The Best Time to Visit Argentina

Land of glaciers, gauchos, and landscapes that leave you breathless, Argentina can be visited anytime of the year. However, the best time to visit is in the spring (September through November), particularly in November. In spring, everyone goes outside, from the park-goers of Buenos Aires to the mountain climbers of Bariloche. Locals and tourists alike soak up the sunshine and enjoy lower humidity than in summer, while nature begins to surface in the blooming flowers of Cordoba and the spouting whales of Puerto Madryn.

The climate in Argentina varies greatly. Argentina has four climates (warm, moderate, arid, and cold), and many micro-climates. The northwest is tropical with a mild winter, while the northeast is humid and subtropical. The center of the country is temperate, while the south is arid and cool. Expect wet, hot summers in the north to central parts of the country from December through February, and book a place with air conditioning if you travel during this time.

Most of the major events in Argentina are centered around cultural events, rather than religious or public holidays. Rock out in March at Lollapalooza, the country’s largest music festival, or march in the Pride parade in November. Foodie travelers will want to go to Mendoza’s giant wine harvest, Vendimia, while Oktoberfest promises all the Bavarian trimmings of its European counterparts. The country has multiple film festivals throughout the year, but the time to really see cinema shine is at the BAFIC festival in April. However, for a uniquely Argentine experience, The International Tango Festival and World Cup should be the event you come for, featuring tango performances, live music, and competitions featuring the world’s best tango dancers.

Peak tourist season is from late November through February and in July. Many North American and European tourists visit during this time to escape the Northern Hemisphere’s winter or take advantage of their summer vacation. However if you are going to Bariloche, expect an influx of Argentine high school seniors October through November for their senior trip.

Buenos Aires clears out, with many of its residents leaving the sweltering summer heat for the cool beaches of Mar de Plata. Patagonia sees both national and international tourists, and experiences some of the best weather of the year.

Events to check out: For Argentine folkloric dancing and Cordobés cuisine, head to Cosquin for the El Festival Nacional de Folklore.

The northern and central provinces are hot, while the southern ones are sunny but cool. The provinces of Salta, Jujuy, Tucuman, and especially Misiones all experience a wet season during this time.

Events to check out: The largest Carnival celebration in the country occurs in January and February in Entre Rios’ Gualeguaychú, complete with bejeweled bikinis, feathered headdresses, singing, dancing, and "murgas" (teams of drummers and dancers) parading through the streets.

March is for wine drinking in Argentina. Rain is moderate in the hills of the wine making part of the country, with temperatures in Mendoza ranging from 59 to 81 degrees Fahrenheit (15 to 27 degrees Celsius).

Events to check out:

• Vendimia is Argentina's largest wine harvest and celebration. See a grape blessing, hear a choir, and sample wines from malbec to chardonnay for days on end.
• Every three to four years, during this month the Perito Moreno Glacier collapses into Lago Argentino with a thunderous roar.

Rains start to decrease in the northwest, ushering in a dry season. Fewer tourists come in the middle of fall, making many attractions, such as Iguazu Falls, far less crowded than the summer months and more enjoyable.

Events to check out:

• Film makers from all over the world head to Buenos Aires for the Buenos Aires International Festival of Independent Cinema (BAFCI). The festival showcases international premieres, documentaries, Avant Garde pictures, and film talks.
• Eat part of an eight-meter high chocolate egg and see the largest chocolate bar in the world at the Bariloche Chocolate Festival, or show off your fishing skills the Surubí National Festival, a giant fishing festival and competition on the banks of the Parana River.

The northern and central parts of the country begin to cool, and tourism decreases, making it an excellent time to visit Salta and Jujuy. The Gran Chaco region sees temperatures and rainfall drop significantly, and the Lake District has great hiking weather, stunning leaves, and temperatures ranging from 34 to 50 degrees Fahrenheit (1 to 10 degrees Celsius).

Events to check out: Feria del Libro is a giant book fair in Buenos Aires in which hundreds of vendors sell thousands and books, and authors give talks over the course of several weeks.

With the winter in full swing, beaches close and ski resorts open. June and August are the lowest season for tourism in Argentina, meaning you might be able to get some deals on accommodation. However, some hotels will close for the whole season.

Events to check out: The Longest Night in the World spans three days in Ushuaia where participants burn lists of life’s obstacles in a giant bonfire, see concerts, and watch fireworks burst over the Beagle Channel.

July is the only winter month that experiences a high influx of tourists. Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes, and Mendoza host skiers and snowboarders. Bariloche’s temperatures range from 29 to 43 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 2 to 6 degrees Celsius) during this month, while further south, Ushuaia is 29 to 38 degrees Fahrenheit (minus 2 to 3 degrees Celsius). 

Events to check out:

• Bariloche hosts a four-day snow festival, complete with a lumberjack contest, torch parade, fireworks, and lots of winter sports at the country’s oldest ski resort on Mount Cathedral.
• July 9 is Argentina’s Independence Day. Celebrations occur throughout the country and everyone eats a big bowl of locro (meaty stew).

While the southern part of the country is cold, the center is cold to cool and the north goes between cool and hot weather, sometimes even reaching into the 70s Fahrenheit. Watch out for windy days, both in Patagonia and in the Pampas.

Events to check out:

• Spin and strut at the largest tango festival in the world happening in Buenos Aires this month, The International Tango Festival and World Cup.
• Fishermen head to Corrientes for sports fishing at the National Gold Festival in Paso de la Patria.

Spring comes to the country: Buenos Aires and Cordoba begin to see warm, sun-filled days, and polo season begins. Temperatures jump to the mid-60s Fahrenheit in Peninsula Valdez and Puerto Madryn, making this month one of the most agreeable times to visit during whale-watching season.

Events to check out:

• This is a great time for hiking in the Lake District with far fewer crowds than in the summer months.
• Run the streets of the capital in the Buenos Aires Marathon.

Temperatures rise throughout the country. Patagonia has cheaper rates for accommodation and fewer crowds than the summer. Beaches are open, but might be a little cold.

Events to check out: Oktoberfest in Cordoba province’s Villa General Belgrano offers boatloads of beer and Bavarian dancing.

Experience some of the best weather of the year before accommodation prices spike in the summer. Buenos Aires has crisp, warm days with an average high of 77 degrees Fahrenheit (25 degrees Celsius).

Events to check out:

• See any museum in the city for free, watch special concerts, and look through telescopes at Buenos Aires’ Night of the Museums, during which all the city’s museums and some cultural buildings keep their doors open until 3 a.m.
• The Open Polo Championship gallops into town.

Expect temperatures in the high 60s Fahrenheit in the north, the high 70s Fahrenheit in the center, and the mid-50s Fahrenheit in the south. Rain begins to pick up throughout the country, except in arid Patagonia.

Events to check out:

• Eat a giant omelet at the Omelet Festival in Sierra de la Ventana.
• See bands, practice yoga, and sample craft beer at Wateke, a music and food festival in Buenos Aires.