When is the best time to visit Argentina? For a first trip combining Buenos Aires, Iguazú Falls and Patagonia, the best periods are the southern spring (October–November) and the southern autumn (March–April). It is mild in Buenos Aires, Patagonia is accessible and the heat stays bearable in the north. For Patagonia alone (Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chaltén, Ushuaia), aim for November to March; for the Andean northwest (Salta, Jujuy), prefer April to November, the dry season. For Perito Moreno, El Chaltén and Ushuaia, our page on when to go to Patagonia details this November-to-March window month by month. Our guide to visiting Salta covers the city and its Andean routes.
The seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere. Argentina stretches for about 3,700 km (2,299 mi), from the subtropical forests of Misiones to Tierra del Fuego: you go from a hot, humid climate to a cold, windy one, passing through the high-altitude deserts of the Andes. So there is no single ideal season for the whole country, but windows by region. This guide relies on the official climate normals of the Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN), the Argentine weather service.
Our travel deals for Argentina
Affiliate links: we earn a commission, at no extra cost to you.
FlightsKiwi.comCompare flights and airline combinations to Argentina.Compare flights- eSIMSailyAnother eSIM plan to compare: data, validity, network.See Saily plans
When to go to Argentina at a glance
- Best compromise for a complete circuit October–November and March–April
- Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) November to March; in winter it freezes and some services close
- Northwest (Salta, Jujuy) April to November; summer (December to March) concentrates the rain
- Buenos Aires March to May and September to November; summer is hot and humid there (30 °C (86 °F) average high in January)
- Busiest periods January–February (Argentine summer holidays), July (winter holidays) and Holy Week
- Skiing the southern winter, roughly July to September depending on snow cover (Bariloche, Mendoza)
When to go to Argentina by priority
- Best weather: October–November and March–April for a complete circuit; November to March for Patagonia, April to November for the northwest
- Cheapest: May–June and September, outside local holidays
- Fewest crowds: May, June, August and September; Patagonia is still quiet early in the season
- Events: grape harvest festival (Vendimia) in late February–early March in Mendoza, carnival in February or March, tango festival in August (dates vary)
To plan your circuit, see our Argentina travel guide.
Argentina: the calendar at a glance
✅ Best months: January, February, March, April, September, October, November, December
Buenos Aires weather month by month
The table below gives the normals for Buenos Aires, the arrival point for almost every trip. The verdict takes the other regions into account, detailed below.
| Month | Avg. max | Avg. min | Rain | Crowds | Prices | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30.1 °C (86 °F) | 20.2 °C (68 °F) | 134 mm (5.3 in) | High (summer holidays) | High | ✅ Ideal in Patagonia, hot and muggy in Buenos Aires |
| February | 28.9 °C (84 °F) | 19.4 °C (67 °F) | 129 mm (5.1 in) | High (carnival) | High | ✅ Patagonia, grape harvest in Mendoza at the end of the month |
| March | 27.0 °C (81 °F) | 17.7 °C (64 °F) | 120 mm (4.7 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Very good month, Mendoza and Patagonia |
| April | 23.2 °C (74 °F) | 14.1 °C (57 °F) | 130 mm (5.1 in) | Moderate (Holy Week) | Moderate | ✅ Mild in Buenos Aires, autumn colors in Patagonia |
| May | 19.4 °C (67 °F) | 11.1 °C (52 °F) | 94 mm (3.7 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Good for the north, Patagonia closing down |
| June | 16.4 °C (62 °F) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) | 62 mm (2.4 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Cool winter, dry skies in the northwest |
| July | 15.5 °C (60 °F) | 7.5 °C (46 °F) | 74 mm (2.9 in) | High (winter holidays) | Moderate to high | ⚠️ Skiing, the coolest month |
| August | 17.9 °C (64 °F) | 8.9 °C (48 °F) | 70 mm (2.8 in) | Low | Low | ⚠️ Skiing, dry northwest |
| September | 19.7 °C (67 °F) | 10.6 °C (51 °F) | 81 mm (3.2 in) | Low | Low to moderate | ✅ Spring in Buenos Aires, north still dry |
| October | 22.6 °C (73 °F) | 13.4 °C (56 °F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Excellent compromise, Patagonia reopening |
| November | 26.0 °C (79 °F) | 16.1 °C (61 °F) | 118 mm (4.6 in) | Moderate | Moderate | ✅ Very good everywhere, Patagonia in season |
| December | 29.0 °C (84 °F) | 18.5 °C (65 °F) | 123 mm (4.8 in) | High (holidays) | High | ✅ Summer, high season in Patagonia |
In Buenos Aires it rains all year, more in summer and spring (more than 120 mm (4.7 in) per month from October to April, often as thunderstorms) than in winter (62 mm (2.4 in) in June).
