Argentina at a Glance: Best Time to Visit
Recommended time to visit: With four distinct seasons, Argentina is a year round destination, but the climate varies across the country. If visiting Patagonia, then December - March is considered the best time to visit, whilst the cooler months of April - October are best suited to exploring Buenos Aires.
Less popular time to visit: There really isn't a bad time to visit Argentina. But the coldest months are during winter from June - August. In terms of rainfall, it depends where you're travelling. Bariloche is wettest from May - August and Buenos Aires from October - March. Iguazu sees heavy rainfall all year round, whilst Patagonia rarely sees a shower!
Best time for wine: Autumn (March - May) is a great time to visit the Mendoza winelands, with thinner crowds and stunning scenery as the colours of the trees begin to change.
Best time to explore Patagonia: Patagonia is at its warmest and most beautiful during the summer months of December - March, especially Bariloche and El Calafate.
Best time to visit Iguazu: The mighty falls are impressive year round, but to see them at their fullest, December is the month to visit.
Best time to visit Iguazu Falls in Argentina
Given its location close to the equator, there is never really a bad time to visit the Iguazu Falls when it comes to the weather. While the temperature does fluctuate throughout the year, it rarely drops below 10 degrees Celsius. What really determines the best time to visit the falls depends on what you want to get out of your experience. Argentineans are on holiday from January to February, making this one of the busiest times to visit the falls along with Easter. If you want to skip the crowds then you should avoid travelling during this time.
The rainy season, from December to March, sees higher temperatures, a lot of humidity and high water levels, making the falls seem all the more powerful. On the downside, high water levels might make San Martin Island inaccessible and sometimes the heat can be a bit overbearing. From April through to October, blue skies prevail, making for the best photo opportunities, and the weather is much milder. However, during this time the low water levels might detract from the magnificence of the falls. Visiting the Argentinean side of the falls is all about getting up close and personal with the cascades so visiting when they are in full flow is a great way to experience them. Generally, people agree that the shoulder months of March, April and September are the best times to go as the water levels are still reasonably high and it isn’t too hot.
Recommended tours
Climate | Buenos Aires
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | 17 | 17 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 6 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 13 | 16 |
| Temp Max °C | 29 | 28 | 26 | 22 | 18 | 14 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 21 | 24 | 28 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 79 | 71 | 109 | 89 | 76 | 61 | 56 | 61 | 79 | 86 | 84 | 99 |
Climate | Ushuaia
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Temp Min °C | 6 | 6 | 5 | 3 | 1 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 4 | 5 |
| Temp Max °C | 15 | 15 | 13 | 10 | 7 | 5 | 5 | 6 | 9 | 11 | 13 | 14 |
| Rainfall (mm) | 43 | 31 | 49 | 47 | 39 | 52 | 34 | 34 | 41 | 37 | 39 | 47 |
Festivals and Events
Brimming with colour and history, it should come as little surprise that Argentina plays host to a number of exciting festivals throughout the year. With tango performances, live music, religious ceremonies and all kinds of seasonal snacks and beverages, Argentina’s myriad festivals have something to suit every taste.
What is the Gualeguaychu Carnival?
Running every Saturday throughout the majority of January and February, the Gualeguaychu Carnival is one of Argentina’s most popular and highly anticipated festivals of the year. Comparsas - local dance groups - take to the streets, colourful and sequinned, to show off their choreography and synchronicity as audience members cheer and shout. This is the ultimate festival for anyone looking to blow off some steam and let go of their inhibitions.
What is the Tango Buenos Aires Festival y Mundial?
No Argentinean export has quite the same global reputation as tango. One of the most sensual and passionate dances in existence, tango is treated to its own fortnight-long festival, which consists of a dance showcase as well as a world cup. Thousands of dancers from around the world flock to Argentina’s bustling capital to compete for the title of ‘world champion’. Expect flamboyant costumes and jaw-dropping performances.
What is Argentina's Oktoberfest?
Wouldn’t it be wonderful if we could take all the best bits of Oktoberfest and transport them away from Germany to a country with better weather? Welcome to Argentina’s National Beer Festival. Steins of beer and lederhosen speckle the town of Cordoba as Argentina pays homage to one of the world’s booziest festivals. When you need to take a break from drinking, head over to one of the many food stands and pick up some traditional wurst or apfelstrudel.
See Also
For further information to help plan your trip to Argentina, see the following:
Best Places to Visit - cities, national parks and more
Top Travel Tips - covering everything from money to health, food to shopping
Tourist Visas - know what visa you need prior to travel
