The Best Time to Visit Argentina

When is the best time to travel to Argentina?

When travelers ask when the best time to visit a destination is, they’re often wondering which months offer the most agreeable weather.  

Located in the southern hemisphere, Argentina is a year-round destination with pleasant weather in most regions during spring, summer, and fall (October through May). However, this is the trend, not the rule—and, there are many reasons to experience Argentina in any calendar month, for reasons entirely unrelated to sunshine.  

A word about weather: Bear in mind that this guide is founded on historical “norms” and trends based on our cumulative travel expertise. Weather patterns, average temperatures, rainfall, and natural phenomena that react to seasonal changes (like migrations) are becoming less easy to predict as the climate warms.

Argentina Climate & Weather Guide 

The eighth-largest country in the world, Argentina spans some 30 degrees of latitude. Between which, are several diverse landscapes and ecosystems.  

Argentina’s north has both perspiring rainforest and arid desert; the Andes Mountains buttress its western border, with a climate unto themselves; there is a flat, pampas heartland; and the southern half of the country is dominated by Patagonia, a place where the weather of all four seasons can be experienced in a single day.  

Answering the question “When is the best time to visit Argentina?” depends a lot on where you want to go and what you want to do.  

When to visit Argentina: a month-by-month guide

Visiting Argentina in summer: December, January & February

December, January, and February are Argentina’s glorious summer months.  

Depending on where you are in the country, temperatures range between 68°F and 79°F. The weather is mostly dry and warm, and long days allow you to pack in plenty of activities.  

While some regions like Iguazu Falls and Buenos Aires can get uncomfortably hot, and northern areas like Salta get rain in February, for the most part, summer is a lovely time for a luxury vacation in central and southern Argentina.  

From hiking in national parks like Los Glaciares to the height of fishing season in Patagonia, this is the prime time to visit for most outdoor sports.

The Antarctic cruise season is in full swing as ships depart Ushuaia to cross the Drake Passage to reach the summertime shores of Antarctica, which is more accessible this time of year due to the lack of sea ice.

Summer is also when the Argentine version of Carnival comes to Buenos Aires. Expect fantastical parades, over-the-top costumes, and other festivities hitting the city streets sometime in February or March.  

The caveat to Argentina summer travel is that it’s the busiest time of year. Not only are international travelers flocking here for the good weather, but school is out for summer break and local families are on vacation with their kids, too. Popular destinations like the beaches of Buenos Aires, Iguazu Falls, and southern Patagonia are at their most crowded, especially in December and January.  

Summer also spans festive season (December 20 through January 5), which is always a busy time of year to travel. Booking well in advance is essential.  

Visiting Argentina in fall: March, April & May

If want to escape the summertime crowds while still taking advantage of the warm weather, Argentina’s autumnal shoulder season is a great option.  

Crowds have started to thin out at popular sites, parks, and attractions, but temperatures are still pleasant, ranging between the high-50s and mid-70s.

With the slight drop in temperatures, this is a more tolerable time to head to northeastern Argentina’s lush, humid landscapes like the Iberá wetlands or Iguazu Falls.

Birdwatchers should flock to the wetlands in April for seasonal bird migrations, and the weather is also more pleasant, with less sweltering temperatures and fewer mosquitoes. 

Weather aside, there are plenty of other reasons to visit Argentina in the fall. Autumn marks the start of the harvest season in wine regions like Mendoza and Salta, where you can participate in harvest festivities like the Mendoza Wine Festival. Hikers and landscape photographers alike will want to head to the Lake District and Patagonia, where the changing leaves are transforming the already spectacular landscapes into true works of art. 

Another plus side of visiting in late fall is the start of soccer season, which generally kicks off in May and lasts through December. Exact game schedules vary, but if you’re hoping to catch a match and experience this side of Argentine culture, fall, winter, and spring are the best times to do so. 

Visiting Argentina in winter: June, July & August

Winters in Argentina are generally mild, with temperatures between the 40s and 60s in Buenos Aires and the central parts of the country. But as you head south, you’ll encounter much colder temperatures and plenty of snowfall.  

As winter overtakes the Andes, popular national parks like Los Glaciares become less easy to access due to flurries and challenging terrain. Conversely, that also means southern Argentina turns into a winter wonderland that beckons to skiers and snowboarders.

Powerhounds can find ski resorts up and down the country extending as far north as Mendoza, but Patagonia and the Lake District are the prime places to ski. Not only are the bulk of the ski resorts concentrated in this area, but the Swiss-style alpine architecture of towns like Bariloche makes you feel like you’re skiing in the Alps instead of the Andes. You can even ski as far south as the bottom of the world in Ushuaia at Cerro Castor.  

Even though some parts of Patagonia are inaccessible during the winter months, luxury lodges are increasingly extending operating seasons for non-skiers who come to the region to see the beautiful, snow-covered landscapes. We also love that the stark white landscape makes wildlife viewing more pronounced.

No matter what kind of winter sports draw you to Patagonia, from thrilling downhill skiing to easy and accessible snowshoeing, everyone gets to enjoy views of the snow-covered peaks of the Andes and the vast, sprawling pampas. 

Visiting Argentina in spring: September, October & November

September, October, and November mark spring in the southern hemisphere—one of our favorite seasons for luxury Argentina travel.  

When it comes to wildlife viewing, spring is ideal thanks to the arrival of breeding season.

In the south, migrating southern right whales can be seen off the coast of the Valdés Peninsula, a protected UNESCO Biosphere Reserve that also hosts sea lions, seals, and orcas. Home to the largest colony of Magellanic penguins in the world, nearby Punta Tombo gives you the chance to spot adorable, downy penguin chicks. Penguins can also be seen on Martillo Island near Ushuaia, with their breeding season coinciding nicely with the start of the Antarctica cruise season.  

Up north, the Iberá wetlands are bursting with life as native wildlife like capybaras and monkeys give birth, spring flowers bloom, and migratory bird species return in September. 

Along with wildlife, blooming flowers mark the arrival of spring around the country, especially in Buenos Aires with its gorgeous purple jacaranda trees. Generally blooming in November, entire city boulevards become awash in vibrant purple flowers.  

November, late spring, is a sweet spot for Argentina travel, right before the busy summer tourism season starts. You still get milder spring weather around the country with gradually warming temperatures and increasingly longer days. 

Whether you choose to visit in spring, summer, fall, or winter, each season offers a special, unique way to experience Argentina. Still unsure when to plan your luxury Argentina vacation? Our South America experts are here to help. 

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