Overview of Argentina’s Climate
With it lying in the southern hemisphere, enjoying great weather year round and having opposite seasons to the UK, Argentina makes for an excellent holiday destination whenever you wish to visit.
So, when's the best time to visit Argentina?
There are diverse regions spread all over the Latin American country, each providing something unique when it comes to nature, culture and culinary experiences. Generally, the north sees more hot and humid conditions while it gets cooler and drier the further south you venture. But since the weather is variable throughout the year, the trick is to plan where and when to go, so you can make the most of your trip.
Here's our guide on the best time to go to Argentina, to help you organise every element of your holiday.
In this article:
Best Time to Visit Different Regions in Argentina
Best Time to Visit Different Regions in Argentina
Best Time to Visit Patagonia
The best time to visit Patagonia is between October and April, with the peak summer season being December to February. Southern Argentine weather can sometimes be unpredictable, and no matter when you travel, it’s key to be prepared for all eventualities. While the ‘prepare for four seasons in a day’ advise can seem a bit of a cliché, it really is reflective of the Patagonian weather – even in the summer!
Exploring the region in summer does, though, give you the best possible chance of warmer and sunnier days. Parque Nacional Los Glaciares (Glaciers National Park) is more accessible this time of year and the spectacular glaciers sparkle in the bright sunshine. As you trek through the wild mountainous terrain, be on the lookout for wildlife such as guanacos and, on rare occasions, an Andean condor.
In the autumn shoulder season, the scenery transitions from vibrant greens to rich auburns. Whereas for spring, beautiful flora like orchids bloom, bringing a pop of colour to the landscapes. These are both great times to visit the Argentine Patagonia, as you get to experience the beauty of the region with fewer crowds. Although summer in Argentina brings warmer conditions for trekking and wildlife spotting, Argentina in October or towards the end of March is a period when you can enjoy a quieter time in the region with fewer tourists.
By travelling to Argentina in one of its shoulder seasons, you'll experience the country with far lower numbers of international travellers as well as domestic summer holiday visitors, meaning less traffic on the roads and pressure on the local services and environment.
To explore both the Argentine and Chilean Patagonia, our Splendours of Patagonia itinerary showcases some of the region's most extraordinary natural highlights. Prices start from £6,295 per person for 13 nights.
Best Time to Visit Buenos Aires
Since it's a year-round destination, the best time to visit Buenos Aires is whenever you'd like to travel. But it's hottest in the peak of summer from December to February. Make the most of this great weather by exploring the glamorous capital city's districts. From the rainbow-splattered houses of La Boca to the Parisian-inspired residences of Recoleta, you can truly feel the buzz of the country's vibrant heritage.
If you're in the city at the end of winter (August) and beginning of spring (September), you may also want to attend the Buenos Aires Tango Festival (as it's tentatively set around this time of year, usually). Although it's not the absolute best time to go to Buenos Aires, the annual event allows you to dance to the live sounds of traditional tango orchestras in open milongas throughout the day and into the night.
Latin America Product Manager
Top Tip: "Visit an exclusive estancia near San Antonio de Areco on the outskirts of Buenos Aires. You'll gain insight into gaucho and estancia culture, with the opportunity to take a short horse, bike or carriage ride around the property, before relaxing by the pool and in the grounds."
Best Time to Visit Iguazu Falls
Also a year-round destination, the best time to visit Iguazu Falls is once again whenever you'd like to travel. There are hotter temperatures and a more humid climate between December and April. But thanks to the rainfall levels flowing into Iguazu, the falls are at their fullest – dramatic scenes for you to bear witness to while being sprayed by oncoming water!
Nearer the end of this period, Argentina in March is great for hiking and wildlife watching. Wading through the jungle trails might treat you to the sight of howler monkeys and families of coatis.
Other months of the year offer immersive adventures like this, just with cooler temperatures that can in certain parts of the country make traversal easier. For example, if you were to travel to Argentina in September, you'd have more daylight and less humidity – perfect conditions for hiking to areas like Devil's Throat. One of nature's greatest spectacles, this is where the water plummets 90m into a U-shaped chasm.
Riding a boat at the base of the falls is unforgettable. Apart from seeing the majesty of them from a unique angle, you also get to discover the local wildlife residing in the untamed waters around you.
To experience the breathtaking Iguazu Falls for yourself, our Highlights of Argentina trip begins with a visit to both the Argentine and Brazilian sides. Prices start from £4,795 per person for 14 nights.
