South America Travel Guide

Suriname

Suriname

According to Countryaah, Suriname is the smallest country in South America and borders Guyana to the west, Brazil to the south and French Guiana to the east. In the north the Atlantic forms a natural border. Suriname consists of three regions and ten districts. The coastal regions are also the most populous and densely populated. The Wilhelminagebirge in the southwest of the country awaits with interesting flora and fauna. Here is also the highest point in the country: the Julianatop at 1280 meters.

Climate:

In Suriname there is a hot tropical climate all year round with maximum temperatures around 28 to 32 degrees Celsius on the coast. The temperatures are lower in the higher inland areas. The so-called small rainy season between the beginning of December and the beginning of February is followed by the small dry season, which lasts until the end of April. They are replaced by the great rainy season from mid-April to mid-August, before the year ends with the great dry season (late August to early December). Then again maximum values ​​of 38 degrees are possible. Less precipitation falls near the coast than inland. Short, heavy rain showers are also possible during the dry season. All year round Suriname has extremely high humidity of 80% during the day and up to 95% at night.

Best travel time:

For a trip to Suriname, the two dry seasons in the country should be matched. Accordingly, the beginning of February to the end of April and between mid-August and the beginning of December are the best travel times. September and October are the driest months in Suriname. Whether you want to explore the interior of the country, plan an excursion into the rainforest or watch birds, you should definitely avoid the rainy season because of the risk of flooding.

Bolivia

Bolivia

Bolivia is a landlocked country in South America, named after the South American independence fighter and national hero Simon Bolivar. The constitutional capital of Bolivia is Sucre, the seat of government and thus the secret capital is La Paz, which valiantly defends the false title of the highest capital in the world. With an altitude of 3200 to 4100 m, the city is the highest seat of government on earth. The climate in Bolivia is very diverse due to the enormous differences in altitude. A little over 55% of the population of Bolivia belong to the indigenous peoples.

Climate:

Bolivia has a tropical climate, with temperatures depending heavily on the altitude. While snow falls all year round in the High Andes, the average annual temperature in the northern lowlands is 30 degrees Celsius. At altitudes between 3,000 and 4,000 meters, at least 20 degrees Celsius can be expected during the day.

Best travel time:

Pleasant temperatures and little rain are characteristic for the period between May and October. During this time, mountain climbing in the Andes is also possible. The rainy season should be avoided.

Ecuador

Ecuador

Ecuador, the smallest of the Andean countries, is an ideal entry-level country for the South American continent. In the smallest of spaces and with short distances, you will find almost the complete variety that the South American continent has to offer. A multitude of sights as well as a diverse flora and fauna inspire more and more tourists. Famous explorers like Alexander von Humboldt or Charles Darwin have also returned to Europe with fascination. The country is named after the equator line that runs through the national territory a few kilometers north of Quito. The Galapagos Archipelago belonging to Ecuador is located about 1000 km west of the coast in the middle of the Pacific. This natural paradise is an absolute must for all nature and animal lovers.

Climate:

In the course of the year there are no major temperature fluctuations, one speaks of the time of day climate. Accordingly, there are sometimes strong temperature fluctuations during the day. In principle, Ecuador can be visited all year round. In the east there is a tropical, humid climate. The north is characterized by a monsoon climate, in the mountains the temperatures can be lower according to the alpine tundra climate. On average, the temperatures are stable all year round at around 25 degrees Celsius. There is a rainy season from December to May.

Best travel time:

Thanks to its location on the equator, the South American country is an attractive travel destination all year round. The dry seasons of the country can be a guide for travel planning. The period from September to December is recommended for exploring the eastern rainforest. In the tropical lowlands it rains all year round.

Due to the high amount of precipitation, travel to the Amazon region between June and August is not recommended, but tours into the mountains are not in the way during these months. The coast of Ecuador is worth a visit from May to December, but especially in July / August, when whales can be seen there.

The Galapagos Islands enchant all year round with their unique biodiversity. Due to the warm water temperatures, the first half of the year from January to June is ideal.

Chile

Chile

Chile is a state in southwest South America. Due to the long north-south expansion over more than 39 degrees of latitude, but also the considerable height differences in west-east direction, Chile has a large variety of climatic and vegetation zones. The most densely populated area is around the capital Santiago de Chile, where about a third of the Chilean population lives. The population density decreases more and more towards the north and south. The origin of the country name is not clearly proven. The most common explanation is that the word derives from the language of the Aymara. There the word chilli means “land where the world ends”. The capital of Chile is Santiago with a population of 5.614 million.

Climate:

Due to its enormous north-south extent, Chile combines several climate zones: The Easter Islands have a subtropical climate, while central Chile is Mediterranean and the south is moderately oceanic. The Atacama Desert lies between the Andes and the coastal mountains: the driest region on earth.

Best travel time:

Thanks to the different climatic regions, Chile is a year-round travel destination. While the north and central Chile have pleasant temperatures and little rainfall between October and April, the south of the country should preferably be traveled from December to February before it gets cold and rainy. If you want to go on a skiing holiday in the Andes, you should travel between June and September. Chile is rather unsuitable for a beach holiday due to the low water temperatures.