As summer rolls into autumn in the Northern Hemisphere, a precious window of opportunity to travel to South America during the fall arises. While September might mark the beginning of the end of summer in cities like New York, London, and Stockholm, in South America, quite the opposite is happening.
Travel to South America during fall: why go now?
Sandwiched between summer and the holidays that charge November and December, fall is without doubt one of the best periods to explore parts of South America. Not only are the conditions favorable – fewer crowds, comfortable heat, more locals – but there’s also a handful of experiences that only take place during place during this window.
Where to go in South America during the Fall?
To really magnify the beauty of travel to South America during the fall the fall you need specifics. There is no doubt unfettered joy in spending the week in a city like Lima but better still, why not go looking for something niche and nuanced?
Whether it’s the hike on a private glacier in Patagonia, a hot air balloon ride over the vineyards of Mendoza, or a stay on the far-flung ancient Easter Island, with Aracari as your guide we can pinpoint unforgettable experiences that are best explored through travel to South America during the fall.
Five of our favorite destinations in South America from September – December
So, come with us as we earmark five of the best destinations in South America to visit in the Fall.
1. Iguazu Falls, Argentina: Experience the world’s largest thundering falls between September & October
Spanning a 1.7-mile-wide cliff edge—wider than the Niagara and Victoria Falls—the Iguazu Falls are claimed by three different countries that border the falls: Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay. As far as size though, there’s only really one winner—Argentina—which boasts eighty percent of the falls’ drops. Brazil takes the remaining twenty percent, with Paraguay merely able to claim access to the Iguazu River.
Reasons for making Iguazu a top pick for the best destinations for travel to South America during fall are twofold. Firstly, September through December is outside of Argentinian and Brazilian vacation periods (namely January, February, June, and July) – so you can expect far fewer crowds on both sides of the border. It also falls outside of the rainy season, when heavy downpours are short but frequent.
We recommend visiting the Argentine side in September or October. The weather is warm but not stifling, the rainfall isn’t as frequent and the Falls themselves boast one of the best water levels of the year. September is the start of the rainy season and water levels are on the rise but without the heavy downpours that will follow in the last months of the year. For Aracari clients, we recommend staying at the luxurious riverside bolthole featured in our 2023 hotlist. Located just 20 minutes from the Falls, this 14-room rainforest lodge is situated on the banks of the River Iguazú surrounded by dense jungle.
What we especially love is that each room is afforded their own private guide and 4X4 vehicle for private excursions led by your daily impulse. You’ll discover crystal clear pools only reachable by boat, jungle trails home to endangered trees and endemic birds, archaeological Jesuit Ruins, and much more. And without too many gawping tourists lining the most popular viewpoints, you’ll have great access to the thundering waterfalls, whether you choose to explore by land or water.
2. Mendoza, Argentina: Marvel at the vineyards in bloom between October and November
Mendoza is the majestic heart of Argentina’s winelands, renowned for its deep juicy malbec grapes grown in vineyards set against a backdrop of snow-capped Andean peaks. In the heat of the summer here, visitors are constantly searching for shade to cope with being outdoors all day. But in October and November, temperatures haven’t yet built to the unforgiving summer heat creating the perfect conditions for exploring.
It’s not just the weather that makes Mendoza a great place to visit in South America during the fall – it is also when the seemingly endless stretches of lush vineyards begin to ripen, turning the landscape vibrant shades of green. There’s no better way to appreciate the beauty of these mountain-flanked wine valleys than from the air. Wake early in the morning and rise over the majestic Andean landscape in a hot air balloon, just as the sun itself begins to peek over the horizon.
It’s an experience loved by many of our clients, and one usually followed by an afternoon of private wine tasting alongside one of the best winemakers in the region. You won’t have to travel far to taste a premium drop either since there are many hotels-come-wineries scattered across Mendoza. We have our favorites of course, places tried and tested as part of our luxury Argentina itineraries.
There is more than Malbec here too though. The wild lands surrounding Mendoza, from mountains to canyons and fast-flowing rivers, boats incredible wildlife, and exceptional fly-fishing to name but a few exceptional experiences. And given the milder temperatures in the penultimate months of the year, these are all far more enjoyable compared to summer when the sun saps your energy, and your body begs for a siesta come the mid-afternoon.
The city of Mendoza benefits from a well-connected airport, making it easy to reach for a week’s wine retreat. Our team can curate a bespoke fall itinerary tailored around soaking up the sunshine from one of the world’s best vineyards. What could be better to see in the holiday season?
3. Patagonia, Argentina: glorious glaciers without the crowds in November
When a landscape is as staggering as the scenes in Patagonia, there is perhaps no bad time to go. What there is though is a great time to go – and that is in November. November in Patagonia is on the precipice of summer – right before the crowds descend and the region hits peak season. Traveling in this early season, when the days are lighter and longer, allows you to enjoy all the joys of summer in Patagonia before you have to jostle for a spot at the viewpoints or glacier hikes. Being so far South, the weather in Patagonia is always unpredictable, you can see every kind of weather in just one afternoon here. Temperatures are however milder in November, and on the whole, the weather is more forgiving during this time.
One of our very favorite places to stay here, especially in November is Explora El Chaltén. You’ll find it on a private natural reserve, on the north bank of the Eléctrico River, surrounded by dense forests of lenga and ñirre trees. A strategic position perfect for exploring the peaks of Cerro Torre and Mount Fitz Roy to the northwest, along with the breathtaking Southern Patagonia Ice Field, the world’s third-largest freshwater reserve.