Best Time to Visit Mendoza and Argentina’s Wine Regions
Mendoza is a destination that can be visited 12 months of the year. This means there's no real best time to visit Mendoza. But the warmest weather is in the summer from December to February, with the harvest season around March – a great time to explore the region's world-class wineries. With altitudes ranging from 450m to 1,100m and a variety of microclimates, it's no surprise that Mendoza is the wine capital of Argentina.
Breezy avenues lined with trees, a mix of modern and Art Deco buildings, atmospheric plazas and a cosmopolitan café scene is what awaits you on your visit to the city. A day or two spent here is perfect for practicing your wine-tasting skills. From Mendoza, you can travel overland through the Andes, crossing a high pass via Aconcagua that passes by spectacular scenery towards Santiago in Chile.
Vendimia Grape Harvest Festival (March)
The Vendimia Grape Harvest Festival is a popular annual event held in Mendoza Province every March. Bringing together wine tastings with good food and music, it's a time of celebration that reflects Argentina's passion for wine and its cultural heritage. Concerts and fireworks take place across several days, with one parade being the 'White Way of Queens' – culminating in a 'queen' being crowned.
Best Time to Visit the Valdes Peninsula
To see penguins in the Valdes Peninsula (Peninsula Valdes), visit anywhere between September and March. Punta Tombo is home to the largest colony of the Magellanic species in Argentina, and the highest population outside of Antarctica, where they reside among the vast beaches and dunes.
Over half a million penguins gather to breed here. Seeing the black and white birds build their nests and engage in courtship or territorial battles is magical, something you'd want to bottle up and keep forever.
Baby penguins are hatched from November onwards. The raucous chicks spend most of their time side by side with their parents, up until February and March when they're mature enough to leave the colony. From Punta Tombo, you can continue towards the uniquely Welsh settlement of Gaiman. Gain insight into how small town in remote Argentina has links to Wales and stop at a traditional Welsh teahouse.
Visiting Argentina in November is also great because you have a chance to spot southern right whales at the end of their mating season in addition to elephant seals and sea lions from cliffs at Ponta Delgada.
Orcas arrive in the northern part of the Peninsula between March and April to hunt seals off the beach, before returning to the waters around September to October. They can be difficult to spot. So, to have a better chance of seeing them, you have to be patient and may need to return on separate occasions.
Best Time to Visit the Lake District
October to April is the best time to visit the Lake District, with the summer falling between December and February. Some 20 lakes are scattered across this region, the largest being Lake Nahuel Huapi. Imagine grabbing your paddle and kayaking across the gentle waters. The sunny, clear skies give way to breathtaking panoramas of densely forested mountains you'll never quite get out of your head.
Your exploration will eventually take you to Bariloche. On a hike in the beautiful summer conditions, you'll visit the Llao Llao Peninsula and take a walk along old trails past Llao Llao Mountain, Tacul Bay, Roman Bridge, the Hidden Lake and Los Troncos Bay. Journey into native Patagonian Forest until you get to a magnificent viewpoint of the Nahuel Huapi and Moreno lakes, the perfect place for a photo op!
Best Time to Visit The Pampas
There's no best time to visit The Pampas, because it enjoys fine weather conditions through the year. But it's hottest in the peak of summer from December to February. Rich in fertile grasslands and farming territory, the province is a joy if you're looking to get a first-hand experience of the gaucho way of life.
It makes for an excellent parallel to the hustle and bustle of Buenos Aires, with its estancias where you can spend a few days horse-riding, walking or simply unwinding by the pool in the summer months.
Watching a folk show or the gauchos demonstrating their skills is equally as entertaining. You'll be taught about horse-riding techniques like how to use the reigns, what to do with your posture and the way in which you use your legs to signal where to go. Gliding across the open plateaus atop your trusty steed is as exhilarating as it is freeing, thundering through the flat land as the sun sets in the distance.
Upon heading back to the main house, you can sample the empanadas (savoury pastries) or enjoy a traditional outdoor asado barbeque with the gauchos, all washed down with some excellent local wine.
Best Time to Visit Cordoba & Estancias
You don't need to worry about when to travel to Cordoba & Estancias, as it's a year-round destination. However, in the summer from December to February, expect warm temperatures in the central region.
