Best time to visit · Mendoza · Argentina
The best time to visit Mendoza
Weather, crowds, prices and events for every month, so you can pick the trip that suits you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Cerro Arco, Mendoza · Photo: Itsmemarttin, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
The best months to go are March–May and October–November. Summer is hot but good for rafting; winter is cold, sunny and cheaper.
Key facts
- Best months
- March–May and October–November
- Shoulder season
- February, September and December
- Warmest month
- January (avg high 32°C (90°F))
- Coldest month
- June (avg high 14°C (57°F))
- Rainiest month
- January (~6 rainy days)
- Lowest hotel prices
- June and August–September
Plan a trip to Mendoza
Compare flights, places to stay and rental cars, then book with the provider you choose.
Seasons
Mendoza has a sunny, semi-arid climate with little rain. Summers are hot with occasional thunderstorms, autumn is warm and golden, and winters are dry and sunny with cold nights; the high Andes to the west are far colder and snowy from about June to September.
March–May
Autumn
Harvest, the Vendimia festival and golden vineyards with warm days and cool nights; the most popular season, so book wineries and hotels ahead.
June–August
Winter
Cold nights, sunny days and snow on the Andes; quieter wineries and lower prices, though the mountain pass can close after snowfalls.
September–November
Spring
Budding vines, mild to warm weather and quiet wineries, with rafting season starting as snowmelt raises the rivers.
December–February
Summer
Hot, long days with occasional storms; fine for the mountains and rafting, while winery visits are best in the morning.
Month by month
Long-term averages (rounded). Crowds and prices are relative, 1 (lowest) to 5 (highest). Daylight is sunrise to sunset on the 15th.
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds | Prices |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C 90°F | 18°C 64°F | 6 | 14.1 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| February | 30°C 86°F | 17°C 63°F | 6 | 13.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| March | 27°C 81°F | 15°C 59°F | 5 | 12.4 h | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| April | 22°C 72°F | 10°C 50°F | 3 | 11.3 h | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| May | 18°C 64°F | 6°C 43°F | 2 | 10.4 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| June | 14°C 57°F | 2°C 36°F | 2 | 10 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| July | 14°C 57°F | 2°C 36°F | 1 | 10.2 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| August | 17°C 63°F | 4°C 39°F | 2 | 10.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| September | 20°C 68°F | 7°C 45°F | 2 | 11.9 h | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| October | 25°C 77°F | 11°C 52°F | 3 | 13 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| November | 29°C 84°F | 15°C 59°F | 4 | 13.9 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| December | 31°C 88°F | 17°C 63°F | 5 | 14.3 h | 3/5 | 3/5 |
Yearly events
Recurring dates shift from year to year; confirm with the organiser before you book.
| Month | Events |
|---|---|
| February | Vendimia neighbourhood festivals in each department (usually February) |
| March | Fiesta Nacional de la Vendimia — harvest festival with parades and a show in the Frank Romero Day amphitheatre (usually late February or early March) |
| April | Malbec World Day celebrations (around 17 April) |
Cheapest and quietest times
Hotel prices are usually lowest in June and August–September, and the sights are quietest in June and August–September.
What to pack
| Season | Pack |
|---|---|
| Autumn | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Winter | Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Spring | Light layers for the day and a light jacket for the evening; Comfortable walking shoes |
| Summer | Layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; Shoes with good grip for icy pavements; Comfortable walking shoes |
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best month to visit Mendoza?
March–May and October–November are the best months. Of those, May is usually the least crowded and November the warmest, with highs around 29°C (84°F).
+When are hotel prices lowest in Mendoza?
Usually in June and August–September. Dry and sunny but cold at night; snow on the Andes, and the mountain road can close temporarily after storms.
+What is the rainiest month in Mendoza?
January, with about 6 days of rain on average.
+How hot does Mendoza get?
The warmest month, January, averages highs of 32°C (90°F) and lows of 18°C (64°F).