Fall in Argentina: March to May

Fall in Argentina is transitional — and all the better for it. Patagonia remains accessible through March and much of April, though services start scaling back by May. The north stays open and comfortable throughout, cooling steadily after summer without tipping into cold.

Temperatures vary by region: mild in cities, cool in the south, crisp at altitude. But the real shift is in atmosphere. Crowds thin quickly after February. Prices ease. Travel feels calmer, less performative.

An excellent window for those seeking breadth without summer's intensity - or its company.

Buenos Aires and the central regions become more bearable - warm without the oppressive edge. The north-east still runs hot and humid; if you can hold off on Iguazú another month, it's worth the wait. The rainy season winds down in the north-west. 

Mendoza fills up for the wine harvest festival — thousands descend. For a quieter alternative, consider Cafayate's vineyards as part of a road trip from Salta. Same harvest energy, fraction of the crowds. 

By late March, Patagonia turns autumnal. Winds ease, visitors thin out, and the southern beech forests catch fire (not literally, that's a summer thing) - bright reds against cooling skies. One of the most beautiful windows of the year, and far fewer people to share it with.

Winter comes early in the north-east - and that's a good thing. Cooler weather, decent sunshine, noticeably fewer visitors. An excellent window for Iguazú and the Iberá Wetlands. The north-west is one of our favorites this month. Rains have eased, days stay warm and sunny, nights turn cool and fresh. Genuinely lovely conditions and you might see huge stretches of red peppers drying in the sun during harvest season around Cachí.

In Patagonia, the still weather makes for superb hiking, though early snowfalls at altitude can catch you out. This is the last reliable month for Cape Horn cruises, Ruta 40 road trips and 'Big Ice' treks on the Perito Moreno Glacier. Plan accordingly - once the season closes, it closes.

And on the Valdés Peninsula? April brings the orcas. They hunt right up at the beach. Worth timing a trip around.

May is a sweet spot for central and north-west Argentina. Fall settles in properly - cooler weather, lots going on in Buenos Aires, beautiful light around Salta and the high Puna. Up in the altiplano, rain is rare this time of year. The salt flats look their sharpest against blue skies - fewer clouds, cleaner contrasts. The north-east cools considerably too, with thinner crowds, though expect more cloud cover and the odd shower compared to April.

Patagonia, meanwhile, begins winding down. Hotels and lodges in isolated areas close for winter. If you're drawn south, this is the moment to shift focus north and let Patagonia rest until spring.

Fall suits Buenos Aires well. March is warm and lively. April brings cooler days and a calmer pace. May feels distinctly local - cafés and cultural life moving indoors, the city settling into itself. Across all three months, comfortable to explore and free from summer's extremes.

March remains warm in Salta, while April and May bring cooler, drier conditions — ideal for travel. The surrounding valleys and highlands become genuinely comfortable, and the region feels settled and spacious as visitor numbers drop. Fewer crowds, same substance.

The Puna is at its most approachable in early fall. March may still see residual summer rains, but by April and May conditions stabilise: clear skies, cool nights, crisp days. One of the strongest windows for high-altitude travel - provided you're prepared for temperature swings between sun and shade, day and night.

Iguazú stays lush throughout the fall. March is hot and humid, water flow powerful. April brings relief from the heat while maintaining strong conditions. May is cooler, calmer, with fewer visitors and excellent visibility. Wildlife remains active. The falls don't dim - they just get quieter.

Fall is defining in Mendoza. March and April coincide with the wine harvest - vineyards busy, valleys alive. By May, the harvest slows, temperatures cool, and the region takes on a quieter, more reflective character. This is when tastings feel connected to something happening in the landscape, not just the glass.

Around Bariloche, March still allows for hiking and lake days. April introduces fall color in the forests - reds and golds against the water. By May, colder temperatures and early snow at higher elevations begin to limit access, though the landscapes turn atmospheric. Worth it if you don't mind a narrower window.

March is often a highlight in southern Patagonia: trails open, winds easing, fewer visitors. April brings colder mornings and shorter days, some services beginning to close toward month's end. By May, winter is approaching - travel becomes more limited, more focused. A season for those who like their Patagonia with an edge.

Fall at Valdés is understated but compelling. March remains warm with active marine life. April cools and quietens. May feels expansive and empty - in the best sense. Whale season hasn't begun, but the peninsula rewards those drawn to space and landscape over spectacle.