Season guide · Mendoza · Argentina
Mendoza in summer
December–February: weather, crowds, prices and the best things to do this time of year.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Pictured: Cerro de la Gloria, Mendoza · Photo: Bernard Gagnon, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
Hot, long days with occasional storms; fine for the mountains and rafting, while winery visits are best in the morning. Expect highs up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F), with about 17 rainy days across December–February.
Key facts
- Months
- December–February
- Temperatures
- 17°C (63°F) to 32°C (90°F)
- Rainy days in the season
- About 17
- Crowds
- Moderate
- Hotel prices
- Average
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Weather in summer
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Daylight | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 32°C (90°F) | 18°C (64°F) | 6 | 14.1 h | 3/5 |
| February | 30°C (86°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 6 | 13.3 h | 4/5 |
| December | 31°C (88°F) | 17°C (63°F) | 5 | 14.3 h | 3/5 |
Compared with the rest of the year: average highs of 31°C (88°F) against a yearly 23°C (73°F), and 17 of the year's roughly 41 rainy days fall in these 3 months. Crowds rate 3/5 and hotel prices 3/5 on average.
What's on in summer
Recurring events; dates move from year to year, so confirm with the organiser.
- February: Vendimia neighbourhood festivals in each department (usually February)
Make the most of the weather
Park · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
Parque General San Martín
Rent a bike near the main gates and ride the loop around the lake and up towards Cerro de la Gloria.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
- Active
Viewpoint · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
Cerro de la Gloria
A hill at the western end of Parque General San Martín crowned by the bronze Monument to the Army of the Andes, commemorating General San Martín's 1817 crossing of the Andes to free Chile and Peru.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Views
- History
- Photo spot
Experience · Maipú
Maipú wineries by bike
Start in the morning before the afternoon heat, eat lunch at a winery restaurant, and avoid riding on main roads after several tastings.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Food
- Active
- Outdoors
- Couples
Experience · Luján de Cuyo wine country
Luján de Cuyo wineries
Luján de Cuyo, south of the city, styles itself the first zone of Malbec, with large historic estates and modern wineries in Agrelo, Perdriel and Vistalba.
- Time needed
- Full day
- Cost
- Expensive
- Food
- Couples
- Views
- Iconic
Museum · Quinta Sección and Arístides Villanueva
Museo de Ciencias Naturales Juan Cornelio Moyano
Pair it with a walk around the park lake; it is a good choice for a hot afternoon or a rare rainy day.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- Kids
- Rainy day
- History
- Nature
Day trips in summer
- Termas de Cacheuta (About 45 minutes by car) — Thermal pools beside the Mendoza River in a rocky canyon, with a public water park of pools and a separate spa hotel.
- Villavicencio Nature Reserve (About 1 hour by car) — A protected reserve in the foothills around the historic Villavicencio hotel building, known from the mineral-water label.
What to pack
- Light, breathable clothes, a sun hat and high-factor sunscreen
- Comfortable walking shoes
Other times of year
Questions travellers ask
+Is summer a good time to visit Mendoza?
It is a trade-off: Hot, long days with occasional storms; fine for the mountains and rafting, while winery visits are best in the morning. The best months overall are March–May and October–November.
+What is the weather like in Mendoza in summer?
Highs of up to 32°C (90°F) and lows around 17°C (63°F), with about 17 rainy days over the season.