What is the best time to cruise Latin America?

The best time depends on the region and itinerary. Patagonia, Argentina, and the Falkland Islands are best visited in the southern summer — November through March — when wildlife is most active and conditions are most favorable. Brazil and the Amazon River follow their own seasonal rhythms, with water levels shaping what is accessible at different times of year. The Caribbean and Central American coasts have distinct wet and dry seasons, with the dry season broadly running from December to April. Swan Hellenic itineraries are timed around the best possible conditions for each destination, with expert guidance built into every departure.

What countries do Latin America cruises visit?

Swan Hellenic Latin America cruises visit destinations across both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of the continent. Itineraries may call at Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Uruguay, Colombia, Panama, Belize, Guatemala, Mexico, and the Falkland Islands, as well as Caribbean island ports. Key destinations include the Amazon River delta and coastal Brazil, the glacial fjords and channels of Chilean Patagonia, the wildlife-rich shores of Argentina, and Ushuaia — the southernmost embarkation point for expeditions into the sub-Antarctic.

How long are Latin America cruises?

Swan Hellenic Latin America cruises range from 6 to 12 days, depending on the route and region, though Antarctic expeditions from Ushuaia can last even longer. Some guests combine consecutive itineraries for an extended journey. Duration, ports, and inclusions are detailed on each voyage's individual page.

Latin America Cruises — Luxury Voyages to South America

The Natural World

The natural environments of Latin America demand a ship with real expedition capability. Off the coast of Brazil, the Abrolhos archipelago holds the largest coral reef system in the South Atlantic and is one of the most important sea turtle nesting grounds in the Atlantic. The Amazon River is navigated by Zodiac through channels where the canopy meets the water and the forest sounds replace the engine. The glacial fjords of Chilean Patagonia are approached at close range, with calving ice and wildlife on every shoreline. In Argentina, the Atlantic coast gathers sea lions, elephant seals, and Magellanic penguins in concentrations that reward time and patience. Our luxury South America expedition voyages are designed around this kind of access — unhurried, expert-led, and as close to the natural world as a ship can take you.

Sea Turtle

Several species nest and feed along Latin America's Pacific and Atlantic coasts — green, leatherback, and hawksbill among them. Spotting one in open water or on a nesting beach is one of those moments that tends to stay with you.

Scarlet Ibis

The dazzling scarlet ibis gets its fiery red colour from the carotene in the crustaceans it eats. With a long, curved bill and a slender neck, these birds fly gracefully in dramatic diagonal lines or V-formations.

South American Sea Lion

The South American sea lion is a species of sea lion that inhabits the coasts of South America, ranging from Peru southward to Chile. Adult males have a distinctive black mane and can weigh over 800 pounds–with females noticeably smaller. They are very social animals, gathering in large groups called colonies during breeding season. South American sea lions feed on fish, squid, and crustaceans.

Masked Booby

The snowy-white masked booby is a graceful flier that can dive at up to 60 mph (97 kph). Males woo females with shells and coral, which are then used to decorate the edges of their ground nests.

Guanaco

Closely related to the llama, alpaca, and vicuña, the guanaco is well-adapted to life in the arid hills, grasslands, and mountainous regions from Peru to Tierra del Fuego. Guanacos can survive on very little water by getting moisture from the plants they eat. They live in herds led by a dominant male that serves as protector and guide, using its keen eyesight to spot predators like pumas from afar.

Tapir

The largest land mammal in South America, the tapir is a surprisingly ancient creature — largely unchanged for millions of years. Shy and largely nocturnal, it moves through the rainforest with quiet purpose, using its distinctive flexible snout to forage for leaves, fruit and aquatic plants along riverbanks.

Scarlet Macaw

One of the world’s most colourful birds, Scarlet Macaws are the flamboyant divas of the rainforest. These feathered beauties perch high in the jungle canopy in their unmistakable red, yellow and blue plumage. More than just pretty birds, they’re masters of mimicry — some even talk! But don’t let looks fool you — their powerful beaks and scaly tongues are like nutcrackers. Rocking wingspans up to 5 ft, they mate for life and live up to 50 years.

Pink River Dolphin

The largest river dolphin in the world, the boto — or pink river dolphin — inhabits the Amazon and its tributaries. Its distinctive colouring deepens with age, and its unusually flexible neck allows it to manoeuvre through flooded forest and narrow channels with ease. A sighting in the Breves Narrows is one of the Amazon's most memorable moments.