When is the best time of year to visit Buenos Aires? That depends on whether you prefer the sticky summer heat, the cooler winter temperatures, or the pleasant transitional days of fall and spring. (Keep in mind that Argentina’s summer corresponds to the northern hemisphere’s winter.)
The allure of Buenos Aires lasts all year. This never-ending, fast-paced city has something to offer at all times of the year, and a packed calendar of cultural events brings a different festival to the city almost every month.
There’s always something going on in this multicultural port city, from tango competitions and rock concerts to raucous celebrations of gaucho (cowboy) culture. It’s worth noting that things can get crowded around Christmas and New Year’s, which coincide with school holidays and some of the warmest summer weather.
Listen to Ástor Piazzolla’s Estaciones Porteñas, a series of tangos that celebrate summer, fall, winter, and spring in this beguiling city, to get a visceral sense of how Buenos Aires changes with the seasons, then read on for tips on the best times to visit Buenos Aires.
The months of December to February are ideal for sunbathers
Summer in Buenos Aires is hot in the southern hemisphere, with average daytime high temperatures reaching 30°C (86°F). And, as any porteo (resident of Buenos Aires) will tell you, the humidity makes it feel even hotter. Long periods of heat are frequently broken by violent thunderstorms and several days of rain. Because it is peak season for tourism, hotels are full, with prices to match. If your budget allows, consider booking a hotel with a pool; nothing beats cooling off in the water after a day of sightseeing in Buenos Aires on hot summer days.
Best time to visit Buenos Aires are March to May and September to November
The best time to visit Buenos Aires are in the fall (March to May) and spring (September to November). The weather is generally mild, with average highs of 22°C (72°F) and a mix of sunny and rainy days. Hotel occupancy rates are typically lowest between April and June, making this the best time to find low-cost accommodations.
Low prices and crisp winter days are best from June to August
Buenos Aires’ winters can be cloudy and chilly, with average highs around 16°C (61°F) and lows around 8°C (46°F). Although rain is possible throughout the year, the weather in winter is usually dry, and the sunny winter days are ideal for exploring the city. Tourist numbers increase slightly in July and August, when the northern hemisphere is on vacation.
Locals and visitors alike flock to the beach in January
In Buenos Aires, the first month of the year means summer vacation. Schools are closed, and many porteos take time off to escape the sweltering city heat and visit the beach. The city is generally quieter and traffic is calmer, but because it is also the city’s peak season for tourism, you should book accommodation in advance.
Carnaval is in February!
The city is still hot and humid as it prepares for Carnaval, with parades every weekend leading up to the official carnival holiday at the end of the month. Murga, a style of percussion-heavy music and dancing, is performed on the streets by colorful carnival troupes. With water bombs and foam sprays, keep an eye out for children…
March brings warmer temperatures and a few rainy days
The weather is pleasant as autumn approaches. Rainy autumn days are ideal for ducking into one of Buenos Aires’ magnificent old-school bars and people-watching while sipping a café con leche (milky coffee).
The month of June is crisp, clear, and cool.
Despite the fact that winter has arrived, June is historically the driest month in Buenos Aires. Crisp, sunny days with vivid blue skies are ideal for exploring the outdoors, but bring a warm jacket.
The month of July sees a large celebration of gaucho culture
During the Exposición Rural, a 10-day agriculture and livestock show held in Palermo’s upscale district, the countryside comes to the heart of the city. Gaucho horseback riding demonstrations are among the events.
Tango season is in August
Tango BA, the Buenos Aires tango festival and world championship, attracts couples from all over the world to compete in improvised salon dancing and choreographed stage dance categories. The festival features a jam-packed schedule of tango orchestra performances, tango classes, and milongas (tango dance events).
The arrival of spring is celebrated in September
Picnics in the park are held to commemorate the first day of spring. Music fans should attend the Ciudad Emergente festival, which is part of the Usina del Arte in La Boca. What began as a rock festival has grown to include other musical genres and features both new and established bands.
October is full of sporting and cultural events
November is the best month to visit Buenos Aires
By far the best month to visit Buenos Aires is November. The late-spring air is warm, and the blossoming jacaranda trees turn the city streets purple. Even though it is the off-season for tourism, the cultural calendar is jam-packed with events. Join the crowds at the Noche de los Museos (Night of the Museums), when museums throughout the city open their doors late at night for a series of late-night events.
Temperatures rise in December as we approach the New Year
As the temperature rises, porteos venture outside, dining at alfresco tables and basking in the sun in city parks. Summer in Buenos Aires means ice cream, cold beers, and asados (barbecues), and the aroma of grilling meat wafts through the air. On Nochebuena, families gather to exchange gifts (Christmas Eve). Fireworks signal the start of the new year.