340 metres from a cliff edge. Trails lead to caves and flooded wells.
Highlights:
  • 🕳️ Explore the vast Lapa Doce Cave with guided tours
  • 💧 Swim in the crystal-clear waters of Poço Azul
  • ⛰️ Hike to the top of Morro do Pai Inácio for panoramic views
Bahia
Vibrant coastlines and Afro‑Brazilian rhythms
7.3
Pelourinho, the historic centre of Salvador, has more than 800 restored buildings and UNESCO listing since 1985. Colourful colonial facades and Baroque churches line its cobbled streets. Afro-Brazilian music, food and religion shape daily life. March days reach about 86 degrees Fahrenheit, which suits beach time along the coast.
Highlights:
  • 🍲 Taste acarajé and moqueca at local stalls
  • 🎭 Attend a vibrant Afro-Brazilian carnival parade
  • 🏛️ Explore Salvador's historic Pelourinho district
Colombia
Where diverse landscapes meet culture
6.6
Coffee aroma fills the hills around Salento while wax palms tower over Cocora Valley. The wax palm is the national tree of Colombia. On the Caribbean coast the walled old town of Cartagena has warm evenings and music in the plazas. March falls in the drier season there.
Highlights:
  • ☕ Enjoy Colombian coffee at plantations in Salento
  • 🥾 Hike to the Lost City deep in the Sierra Nevada
  • 🏰 Wander the colonial streets of Cartagena’s walled city
Salar de Uyuni
World's largest surreal salt mirror
High on the Bolivian altiplano at about 12,000 feet, this salt flat covers 4,086 square miles. It is the largest in the world. Rain in the wet season leaves a thin sheet of water that turns the flat into a giant mirror. Isla Incahuasi has cacti that grow about 12 metres tall.
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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