The Best Places to Visit in South and Central America in Summer

Animals take centre stage on the Galápagos Islands – one of the most biodiverse destinations in the world – and your wildlife-spotting chances are maximized by visiting in the summer months. Follow in the footsteps of Charles Darwin, whose theory of evolution was inspired by his findings on the islands, on this five-day adventure with Culture Trip. You can sleep in a safari-style tent among giant tortoises in El Chato nature reserve, snorkel with sea turtles at Kicker Rock and swim with sea lions at Punta Carola beach. If you head to the uninhabited island of South Plaza, you might be lucky enough to spot the Galápagos hybrid iguana while hiking through cactus forests – it’s the only place on earth where this species exists.

Sitting directly on the equator, Ecuador is a nation of glacier-capped volcanoes, majestic waterfalls and thick jungle. There aren’t distinct seasons through the year, but the climate varies significantly by altitude. Here you’ll see some of the most impressive architecture in South America – particularly in Quito, where this TRIPS by Culture Trip adventure begins. You’ll explore the capital’s major landmarks and attend an Ecuadorian cooking masterclass before hiking and horse riding in Cotopaxi National Park, which is dominated by the 5,897m (19,347ft) Cotopaxi volcano. Hike around the emerald green Quilotoa crater lake, cycle the Baños Waterfall Route and go whitewater rafting in the Amazon rainforest, before wrapping up your trip with a soak in hot springs in Papallacta.

The bustling streets of Sao Paulo and Rio, plus the famous beaches of Ipanema and the Copacabana, can get a little bit oversubscribed in Brazil’s peaks months from December to March, so we find the summer months to be a joy on the country’s coast. The weather is still pretty delightful, making it the perfect time to join our nine-day Brazilian bonanza, starting in Sao Paulo and ending in Rio, with a few days detouring in the gorgeous coastal region of Paraty, home to one of Brazil’s most beautiful old towns. End your trip making the most of the slightly calmer-than-usual beaches of Rio, before heading to local people’s favourite sunset spot to watch the sun go down over one of the world’s most iconic city skylines, caipirinha cocktail in hand.