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Capital: Buenos Aires
Argentina entices culture and dance enthusiasts with the tango, adventure travelers with its mountains and glaciers, and gourmands with its steak and renowned wines.
When to go:
- Buenos Aires - Any time
- Iguazu Falls - Winter or spring
- Patagonia - Summer
- The Andes for skiing - Winter
High season is January and February.
Bolivia
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Capital: Sucre
Bolivia is most famous for its photogenic salt flat landscape — the Salar de Uyuni — and for being inexpensive to visit. Expect colorful markets and colonial architecture, and don't miss the sprawling Lake Titicaca.
When to go:
- Altiplano - Winter
- Lowlands and rainforest - April to October
Avoid the rainy season in the lowlands between November to March.
Brazil
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Capital: Brasilia
When to go:
High season is from November to April.
Chile
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Capital: Santiago
When to go:
- Northern Chile - Any time, November is best
- Middle Chile - September to February
- Southern Chile - December to March
- Easter Island and Juan Fernandez - March
High season is January to February and July and August for skiing.
Colombia
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Capital: Bogotá
When to go:
- The dry season in December to March in the mountains
- December to April and July to September on the coast
High season is December to February.
Ecuador
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Capital: Quito
When to go:
- Galapagos - January to April is hot and humid; tour boats docked in September and October
- Coast - Avoid rainy season
- Quito and highlands - Any time of year
- Amazon - Avoid rainy season
Rainy season is December to May. High season is December to February.
French Guiana
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Capital: Cayenne
When to go:
- Rainy season is January to June, heaviest rain in May
- Travel between July to December
- High season is February Carnival
Guyana
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Capital: Georgetown
When to go:
- Travel in the interior is best in the dry season
Best time is mid-October to mid-May, after rainy seasons ending in late January and late August.
Paraguay
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Capital: Asunción
When to go:
- Rainy season in December to April with frequent flooding in the southeast
- Very hot between October and March
- Dry season travel (June to August) is easier
Peru
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Capital: Lima
When to go:
- Lima - Avoid foggy time from June to December
- Coastal desert - Any time of year
- Andes - Avoid rainy periods between October to April
- Rainforest - Hot and humid all year; avoid January to April
High season is from May to September.
Suriname
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Capital: Paramaribo
When to go:
- Rainy season is April to July and December through January
- Best times are mid-August to early December
Uruguay
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Capital: Montevideo
When to go:
- Best time to visit is mid-October to late March; be prepared for heat and humidity
High season is January and February.
Venezuela
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Capital: Caracas
When to go:
- The dry season is December to April but May to October is still nice and prices are lower
High season is Christmas, February Carnival, and Easter.