Where To Go During Argentina’s Winter

Believe it or not, Patagonia is one of the best places to travel in winter. It  is known for its cold climate, glaciers, and close proximity to Antarctica, a common misconception about Patagonia is that it is too cold to visit during the winter. Many people assume that the summer is the only time of year for visiting Patagonia, but in reality, Patagonia is a great place to visit all year round. 

Bariloche is one of the best places to travel and enjoy winter in Argentina. Located adjacent to the Andes mountain range that separates Argentina from Chile, Bariloche has many features that make it an ideal destination for a winter vacation. 

• As one of the premier skiing destinations in the country, you will find one of Argentina’s most visited ski resorts here. No matter what level of experience you have with skiing, there are opportunities for everyone.
  
• Bariloche is famous for its chocolate production, a famous aphrodisiac. In the winter, this becomes an especially attractive feature as visitors take advantage of the hot chocolate to stay warm after a day on the slopes. The mouth-melting chocolate made in Bariloche can be only compared with European specialists like Switzerland. Prepare to taste traditional recipes like the chocolate en rama (chocolate thing sticks) and the berries-filled chocolates.
  

For these reasons, winter is not an obstacle for Bariloche, but rather an added benefit.

Guests can travel by land to the largest of the glaciers, Perito Moreno, and from there can get on a boat to tour the rest of the area’s glaciers. This experience promises to be unique and unforgettable, regardless of the season. 

If you’re in Calafate during the winter, you will have the opportunity to ice skate on a portion of Lake Argentino that freezes over and becomes a natural ice rink.

Puerto Madryn is located on Argentina’s Atlantic coast and because of this offers visitors a chance to see a great selection of arctic wildlife, including whales and penguins. While the other destinations are popular tourist spots all year round, Puerto Madryn is particularly special in the winter. 

During the months of June through early December, the native Southern Right Whales pass through Peninsula Valdes off the coast of Puerto Madryn on their annual migration from Antarctica towards warmer waters and potential mates near the equator. Because of the whales’ unique mating patterns, Argentina’s winter season is the only time to see the world’s largest mammal with your own eyes, and gain a whole new respect for the protection of this beautiful endangered species.

• Take a guided boat tour to see these majestic creatures and experience this phenomenon up close. 

Torres del Paine is the top Patagonia destination in Chile. It is very easy to combine with a trip to Patagonia in Argentina. You can travel from El Chaltén or El Calafate to the park. Even if you don’t want to stay in Chile you can go on a day trip to visit the main viewpoints of Torres del Paine.

However, if you want to stay inside the park you can! There is an amazing hotel, and many refuges for camping lovers. The latest trend on Torres del Paine accommodation are the marvelous domes which combine glamor and campsite experiences. That’s why they are called “glampings”. 

Winter months of June, July, and August are a great time to travel to Argentina. Argentina in the winter has varying climates, from mild temperatures in the north to frigid lows in the south. You can go skiing and trek mountains, or simply enjoy moderate temperatures during wine tasting tours. 

Temperatures in big cities like Buenos Aires can drop up to 0 but this is rare. A normal winter in Buenos Aires features days with 11 or 15 °C (51-59 F), and humidity tends to be high. Of course these temperatures drop going down southern provinces (Patagonia), but also to the north (Salta and Jujuy). For example, cities built high above the sea level, like Salta, tend to be colder at night. 

On the other hand, Summer in Argentina -like most of the countries in South America- goes from December to March. During the summer season, many locals travel to the Atlantic Coast (5-hours from Buenos Aires by car), but there is a great affluent to international destinations like Iguazú Falls and Patagonia. Iguazú, like other northern destinations such as Salta, Jujuy and Mendoza, may feature a bit too warm weather that, nevertheless, becomes handy when talking about Southern and snowy destinations like Patagonia, one of the best destinations to visit in winter. 

The truth of the matter is, while it is certainly cold in the winter, there are many other popular destinations, particularly places like New York and Chicago, that have similar winter climates. Additionally, Patagonia has many features that make it a very desirable destination to visit in the winter, including arctic wildlife, skiing and ice skating.

If cold winters aren’t exactly your thing, you should definitely head to Northwest Argentina. Its desert climate does cool down significantly in the nighttime, however days are sunny and pleasant with a jacket. Take to nature and explore colorful plateaus, shimmering salt flats, and spectacular views of the open country. You won’t overheat like you would visiting during summer months, so you can make the most of your daylight hours to hike around the rugged terrain.

Similar to Northwest Argentina, Iguazu Falls is located in a part of the country that doesn’t have much of a winter season. In fact, Iguazu Falls has a tropical jungle climate, which means that the winter is simply less hot than the rest of the year. Actually, winter is one of the best times to visit because of the smaller crowds and slightly cooler temperatures (the weather is surprisingly quite perfect, unlike other points of the year when it can get unbearably hot). Take a few days to explore the vast national park and when you’re done check out some of the other top attractions in the area! Want to have all the info? Have a look at our travel guide!

