Things to Do in South America in December
December weather, activities, events & insider tips
December Weather in South America
Is December Right for You?
Advantages
- Summer season across most of South America means warm, dry weather in Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and Uruguay - perfect beach conditions with temperatures around 25-30°C (77-86°F) along coastal areas and reliable sunshine for outdoor activities
- Patagonia's peak trekking season hits its stride with 18-hour daylight, making December ideal for multi-day hikes in Torres del Paine or El Chaltén when trails are fully accessible and wildlife is most active
- Andes accessibility at its best - mountain passes stay open, cable cars run on full schedules, and you can actually reach high-altitude destinations like Machu Picchu without weather cancellations that plague shoulder months
- Festival season across the continent with genuine cultural celebrations rather than tourist-focused events - Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe in various countries, summer solstice celebrations in indigenous communities, and New Year preparations creating authentic local atmosphere
Considerations
- Peak tourist season means premium pricing everywhere - expect accommodation costs 40-60% higher than April or October, and popular routes like the Inca Trail or W Trek booking out 4-6 months ahead with limited availability
- Crowds at major sites reach their annual maximum, with Machu Picchu hitting its 5,600 daily visitor cap most days and popular viewpoints in Patagonia feeling more like queues than wilderness experiences during midday hours
- Northern Amazon region enters heavy wet season with 200-300 mm (8-12 inches) rainfall making river levels unpredictable, some lodges inaccessible, and wildlife viewing significantly harder as animals disperse into flooded forests
Best Activities in December
Patagonia Multi-Day Trekking
December offers the longest daylight hours of the year in Patagonia - we're talking 18+ hours of usable light - which fundamentally changes what you can accomplish on trails. The W Trek or Circuit in Torres del Paine becomes genuinely feasible for moderate hikers because you're not racing sunset, and wildlife like guanacos and condors are most active during breeding season. Weather is still Patagonian unpredictable, but trails are fully snow-free and refugios operate at full capacity. The trade-off is sharing those iconic viewpoints with more people, though you'll find solitude if you're willing to start hikes before 8am.
Galapagos Wildlife Cruises
December marks the start of the warm-wet season when marine life activity peaks dramatically. Sea lion pups are being born, giant tortoises are nesting on beaches, and water temperatures around 22-24°C (72-75°F) make snorkeling actually pleasant rather than wetsuit-mandatory. You'll see more underwater action with sea turtles and rays more active in warmer water. The trade-off is occasional afternoon rain showers, but these typically last 30-45 minutes and clear quickly. December also means green landscapes rather than the brown, dry look of June-November.
Rio de Janeiro Beach and Mountain Activities
Summer hits Rio hard in December with temperatures around 28-32°C (82-90°F) and that particular Brazilian beach culture in full swing. Copacabana and Ipanema are packed but energetic, and the warm weather makes the cable car up Sugarloaf or the hike to Cristo Redentor much more comfortable than winter months when clouds can obscure views. December is actually ideal for the Pedra da Gávea hike - one of the world's largest coastal monoliths at 842 m (2,762 ft) - because early morning starts around 6am give you cooler temperatures and you're down before afternoon heat peaks.
Salar de Uyuni Salt Flat Tours
December sits right at the start of Bolivia's wet season, which creates the famous mirror effect on the salt flats when a thin layer of water covers the surface. This is what you see in those iconic photos - perfect reflections of sky and clouds. The downside is tours become more weather-dependent, and some sections might be inaccessible if water levels rise too high. But December typically offers the best balance - enough water for reflections without the full flooding that can happen January-March. Tours also visit colored lagoons, geysers, and high-altitude deserts at 3,600-4,500 m (11,800-14,800 ft).
Inca Trail and Machu Picchu Treks
December falls in Peru's wet season, but the Inca Trail region actually stays relatively dry compared to January-March - you're looking at maybe 10-12 rainy days in the month with afternoon showers rather than all-day downpours. The bigger factor is that trails are green, waterfalls are flowing, and temperatures are moderate at 12-18°C (54-64°F) during the day. The Classic Inca Trail requires permits limited to 500 people daily including guides and porters, and December dates book out 5-6 months ahead. Alternative treks like Salkantay or Lares offer more availability with equally impressive scenery.
Cartagena Colonial City and Caribbean Coast
December is actually Colombia's dry season along the Caribbean coast, making it ideal for beach time in Cartagena or the nearby Rosario Islands. Temperatures sit around 30-32°C (86-90°F) with lower humidity than you'd expect, and the colonial walled city becomes genuinely magical in evenings when temperatures drop to 24-26°C (75-79°F). This is peak season for Colombians on vacation, so you'll experience authentic holiday atmosphere rather than just tourist crowds. The Caribbean water stays warm at 27-28°C (81-82°F) making snorkeling and diving comfortable without wetsuits.
December Events & Festivals
Fiesta de la Virgen de Guadalupe
Celebrated across South America in countries with significant Catholic populations, particularly in Peru, Bolivia, and parts of Colombia. December 12th brings processions, traditional music, and genuine religious celebrations rather than tourist-focused festivals. Worth experiencing in smaller towns where locals maintain traditional customs including all-night vigils and traditional foods.
Summer Solstice Celebrations
December 21st marks summer solstice in the Southern Hemisphere, celebrated by indigenous communities throughout the Andes with traditional ceremonies, music, and gatherings. Particularly authentic experiences can be found in northern Argentina, Bolivia, and Peru where Quechua and Aymara communities maintain ancestral traditions. These are community events rather than organized tourist activities.
Reveillon New Year Preparations
Late December sees South American cities preparing for massive New Year celebrations, with Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana beach party being the most famous. But you'll find significant celebrations building throughout December in Buenos Aires, Santiago, Lima, and other major cities with street decorations, special markets, and increasing festive atmosphere. Many locals take vacation during this period creating genuine holiday energy.