BEST PLACES TO GO IN LATIN AMERICA IN MAY
May suits travellers drawn to marine life, mountains, and remote overland adventure.
It’s the beginning of the dry season in the Central Andes, opening up a whole range of journeys. For those considering Latin America in May, we’ve gathered some of the month’s defining experiences, from snorkelling among marine life in the Galapagos to trekking in the Andes and crossing the salt flats and volcanoes of Bolivia.
As ever, our specialists are on hand to offer expert guidance and personalised suggestions, shaping a trip around your interests and travel style.
Ecuador & the Galapagos Islands
Come May, the last of the rains have faded and the Galápagos feel alive. The islands are at their greenest, wildlife activity is high, and conditions are excellent for snorkelling and diving. Sea lions crowd the beaches, seabirds nest across the archipelago, and marine life is especially active in the surrounding waters.
On the mainland, Ecuador’s highlands begin to show their best side. Around Quito and Cotopaxi, big volcanic landscapes lend themselves to overland exploration, with wide views across the central sierra and the páramo.
Explore the Galapagos Islands
Peru
May is one of the best moments to explore Peru – the beginning of the dry season, before the summer surge takes hold.
In the Sacred Valley, there are Incan sites, market towns and weaving communities to visit, while the Andes open up for high-altitude hiking on big routes like the Inca Trail and Salkantay. In lesser-travelled southern Peru, we favour overland journeys through Arequipa and along Lake Titicaca, with time to detour into remote landscapes and some of our favourite camps and lodges along the way.
Explore Peru
Belize
May sits at the very tail end of Belize’s dry season. In the Cayo District, this is a wonderful moment for inland exploration, from river-based activities to visits to jungle-set Maya sites, before the heavier rains settle in. Along the coast and on the Cayes, sea conditions are warm, with good visibility for diving and snorkelling.
Later in the month, Punta Gorda hosts its annual chocolate festival, a celebration of the region’s cacao culture that’s one of the most characterful events on Belize’s local calendar.
Explore Belize
Bolivia
May lends itself to Bolivia’s more ambitious journeys.
By now, the Salar de Uyuni has fully dried out, opening up longer expeditions onto the salt flats and into the surrounding volcanic terrain. Across the Altiplano, it’s one of the best moments for serious high-altitude travel – multi-day crossings through geothermal valleys and remote deserts, including the overland travesía from Uyuni into Chile’s Atacama.
Explore BoliviaOur journeys are defined by deep knowledge, rare access, and meticulous attention to detail – speak to our specialists to begin planning your May adventure in Latin America.
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