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Cerro Torre and Fitz Roy jagged peaks

Argentina travel guide

A long, varied country for travellers who want glaciers, wine country and city life in one trip

Best: Feb, Mar

Photo: Paul_Reuß / Pixabay

Capital
Buenos Aires
Languages
Guarani, Spanish
Currency
Argentine peso (ARS)
Time zone
UTC-03:00
Plugs
Type C, I · 220 V
Driving
On the right
Emergency
911

Why visit Argentina

Argentina stretches from subtropical waterfalls in the north to glaciers and mountains in the south, so timing depends on where you're headed. February and March work well across much of the country, covering Patagonia hiking in Bariloche, Ushuaia's short summer, and wine season near Mendoza. The catch: with 2,780,400 km2 to cover, no single month suits every region, so a trip spanning both the north and far south means compromise on weather somewhere.

  • A country that spans extremes

    Argentina covers 2,780,400 km2, from subtropical Puerto Iguazú in the north to Ushuaia at the southern tip. That size means wildly different trips are possible within one country, whether you want jungle, desert, mountains or glaciers.

  • Wine country around Mendoza

    Mendoza, with 127,160 people, sits at the foot of the Andes and is best visited September to October or March to April, when harvest and milder temperatures line up with vineyard touring.

  • Patagonia's lakes and glaciers

    Bariloche, population 136,381, has its best weather from December to March, the southern-hemisphere summer, good for hiking around its lakes. Ushuaia, the world's southernmost city at 82,615 people, shares the same January-February window for exploring the end of the continent.

  • Wildlife on the Atlantic coast

    Puerto Madryn, a coastal town of 102,505, is best visited April to May or September to October, timing that lines up with the region's marine wildlife seasons on the Valdés Peninsula coastline.

  • Iguazú's waterfalls in the dry season

    Puerto Iguazú, near Argentina's famous falls, has a population of 54,903 and is best visited June to August, the cooler, drier months for walking the jungle trails along the Iguazú River.

Is Argentina right for you?

Great for

  • Wine-region trips to Mendoza, where March highs of 26.1°C and only 6 rain days suit vineyard touring
  • Coastal summer holidays in Mar del Plata, best visited January–February
  • Patagonia wildlife trips to Puerto Madryn, with best months spread April to October
  • Southern adventure travel to Ushuaia and Bariloche in the January–February summer season
  • Travellers who like planning around clear seasonal windows, since each city has distinct best months

Less ideal for

  • Visitors wanting a single trip to cover Mendoza and Ushuaia in one go, since their best months don't overlap
  • Travellers sensitive to heat, as Mendoza highs reach 30.4°C in January and 30.1°C in December
  • Winter travellers to Mendoza, where July highs drop to 12.7°C and lows to 3.8°C
  • Anyone hoping to combine Iguazú (best in June–August) with Mar del Plata's summer coast in one short trip

Argentina right now: November

6.3/10
Avg high
27°C
Avg low
16°C
Rain days
5

Averages for Mendoza.

Weather by month

This data is for Mendoza: March and February are the best months, with warm highs near 26-29°C, plenty of sun and only around 6 rain days each. June and July are the toughest, with highs around 12-13°C, lows close to freezing at 3.8-4.3°C, and the least sunshine of the year (around 8.5-8.9 hours).

Average highs and lows in Mendoza by month January: high 30°C, low 20°C , 7 rain days . February: high 29°C, low 19°C , 6 rain days . March: high 26°C, low 16°C , 6 rain days . April: high 21°C, low 12°C , 5 rain days . May: high 16°C, low 8°C , 5 rain days . June: high 13°C, low 4°C , 4 rain days . July: high 13°C, low 4°C , 3 rain days . August: high 17°C, low 6°C , 3 rain days . September: high 20°C, low 9°C , 3 rain days . October: high 23°C, low 12°C , 6 rain days . November: high 27°C, low 16°C , 5 rain days . December: high 30°C, low 18°C , 5 rain days . 30°C 20°C JAN 7d 29°C 19°C FEB 6d 26°C 16°C MAR 6d 21°C 12°C APR 5d 16°C 8°C MAY 5d 13°C 4°C JUN 4d 13°C 4°C JUL 3d 17°C 6°C AUG 3d 20°C 9°C SEP 3d 23°C 12°C OCT 6d 27°C 16°C NOV 5d 30°C 18°C DEC 5d
Best months Other months (low–high) Nd = rain days

Mendoza · averages 2015–2024

Best time to visit Argentina: month-by-month weather →

Argentina's climate regions

The weather varies across the country; each region has its own best months.

  • Central Coast and Cuyo

    Mar del Plata, Mendoza, Puerto Madryn

    Mar del Plata, Mendoza and Puerto Madryn see warm summers with highs around 28.2°C in January and mild winters near 12.3°C in July. Rain is infrequent, about 66.7 days a year, and March is the best month to visit.

    Best: Mar

  • Subtropical North

    San Salvador de Jujuy, Puerto Iguazú

    San Salvador de Jujuy and Puerto Iguazú stay warm year-round, with January highs of 28.2°C and July highs near 19.6°C. Rain falls often, on about 164.6 days a year, so the drier winter months of June to August are best.