A particularly unmissable experience whilst here though is the Laguna de Los Tres trail and its uninterrupted views of the jagged peaks of Mount Fitz Roy. This hike begins on one of the trails of the Los Glaciares National Park, climbing through forests and valleys up to the Los Tres Lagoon, crossing rivers and lagoons to admire the magnificence of Mount Fitz Roy to its fullest.
Like many of the lodges offered as part of luxury travel to Patagonia with Aracari, what Explora El Chaltén does so brilliantly is allow travelers to become entirely immersed in the wilderness. Providing our clients with an in-depth experience of this austral territory to bring them closer to the unique characteristics of its many different facets. Before each evening, guiding them back to the quiet luxury of the lodge for hearty Argentine dining and a spa beneath the stars.
Given the vastness of Patagonia, a trip here in November is well suited to choosing one lodge and spending the week immersed in your surroundings. We handpicked every property we partner with and arrange seamless transport to get you to the remote location without eating into your vacation time. Explore our top picks for luxury lodges in Patagonia and arrange a call with one of our travel designers to discuss availability for this November.
4. Quito, Cuenca, and Baños, Ecuador: Captivating landscapes and volcano foothills in September
Straddling the equator on South America’s west coast, Ecuador’s diverse landscape encompasses the Amazon jungle, Andean highlands, and the wildlife-rich Galápagos Islands despite being no bigger than the state of Arizona. September brings with it warm temperatures and fewer tourists, who often pass through the country en route to the Galapagos Islands between November and January or May and July.
At Aracari, we’ve been curating bespoke Ecuador itineraries for almost three decades making us well-poised to advise on the best places to visit here during the fall. Cloud-high in the Andes and hemmed in by the snow-capped peaks of two active volcanoes, few cities have as dramatic a setting as the capital, Quito. Perched 9,200 ft high in the Andes, the city’s Old Town is considered to be ‘the best-preserved, least altered historic center in Latin America,’ by UNESCO. Quito is also a great base from which to explore the dramatic foothills of Cotopaxi – the world’s highest active volcano.
A city less heard of though is Cuenca, another UNESCO heritage destination that seamlessly weaves together the past and the present. Found cradled in a valley formed by the Andean peaks, Cuenca is perched at an elevation of approximately 2,500 meters (8,200 feet) above sea level. September is a particularly gorgeous time to visit, when the Tomebamba River gently flows through the city, bringing with it tranquil riverbanks and picturesque stone bridges that provide walkways from one neighborhood to the next.
In the historic center, a captivating tapestry of cobblestone streets, centuries-old churches, and charming plazas harken back to the country’s colonial era. Surrounding the cathedral, the streets spill with colonial-era buildings with wrought-iron balconies and red-tiled roofs, which today house art galleries, boutiques, and cosmopolitan bars and cafes. A lovely setting for a balmy mid-September evening.
Away from the cities too, September makes an enchanting explore the lush green Costa region of Ecuador. Here you’ll find one of our favorite haciendas. Lovingly restored by the same family now in its third generation, this beautiful hacienda is included in our itinerary Life’s a Beach – where days are spent harvesting cocoa with the hotel owners and riding through the countryside on the family’s breed of beautiful pinto quarter horses.
5. Easter Island, Chile: Ancient monoliths under the sunshine in November
The volcanic Easter Island is marooned some 2,300 miles west of Chile. One of the most remote inhabited places on earth, it marks the southeast corner of the Polynesian triangle, with Hawaii to the north and New Zealand to the southwest.
Reaching the island isn’t hard per se – but it is a long journey. But because of its small size, a week here is plenty – making Easter Island incredibly feasible as a top destination in South America to visit during the fall. The island covers just 63 square miles of land and is most famously home to approximately 900 mesmerizing moai statues, often called the “Easter Island heads.”
These giant, monolithic carvings are scattered around the island, some standing proudly against the ocean backdrop, while others are buried up to their necks in soil. Covering nearly half the island, Rapa Nui National Park is the best place to see the imposing carvings, created between the 10th and 16th centuries. UNESCO lists the park as a World Heritage Site, describing its legacy (which includes the sculptures and other archaeological elements) as “one of the most remarkable cultural phenomena in the world.” An accolade that draws thousands of visitors every year, making it prudent to travel in the fall when the surge of tourists quells for a few weeks.
Though the statues are an obvious draw, there are many other reasons to visit, especially when tourists are fewer and the weather eases into what feels like summer. There’s a distinct calmness that comes with visiting an island so far from any other significant land mass. Its unique setting creates an unavoidable reflectiveness in those who spend a few days here. With November being the last month of Spring on Easter Island, average temperatures range between min 17.3°C (63.1°F) and max 23.9°C (75°F), with very few days of rain.
The good weather also brings with it another great spot for adults and children alike. The Hanga Roa harbor is a perfect place to see sea turtles. If you stop by while fishermen are hauling in their catch and cleaning the fish, you can spot the turtles floating just beneath the surface, waiting to snack.
Discover the best destinations in South America during the fall with Aracari Travel.
Of course, each of the places listed here is just a snippet of where we could take you in South America this fall as part of a luxury vacation with Aracari, designed by our award-winning travel team.
After almost three decades in the business, and 15 Conde Nast Travel Specialist Awards later, we pride ourselves in connecting our clients to experiences that go beyond the standardized tourist trail. So, book an appointment with our team today and start your adventure.