Argentina’s seasons: pros and cons
Southern summer (December to February): Patagonia’s season
This is the best season for the south: around 19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon in El Calafate in January, and about 13.6 °C (56 °F) in Ushuaia, with very long days. The trails of El Chaltén and Tierra del Fuego are accessible and boats run on the lakes and the Beagle Channel. On the other hand, Buenos Aires exceeds an average high of 30 °C (86 °F) in January with high humidity, and the northwest gets its summer rains (197 mm (7.8 in) in January at Salta).
- Pros: Patagonia and Tierra del Fuego in their best season, New Year, carnival, grape harvest in Mendoza at the end of the season
- Cons: high season (Argentine summer holidays), high prices in the south, often very strong wind in Patagonia, heat and thunderstorms in Buenos Aires and Iguazú
Southern autumn (March to May): the best balance
March and April are among the best months for combining regions: Buenos Aires is pleasant again (23.2 °C (74 °F) in the afternoon in April), Mendoza is in the middle of the grape harvest, the northwest is coming out of the rainy season and Patagonia takes on autumn colors, with fewer visitors. In May, the south turns cold and many services scale back. To gauge the distances between Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Salta and Patagonia, see our map of Argentina. Our guide to visiting Mendoza covers the city and its vineyards.
- Pros: mild temperatures, crowds falling after the summer holidays, Mendoza’s vineyards, autumn light in Patagonia
- Cons: days shortening quickly in the south, very busy Holy Week, start of seasonal closures in Patagonia at the end of the season
- Who is it for? A complete Buenos Aires – Iguazú – Patagonia circuit, preferably in March or early April
Southern winter (June to August): skiing and the northwest
Winter is cool in Buenos Aires (15.5 °C (60 °F) in the afternoon in July), cold in Patagonia (an average high below 6 °C (43 °F) in El Calafate and Ushuaia in June–July, and negative minimums in El Calafate) and dry in the northwest: less than 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain falls per month at Salta from June to August. It is ski season in the Andes, around Bariloche and Mendoza. Bariloche receives most of its precipitation in winter (168 mm (6.6 in) in June), often as snow at altitude.
- Pros: the northwest (Salta, Jujuy, Quebrada de Humahuaca) under dry skies, skiing, Iguazú Falls cooler, low prices outside the July holidays
- Cons: Patagonia hard to reach and partly closed, cold nights in the northwest (2.9 °C (37 °F) average minimum in July at Salta, much lower at altitude), Argentine winter holidays in July
- Who is it for? July–August travelers who focus on Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the northwest
Southern spring (September to November): the other good window
It warms up in Buenos Aires (22.6 °C (73 °F) in the afternoon in October), the northwest stays dry until October and Patagonia gradually reopens from October–November.
- Pros: good balance across all regions in October–November, moderate prices, few people in Patagonia early in the season
- Cons: the south can still be cold and windy in September–October; thunderstorms resume in Buenos Aires and Iguazú late in the season
- Who is it for? A first complete trip, for example in October or November
When to go to Argentina by region
Comparison of the normals for seven cities, from the subtropical north to Tierra del Fuego:
