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Latin American Weather Guide

Latin America is a very large and very varied continent with weather patterns to match. From some of the world´s most arid deserts, the second highest mountain range on the planet, temperate zones to tropical jungles, and windy Patagonia with its numerous glaciers and ice-fields the climate in Latin America is as varied as the food and the people.

Many people therefore ask when is the best time to take a vacation to Latin America? This of course depends on where it is you wish to tour, and what you would like to do whilst on holiday. Generally the hot, dry season for Mexico and Central America (Belize, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua) runs from October to March with April to September being wet and humid with the possibility of hurricanes in some areas. In Mexico much of the country has a temperate mountain climate whilst the coastal areas are generally hot and humid. In the northwest of the country is an arid desert. The best time to take a vacation in this region is between October and March although there are visitors all year.

Small Belize has a sub-tropical climate with seasonal variations in rainfall. Temperatures are high year round. Other Central American countries such as Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Panama also have sub-tropical climates but are temperate in the highlands.
The hurricane belt runs from Mexico south to Nicaragua so the countries of Costa Rica and Panama avoid this threat.

Costa Rica generally has a sub tropical climate whilst being cooler and more temperate in the highlands. There are two main climatic seasons with the dry season from December to April whilst most rain falls between May and November. The Caribbean coast can be wet all year round. Temperatures and humidity are high on the coasts but decrease with altitude at locations inland. Rainfall varies greatly according to the topography but usually falls in bursts.

Colombia and Venezuela have similar climates to Central America on the coasts but are also south of the hurricane belt. Much of these two countries enjoy a temperate mountain climate whilst the coasts are hot and humid. Temperature and climate vary according to altitude as is the case in much of Latin America. The best time to holiday on the Caribbean coast in the north is during the dry season from December to March. Temperatures at this time reach 30C.  At altitudes over 2000m there is a spring-like climate by day whilst it can be cool at night. Rain can be heavy from April to May and October to November. The Amazon regions are hot and humid all year round.

The little know countries of Guyana, Suriname and French Guiana are tropical, hot and humid throughout the year, with the main wet season from May to June and also from December to January on the coast.

Ecuador although small and situated on the equator as its name suggests, has a varied climate as it straddles the Andes with Amazon Rainforest to the east and the Pacific coast to the west. Climate and temperature again vary with altitude. There are two main seasons here, wet and dry. The dry season in the highlands is from June to September and from May to December on the coast. The coast is hot, humid and wet from January to April. In the jungle it can rain at any time with April to June being the wettest months. Temperatures in the highland areas are generally temperate and nights can be cold.

The Galapagos Islands set in the Pacific Ocean have a sub-tropical climate which is regulated by intermittent warm currents of El Niño and the cold Humbolt current. December to May is the hottest season whilst June to November are cooler. Cruises to the Galapagos can be taken at any time of the year as the there is always something different happening with the wildlife.

Peru is a complex country in terms of weather as there are three distinct climatic zones. Along the coast is a very dry desert (caused by the cold Humbolt current in the Pacific Ocean). Next you have the high Andes with their own set of weather conditions and finally the Amazon jungle. The temperature and climate vary according to altitude and location. The coastal desert is hot and sunny from November to March whilst this is the wet season in the highlands. The coast often experiences a sea mist known as ´garua´ between April and October which is when the mountains are generally warm and dry by day, but cold at night or when the sun goes in. The Amazon is generally hot and humid all year round with the wettest months being from November to March. February is generally the wettest month and the famous Inca Trail to Machu Picchu is closed at this time.

Bolivia also has three climatic zones. This country of extremes is a mix of the high Andes and altiplano (high plain), the sub-tropical “Yungas” and Amazon basin. The Bolivian highlands have a temperate climate with variations in temperature according to the altitude, time of day and whether the sun is out. The temperature in the capital La Paz can be 25C during the day and drop to freezing point at night. The wet season is from November to March. For the rest of the year there is plenty of sunshine on the high altiplano. The north-eastern slopes of the Andes are semi-tropical, while the eastern lowlands are generally hot, with occasional cold fronts.

Argentina is a vast country which runs from the tropical north to the extremes of Patagonia in the far south. Much of the country is temperate, with the seasons reversed from those in the northern hemisphere. The far north is subtropical whilst the south and Patagonia are cold temperate. The south is warmest from October to March although there can be rain and strong winds. Southern Patagonia has a harsh winter climate from May to September and has great daily variability, even in summer. The temperature varies with altitude as well as latitude. Patagonia sees most visitors from October to March when tours and travelling are easier. Vacations to the north can be taken at any time.

Uruguay has a temperate climate similar to the north of Argentina.

Chile is a very long, narrow country sandwiched between the Pacific Ocean and the Andes. The north has possibly the earths´ driest desert in the Atacama, whilst the centre enjoys a Mediterranean type climate and to the south are the glaciers and ice-fields of Patagonia. The Chilean climate varies greatly according to altitude and latitude as the country runs over 4000km from north to south and from the Pacific coast to the highest peak in South America. The north of the country lies in the tropical zone but is an arid desert, generally warm and dry year round. Santiago and the central valley have a Mediterranean climate of hot, dry summers and mild wet winters. The lake districts climate is temperate, while further south it rains almost every day in winter. The climate in the far south of Patagonia varies on a daily basis, often with four seasons in one day. It is usually cool and windy all year round. May to September can be very cold in the far south.

Paraguay is sub-tropical with the heaviest rains falling between October and April.

Brazil is not just a country but almost a continent in its own right. This vast country is the size of the continental United States and so has a climate that varies from region to region. Most of this huge country lies within the tropics and so is fairly hot and humid year round with temperatures ranging from 18-40°C. The Pantanal, Rio de Janeiro and the Costa Verde are less humid and cooler from May to October whilst in the Amazon temperatures rarely drop below 23°C. The southern coast around Florianopolis and also Iguazu are also sub-tropical but can experience cool periods between May and October. The north enjoys a drier season from June to September. Holidays to the north can be taken at any time whilst vacations to the south are best taken between October and March but there are visitors all year.

Antarctica is of course a continent in its own right but is most commonly visited by cruises departing from southern Argentina or Chile. It is the coldest, windiest and driest continent in the world with 98% of its area covered by snow and ice. The season to visit is from November to February.