Best destinations to visit in September in South America
Best destinations to visit in September in South America
September marks the start of spring across South America, though winter conditions still linger in parts of the continent.
Andean regions remain in their dry season, with stable trekking conditions continuing across Peru's mountain routes. The Amazon holds onto its dry season too, keeping water levels low and wildlife easier to spot along exposed riverbanks. Patagonia starts to stir again toward the end of the month, though most towns and services stay quiet until the region's short travel season properly begins in the following weeks. Beach cities further north stay warm throughout, a reliable option while the south is still finding its spring footing. Wine regions also begin preparing for the growing season ahead, with vineyards coming back to life after winter.
The destinations on our list for South America reflect that same shift, from steady dry season trekking to the first signs of a Patagonian spring.
Lists by region
City in Argentina
Buenos Aires
Where Tango and Culture Thrive
Tango began in the port neighbourhoods of Buenos Aires in the 1880s among immigrants and working families, while dancers still fill the milongas, dance halls, of San Telmo at night. September has mild spring days near 65 degrees Fahrenheit, which is good for walking between parks and cafes.
Waterfall
Iguazu Falls
Breathtaking waterfalls spanning two countries
The Guarani people named the river Iguazu, meaning big water, so the name fits the 275 falls that spread across nearly two miles of cliffs. Visitors follow metal walkways over the river to the Devil's Throat, a U shaped drop where mist rises above the rain forest.
City in Chile
Santiago
A vibrant city between mountains
Fiestas Patrias on 18 and 19 September are the national holidays of Chile, with open air parties called fondas that have grilled meat, empanadas and dancers doing the cueca, a handkerchief dance. Spring days reach about 66 degrees Fahrenheit while the Andes in the distance are still white with snow.
City in Brazil
Rio de Janeiro
The heartbeat of Brazil's coast
Christ the Redeemer was finished in 1931 on top of Corcovado mountain, so the 98 foot statue is visible from beaches across the city. September is early spring with sunny days near 77 degrees Fahrenheit and shorter lines at Sugarloaf Mountain than in the busy summer months.
City in Peru
Cusco
Gateway to the Incan Empire's Heart
At 11,152 feet in the Andes, the old Inca capital has narrow stone lanes with walls of fitted Inca stonework, including the famous 12 angled stone on Hatun Rumiyoc Street. September is dry with sunny days and cold nights near freezing, so a warm jacket is needed for evenings in the Plaza de Armas.
Lake
Lake Titicaca
Crystal waters echo ancient Andean legends
Like an inland sea high in the Andes, the lake is 12,500 feet above sea level, with floating reed islands built by the Uros people near Puno. Families on Amantani and Taquile islands host guests in simple homes beside terraced fields while September has sunny days and cold nights.
Archaeological Site in Peru
Machu Picchu
Lost Inca city among clouds
Morning mist drifts between green peaks as llamas graze on the stone terraces of the Inca citadel, which was built around 1450. September is the dry season with sunny days near 70 degrees Fahrenheit so views of Huayna Picchu are clear, although crowds are large and tickets sell out early.
City in Brazil
Manaus
Amazon's gateway to lush rainforest adventures
Just outside the city the dark Rio Negro meets the sandy brown Solimoes River and the two flow side by side for about four miles without mixing. September is in the dry season so rivers are lower, sandy beaches appear along the banks and forest trails are easier to walk.
Valley in Peru
Sacred Valley
Ancient terraces echoing timeless Andean rhythms
The Incas farmed this warm valley and built circular terraces at Moray, where the temperature is several degrees cooler at the top than at the bottom. September is dry with sunny days, so travellers walk the stone streets of Ollantaytambo and browse the Sunday market at Pisac, where villagers sell textiles and maize.
Town in Ecuador
Otavalo
Coastal charm meets vibrant local culture
Every September the town holds the Fiesta del Yamor with parades, dancing and a drink made from seven kinds of corn called chicha del yamor. The big Saturday market in the Plaza de los Ponchos has Kichwa weavers selling colourful wool blankets, hats and embroidered blouses.
Desert in Chile
Atacama Desert
Endless dunes under starlit desert skies
The El Tatio geyser field, at about 14,000 feet, has steam rising from dozens of vents at sunrise while people warm up in a hot spring pool nearby. September has clear dry skies and mild days near 75 degrees Fahrenheit, so stargazing from San Pedro de Atacama is easy.