| Month | Buenos Aires | Puerto Iguazú | Salta | Mendoza | Bariloche | El Calafate | Ushuaia |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 30.1 °C (86 °F) / 134 mm (5.3 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 180 mm (7.1 in) | 27.7 °C (82 °F) / 197 mm (7.8 in) | 32.8 °C (91 °F) / 47 mm (1.9 in) | 23.2 °C (74 °F) / 24 mm (0.9 in) | 19.1 °C (66 °F) / 7 mm (0.3 in) | 13.6 °C (56 °F) / 45 mm (1.8 in) |
| February | 28.9 °C (84 °F) / 129 mm (5.1 in) | 31.5 °C (89 °F) / 150 mm (5.9 in) | 26.5 °C (80 °F) / 147 mm (5.8 in) | 31.0 °C (88 °F) / 41 mm (1.6 in) | 23.1 °C (74 °F) / 18 mm (0.7 in) | 19.2 °C (67 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 13.6 °C (56 °F) / 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| March | 27.0 °C (81 °F) / 120 mm (4.7 in) | 30.6 °C (87 °F) / 153 mm (6.0 in) | 25.1 °C (77 °F) / 107 mm (4.2 in) | 28.1 °C (83 °F) / 32 mm (1.3 in) | 20.1 °C (68 °F) / 29 mm (1.1 in) | 16.6 °C (62 °F) / 17 mm (0.7 in) | 12.2 °C (54 °F) / 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| April | 23.2 °C (74 °F) / 130 mm (5.1 in) | 27.8 °C (82 °F) / 161 mm (6.3 in) | 22.9 °C (73 °F) / 42 mm (1.7 in) | 23.3 °C (74 °F) / 19 mm (0.7 in) | 15.0 °C (59 °F) / 57 mm (2.2 in) | 12.9 °C (55 °F) / 20 mm (0.8 in) | 9.4 °C (49 °F) / 47 mm (1.9 in) |
| May | 19.4 °C (67 °F) / 94 mm (3.7 in) | 23.5 °C (74 °F) / 186 mm (7.3 in) | 20.3 °C (69 °F) / 10 mm (0.4 in) | 18.7 °C (66 °F) / 11 mm (0.4 in) | 10.6 °C (51 °F) / 114 mm (4.5 in) | 8.7 °C (48 °F) / 20 mm (0.8 in) | 6.9 °C (44 °F) / 35 mm (1.4 in) |
| June | 16.4 °C (62 °F) / 62 mm (2.4 in) | 22.2 °C (72 °F) / 146 mm (5.7 in) | 19.8 °C (68 °F) / 3 mm (0.1 in) | 15.9 °C (61 °F) / 6 mm (0.2 in) | 7.2 °C (45 °F) / 168 mm (6.6 in) | 5.5 °C (42 °F) / 15 mm (0.6 in) | 4.5 °C (40 °F) / 43 mm (1.7 in) |
| July | 15.5 °C (60 °F) / 74 mm (2.9 in) | 22.5 °C (73 °F) / 107 mm (4.2 in) | 19.9 °C (68 °F) / 3 mm (0.1 in) | 15.3 °C (60 °F) / 5 mm (0.2 in) | 6.7 °C (44 °F) / 126 mm (5.0 in) | 5.2 °C (41 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 4.6 °C (40 °F) / 36 mm (1.4 in) |
| August | 17.9 °C (64 °F) / 70 mm (2.8 in) | 25.2 °C (77 °F) / 84 mm (3.3 in) | 22.7 °C (73 °F) / 2 mm (0.1 in) | 18.6 °C (65 °F) / 8 mm (0.3 in) | 8.4 °C (47 °F) / 117 mm (4.6 in) | 6.9 °C (44 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 5.7 °C (42 °F) / 38 mm (1.5 in) |
| September | 19.7 °C (67 °F) / 81 mm (3.2 in) | 26.8 °C (80 °F) / 155 mm (6.1 in) | 24.7 °C (76 °F) / 6 mm (0.2 in) | 21.8 °C (71 °F) / 12 mm (0.5 in) | 11.6 °C (53 °F) / 55 mm (2.2 in) | 11.1 °C (52 °F) / 11 mm (0.4 in) | 7.6 °C (46 °F) / 31 mm (1.2 in) |
| October | 22.6 °C (73 °F) / 123 mm (4.8 in) | 28.7 °C (84 °F) / 247 mm (9.7 in) | 26.9 °C (80 °F) / 24 mm (0.9 in) | 25.7 °C (78 °F) / 11 mm (0.4 in) | 14.7 °C (58 °F) / 49 mm (1.9 in) | 13.5 °C (56 °F) / 14 mm (0.6 in) | 10.1 °C (50 °F) / 28 mm (1.1 in) |
| November | 26.0 °C (79 °F) / 118 mm (4.6 in) | 30.1 °C (86 °F) / 172 mm (6.8 in) | 27.6 °C (82 °F) / 59 mm (2.3 in) | 29.2 °C (85 °F) / 22 mm (0.9 in) | 17.9 °C (64 °F) / 30 mm (1.2 in) | 15.8 °C (60 °F) / 7 mm (0.3 in) | 11.5 °C (53 °F) / 39 mm (1.5 in) |
| December | 29.0 °C (84 °F) / 123 mm (4.8 in) | 31.3 °C (88 °F) / 219 mm (8.6 in) | 28.4 °C (83 °F) / 138 mm (5.4 in) | 32.0 °C (90 °F) / 25 mm (1.0 in) | 20.7 °C (69 °F) / 25 mm (1.0 in) | 17.9 °C (64 °F) / 10 mm (0.4 in) | 12.5 °C (55 °F) / 43 mm (1.7 in) |
Buenos Aires and the Río de la Plata region
Humid temperate climate, with no dry season. The most pleasant periods for exploring the city on foot are March to May and September to November. Summer is hot and stormy, winter cool but rarely cold. The UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 7 May 2026) notes that flash floods can occur during heavy rains, including in Buenos Aires province.
