Mexico, Central & South America
South America cruises
South America cruises sail during the southern summer, roughly November to March. The classic route is a 14-night voyage around Cape Horn between Buenos Aires and Santiago (San Antonio or Valparaíso), with Montevideo, the Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, the Strait of Magellan and the Chilean fjords. Other options include Brazil and Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival, the Amazon River to Manaus, and the Pacific coast to Lima.
- Season: Roughly November to March; Patagonia best December to February.
- Typical length: 14 nights for Cape Horn; 10 to 30 nights for Brazil, the Amazon and longer voyages
Photo: Rafael Rabello de Barros, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
- Season
- Roughly November to March; Patagonia best December to February.
- Typical length
- 14 nights for Cape Horn; 10 to 30 nights for Brazil, the Amazon and longer voyages
- Best months
- Jan, Feb, Dec
- Main departure ports
- Buenos Aires, Santiago (San Antonio & Valparaíso), Santos (São Paulo)
- Ports covered here
- 12
- Cruise lines
- 12 lines sail here
What a South America cruise is like
A South America cruise is a grand adventure rather than a beach break. The Cape Horn voyage links two great cities, tango-loving Buenos Aires and Chile’s capital, Santiago, by way of penguin colonies, glacier-carved channels and the southernmost towns on Earth. Along the way you’ll pass Cape Horn itself, weather permitting, and sail Glacier Alley in the Beagle Channel, where tidewater glaciers spill down to the sea one after another.
Because the seasons are reversed, ships arrive in the southern spring and stay through the summer, repositioning from Europe, Alaska or the Caribbean. Brazil’s coast is busiest around New Year and Carnival, the Patagonia route peaks from December to February, and Amazon River voyages, which sail about 1,000 miles upriver from the Atlantic to Manaus, cluster in spring and fall on longer itineraries from Florida.
This region suits experienced travelers who don’t mind long flights, sea days, changeable weather and the occasional missed port: Falklands and Cape Horn calls depend on wind and swell. In return you get Patagonian scenery, wildlife from penguins to whales, and some of the world’s great food and wine cities in Buenos Aires, Montevideo, Lima and Santiago.
Best time to cruise South America
- Jan: Best time to go
- Feb: Best time to go
- Mar: Good time to go
- Apr: Shoulder season
- May: No regular sailings
- Jun: No regular sailings
- Jul: No regular sailings
- Aug: No regular sailings
- Sep: Shoulder season
- Oct: Shoulder season
- Nov: Good time to go
- Dec: Best time to go
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
JanuaryBest time to go
January is the height of the Patagonian summer, with up to 17 hours of daylight in Ushuaia and the best chance of calm conditions around Cape Horn. Penguin chicks are growing fast in the Falklands and at Punta Tombo. Buenos Aires is hot and humid, often in the upper 80s °F, and Brazilian beaches are packed.
FebruaryBest time to go
Rio’s Carnival, usually in February, transforms the city with Sambadrome parades and neighborhood street parties, and dedicated cruises overnight in port. In Patagonia, young penguins begin to fledge and whale sightings increase in the channels. It’s still peak season, so cabins sell out early.
MarchGood time to go
Autumn color begins in Patagonia’s southern beech forests by late March, and the weather becomes more changeable around Cape Horn. Crowds and fares ease. Grape harvest festivals take place in Argentina and Chile, and Amazon voyages run during the high-water season, when boats can reach flooded forests.
AprilShoulder season
The season wraps up in early April, with final Cape Horn voyages and repositioning cruises heading north to Europe or the Caribbean. Patagonia is cooler, with shorter days and more wind. Some Amazon voyages run in spring, reaching Manaus when the river is high.
MayNo regular sailings
There are no regular South America cruises in May. Autumn turns to winter in Patagonia, and many tourist services in Ushuaia and Punta Arenas slow down. It’s a good time to book next season’s Cape Horn or Antarctica combination voyages.
JuneNo regular sailings
Cruise season is long over. Southern right whales start arriving at Península Valdés near Puerto Madryn, and Parintins on the Amazon hosts its famous Boi Bumbá festival late in the month. Ski season opens in the Andes near Santiago.
JulyNo regular sailings
July is winter in the Southern Cone, with cold, short days in Patagonia and cool, gray weather in Buenos Aires and Santiago. No regular cruises sail, but it’s an excellent time to plan routes and compare lines for the coming summer.
AugustNo regular sailings
Buenos Aires hosts its Tango Festival and World Championship in August, a draw for land visitors. Southern right whales are present in growing numbers at Península Valdés. Cruise ships remain elsewhere, mostly in Europe and Alaska.
SeptemberShoulder season
Spring arrives, and the first Magellanic penguins return to Punta Tombo and the Falklands to nest. Whale watching at Península Valdés peaks in September and October. Very few cruises sail yet, though some long repositioning voyages begin heading south.
