South America and Antarctica Travel in November

Summer’s well and truly underway in Patagonia in November although the big tourist crowds won’t be turning up in the most popular spots for another few weeks. NOW is the time to kick the main highlights: the climate will be in your favour, as will availability and prices. Meanwhile, in Peru and Bolivia, you can bag some truly rewarding experiences. Quiet, contemplative, uncrowded and delightful with the occasional shower thrown in for good measure: that’s what you can expect when you pin the Central Andes on your must-visit map.

Click the links below to skip through the article:

1. November Snapshot
2. Cuenca
3. Buenos Aires
4. Cartagena
5. Puno & Lake Titicaca
6. Patagonia
7. Galapagos Islands
8. Salta Province
9. Amazon Rainforest
10. Pantanal Wetlands
11. Atacama Desert
12. Antarctica

Bartolome Island, Galapagos Islands

Here’s a quick snapshot of South America and Antarctica travel in November:

• The height of winter (and tourist flow) is well and truly over in the Central Andes of Peru and Bolivia. Along with a delightful rise in temps, you’ll also find some overcast days and early-morning fog shrouding the Andes. You’ll find the scene ethereal and magical in Machu Picchu

• The sun shines until 9 pm every day in Patagonia and although the region is renowned for its insane climate changes, the strong summer winds have yet to pick up speed this month. This is a fantastic month for hiking the most famous trails of all

• Galapagos trips in November are all about good underwater visibility and spotting some of the cutest wildlife babies you’ll ever see

• Antarctica cruising picks up speed, with the southern region offers a little of everything in November: jaw-dropping sunsets, mating penguins and still-pristine landing sites

• A host of unique festivals entice visitors to include a city-stay on their itineraries to Ecuador, Argentina, Colombia and Peru

Mountain view in Antarctica

Best City Escapes in November

Cuenca, Ecuador

Cuenca is a resplendent yet lesser-known Andean gem. We love it because it boasts a gorgeous, UNESCO-listed historic core no-one seems to know about, with amazing architecture, fabulous food and a very authentic feel. In the first few days of November, the city celebrates its day of (Spanish) liberation (Nov 3, 1820) in spectacular form with parades, fiestas, food and music, over two fun-filled days. Boasting average temps around 20-degree-C which don’t actually change very much all year, Cuenca has one of the mildest highland climates and this makes it quite a genial all-year destination.

Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Cuenca, Ecuador

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Buenos Aires, Argentina

The second weekend in November sees the Argentinian capital erupt with Gay-Pride-fever, the event attracting a hundred thousand dedicated spectators from all over the world. Happy event notwithstanding, this is a fabulous month to visit this very popular city, as the Spring temps – which hover between 16 and 35-degree-C – are ideal for both long sightseeing days and beachside excursions. Visit right now and you’ll be dodging the hottest and busiest months of the year whilst still having the city at its very best.

Public Square in La Boca, Buenos Aires, Argentina

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Cartagena, Colombia

Cartagena joins Cuenca this month in celebrating its independence, the colourful and tropical city putting on a fabulous show of patriotic pride. This was one of the first cities in Latin America to gain its independence and the climax of the weeklong celebrations, on November 11, marks the date the declaration took place, in 1811. Expect street parties galore, along with water fights, fireworks and plenty of music and dancing.

Cartagena de Indias, Colombia

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Puno, Lake Titicaca, Peru

The unassuming town on the Peruvian shores of Lake Titicaca celebrates itself 9and its revered Inca leader) for an entire week in November. Puno Week celebrates Manco Capac, the alleged father of the Inca Empire who rose from the waters of the world’s highest navigable lake to lead his people on to create one of the mightiest empires the world has ever seen. Locals partake in nightly parades dressed int heir most impressive regalia, a spectacle any culture lover will absolutely cherish.

Totora boat on the Titicaca lake near Puno, Peru

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Best Wilderness & Wildlife Experiences in November

Patagonia, Argentina & Chile

Summer may be short in Patagonia but it sure is sweet. For cruises through the Chilean fjords, kayaking the Beagle Channel, hiking in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares National Parks, wine-tasting tours and wildlife-watching excursions absolutely everywhere in Patagonia, this month is 100% idyllic. Everything is ‘open for business’ and rearing to go yet Christmas crowds are nowhere to be yet seen. Do yourself a favour and bag the most unforgettable South America tour in November – Patagonia is the #1 place to visit this month, no questions asked.