City in Bolivia
La Paz
Where Altitude Meets Adventure and Culture
Cable cars rise from the city bowl to El Alto on the rim above, with views of snowy Illimani, 21,122 feet high. September is dry with clear skies, so the views are sharp, while the Witches' Market near San Francisco Church sells herbs and amulets.
City in Argentina
San Carlos de Bariloche
Argentina’s Alpine Wonderland
On the shore of Nahuel Huapi Lake at the foot of the Andes in Patagonia, the town has Swiss style chalets and chocolate shops. Skiers still use Cerro Catedral in early September when the season is ending, while the Circuito Chico road follows the lake past small beaches.
City in Ecuador
Quito
Andean Charm Meets Colonial Splendor
The Basilica del Voto Nacional has gargoyles shaped like iguanas and tortoises while climbers go up its towers for views over the red tile roofs of the old town. Quito is at 9,350 feet with a dry September that has sunny days and cool nights, so the old squares are pleasant to walk.
City in Argentina
Salta
Colonial Charm and Andean Landscapes
The smell of empanadas baked in clay ovens and the sound of folk guitars come from the penas, small restaurants with live music, around the pink colonial plaza. Each September thousands of pilgrims walk to the cathedral for the Fiesta del Milagro, a festival for the Lord and Virgin of the Miracle.
City in Peru
Arequipa
White city with volcanic views
The Santa Catalina Monastery, founded in 1579, is a walled city within the city with blue and red painted lanes and quiet courtyards. September has dry sunny days with highs near 70 degrees Fahrenheit, so walkers see the snowy Misti volcano, 19,101 feet high, rising above the white stone buildings.
Island in Ecuador
Galapagos Islands
The Wildlife Paradise of Ecuador
September is cool and dry in the Galapagos. The Humboldt Current brings cold water, so wetsuits help. Sea lions bark on the docks of Puerto Ayora. Snorkellers meet Galapagos penguins near Isabela island. Blue footed boobies nest on North Seymour. Giant tortoises roam the highlands of Santa Cruz.
National Park in Brazil
Lençóis Maranhenses National Park
Otherworldly dunes with turquoise lagoons
These white dunes, named lencois, meaning bed sheets in Portuguese, were built from sand blown inland from the Atlantic over thousands of years. Rain falls from January to June and collects in the valleys between them as lagoons, so swimmers float in warm clear water in September.
Nature Reserve in Argentina
Peninsula Valdes
Wild dolphins glide over turquoise cliffs
Like a nursery for sea animals, the peninsula has southern right whales that come into the sheltered gulf with their calves from June to December, with September and October as peak months. Boats leave from Puerto Piramides while Magellanic penguins return to nest at Caleta Valdes and sea lions rest on the beaches.
National Park in Brazil
Chapada Diamantina National Park
Waterfalls, Caves and Diamond History
Cool spray and the roar of falling water are part of the walk to Cachoeira da Fumaça, a waterfall called Smoke Falls that drops about 1,100 feet and often blows back as mist. September is in the dry season so trails are firm while the blue cave pools at Poco Azul have clear water.
Island in Brazil
Fernando de Noronha
World's Best Beaches and Dolphins
From August to January the sea around the island is calm and clear with visibility often above 100 feet, so snorkellers swim over reefs with sea turtles and reef sharks. At dawn spinner dolphins gather in Dolphin Bay, which can be watched from a cliff lookout above the water.
Salt Flat in Bolivia
Salar de Uyuni
World's largest surreal salt mirror
Local families harvest salt by hand near the village of Colchani, piling it into small cones to dry in the sun. September is dry so the salt flat, about 4,000 square miles and 11,995 feet above sea level, is hard white ground that jeeps cross to reach Incahuasi Island and its giant cactuses.
National Park in Peru
Manú National Park
Pristine Amazon biodiversity wonderland
The dry season from May to October has firm forest trails and calm rivers, so September is a good month to watch macaws and parrots eat clay from riverbank cliffs at dawn. Giant otters fish in oxbow lakes and the Andean cock of the rock, a bright orange bird, performs in the cloud forest.
National Park in Brazil
Pantanal Matogrossense National Park
World's largest tropical wetland paradise
Like a safari with open views, the largest tropical wetland in the world has plains where wildlife is easy to see while in the dry month of September animals gather at shrinking ponds. Boat trips from Porto Jofre on the Cuiaba River often find jaguars resting on the banks near caimans.
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