Just north of the city is the 'Road of the Jesuit Estancias', which are now listed historic monuments dating back to the 17th century. As well as being able to delve into these beautiful buildings, you can additionally visit many excellent estancias to ride with the gauchos on their working ranches. Glimpse into their daily lives, learning about their cattle herding and boleadoras throwing techniques.
Cosquin Festival (January)
In the middle of Argentina's summer months, Cosquin Festival takes place in the Cordoba Province. Catchy Argentine music fills the air with hundreds of spectators in attendance to see some of their favourite artists perform. It's a fantastic chance to fully immerse yourself in traditional Argentine culture, where the stage comes to life with the vibrant sounds of chacareras, zambas and milongas.
Best Time to Visit Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego
An ideal time to head to Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego is between October and April, with the peak season being December to February. Icy streams, waterfalls and evergreen forests make up the rich tapestry of this beautiful island, wild rugged landscapes which seem to spring to life around this time of the year.
Flowers and birds are abundant in Tierra del Fuego National Park and Lapataia Bay during the summer. Some of the wildflowers blooming include firebush, violets and lenga forests covered with mosses.
Visiting in the spring season of September to November is equally as incredible for birders. Species of gentoo, Magellanic and king penguins begin to nest, typically digging burrows into the ground or using natural crevices to create them. You may also hear the striking sound and sight of Magellanic woodpeckers drilling into trees.
Inside the country's southernmost national park, Tierra del Fuego, you can see native and foreign fauna such as Fuegian reddish fox, beaver, muskrat, southern river otter and around 90 species of birds.
To visit this region, you can fly in directly from El Calafate in Patagonia and add it to an itinerary around Argentina’s other highlights, or also from Buenos Aires with daily flights. This is also a gateway to Antarctica, with multiple cruises heading off to the white continent from the port.
Best Time to Visit Salta & the Northwest
Between April and December, Salta & the Northwest sees good weather characterised by sunny days. Rich red desert earth, vivid blue skies and awe-inspiring mountainous panoramas – this is one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in Argentina. The city was founded in 1582 and has retained much of its colonial charm, almost as if you were stepping back in time.
During the winter months, there are generally fewer visitors across Argentina. For example, the weather in Argentina in July can bring snow in the south of the country, but the drier conditions in the north make for a great time to visit. The trade-off for being able to see the ancient fort at Quilmes or taking a 4WD to the Humahuaca Gorge at its best can be well worth it for those enamouring views. Also be sure to visit the small town of Purmamarca to see its extraordinary Seven Colour Hill.
Latin America Travel Specialist
Top Tip: "For a stunning contrast, combine a trip to Iguazu Falls with the deserts in the northwest near Salta, where you’ll find some of the best high-altitude wines in the whole country."
Best Time to Visit Ibera Wetlands & the Northeast
Spring (September—November) and autumn (April—May) is the best time to visit Ibera Wetlands & the Northeast, with slightly cooler temperatures providing great conditions for exploration. The wet and wonderful region in northern Argentina is a haven for wildlife lovers, home to capybara, caiman, marsh deer and jabiru stork. Riding along the Parana River, you may be lucky enough to spot otters, too.
If you visit Argentina in April (for instance), you can enjoy a scenic boat ride along the waterways of the river to see the many species of bird that call these marshlands home. Migrations happen between September and April, making these months great for seeing colourful birds flying overhead.
This region of Argentina in May can also be excellent as there's typically less rainfall than in April. This is suited to outdoor activities such as navigating the Parana River by boat and touring waterways until reaching Paranaense Forest. The forest is home to more than 50 tree species per hectare, an ecosystem ideal for birds and monkeys. Located nearby Puerto Valle, you can enjoy the parkland surrounding the manor house, wander its organic gardens and relax on a deckchair with a cocktail in hand overlooking the river on your return.
Hosteria Rincon del Socorro is another accommodation option you're likely to consider during your travels. In the heart of the Ibera Wetlands, this 12,000-hectare former cattle ranch is now a dedicated nature reserve and refined eco-tourist estancia with plenty of superb wines and free-range meats to discover.
To delve into this true natural wonder, our Argentina Wildlife holiday takes you from Buenos Aires to Peninsula Valdes, Ibera Wetlands and Iguazu Falls. Prices start from £4,295 per person for 11 nights.
Explore Argentina with Rainbow
Argentina offers perhaps the most exciting nature experience in South America. Whenever you wish to visit, we'll help tailor-make your entire holiday. Simply call one of our Travel Specialists and we'll discuss all your travel aspirations for this one-of-a-kind destination.