    Best: Jun, Jul, Aug

  • Patagonian Lake District

    Bariloche

    Bariloche has cool summers with highs of 21.8°C in January and cold winters down to 4.5°C in July, with rain on about 119 days a year. December to March, the Southern Hemisphere summer, is the recommended window.

    Best: Jan, Feb, Mar, Dec

  • Tierra del Fuego

    Ushuaia

    Ushuaia, at the southern tip of Argentina, has cool summers around 12.5°C in January and cold winters near 2.4°C in July. It's one of the wettest spots in the country, with rain on about 213.9 days a year, and January–February are the best months to go.

    Best: Jan, Feb

Sample itineraries

7 days

Wine, Waterfalls and Glacial Lakes

  1. Day 1–3

    Mendoza

    Spend three days among the vineyards. Mendoza is best from September to October or March to April, when temperatures are mild for touring wineries and the Andes foothills.

  2. Day 4–7

    Puerto Iguazú

    Fly north to see the Iguazú Falls on foot and by boat. July and August are the coolest, driest months here, making long days outdoors more comfortable.

10 days

Patagonia and the North in Ten Days

  1. Day 1–3

    Bariloche

    Start in the Lake District. January to March is best, with warm days for hiking around the lakes and mountains before the first snow of autumn.

  2. Day 4–6

    Puerto Madryn

    Head to the coast for wildlife watching along the Valdés Peninsula. April, May, September and October bring cooler, calmer weather, good for spotting marine life.

  3. Day 7–10

    San Salvador de Jujuy

    Finish in the dry northwest. July to September is the best window, with clear skies over the colourful hills and valleys around the city.

Food to try in Argentina

Asado

Asado is beef and other meats slow-grilled over wood or charcoal on a grill called a parrilla. Families and friends often share it at long weekend meals, and steakhouses serve it every day.

Empanadas

Empanadas are small pastries, baked or fried, with fillings such as beef, chicken or cheese. People eat them as a snack or light meal, and different provinces have their own styles.

Choripán

Choripán is a grilled chorizo sausage in crusty bread, often topped with chimichurri, a herb and garlic sauce. It is common street food at stalls, markets and football matches.

Mate

Mate is a herbal drink made from yerba mate leaves. People drink it through a metal straw from a shared gourd, at home, at work and in parks throughout the day.

Dulce de leche

Dulce de leche is a thick caramel made by slowly cooking milk and sugar. Argentines spread it on toast, fill pastries with it and use it in ice cream and desserts.

Malbec wine

Malbec is a red wine grape strongly linked to Argentina, and Mendoza is its best-known growing region. It is a common choice to drink with grilled meat at dinner.

Know before you go

  • Plugs and voltage: Argentina runs on 220 V. Sockets take plug types C and I, the same angled three-pin style used in Australia. Bring an adapter if your devices use a different plug shape.
  • Driving side: Traffic drives on the right in Argentina. If you're used to driving on the left, take extra care at intersections and roundabouts.
  • Emergency number: Dial 911 for police, fire or medical emergencies anywhere in the country.
  • Currency: The currency is the Argentine peso (ARS). Rates can move quickly, so check current exchange rates before you travel and again while you're there.
  • Language: Spanish is the main language spoken across the country. Guarani is also spoken, mostly in the north near the border with Paraguay.
  • Calling code: Argentina's international calling code is +54. You'll need this if you're setting up a local SIM or calling home.
  • Time zone: The whole country sits in one time zone, UTC-03:00, with no daylight saving changes to track.

Argentina: frequently asked questions

What is the best month to visit Argentina?

March and February score highest, at 6.8 and 6.7 out of 10. These months sit in Argentina's late summer and early autumn, when Mendoza's climate data shows warm days around 26-29°C and lower rain totals than mid-summer. Many cities, including Bariloche and Ushuaia, also list February among their best months.

Is Argentina good to visit in August?

August is rated 'ok' with a score of 5.8. In Mendoza, this is winter: highs reach only 16.5°C and lows drop to 6.1°C, though rain is rare at 2.8 days and 18 mm. August works better in the north, since San Salvador de Jujuy and Puerto Iguazú both list it among their best months.

What is the weather like in Mendoza in January?

January is Mendoza's hottest month, with highs of 30.4°C and lows of 20.1°C. Rain falls on about 6.6 days, totaling 54 mm, which is the wettest month of the year. Sun hours are high too, at 12.7 hours a day, so January is bright but also the peak of summer heat.

When should I visit Bariloche or Ushuaia?

Both cities list January and February as their best months. These fall in the southern hemisphere summer, giving the mildest conditions for Patagonia. Ushuaia and Bariloche are far south, so their best travel window differs from Mendoza and the northern cities, which favor cooler months instead.

Is June or July a good time for Puerto Iguazú?

Yes, Puerto Iguazú lists July as its top month, followed by June and August. This region sits in Argentina's subtropical north, away from the Mendoza climate data, so winter there avoids the extreme heat and humidity of summer while still staying mild enough for visiting the falls.

What is Argentina's emergency number and electricity setup?

The emergency number across Argentina is 911. Power runs at 220 V, using plug types C and I, so travellers from regions with other plug standards will need an adapter. Argentina drives on the right side of the road, and the currency is the Argentine peso (ARS).

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