The Countries of South America

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
Andes for skiing - winter
High season is January and February

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: 

Avoid the rainy season in the lowlands between November to March
Altiplano - winter
Lowlands and rain forest - April to October

Capital: Brasilia

When to Go:

Cities - any time
Carnaval in February
Amazon - avoid rainy season between November to May
High season is November to April

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 - February and July and August for skiing

Capital: Bogotá 

When to Go:

Dry season in December - March in the mountains;
December to April and July to September on the coast
High season is December to February

Capital: Quito

When to Go:

Rainy season is December to May 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 
High season is December to February

Capital: Stanley

When to Go:

October to March

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

Capital: Georgetown

When to Go:

Best time is mid-October to mid-May, after rainy seasons ending in late January and late August
Travel in the interior is best in dry season

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.

Capital: Lima

When to Go:

Lima - avoid foggy time in June - December
Coastal desert - any time of year
Andes - avoid rainy periods between October - April
Rainforest - hot and humid all year; avoid January - April
High season is May to September

Capital: Paramaribo

When to Go:

Rainy season is April to July, December and January
Best times are mid-August to early December

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

Capital: Caracas

When to Go:

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