Iguazú Falls and Misiones
Hot, humid subtropical climate, with rain all year (more than 100 mm (3.9 in) almost every month). The falls can be visited in any season; the flow varies with rainfall in the basin. The most comfortable months run from April to September, when highs fall below 28 °C (82 °F); summer averages over 31 °C (88 °F) with high humidity.
Salta, Jujuy and the Andean northwest
The northwest has a marked rainy season in summer (December to March) and a dry season the rest of the year. Aim for April to November for the roads of the Quebrada de Humahuaca, the Salinas Grandes or Cafayate. Days are mild, but winter nights are cold, especially at altitude. Above 2,500 m (8,202 ft), ascend gradually to limit altitude sickness, which the UK FCDO lists as a risk when hiking in parts of Argentina (GOV.UK, updated 7 May 2026).
Mendoza and the wine region
Dry, sunny climate: less than 50 mm (2.0 in) of rain per month all year. Summer is hot (32.8 °C (91 °F) average high in January). The best period runs from March to May, during and after the grape harvest, and from September to November. Winter suits skiing in the nearby Andes.
Bariloche and the Lake District
A region of lakes and mountains at the foot of the Andes. Summer (December to March) is dry and mild (23 °C (73 °F) in the afternoon in January), ideal for hiking and the Seven Lakes road. Winter, wetter, is ski season at the Cerro Catedral resort, roughly July to September depending on snow cover.
El Calafate, El Chaltén and Ushuaia
Southern Patagonia is cold and windy all year, but not very wet at El Calafate (less than 21 mm (0.8 in) per month). The tourist season runs roughly from November to March, or even October to April for some services. In Ushuaia, the average high does not exceed 14 °C (57 °F), even in summer: pack warm, windproof clothing in every season. In winter, many accommodations and excursions close in El Chaltén.
Which region by month?
From the subtropical north to Tierra del Fuego, each region has its own window: the table helps you build a circuit.
| Region | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Buenos Aires | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Iguazú Falls | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ |
| Salta, Jujuy and the northwest | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Mendoza and the wine region | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Bariloche and the Lake District | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Patagonia (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia) | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ❌ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
✅ recommended period, ⚠️ possible with caveats, ❌ less favorable. Summary of the normals and the recommendations detailed on this page.
When to go to Argentina by trip type
| Your trip | Best time | Where? |
|---|---|---|
| First trip (capital, falls, Patagonia) | October–November or March–April | Buenos Aires, Iguazú, El Calafate |
| Hiking in Patagonia | December to March | El Chaltén, Torres del Paine (Chile), Tierra del Fuego |
| Perito Moreno Glacier | November to April (open year-round) | El Calafate |
| Northwest and Andean roads | April to November | Salta, Jujuy, Cafayate |
| Wine and grape harvest | March–April | Mendoza, Cafayate |
| Skiing | July to September | Bariloche, Mendoza |
| July–August trip | July–August | Buenos Aires, Iguazú, northwest |
| Budget | May–June and September (outside local holidays) | Buenos Aires, northern Argentina |
Major events to build into your trip
| Period | Event | Location |
|---|---|---|
| February or March (dates vary) | Carnival, including the great Gualeguaychú carnival | Gualeguaychú, northwest and nationwide |
| Late February – early March | National Grape Harvest Festival (Vendimia) | Mendoza |
| March or April (dates vary) | Holy Week (holidays, heavy crowds) | Nationwide |
| May 25 and July 9 | National holidays (May Revolution, Declaration of Independence) | Nationwide |
| July | Argentine winter holidays (crowds at ski areas and in Bariloche) | Nationwide |
| August (dates vary) | Tango festival and world championship | Buenos Aires |
Argentina month by month
January: Peak season in Patagonia, Argentine summer holidays: high prices in the south. Hot and stormy in Buenos Aires (30.1 °C (86 °F)), rains in the northwest.
February: Still high season in the south, carnival in some years. End of the summer rains in the northwest late in the month, grape harvest beginning in Mendoza.
March: One of the best months: grape harvest festival in Mendoza, Patagonia still practicable, Buenos Aires milder.
April: Autumn colors in Patagonia, 23 °C (73 °F) in Buenos Aires, northwest moving into the dry season. Beware of Holy Week.
May: A good month for the northwest, Iguazú and Buenos Aires. The south cools and some services close.
June: Start of winter. Dry northwest (less than 3 mm (0.1 in) of rain at Salta), cold and quiet Patagonia, low prices.
