Argentina in
March

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Argentina is one of the most popular countries in South America to visit on holiday, with a range of exciting modern cities, beach destinations and rugged natural landscapes. Whether you’re visiting for the food, the wine, the tango or the hiking opportunities, there’s so much to discover up and down this brilliant part of the world.

The seasons in Argentina are opposite to those in the northern hemisphere, so March sees the end of summer and the start of autumn arrive in the country. This makes it a brilliant time of the year to visit; the weather is warm but not too humid, the crowds are thinning out and the seasons are starting to change in a riot of beautiful colour.

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Reasons to Visit Argentina in March

March is the start of the shoulder season for tourism in Argentina, so things won’t be as busy or as expensive across the country when you visit
One of the most interesting cultural festivals in Argentic, the Carnival of the Devils, often takes place at the start of March and is a fascinating traditional event
Temperatures across the country are in the low twenties and offer ideal conditions for enjoying the landscape and getting out into Argentina’s countryside

Weather in Argentina in March

Argentina is quite a large South American country, and therefore the climate across its different regions does vary quite a bit. The north of Argentina remains quite subtropical in March, although humidity is starting to drop as autumn progresses, whilst the south of the country starts to get cool and dry quite rapidly. Central Argentina is just coming out of its wet season in March, whilst the Andes mountains and surrounding landscape in the west are very dry and mild.

Temperature

The average high temperature in the northern city of Buenos Aires is 26°C in March, with an average low of only 18°C. In the southern Patagonia region, the average high is 24°C and the average low is 11°C, and temperatures in the central parts of the country tend to be even hotter, with average highs of around 28°C.

Sea Temperature

The average sea temperature on the northern coast of Argentina is around 22°C in March, and many people begin to venture out into swimming in the sea in these refreshing conditions. Further down the country, the sea is only around 14°C which most swimmers will find too cold, especially since the air in the south of Argentina is cooler in March as well.

Clouds and Rainfall

There are between 7 and 9 days of rain on average in Argentina in March, with wetter conditions expected in the north and western parts of the country. Rain showers can last for a couple of hours so it is strongly recommended that you bring an umbrella or waterproof coat with you to Argentina so you aren’t caught totally unprepared.

Sunshine Hours

There are around 7-8 hours of sunshine across Argentina every day in March, with cloudier conditions expected in the north of the country and clear skies more common in the south. Sunrise is usually just before 7 am and sunset ranges from 7.30 pm to before 7 pm as the days get shorter.

Where to go in Argentina in March

Buenos Aires

Often referred to as ‘the Paris of the South’, Buenos Aires is the most famous city in Argentina and a brilliant place to base yourself for a holiday. The weather conditions in March are perfect for walking around and sightseeing as temperatures aren’t too high and chances of rain are decreasing as the month progresses, meaning you can get out and about as much as you like.

Highlights of Buenos Aires include the central Plaza de Mayo, the artistic streets of La Boca and the impressive presidential building known as Casa Rosada. You can also venture out to smaller coastal towns and cities from Buenos Aires and enjoy days at the beach before returning to your accommodation and taking your pick of the city’s nightlife.

Mendoza

Mendoza is the name of both the province and the capital city that are found in the west of the country. The region is best known for its vineyards and wine production, and March is one of the most beautiful times of the year to visit the area and enjoy its produce.

There are many opportunities for wine tasting sessions and vineyard tours in Mendoza in March, particularly if you visit at the start of the month when the annual grape harvest festival is celebrated. The mild weather during the month is also great for those who want to get out into the countryside, whether that’s on a hike, a bike ride or even a tour on horseback.

Things to do in Argentina in March

Explore the Andes

Whilst most travellers won’t be prepared for a full-on trek across the entire Andes mountain range, you can still enjoy smaller hikes through the deserts, around the lakes and up the sides of the numerous peaks that line the western side of Argentina. The weather in the Andes in March is warm and pretty dry, providing ideal conditions for more gentle strolls as well as proper hikes for visitors who like a challenge.

Visit the Glaciar Perito Moreno

The Glaciar Perito Moreno is one of the most stunning natural attractions in all of Argentina, found in the Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. This glacier is changing and growing every day, and its impressive scale is unlike any other phenomenon you’ll have ever seen. Make sure to bring your camera!

Find Culture in Córdoba

If outdoor adventure isn’t really your scene, or you just need a break from intrepid expeditions, then the city of Córdoba is a great place to go and enjoy some of the finest culture in Argentina. With a huge array of galleries, a thriving cinema scene and plenty of independent shops and markets, this is a brilliant place to come and broaden your mind and enjoy some of the best art and produce in the country.

Crowds & costs

The peak season for tourism in Argentina is between November and February when temperatures are high and the weather is perfect for spending time outdoors. March is the first month of the shoulder season so you can expect the country to still be a bit busy, but things should die down as April approaches.

Prices for accommodation and travel won’t be as low as they are in the off-season for tourism in Argentina, but they also won’t be as high as they have been during the country’s summer months. It’s a great time of the year to explore the more rural parts of Argentina, where you’ll also find a lot more peace and quiet than in the cities and towns.

March festivals & events

Carnival of the Devils

Held in the north-west city of Tilcara in the Jujuy Province, the Carnival of the Devils is an ancient traditional festival that is usually celebrated at the end of February or the start of March. Stemming from the belief that it is the devil who inhabits the sun that fertilises the earth, the carnival is a ritual celebration of thanking Mother Earth and giving her offerings so that she continues to provide.

The Carnival celebrations begin in an ancient cluster of rocks, where the people of Tilcara pass around a devil effigy to symbolise fertilising the earth. There is a procession of men all dressed up in devil costumes through the streets after this ceremony, followed by nine days of events and activities until the figure of the devil is buried.

Mendoza’s Grape Harvest Festival

The province of Mendoza is Argentina’s biggest wine-producing region, and the start of autumn marks the beginning of the grape harvesting season. Whilst harvest usually begins at the end of February, the official festival to celebrate the produce usually happens at the start of March each year, and has been held for centuries.

Events of the wine festival usually include a religious ceremony to bless the fruit that has been gathered, the election of a harvest queen from every Mendoza district who then take part in a parade, and a huge final celebration that involves live music, dance and food. And of course, you can expect the wine to be flowing freely throughout the festival, so if you’re something of a connoisseur then you won’t want to miss this!

Frequently asked questions about Argentina in March

What season is it in Argentina in March?

Argentina is a country with four distinct seasons that occur at opposite times to those in the northern hemisphere, and March falls within the Autumn of the country. Weather conditions are cooling down from the summer months and there is still a chance of some rain, although this is less likely in the south.

What is the coldest month in Argentina?

July is the coldest month of the year in Argentina, with June following as a close second. Temperatures during these winter months are usually between 5°C – 8°C and snow is common in some parts of the country.

Summary

Argentina is a brilliant holiday destination because of the range of experiences on offer to every traveller, whether you want wild adventure, to relax on the coast or to enjoy the modern culture of cities like Buenos Aires. Visiting in March is ideal if you’re not too bothered about the summer heat and instead want to see the best of the country’s scenery and enjoy getting outdoors and soaking up the range of stunning landscapes.

Want to find out more about the top destinations in America to visit in March? Read our guides to LA and Panama, or take a look at our rundown of Where to Go in March.