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Best Time to Visit Argentina

Ratings of Zicasso's Service
Landscape of lakes and mountains in the Lake District of Argentina

Bariloche, Argentina

Argentina is majestic in its diversity, with a subtropical north and subantarctic south, and the best time to visit is generally between April and July or October and January.

The country feels familiar and unpredictable, only adding to its alluring drama, which is fed by the legendary tango, mouthwatering cuisine, dynamic wines, and myths of the gaucho. From pristine glaciers to quiet lakes, lively cafes to decadent chocolates, you can discover the different perspectives of Argentina’s culture, history, and landscape.

The following guide gives you more information on the best time to visit, depending on the type of vacation you seek, your travel preferences and dates.

Overview
  1. Best Time for Patagonia
  2. Best Time for Northern Argentina
  3. Best Time for Puerto Madryn
  4. Best Time for Iguazu Falls
  5. Best Time for Sightseeing
  6. Best Time for Hiking
  7. Best Time for Wine Tasting
  8. Best Time to Avoid the Crowds
  9. Best Time for Seniors
  10. Best Time for Couples or Honeymooners
  11. Best Time for Families with Children
  12. Best Time for Spring and Summer Activities
  13. Best Time for Fall and Winter Activities
  14. Book for the Best Time to Visit Argentina

Best Time for Patagonia

Hiking under Fitz Roy in Los Glaciares National Park in Patagonia, Argentina

Patagonia, Argentina

Best Months: January • February • March • July • August

Patagonia is a place of extreme weather and beauty, making the summer and heart of winter the best times to visit, depending on your preferred experience.

January to March and July to August give you opposite ends of the spectrum of beauty. Summer in Patagonia is ripe with lush forests and sunny skies, giving you ample time to trek, cycle, or visit remote glaciers. The winter blankets Patagonia in snow, making it an exceptional skiing or snowboarding destination.

The activities and crowds are around for most of the year, further supporting the elegance and grand allure of the region. However you spend your time in Patagonia, there are few better seasons to experience the region than in summer and winter.

Best Time for Northern Argentina

Gaucho horseback riding through the Argentinian grasslands

The Pampas region in Argentina

Best Months: January • February • March • April • May • June • July • August

The climate in northern Argentina invites travelers to visit Salta and Jujuy at any time of the year because of the mild temperatures, though the best time to visit is from January through August.

The average temperature is 68°F from January to March. June and July are the coldest months, with average temperatures of 55°F. The remaining months have average temperatures of 64°F. Usually there is more rainfall during the summer months. However, because of the carnival celebrations, this area is especially appealing in January and February.

The northern reaches of Argentina are home to some of the country's most remarkable landscapes and vacations from January to August cater to adventurous travelers seeking out these breathtaking places.

Best Time for Puerto Madryn

Whale in Puerto Madryn's bay, Argentina

Puerto Madryn, Argentina

Best Months: September • October • November • December

Puerto Madryn can be visited all year round, but the best time to visit to view the region’s magnificent marine life is from September to December.

Southern right whales arrive in Puerto Madryn's bay in late June and stay until mid-December. They are most active from September and travelers can spot the remarkable marine mammals on cruises during this time of the year. The penguins, on the other hand, settle down during the Argentine spring and summer, which lasts from September to March. Because elephant seals and sea lions are permanent residents, they can be seen all year.

The marine sanctuary of Puerto Madryn remains one of the best places to visit in Argentina and there are few better months to experience the region’s natural beauty than September through December.

Best Time for Iguazu Falls

Tourist on bridge walkway and viewing platform taking in the massive waterfalls at Iguazu in Argentina

Iguazu Falls, Argentina

Best Months: March • April • August • September

The best time to visit Iguazu Falls is in early fall or early spring, which takes place between March and April or August and September.

In spring the crowds are generally smaller and the weather is nicer, as the subtropical summer heat subsides. There is also plenty of leftover rainfall from the wet summer months to keep the falls gushing. At the early edge of fall you have clearer days, pleasant temperatures, and also drier weather, which makes the water sparkle.

The Iguazu Falls is a stunning natural wonder to witness on Argentina vacations, with spring and fall great times to visit the destination as clear and breathtaking conditions prevail in the forested slice of paradise.

Best Time for Sightseeing

The Piramide de Mayo (May Pyramid), on Plaza de Mayo square, the oldest national monument in the city of Buenos Aires, Argentina

Plaza de Mayo Square in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best Months: October • November • December • January • February • March • April

The best time to visit Argentina for sightseeing takes into account the weather and the crowds, with the shoulder season and summer from October to April giving you the most to look forward to.

The climate is really diverse across the country and the sizable distance between destinations also means you can experience dramatically different weather patterns when visiting places like Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Iguazu, and Patagonia in a single trip.

Spring, summer, and fall, however, give you the best chance to experience Argentina’s remarkable landscapes, historic sites, and cinematic countryside.

Best Time for Hiking

Man hiking in Ushuaia, Argentina with views the Martial Mountains and the Beagle Channel

Ushuaia, Argentina

Best Months: November • December • January • February

Hiking in Argentina gives you front-row views of the dramatic scenery and the best time to visit for this activity is between November and February.

The summer months give you the best chances for breathtaking hiking experiences around the country, sending you around Ushuaia, El Calafate, Cerro Arco, or Cerro de la Cruz. Warmer weather, consistent sunshine, and longer daylight hours make trekking that much easier and lay the foundations for crowds of people eager to experience Argentina’s exceptional outdoors.

Hikes across the remote reaches of Argentina in the summer sunshine also reveal the curious wildlife and colorful birds that find comfort in the warm weather, enriching your hiking experiences from November to February.

