Where to Go in South America in August

High tourist season may well be upon us but the chances to get away from it all and enjoy the best places in South America in August are plentiful.

Whilst skiing and snowboard adventures await adrenalin-junkies in Patagonia, the Central Andes welcome the largest number of yearly tourists in August with crisp temps, clear-blue skies and resplendent scenery. With plenty of continent-wide festivals, you can travel far and wide this month, while unique wildlife spectacles may just entice you to add the Amazon and Galapagos Islands to your itinerary. If you're wondering where to go in South America in August, this guide covers the top destinations for an unforgettable trip!

1. August Snapshot

2. Tango Festival Buenos Aires

3. Independence Day in Sucre

4. Flower Festival Colombia

5. Rio de Janeiro

6. Amazon Rainforest

7. Galapagos Islands

8. Arid Plateaus of Bolivia

Cycling in the Atacama Desert

 

>Click HERE to see our Atacama Tours

Here’s a quick snapshot of South America travel in August:

• Sure, it’s high tourist season in the most popular Peru and Bolivia travel destinations but that’s because the climate is absolutely ideal. You’ll still find plenty of quieter hiking trails to Machu Picchu and plenty of alternative regions you can explore instead.

• Ecuador is a superb choice in August, for less-crowded archaeological sites and a fabulous array of high Andean destinations.

• Iguazu Falls enjoys a cooler month and lower humidity in August, fantastic news if you want to hike and bike ride in the area.

• The Amazon is in the midst of its dry season, so wildlife is easier to spot.

• Road trips through Salar Uyuni and into the Atacama Desert are made easier by the drier conditions at this time of year.

Amazing view of the Machu Picchu

>Click HERE to see our South America Tours

Best South American City Escapes in August

Tango Festival in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Who are we kidding? No-one needs a reason to visit Buenos Aires at any time of year but hey, if one needs to be found, then a two-week-long celebration of the most romantic dance on earth is about as good as it can get. The fiesta usually starts in the middle of the month and sends the whole city into a dancing frenzy. Free performances and concerts are set up in over 40 locations throughout Buenos Aires with milongas opening their doors to the public and giving everyone a reason to join in (because free lessons!) The Tango Festival culminates in a World Championship showdown that attracts the best dancers from all over the world.

Tango show in Buenos Aires

 

>Click HERE to see our Buenos Aires Tours

Independence Day in Sucre, Bolivia

Sucre may not be at the top of everyone’s must-see list when travelling to Bolivia (although it should be, the city is beautiful) yet for Bolivians the city is a kind of a huge deal. It was right here that Bolivia declared its independence in 1825 after years of bloody struggle and its here that the country celebrates the occasion with the greatest of gusto. Make sure you’re in town on the 6^th of August for the momentous occasion, marked by street parties, great food, parades and fireworks; and plan some free time to soak up the architectural splendours of this colonial-era treasure.

Explore Sucre in Bolivia

>Click HERE to see our Bolivia Tours

Flower Festival in Medellin, Colombia

The whole of Colombia celebrates one of its most prominent exports in August, in the 2-week Feria de las Flores that’s as colourful and fragrant as can be. Medellin’s largest annual festival is a cacophony of colours and inarguably one of the most photogenic cultural events in the whole of South America. There are literally hundreds of events happening in the city during the second week of August (count on lots of music, food and street dancing) and given this is a fabulously sneaky month to visit Colombia, since the country enjoys what’s called a ‘mini dry season’ in the middle of the long rainy one, it just makes for absolute travel perfection.

Feria de las Flores, Colombia

 

>Click HERE to see our Colombia Tours

Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

The beautiful Brazilian city that never sleeps can get a little hot under the collar in summer which is why the middle of winter (hello, August!) is a superb time to visit. If the likes of Ipanema and Copacabana are too crowded for your liking, then do keep in mind that Rio, much like Sydney, is a city that’s defined by its MANY beaches so you’ll have plenty more to choose from. Better still, after your tour of the city is over, why not move just a few hours to the south, stay in a beachside posada and feel like you’re in a totally different world?

BTW, August is Rio’s driest month and, being among the coolest too, it means you can hike those glorious verdant hills all day long.

Brazilian beach

>Click HERE to see our Rio de Janeiro Tours

Best South American Wilderness & Wildlife Experiences in August

Lodge-based stays in the Amazon Rainforest

August falls right in the heart of the drier season in the Amazon which means that lodge-based stays are at their prime. When the ground is drier, jungle walks become a whole lot easier and given the receding waters all over, it also means land animals seek to satisfy their thirst on river banks and are therefore much easier to spot.

Explore the Amazon Rainforest

>Click HERE to see our Amazon Jungle Tours

Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

Sea and air temperatures are coolest in August around the Galapagos Islands but, just between us, they’re pretty cool all year long. Mornings are usually foggy at this time of year which is an awesome sight to wake up to but what makes it so special is that, as the ocean currents cool, they bring marine life to the surface. They love nutrient-reach currents and although seas can be choppy (choose a catamaran for calmer sails) there’s a wealth of wildlife on show at this time of year, especially in terms of birdlife. Tortoises lay their eggs around Santa Cruz this month and you’ll see Waved Albatross chicks, all fat and fluffy, wandering about their nests on Espanola. It’s also puppy season now, so expect to see lots of waddling sea lions!

Galapagos tortoises

 

>Click HERE to see our Galapagos Tours

Arid plateaus, Bolivia

The dry season in the Central Andes spells road-trip perfection through southern Bolivia and into northern Chile. This month, you can cross the Bolivian Altiplano and ethereal Salt Flats of Uyuni right into the border with Chile, which will see you emerge at the magnificent Atacama Desert. It only takes a few days to explore this remote region, one that becomes difficult to negotiate when rains are plentiful. So head here now, even at the height of tourist season: this place is far too expansive and spellbinding to ever feel overcrowded.

Salar de Uyuni

 

>Click HERE to see our Salt Flats Tours

Have any questions? Contact us and we will be happy to help you plan the perfect trip! Whether you're looking for adventure, cultural experiences, or wildlife encounters, we can guide you to the best tours in South America this August.