Mendoza reaches moderately chilly temperatures in the winter months because it is located at the base of the Andes. This allows for cozy wine tastings where you can enjoy the best wineries, restaurants and day trips Mendoza has to offer without freezing! Skiing is also popular in the area, so make sure to plan a day to ski in the Andes Mountains, followed by a rich locally-made Malbec after a day of hitting the slopes. 

Among the best destinations to travel in winter, El Chaltén and Torres del Paine (in Chilean Patagonia) are top choices between travelers from all over the world, in their 20’s and 60’s. The advantage of these hiking top-notch places is that hiking trails’ difficulty and duration are up to you! El Chaltén is a little village, really easy to get around on foot. 

Cascades, viewpoints to Mount Fitz Roy, and hidden lagoons surround the area and feature well-marked easy-access trails. In Torres del Paine you can enjoy both hotel and camping accommodations, and enjoy the same hiking trails. The W Circuit, a 5-day hike to explore different landscapes inside the park, is a tour you may want to consider if you like being in contact with nature. 

Where to go in El Chaltén

• El Chorrrillo del Salto Cascade
• Cerro Torre Viewpoint
• Laguna de los Tres 
• Base of Mount Fitz Roy.

Where to go in Torres del Paine

• Lake Nordenskjold to see Paine Horns
• Lago Pehoé Viewpoint
• Hike to Base las Torres 
• Boat trip to meet the Grey Glacier. 

Visiting Patagonia can be the perfect family vacation, especially in winter. Some of our favorite destinations in Patagonia for families include outdoor activities and wildlife spotting. We know kids and animals are natural companions! And Ushuaia is the best spot in Patagonia to be in contact with native animals. 

• The Beagle Channel navigation, a must-do experience while traveling Ushuaia, is a soft adventure boat trip to see the Isla de Los Estados full of sea lions and cormorants. Plus, there is a famous lighthouse to be discovered during the trip!

• Puerto Madryn is also a wildlife hub perfect for family trips. Activities like whale watching, walking among penguins in a natural reserve, and admiring whale calves from the coast are the most popular attractions. 

• El Calafate can also be a family-friendly place in Patagonia, especially because of the Perito Moreno Glacier experience that comes in two different versions. A soft walk over the catwalks facing the glaciers, or mini trekking over the ice! Though it is only available for children over 8 years old, and adults up to 85, it is a worth-considering option while traveling in El Calafate.

Absolute freedom to experience top-world hiking without depending on a group. A versatile destination, for families that need to keep their own rhythm.

Tranquil beaches near to the city, still-water lakes to enjoy a kayak trip, cable cars to reach amazing viewpoints, and a spinning bar on top of the mountain! No member of the family will be left behind with the wide range of activities offered by the capital of the Argentine lake District. Bariloche is an ideal destination to visit in winter and especially with the family.

Talking about the capital of the Lake District, Bariloche is definitely our most romantic destination in Patagonia. This is where Patagonia begins so weather tends to be less extreme than Ushuaia, the last Argentine province before Antarctica. 

• Bariloche is a perfect romantic destination for staying in a hotel room facing the Nahuel Huapi and yet be on plein downtown. Bariloche as an international destination features a substantial offer of top-class hotels, including rooftop swimming pools and spa services.

• Maybe the most famous of the world-class hotels in Bariloche is the stunning Llao Llao. Standing alone on the top of the hill, with panoramic views of Nahuel Huapi and Moreno Lakes, Hotel Llao Llao has housed all kinds of international cultural and political characters. This is a 5-star hotel, with an 18-hold golf field, an outdoor edgeless pool, and sophisticated international gastronomy.  

• Other experiences you can share in Bariloche with your significant other: Take the navigation to Puerto Blest, a hidden port between mountains and lake, and one of the stops on the Andean Crossing Route. This full-day experience takes you from Bariloche to Puerto Varas in Chile, through lakes and mountain roads. Not to miss if your vacation includes a quick look to Chile. 

It is difficult to travel with the whole extended family when the age spectrum is larger than usual. Grandpas love to be with their grandchildren, but they won’t be so glad to follow them into an energy-demanding excursion. The same could happen with young adults who may feel reluctant to enjoy their vacations as planned because the youngest can not follow the walking rhythm on a hike. 

It is very important when planning a multigenerational vacation that the chosen destination can be easily enjoyed by all members of the family. In Patagonia during winter (and summer), El Calafate is our top choice for this kind of trip. 

•  Because it is an international destination with great land and air connections.
•  It features soft adventure activities that can be upgraded to a more extreme experience, such as the classical visit to Perito Moreno Glacier. 
• Also from El Calafate, you can easily reach other destinations like El Chaltén, just a few hours away. 

Some members of the family may want to stay exploring El Calafate, and there is a lot to do there too.

• Visit the Glaciarium Museum, and learn how the Patagonian Ice Field was discovered
• Visit Patagonia ranches
• Enjoy a 4×4 excursion to discover fossils

These are our selection of best places to travel in winter in Argentina. Vacation in winter may transform into your best holidays ever!