South American summer runs between December and March, with average temperatures of 68°F to 86°F and minimal rainfall.

The best time to travel to South America is between December and March, during the continent's summer – you can hike in Patagonia, snorkel off the Brazilian coast and sightsee in Buenos Aires. However, if you're visiting Machu Picchu and the Atacama Desert, the winter months between June to September are more popular.

One of the most famous festivals in South America is Rio de Janeiro's Carnival, which takes place in the sunshine of February. The start of fall is when harvest festivals and wine festivals take place across Mendoza and the Chilean wine region, while late October or early November is Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead).

The best months to visit South America are usually in the summer, between December and March, when you can enjoy warm weather across the continent and minimal rainfall and humidity. However, it does mean this is also its busiest time.

Rainy season in South America varies throughout the year, but is generally between December and April. Much of Belize, Guatemala and southern Mexico see their rainiest months earlier in December, while high Andean regions are rainier later in the season, so give Machu Picchu a miss in February.