Lagoon Azul in Torres del Paine, Patagonia

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Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

November is the last month of the dry season in the Galapagos Islands so although both air and sea temps will be on the cooler side, it also means the wildlife is a lot more active. This is the nesting month for an abundance of unique Galapagos wildlife, including penguins, petrels, boobies, flightless cormorants and flamingos, do expect a few awkward sexy bird dances and even some chicks if you’re lucky. What’s more, sea lion and fur seal babies will also be out in force and if you think you’ve seen a cuter specimen of wildlife, let us assure you that you haven’t…

Sea lion swimming underwater in tidal lagoon in the Galapagos Islands, Ecuador

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Salta Province, Northwest Argentina

Summer temperatures facilitate travel through this lesser-trodden part of Argentina so if you’re keen for a road trip in one of the continent’s most dramatic wilderness then consider this an ideal month. Nestled at the foothills of the Andes, the northern Argentinian Salta Province is revered for its otherworldly rocky horizons, expansive salt flats, snowy peaks and multi-coloured ranges. On a road trip down this nook of South America serves up ghost mining towns, archaeological sites, volcanic peaks and astonishing, colonial-era towns that seem to be forgotten by time.

Mountains of Quebrada de Humahuaca in Salta Province, Northern Argentina

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Amazon Rainforest

Nourishing rains are feeding the complex river systems in the Amazon Rainforest in November, making this a peachy month for Amazon River cruises. On small expedition ships this month, you can explore further into the heart of the rainforest than at any other time of year, reaching areas where no eco-lodge has ever been built. Cruising the Amazon is a very different experience to a land-based tour, least of all because it entices you to explore the world’s largest nature reserve at a very distinct time of year.

Boat on the Amazon River

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Pantanal Wetlands, Brazil

The Pantanal is the wetlands region that extends from the Amazon and is actually the better wildlife-spotting destination if you were to compare the two. Although November is rainy season in the southern half of the expansive region, the (northern) Cuiaba half is still dry enough to offer exceptional wildlife spotting, although the earlier in November you visit, the better. This side of the Pantanal is renowned for offering the best chances to spot elusive jaguars. Combine a few days in the Pantanal first with a few days cruising the Amazon River and you will bag inarguably one of the most rewarding South American nature-drenched experiences of all.

Jaguar in the Pantanal, Brazil

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Atacama Desert, Chile

The world’s driest desert stretches for more than 40,000 square miles but amidst this crazy expansiveness, several very famous sites can seem crowded during the high season. Visit in November and you’ll soak up the benefits of shoulder-season travel, a time when you can soak up the desert’s ethereal ambience, have still-pleasant temps for extensive touring yet feel like you have the entire place to yourself. What’s more, if the desert has received rainfall, it will have just occurred in October, meaning you may just be lucky enough to see those rare wildflowers blooming in November. If you want to explore Patagonia from Chile, or are reaching South America via Santiago, this is an ideal time to add more highlights of Chile into your itinerary.

Flowering desert in the Chilean Atacama

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Antarctica

Last but certainly not least, is Antarctica. November will mark the first full month of expedition cruising to the southern ends of our planet and although some cruises will have reached some shores, 99% of the Antarctic Peninsula and the sub-Antarctic islands will boast pristine virgin landing sites. This month, you can expect daytime temps around 0-degree-C which is rather fresh but, on the other hand, penguin rookeries will be hives of frenzied activity on the peninsula, sea ice will be plentiful and horizons drenched in snow (a truly awe-inspiring spectacle that later cruises will miss) and, over on spectacular South Georgia, elephant seals fight it out tooth and blubber to secure their harem. This is the last month of early cruising season that offers eye-popping sunsets and a kaleidoscope of colours so, if you’re an avid photographer, you’d be nuts to miss out.

Gentoo Penguins in Antarctica

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At Viva Expeditions, we know that the best time to travel to South America and Antarctica depends primarily on WHAT you want to experience and HOW you want to experience it. Check out our favourite itinerary ideas for South America, Central America and Antarctica and do note that we offer both group tours and bespoke tours.

Simply contact us to know more.