OctoberShoulder season
Repositioning cruises arrive from Europe and North America, and some Amazon voyages sail during the low-water season. Patagonia’s penguins are nesting, and whales are still present off Península Valdés. Weather is cool and changeable in the far south.
NovemberGood time to go
The season gets underway in November. Buenos Aires’ jacaranda trees bloom purple, Patagonia warms up, and penguins are incubating eggs. Fares are lower than in midsummer, and seas around Cape Horn can still be rough.
DecemberBest time to go
December brings long days, mild Patagonian weather in the 50s °F and penguin chicks hatching. Holiday sailings, including Christmas in Buenos Aires or Rio and New Year’s fireworks on Copacabana, are popular and priced high. Book early for Cape Horn voyages over the holidays.
Average weather across South America ports
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 7323 | 7323 | 7122 | 6719 | 6217 | 5815 | 5814 | 6015 | 6217 | 6519 | 6921 | 7122 |
| Low °F (°C) | 6217 | 6217 | 6016 | 5714 | 5412 | 5010 | 499 | 5010 | 5211 | 5412 | 5714 | 6015 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.281 | 3.077 | 3.488 | 3.384 | 2.871 | 2.462 | 2.256 | 2.359 | 1.948 | 2.256 | 2.975 | 3.383 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 15 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 |
South America cruise highlights
- 1
Buenos Aires
Argentina’s capital rewards extra days: the ornate tombs of Recoleta Cemetery, where Eva Perón is buried, the colorful Caminito in La Boca, Sunday’s San Telmo antiques fair and tango shows late into the night. Steak, Malbec and dulce de leche are everywhere. Ferries cross the River Plate to Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay.
- 2
Cape Horn and Glacier Alley
Ships sail past Cape Horn, where the Atlantic and Pacific meet, when the weather allows. In the Beagle Channel’s northwest arm, a string of tidewater glaciers named for European countries, including Italia, Holanda and Francia, tumbles down to the water in what’s called Glacier Alley.
- 3
Penguins in the Falklands and Patagonia
From Stanley in the Falkland Islands, tours visit Gypsy Cove’s Magellanic penguins or drive to gentoo and king penguin colonies. From Punta Arenas, boats visit Magdalena Island’s Magellanic penguins, and from Puerto Madryn, tours reach the large colony at Punta Tombo.
- 4
Ushuaia, the end of the world
Argentina’s southernmost city sits on the Beagle Channel beneath snowy peaks. Take the End of the World Train into Tierra del Fuego National Park, or a catamaran out to Les Éclaireurs lighthouse and its sea lion and cormorant colonies.
- 5
Chilean fjords and the Lake District
Ships thread narrow channels past glaciers such as Amalia, then call at Puerto Montt, gateway to the Lake District. Tours visit the German-heritage town of Puerto Varas, the Petrohué Falls and the snow-capped cone of Osorno Volcano.
- 6
Rio de Janeiro
Arriving in Rio between Sugarloaf Mountain and the statue of Christ the Redeemer on Corcovado is a classic sail-in. Ride the cable car up Sugarloaf, see the Selarón Steps and spend an afternoon on Copacabana or Ipanema. Carnival cruises often overnight so you can see the Sambadrome parades.
- 7
The Amazon to Manaus
Amazon voyages sail far upriver to Manaus and its 1896 opera house, Teatro Amazonas. Nearby, the dark Rio Negro and sandy Solimões flow side by side without mixing at the Meeting of the Waters. Village stops such as Boca da Valéria and Parintins show river life.
Typical South America itineraries
- 1
14-night Cape Horn between Buenos Aires and San Antonio (Santiago)
Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, the Falklands, Ushuaia, Cape Horn, Punta Arenas, the Chilean fjords and Puerto Montt. The region’s signature voyage, sailed in both directions.
- 2
Round trips from Buenos Aires
Voyages of about two weeks visit Montevideo, Punta del Este, the Falklands, Ushuaia and Cape Horn before returning, avoiding one-way flights.
- 3
Brazil and Rio de Janeiro
Seven to 14 nights between Rio and Buenos Aires, with Búzios, Salvador or Santos, Montevideo and Punta del Este. Carnival sailings are timed for Rio’s parades.
- 4
Amazon River voyages
Long voyages of 14 to 30 nights or more from Fort Lauderdale up the Amazon to Manaus, often combined with the Caribbean or Brazil’s coast.
- 5
Pacific coast to Lima
Voyages between Santiago and Lima’s port of Callao, sometimes including Manta in Ecuador, the Panama Canal or a pre- or post-cruise trip to Machu Picchu.
South America ports of call
Buenos Aires
Departure port
Ushuaia
Departure port
Santiago (San Antonio & Valparaíso)
Departure port
Stanley (Falkland Islands)
Stanley is the small capital of the Falkland Islands, a British Overseas Territory in the South Atlantic, and a tender port on many South America and Cape Horn cruises. The draws are penguins, including king penguins at Volunteer Point and Magellanic penguins at nearby Gypsy Cove, plus 1982 war history and a very British little town. Wind often cancels tendering.
