When to visit Argentina

Travelling to Argentina? When’s the best time to go?

When to visit Argentina will very much depend on what regions you want to travel to. Argentina is a big country, spanning several climate zones which are susceptible to weather changes throughout the year. Having said this, it is a country that can be visited all year round, as the winter months are mild with the exception of Southern Patagonia. If this region is on your bucket list, we would suggest to avoid travelling to Argentina in the winter season. Do remember that since the country is in the southern hemisphere, the seasons are the opposite to the what we have in Europe.

Our itineraries are tailored to your needs and are suggestions of regions that work well together at a particular time of the year.

Summer: December to February

Summer in Argentina is when the country enjoys the highest temperatures in all regions. This is a busy time as it is also when South Americans go on holiday. It is the perfect time to visit Patagonia, in particular the Lake District and the southern part of the region, El Calafate, El Chalten and Ushuaia. The days will be long with plenty of hours of light and it will be mild during the day.

The North West of the country – the region around the city of Salta – can be really wet at this time of year as it is the time of the Altiplanic winter, so although temperature are still hot during the day, the area can receive heavy downpours.

Cities like Buenos Aires and Mendoza will be at their hottest with Mendoza having some rains especially in January, and the Iguazu Falls‘ weather will be hot and humid but due to the rains of the previous months, the waterfalls will be full of water and quite dramatic.

We would suggest avoiding the Ibera Wetlands in Jan-Feb as it will be too hot and humid. But there still are wildlife opportunities in the Peninsula Valdes. Here the southern right whale breeding season ends in December so you can still spot them but in lower numbers, but you can still see penguins and orcas.

Due to the busy period, expect higher prices especially in December/January in Patagonia.

Autumn: March to May

The Argentine autumn can bring beautiful colours of red and orange foliage in most regions. Also, tourists numbers decline and with them also hotels’ prices. As the shoulder season, this is a good time to go to most areas. Especially March and April are great months as you can access all regions of the country including Patagonia. Although, avoid the Easter time if possible as this week will bring higher prices and more tourists.

The Ibera Wetlands is less hot and humid and full of bird life, and the whole of Patagonia – with the exception of Peninsula Valdes, better to avoid to go during this time – still enjoys good weather and is fully accessible – in particular in March and April, in May some hotels might close in the southern part.

Buenos Aires has good weather and is not too hot, the same for Mendoza, where in the first week of March there is the wine festival, so it will be busy!

Fewer visitors and good weather in the Iguazu Falls make it a good time to visit and also the North West, although it can be more humid here.

Winter: June to August

Winter brings cooler temperatures everywhere. It is the best time to visit Peninsula Valdes as the southern right whale season starts in June with the most sightings between July and August.

You can still travel to Argentina in winter and combine for example Peninsula Valdes with Iguazu, Mendoza and Buenos Aires but do expect more cloud and colder evenings and morning. During the day temperatures are still reasonably mild for winter.

We would avoid other parts of Patagonia, unless you are a keen skier. Bariloche is Argentina’s most renowned skiing resort although it might not match the Europe’s alpine standards.

Spring: September to November

Spring is one of the best time to visit Argentina. All regions are waking up after winter and the country’s landscapes are bursting into life. It is a good time to visit Patagonia. The region reopens for the season ahead but with the smaller crowds of tourists of the summer, and is it a great time for wildlife enthusiasts in the Peninsula Valdes as you can still see the whales, plus sea lions and fluffy penguin chicks (November).

The North West is less humid making and at the Iguazu Falls, although less full of water, temperatures are optimal.

Cities like Buenos Aires and Mendoza will enjoy the best weather with days of sun and temperatures that are just right for exploring or wine tasting.

Prices overall will be less than in the summer and there will be less visitors throughout the country, making this shoulder season the perfect for an Argentina holiday!

Buenos Aires

In Buenos Aires, Argentina's cosmopolitan capital, you'll find graceful plazas, tango shows, melancholic melodies, historic buildings reflecting European grandeur, trendy bars, nightlife every night of the week, steak dinners, an emerging art scene and a Latin flair.
There is so much to do and see that you could spend weeks in "the Paris of South America" but to catch the highlights, we recommend at least 3 days in this exciting city.

Las Cataratas de Iguazú

The spectacular Iguazu Falls are located within the Iguazu Falls National Park on the Northern border of the Province of Misiones. This series of 275 waterfalls is at the heart of the Paranaense Rainforest, where the Argentine, Brazil and Paraguay borders meet, and where the cities of Puerto Iguazu (Argentina), Foz do Iguaçu (Brazil) and Ciudad del Este (Paraguay) face each other.
We recommend at least 2 nights in Puerto Iguazu so you can visit both sides of the falls. They are very different and both are jaw-dropping.

Parque Nacional Los Glaciares

Perito Moreno is one of the highlights of Argentina. This vast glacier is located in the Parque Nacional Las Glaciares, close to the town of El Calafate. Whether you watch its huge ice blocks collapsing into the lake from the viewing platform or take a hiking tour on the glacier itself finishing at the only bar in the world where the ice is older than the whiskey, the glacier's scale and shades of white and blue will leave you speechless.
We recommend at least 2-3 nights in El Calafate, the gateway to the National Park.

Mendoza

Mendoza is famous for its Malbec wine and vineyards in a spectacular setting, but there is so much more to enjoy. From white water rafting, fly fishing for trout, horseback riding in the Andes at sunrise, biking through the vineyards, to climbing Mt. Aconcagua, the highest peak in South America, there are plenty of ways to experience this region. We recommend at least 3 nights in Mendoza.

Salta "La Linda"

Set at the foothills of the Andes mountain range, Salta is at an elevation of 1,152m. The city's architecture is spectacular and you can see the influences from bordering Bolivia, Paraguay and Chile. While it's worth spending at least one or two nights in Salta, build in time for the surrounding area. Take a day tour to El Cafayate and marvel at the unique mountain formations and desert colours on the way, or an overnight tour to Cachi in the Calchaquí Valley, known for its adobe houses and white colonial buildings, surrounded by snow-capped mountains.

Peninsula de Valdes

The Peninsula de Valdes, a nature reserve in Northern Patagonia, is best known for whales, sea lions and elephant seals. Probably the largest draw are the Southern Right Whales (Ballena Austral) that come to take shelter in the natural bays of the peninsula between June and November. We recommend spending at least two to three nights in Puerto Madryn, the gateway to the peninsula.

Bariloche and the Lake District

San Carlos de Bariloche, simply known as Bariloche, is situated in the foothills of the Andes and is Argentina's most popular destination for skiing and hiking. Its ever-present views of the glacial lake Nahuel Huapi are spectacular, but the area is also a foodie hub, well known for its traditional asados (BBQs), choloatiers and micro breweries.

Ushuaia

Ushuaia is the capital of the Tierra del Fuego area in the southernmost tip of South America, often nicknamed the “End of the World.” Nestled between snow-capped Andean mountains and the shores of the Beagle Channel, it is an adventure hub where guests can visit national parks, kayak and hike, crab fish, visit penguins or explore old shipwrecks. In the winter, you'll find the world's southernmost ski resort, Cerro Castor.

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