July: The coolest month in Buenos Aires (15.5 °C (60 °F)). Ski season and Argentine winter holidays: book early for Bariloche.
August: Still winter, good skiing conditions. Northwest and Iguazú pleasant. Tango festival in Buenos Aires in some years.
September: Spring arrives in Buenos Aires (19.7 °C (67 °F)). Northwest still dry. Patagonia still cool and windy.
October: Excellent compromise: jacarandas in Buenos Aires, Patagonia reopening, dry northwest. Heavy rain possible at Iguazú (247 mm (9.7 in)).
November: A very good month everywhere: Patagonia season under way, Buenos Aires at 26 °C (79 °F), still few crowds.
December: Summer and holidays: high season in Patagonia. Heat in Buenos Aires and Mendoza, start of the rains in the northwest.
When to book your trip to Argentina
For December to February, book your flights 5 to 6 months ahead: it is high season in Patagonia and the time of the Argentine summer holidays. Accommodation in El Chaltén, El Calafate and Ushuaia, as well as domestic flights to the south, go quickly. The same logic applies in July, the period of local winter holidays. In the shoulder seasons, 2 to 4 months is usually enough.
Planning your trip to Argentina
- Entry requirements: rules depend on your nationality; see the entry requirements for Argentina before you travel.
- Time difference: see our time difference guide for Argentina to compare it with your home city.
- Currency: the Argentine peso (ARS). Prices change fast because of inflation: check the exchange rate just before departure with our currency converter, and never exchange money on the street.
- Health: the UK FCDO (GOV.UK, updated 7 May 2026) lists yellow fever, Zika virus and dengue among the health risks in Argentina. According to the U.S. Department of State (travel.state.gov, last updated July 16, 2026), mosquitoes are prevalent throughout the Argentine summer months (December–March) and carry diseases such as dengue; bring insect repellent.
- Altitude: in the northwest, several roads exceed 3,000 to 4,000 m (9,843 to 13,123 ft): ascend gradually and seek medical advice if you have a history of heart or respiratory problems.
For more, see our complete Argentina travel guide. Hesitating over a neighboring country? See when to go to Brazil, when to go to Chile or when to go to Peru. To compare with other destinations of the moment: where to go in March, in October or in November.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Argentina?
For a trip combining Buenos Aires, Iguazú and Patagonia, November and March are the most balanced months: mild in the capital, Patagonia in season and bearable heat in the north. October and April are also very good choices.
When should you visit Argentine Patagonia?
From November to March, during the southern summer. It is about 19 °C (66 °F) in the afternoon in El Calafate in January and the trails of El Chaltén are accessible. In winter it freezes at night and many services close.
Can you visit Argentina in July or August?
Yes, by adapting the itinerary: Buenos Aires is cool but pleasant (15 to 18 °C (59 to 64 °F) in the afternoon), the northwest is dry and sunny, Iguazú more bearable than in summer, and it is ski season. Southern Patagonia is then cold and partly closed.
When should you visit northwest Argentina (Salta, Jujuy)?
From April to November, during the dry season. From December to March it rains a lot (nearly 200 mm (7.9 in) in January at Salta) and some mountain roads can be cut off.
What is the most expensive time to visit Argentina?
January–February, the period of the Argentine summer holidays and the high season in Patagonia, as well as July (local winter holidays) and Holy Week.
When is the best time to see the Perito Moreno Glacier?
The glacier can be visited year-round, but the most comfortable period runs from November to April, when it is milder and all boat excursions and ice hikes operate.
What is the climate like in Argentina?
The seasons are the reverse of those in the Northern Hemisphere and the climate varies with latitude: subtropical and humid at Iguazú, temperate in Buenos Aires (30.1 °C (86 °F) in January, 15.5 °C (60 °F) in July), dry with summer rains in the Andean northwest, cold and windy in Patagonia.
Is the weather good in Argentina in October?
Yes, it is an excellent compromise: spring and jacarandas in Buenos Aires, Patagonia reopening, northwest still dry. Only Iguazú Falls can see heavy rain (247 mm (9.7 in) on average).
Our sources
- Servicio Meteorológico Nacional (SMN, Argentine weather service): 1991–2020 normals for the Buenos Aires (Observatorio Central), Puerto Iguazú, Salta, Mendoza, San Carlos de Bariloche, El Calafate and Ushuaia stations
- Safety and health information read on 26 October 2026: UK FCDO, foreign travel advice for Argentina (GOV.UK, updated 7 May 2026), and U.S. Department of State, Argentina country information (travel.state.gov, last updated July 16, 2026)
- Our methodology
Updated November 2026.
