SeasonMap

Best places to visit in South America in December

In December, South America's best-scoring destinations are San Pedro de Atacama (95), Puerto Ayora (93) and Lima (91): 9 of its 39 well-known places are at their seasonal best.

Each place is scored at its seasonal best — beaches on beach weather, cities on walking weather, ski towns in snow season. Tap any place for the full December breakdown.

← South America in NovemberSouth America in January →The whole world in December

Classics at their best in South America in December

The places you already know, in the month the climate agrees with them. 9 of South America's 39 well-known places are in one of their own top-three months.

  1. 1San Pedro de Atacama, Chilewarm, dry, clean air95tier S
  2. 2Puerto Ayora, Ecuadorhot, dry, clean air93tier S
  3. 3Lima, Peruwarm, dry, clean air91tier S
  4. 4Maceió, Brazilsweltering, a little rain, clean air91tier S
  5. 5El Calafate, Argentinacool, a little rain, clean air90tier S
  6. 6Porto de Galinhas, Brazilhot, a little rain, muggy air90tier S
  7. 7Salvador, Brazilsweltering, a little rain, clean air90tier S
  8. 8Cartagena, Colombiasweltering, a little rain, clean air88tier A
  9. 9Montevideo, Uruguaywarm, a little rain, clean air88tier A
  10. 10Santiago, Chilehot, dry88tier A
  11. 11Fernando de Noronha, Brazilsweltering, a little rain, clean air87tier A
  12. 12La Serena, Chilenice, dry, clean air87tier A
  13. 13Villa de Leyva, Colombianice, rainy, clean air87tier A
  14. 14Arequipa, Perunice, a little rain86tier A
  15. 15Mendoza, Argentinahot, dry, clean air86tier A

Under the radar in South America in December

Less-visited places whose December weather outscores the classics above — the data's own suggestions.

  1. 16Antofagasta, Chilewarm, dry, clean air94tier S
  2. 17Montañita, Ecuadorhot, dry, clean air94tier S
  3. 18Máncora, Peruhot, dry, clean air93tier S
  4. 19Pipa, Brazilhot, dry, clean air92tier S
  5. 20Valparaíso, Chilenice, dry, clean air92tier S
  6. 21Cafayate, Argentinawarm, a little rain, clean air91tier S
  7. 22Hanga Roa, Chilewarm, a little rain, clean air91tier S
  8. 23João Pessoa, Brazilsweltering, a little rain, clean air91tier S
  9. 24Recife, Brazilsweltering, a little rain, clean air91tier S
  10. 25Iquique, Chilewarm, dry, clean air90tier S
  11. 26Trujillo, Peruwarm, dry, clean air90tier S
  12. 27Morro de São Paulo, Brazilhot, a little rain, clean air89tier A
  13. 28Santa Marta, Colombiasweltering, a little rain, clean air89tier A

Every region of South America in December

The best-known place in each part of South America this month, even where the month is only fair.