Argentina in December

Patagonia summer starts; book flights early; Christmas and New Year fill everything.

• Buenos Aires and the Pampas · Buenos Aires, La Plata, Mar del Platafine

  Humid 30 °C+ summers; mild spring and autumn are the city season; winters are grey and around 10 °C but rarely freezing.

• Northeast (Iguazú, Esteros del Iberá) · Puerto Iguazú, Corrienteshot

  Subtropical and wet all year; summer is sticky at 35 °C; the falls carry the most water after heavy rains, which can close walkways.

• Northwest (Salta and Jujuy) · Salta, Purmamarca, Humahuaca, Cafayatefine

  Summer rains can cut mountain roads in January–March; the dry winter is clear but cold at night above 3,000 m.

• Cuyo (Mendoza and the high Andes) · Mendoza, San Juan, Aconcaguafine

  Dry and sunny; harvest (vendimia) in March; the pass to Chile can close with snow in June–September.

• Lakes District · Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angosturabest weather

  Summer for lakes and hiking; July–August for skiing at Cerro Catedral; autumn colours in April.

• Southern Patagonia · El Calafate, El Chaltén, Puerto Madrynbest weather

  Wind up to 100 km/h in summer; El Chaltén largely shuts from May to September. Whales at Península Valdés June–December.

• Tierra del Fuego · Ushuaiabest weather

  Cool even in summer (around 10–15 °C); Antarctic cruises sail November–March; winter brings skiing at Cerro Castor.

• Buenos Aires28° / 18°, 9 rain days

Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.

• Immaculate Conception / Christmas

  8 Dec / 25 Dec

  Families gather on the night of 24 Dec; many businesses close 25 Dec.

• Christmas, New Year and summer holidays

  24-25 December, 31 December-1 January · Buenos Aires

  Fireworks (largely unofficial and widespread) on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve; many restaurants close for part of January as locals holiday at the coast.

• Christmas and New Year

  Late Dec-early Jan · Buenos Aires

  Widespread informal fireworks on the two eves; many restaurants close for part of January as locals holiday at the coast.

Crowds · Argentina

High

Prices · Argentina

High

High-price month: see what to book ahead.

• Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen

Build the full packing list for your trip →

Rated best or good this month

• Lakes District

  Best weather of the year (Bariloche, San Martín de los Andes, Villa La Angostura)

• Southern Patagonia

  Best weather of the year (El Calafate, El Chaltén, Puerto Madryn)

• Tierra del Fuego

  Best weather of the year (Ushuaia)