Best time to visit Argentina

Argentina is enormous enough to offer somewhere glorious year round.
December-February is the best time to visit Argentina for summer warmth, though the north can be very hot; June-Aug bring more pleasant temperatures. Rainfall peaks then at Iguazu Falls, boosting water volumes – but also sometimes closing access to some trails around the falls. April is a good time to visit Iguazu for better weather. Southern Patagonia is snowed in during the midwinter months of June-August; the long, sunny days of November-February are the best time to venture south, with late spring and early autumn bringing fewer visitors. March boasts autumn colour in the Lake District, plus grape harvest in wine regions.

When to go to Argentina, month by month

Temperatures peak in December and January – but so do crowds, and prices. Easter is a National Vacation so many lodgings and tours will be fully booked, and prices will rise – particularly for flights. March and April can be a lovely month for autumn foliage – but winter is well on its way in the south, so visit earlier if you are planning to trek in the mountains. Parts of southern Patagonia may become inaccessible due to ice and snow in May-August, although northern Patagonia is more likely to remain open for business. And this is one of the best times to try to spot big cats in the north – including the exquisite and rarely-seen puma. December-January is high season in Patagonia; with limited spaces in the refugios, we recommend booking well in advance if traveling at this time. The region of Iguazu Falls is at its wettest from December-February. This is not the best time to travel if you’re planning to hike in the surrounding area or visit San Martin Island, as access may be closed. However, you’ll see these incredible falls at their fullest. July can be a busy – and expensive – time, as locals take midwinter vacations.

Buenos Aires Weather Chart

 
MIN °C
MAX °C
RAIN (mm)
JAN
20
29
107
FEB
19
28
102
MAR
17
26
121
APR
14
22
96
MAY
11
19
76
JUN
8
15
62
JUL
7
15
62
AUG
8
17
67
SEP
10
19
69
OCT
13
22
111
NOV
15
25
101
DEC
18
28
92
Travel Team
If you'd like to chat about Argentina or need help finding a vacation to suit you we're very happy to help.

Responsible Travel recommends

Kathy Jarvis from our supplier Andean Trails suggests autumn and spring as the best time to visit Argentina if you want to head to the south: “In the south, the summer months of December to February can actually be very windy. Spring offers plenty of new flowers and autumn stunning colours – and less wind! It's also quieter in terms of tourist numbers.”

Festivals & events in Argentina

Carnaval (Jan-early March)

Like Brazil, Argentina stages raucous Carnival shindigs, but with fewer foreign tourists than Rio. The best spots to join partying locals are Corrientes and Gualeguaychu in northern Argentina, which boast a succession of riotous weekend parades from January to early March: amazing floats made by local groups (comparsas), brilliant costumes and dancing – plus water fights!
Written by Norman Miller
Photo credits: [Page banner: Juanedc] [Intro: danielpontin] [Kathy Jarvis quote: Paul Lucyk] [Carnaval: Gobierno de la Ciudad de Buenos Aires]