Best Time for Wine Tasting

Covered outdoor seating area surrounded by vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina, with mountains in the background

Vineyards in Mendoza, Argentina

Best Months: October • November • December • March • April • May

The best time for wine tasting in Argentina is from October to December and again between March and May.

These months take into consideration crowds, the weather, and the harvest, including the National Grape Harvest Festival in March. The days can range from warm to cool and crisp, but the colors of spring to fall are dynamic and outline the charm of the wine regions, whether you are visiting Salta or Mendoza, Rio Negro or Cordoba.

With a burgeoning wine culture that traces centuries of winemaking history, tasting tours in Argentina’s best wine regions are essential experiences to enjoy from October to December and  March to April.

Best Time to Avoid the Crowds

Autumn foliage on the river banks in Argentinian Patagonia with Mt Fitz Roy in the background

Mt Fitz Roy in Argentine Patagonia

Best Months: April • May • October • November

The best time to visit Argentina to avoid the crowds is during the shoulder season months of April, May, October, and November.

These months represent the best time to visit in fall and spring, providing great weather, without the overwhelming peak-season summer crowds. From the Patagonian peaks to the colorful districts of Buenos Aires, you can experience the best of Argentina with fewer distractions.

The popular experiences are more accessible during this time of the year, while adventures off the beaten path provide new perspectives of the country during quieter fall or spring.

Best Time for Seniors

One of the tango shows in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best Months: April • May • October • November

The best time for seniors to visit Argentina coincides with the best time to avoid the crowds, namely April, May, October, and November.

Seniors' trips during the quieter seasons are far more comfortable and provide greater opportunities to experience the best of Argentina. Travelers can visit the highlights and significant heritage sites, explore the breathtaking national parks, and indulge in the culinary culture without having to navigate overwhelmingly busy areas.

The weather conditions are also great during these times of the year. It is not too hot nor too cold, catering perfectly to senior travelers.

Best Time for Couples or Honeymooners

Couple holding hands standing on lake looking the night starry sky and mountain reflection in Patagonia Argentina

Puelo Lake in Patagonia, Argentina

Best Months: October • November • March • April • May • June

The best time to visit Argentina for couples or honeymooners takes into account the weather, crowds, and seclusion, which you can find between October and November and March to June.

These months provide great weather for experiencing the Argentinian outdoors, cultural hotspots, and more. There are also far fewer crowds during these times than there are in the height of summer, ensuring seclusion is at the forefront of your romantic trip.

You can find romance in isolated corners of the country at secluded properties with that quintessential Argentinian ambiance, as well as thrilling outdoor activities with stunning vistas. You can also enjoy exclusive experiences for intimate memories that only Argentina can provide when traveling in the shoulder seasons of spring and fall.

Best Time for Families with Children

Family kayaking Nahuel Huapi Lake in Bariloche, Argentina

Nahuel Huapi Lake in Bariloche, Argentina

Best Months: October • November • December • January • February • March • April

Argentina is a great place to travel to as a family in spring, summer, and fall, from October to April.

The great weather around the country gives you the best chances for an immersive trip encompassing distinctive culture, diverse landscapes, and exciting activities that are perfect for families with children of any age. A Boca Juniors soccer game, cycling around Bariloche, or touching the End of the World at Ushuaia further support the endless possibilities Argentina offers for a family trip.

Best Time for Spring and Summer Activities

Chef grilling traditional Argentinian asado in Buenos Aires

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Best Months: October • November • December • January

Spring and summer in the southern hemisphere include October, November, December, and January, which are great times to visit Argentina.

Activities like tango or visiting museums can take place year-round, but other summer and spring adventures are more conditional on the weather. October, November, December, and January give you the best weather for activities such as hiking and kayaking. Conditions can change from region to region, but they also help define the Argentine experience.

When exploring Argentina in spring and summer you can escape to an estancia for horseback riding, climb the mountains for panoramic views, and sip wines in the best wine regions.

Activities: Wine tasting • Food tours • Hiking • Kayaking • Horseback riding • Ziplining

Best Time for Fall and Winter Activities

Skier at Cerro Catedral Ski Resort, Bariloche, Argentina, with lake and mountain views

Cerro Catedral Ski Resort, Bariloche, Argentina

Best Months: April • May • July • August

The best months to visit Argentina during the southern hemisphere’s fall and winter are April, May, July, and August.

The temperatures can vary greatly from north to south and are most dramatic between Iguazu and Ushuaia. Fall and winter give you a completely different experience to spring and summer, from skiing instead of hiking to the International Tango Festival.

These months are beautiful and less crowded than in spring and summer, inviting travelers to embrace the panoramas of Iguazu, spot the southern right whales off the coast of Puerto Madryn, and enjoy wildlife tours during days that are less sweltering than they are in summer.

Activities: Skiing • Snowboarding • International Tango Festival • Iguazu Falls tours • Whale watching • Wildlife viewing

Book for the Best Time to Visit Argentina

Llamas on mountain hills of Jujuy, Argentina

Jujuy, Argentina

Argentina is famous for its spirit and natural beauty, with unique conditions that support tropical and subantarctic wildlife, as well as the captivating culture of Buenos Aires. Knowing the exciting things to do will help you figure out the best time to visit Argentina, which can depend on whether you want to trek over glaciers or witness powerful waterfalls.

Working with a travel specialist you can create custom Argentina Tours during a time that suits your travel preferences. You can also browse our Argentina Travel Guide for more advice, information, and recommendations on how to enjoy Argentina’s endless allure.

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