When to go · Argentina
Argentina in January
Mixed month. Peak summer holidays: Patagonia at its best but booked out, Buenos Aires hot and half-empty, Northwest rainy.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Crowds
- High
- Argentina
- Prices
- High
- Argentina
Verdict
Peak summer holidays: Patagonia at its best but booked out, Buenos Aires hot and half-empty, Northwest rainy.
Weather in January
- Buenos Aires and the Pampas · Buenos Aires, La Plata, Mar del Platahot
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, Cafayaterainy
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, Aconcaguahot
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 Aires30° / 20°, 8 rain days
Festivals and holidays
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.
New Year's Day
1 Jan
Quiet day after late celebrations.
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 and prices
- Crowds · Argentina
- High
- Prices · Argentina
- High
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and sunscreen
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
Where to go in January
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)