Christmas & New Year Tours in South America

What our customers ask about Christmas & New Year Tours in South America

• What are the best destinations to visit in South America during Christmas & New Year?

  South America offers excellent holiday destinations with distinct local flavors. Buenos Aires comes alive with tango shows at venues like La Ventana while Rio de Janeiro's Copacabana Beach hosts one of the world's largest New Year's celebrations. In Peru Cusco and Machu Picchu blend ancient traditions with holiday festivities. Santiago's Plaza de Armas transforms into a festive hub with Christmas markets. Many travelers who book through TourRadar recommend stays at properties like the Altiplanico Bellas Artes in Santiago saying "the atmosphere was magical during the holidays."

• What's the weather like in South America during the Christmas & New Year period?

  December and January bring summer to South America with consistently good weather for travel. Buenos Aires sees temperatures of 25-30°C (77-86°F). The Andean regions including Cusco enter their wet season with afternoon showers and temperatures near 20°C (68°F). Coastal cities like Lima stay warm and dry at about 24°C (75°F). A TourRadar traveler noted "We experienced perfect weather for sightseeing during our Christmas tour through Peru and Argentina though we needed to pack both summer clothes and rain gear for different locations."

• What special Christmas & New Year celebrations or activities are included in South American tours?

  Tours across South America feature local holiday traditions. Buenos Aires offers tango dinner shows at La Ventana Tango House with special holiday performances. Cusco's Plaza de Armas hosts Christmas markets where visitors can browse local crafts. Many hotels organize festivities such as the Hilton Lima Miraflores' gala dinners and Sonesta Hotel Cusco's holiday events. According to a TourRadar traveler "The New Year's celebration in Buenos Aires was unforgettable with live music traditional dancing and amazing food."

• How do South American Christmas traditions differ from Western celebrations?

  South American Christmas reflects a mix of Catholic heritage and regional customs. Cusco's Santuranticuy fills Plaza de Armas on Christmas Eve with vendors selling crafts and religious items. In Rio revelers dress in white for Reveillon at Copacabana Beach. Argentinian families gather for late Christmas Eve dinners centered around asado barbecue. A TourRadar traveler noted: "Experiencing Christmas in Peru showed us a beautiful mix of colonial Spanish traditions and indigenous Andean customs."

• What special holiday meals and traditions can I experience during Christmas & New Year tours?

  Each country offers distinct holiday foods and customs. Argentina serves traditional asado and pan dulce at places like LIBERTADOR Hotel. Brazilian reveillon celebrations feature seafood and champagne at hotels such as Windsor Excelsior. As noted by a TourRadar traveler: "The Christmas Eve dinner at Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion in Peru combined traditional turkey with Amazonian specialties - truly unforgettable." Tour packages often include special holiday meals that showcase local traditions.

• What are the must-see destinations for Christmas & New Year in South America?

  Key locations include Copacabana Beach in Rio for its New Year's celebration Buenos Aires' La Boca district for Christmas markets and Santiago's Plaza de Armas for traditional events. TourRadar travelers note: "The combination of Iguazu Falls and Christmas celebrations in both Brazil and Argentina was magical." Visitors should consider Machu Picchu for solstice celebrations Valparaiso's harbor fireworks display and holiday stays at Amazon lodges like Inkaterra Hacienda Concepcion.