Seasons & Weather: AK to Ushuaia
 

I'm going to be riding from Prudhoe Bay to Tierra del Fuego sometime next year. I do have the flexibility to start this journey when I wish. I'm planning on about 6mons, with only a little time in the US. Being from the US, I'm familiar with the seasons & weather to expect from AK to Mexico. However, there seems to be several rainy seasons in Central and South America. Obviously, I want the most sunshine, the least rain/snow, and moderate temperatures .... but, that is a big request! In an ideal situation spending 4-5mons from the Rio Grande to TDF via the Andes, when would the ideal time of year be?

Borneogoat,

It really depends on your route. Just take a cross-section from west to east across the center of South America and you have 4 geographical regions, each with a different climate season... :(

South of the equator, seasons are basically opposite of the N. hemisphere. For example: You don't want to be trying to get near TDF in June-Aug. Then again, on the Pacific coast from Ecuador to northern Chile, it is desert and doesn't change much from season to season....

The Amazon (east of the Andes and north of the Pantanal in Brazil, you don't want to try it Jan-March (worst of the rainy season). But the semi- tropical regions south and east of the Pantanal, the rainy season is more Jul-Sept.

All that to say: Be specific on your route, throw out some dates and the crew here at HUBB will clue you in on what to expect....

Happy Planning (it's half the fun!) :D

Toby (charapa) Around the Block 2007 |

I did a similar trip to yours and briefly, this is what I found. I left Texas in late July, and had great weather through Mexico and Guatemala, this is staying mostly to the mountainous regions. By September, I was in Costa Rica, and got rained on a bunch. September through December seems to be rainy on the Carribean side of Central America. I didn't spend much time in Panama, but October in Colombia and Ecuador was great weather. In November, Peru was quite rainy, again, in the mountains. I'm told that is early for the rains to start. Bolivia, weather was generally dry. The Salar de Uyuni was at least, which was a big worry for me as that was a real highlight. December in Chile and Argentina were dry and pleasant in the north, cold and wet west of the Andes further south, and cold and dry (mostly) east of them. The southern cone was quite cold, and if I did it again, I think I would try to get to the tip in late January, rather than late December. I stayed away from th coasts for the most part, so if your route varies all bets are off. If you are a little more specific on your route more people wil be able to help.