The seasons in Argentina are reverse to those experienced in the northern hemisphere, with January and February the hottest months while jumper and jacket weather is usually July to October. Buenos Aires is best visited when the temperature is mild and the streets are comfortably full; the city’s best suited to autumn (March-May) and spring (September-November), while summer (December-March) sees its streets deserted.

During the summer months, beaches and resort towns are busy and Patagonia and the southern Andes are ideal destinations as the days are longer and warmer. A good time to head northwest is during winter (June to August) or spring when it’s drier and cooler. The ski season, meanwhile, runs from mid June to mid October and the slopes are at their busiest during July and August.

January, February and July are the big vacation months in Argentina so expect a healthy flow of visitors to popular tourist spots during these times, together with higher travel and accommodation prices. There are several festivals that are worth experiencing. Carnaval (Mardi Gras) takes place the week before Lent and is celebrated throughout the country and the Gaucho Parade in Salta in June sees Argentina’s own cowboys in full regalia.