South America cruises range from glacier-lined fjords at the bottom of the world to tropical beaches in Brazil and a voyage up the Amazon. Many are longer, one-way trips. They suit travelers with time to spare who want to see wildlife, wild scenery and big cities in a single trip.
When to go
The main season runs from November through March, during the southern summer. Most large ships move to other regions for the rest of the year.
| When | What to expect | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| November | Late spring in Patagonia. Cooler, with long days and fewer people. | Cape Horn, Buenos Aires and Chile |
| December to February | Summer and peak season. Mildest weather in Patagonia, though wind is common. Hot and humid in Brazil. | Cape Horn, Falklands, Brazilian beaches |
| March | Late summer. Weather starts to cool in the far south. Brazil’s Carnival often falls in February or March. | Brazil, end-of-season Patagonia sailings |
| April to October | Few ocean cruises in the south. Galapagos small ships sail year-round. | Galapagos, river and expedition trips |
Itinerary types compared
Cape Horn and Patagonia
The classic route sails between Buenos Aires and Valparaíso or San Antonio, the ports for Santiago, Chile, in about two weeks. Typical stops include Montevideo, Puerto Madryn, the Falkland Islands, Ushuaia, Punta Arenas and Puerto Montt. Scenic cruising covers the Beagle Channel, the Strait of Magellan, the Chilean fjords and, weather permitting, Cape Horn itself. Seas can be rough, and some calls, especially the Falklands, depend on wind and swell. Some voyages continue to Antarctica.
Brazil and the east coast
These cruises focus on Rio de Janeiro, Salvador and beach towns such as Búzios and Ilhabela, often combined with Montevideo and Buenos Aires. Expect warm weather, lively cities and plenty of beach time.
The Amazon
Ocean ships can sail about a thousand miles up the Amazon to Manaus, with stops at river towns along the way. These voyages often begin or end in Florida and include Caribbean ports. Smaller river ships in Peru and Brazil offer a closer look at the rainforest.
Galapagos and the west coast
The Galapagos Islands are visited on small expedition ships under strict national park rules. West coast voyages call at Lima (Callao), a common starting point for trips to Machu Picchu.
Where cruises leave from
Most Cape Horn and Brazil cruises start or end in Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro or Valparaíso and San Antonio. Some longer voyages, including many Amazon cruises, sail from Fort Lauderdale or Miami. Galapagos trips usually begin with a flight from mainland Ecuador.
Which cruise line?
- Princess Cruises and Holland America Line offer classic Cape Horn voyages on mid-size ships with good enrichment programs.
- Celebrity Cruises sails South America in season and also operates small ships in the Galapagos.
- Oceania Cruises and Viking Ocean Cruises run longer, port-rich itineraries, including Amazon voyages.
- Silversea, Seabourn and Azamara offer luxury and small-ship options, including Patagonia and Galapagos trips.
- Norwegian Cruise Line schedules seasonal sailings around Cape Horn and the Brazilian coast.
Packing and travel documents
A valid passport is required. Entry rules differ by country and change over time, so check current requirements for every country on your route with each country and with your advisor. For the Amazon, ask your doctor or a travel clinic about recommended vaccinations and health precautions well before you go. Our US passport page covers applying and renewing.
- Warm layers, a windproof and waterproof jacket, gloves and a hat for Patagonia, even in summer.
- Light, breathable clothing, sunscreen and insect repellent for Brazil and the Amazon.
- Binoculars for penguins, sea lions, whales and birds.
- Motion sickness remedies for open-water stretches around Cape Horn.
Browse sailings on our South America cruises page, or request a quote and an advisor will help you choose a route.