Punta Arenas
Punta Arenas is a windswept Patagonian city on the Strait of Magellan in southern Chile, rich with history from the days when ships rounded South America before the Panama Canal. The draws are Magellanic penguins on Isla Magdalena or at Seno Otway, a grand main plaza ringed by wool-baron mansions, an unusual cemetery and a replica of Magellan's ship.
Rio de Janeiro
Rio de Janeiro is one of the world's most spectacular cruise arrivals, sailing into Guanabara Bay past Sugarloaf Mountain with Christ the Redeemer watching from Corcovado. Ships dock at Píer Mauá in the revitalized downtown port district, and the classic day covers the statue, the Sugarloaf cable cars and the beaches of Copacabana and Ipanema.
Montevideo
Montevideo, Uruguay's capital, is a relaxed, walkable city on the Río de la Plata, and ships dock right beside its historic Ciudad Vieja. The highlights are the old town's plazas and architecture, a grilled-meat lunch at the Mercado del Puerto, a walk or ride along the long waterfront Rambla, and day trips to the colonial town of Colonia del Sacramento.
Puerto Madryn
Puerto Madryn is a seaside town in Argentine Patagonia and the gateway to some of South America's best wildlife viewing. Ships dock at a long pier that leads straight into town, and excursions head to the Península Valdés for whales, sea lions and elephant seals, to the vast Magellanic penguin colony at Punta Tombo, or to the Welsh tea houses of Gaiman.
Puerto Montt
Puerto Montt is a working port city in Chile's Lake District, and the gateway to snow-capped volcanoes, deep blue lakes and German-influenced towns. Ships anchor in the Reloncaví Sound and tender passengers ashore, and most visitors head out to Lake Llanquihue, the Petrohué waterfalls below Osorno volcano, and the lakeside towns of Puerto Varas and Frutillar.
Callao (Lima)
Callao is the port for Lima, Peru's sprawling capital and one of the great food cities of the world. Ships dock in a busy industrial port about 40 to 60 minutes from the main sights, so most visitors take a shuttle or tour to Lima's colonial historic center, the clifftop Miraflores district and the bohemian Barranco neighborhood.
Manaus
Manaus is a large city in the middle of the Brazilian Amazon, about 1,000 miles (1,600 km) upriver from the Atlantic, and the turnaround point for most Amazon cruises. Ships dock at the riverfront port downtown, and the highlights are the ornate Teatro Amazonas opera house, the Meeting of the Waters, river and jungle excursions, and the historic municipal market.
Punta del Este
Punta del Este is Uruguay's glamorous beach resort, set on a narrow peninsula where the Río de la Plata meets the Atlantic. Ships anchor in the bay and tender passengers to the marina at the tip of town, and the highlights are the giant hand sculpture on Playa Brava, Casapueblo's whitewashed cliffside museum and long, sandy beaches.
Where South America cruises start
Cruise lines that sail South America
South America cruise tips
- Pack for four seasons. You may sweat in Buenos Aires and Rio, then need a warm jacket, hat and gloves around Cape Horn and the Chilean fjords.
- Falklands and Cape Horn calls are frequently canceled or shortened by wind and swell. Treat them as a bonus rather than a guarantee.
- Check entry rules early. Brazil’s visa requirements for US and Canadian citizens have changed in recent years, and rules for Argentina, Chile and other countries can change too.
- Arrive at least a day early in Buenos Aires or Santiago. Long-haul flights are often delayed, and both cities deserve extra time.
- Some ports, including Punta del Este, Puerto Montt and Stanley, are tender stops that weather can affect, so plan flexible shore days.
South America cruises: FAQs
When is the best time to cruise South America?
December to February for Patagonia and Cape Horn, when days are longest and wildlife most active. November and March are quieter shoulder months. Brazil’s coast is busiest around New Year and Carnival.
How long is a South America cruise?
The classic Cape Horn voyage between Buenos Aires and Santiago is 14 nights. Brazil sailings run 7 to 14 nights, and Amazon voyages from Florida can last 14 to 30 nights or more.
Do I need a passport for a South America cruise?
Yes. You’ll need a passport valid well beyond your trip, and some countries may require visas or electronic authorizations. Brazil’s rules for US and Canadian citizens have changed recently, so check current requirements with your cruise line and official government sources.
Is a South America cruise rough?
It can be. The waters around Cape Horn and the Drake Passage approaches are among the windiest on Earth, and the Falklands can be choppy. Mid-ship, lower cabins and seasickness remedies help, and much of the route is in sheltered channels.
Which cruise line is best for South America?
Holland America, Princess, Celebrity and Norwegian run regular Cape Horn voyages. Oceania, Regent, Silversea, Seabourn, Viking and Azamara offer premium and luxury itineraries, and MSC and Costa serve Brazil’s domestic coastal season.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: Wikidata, NASA POWER climate data.