The Best Things to Do During Autumn in Argentina

Argentina has both a wealth of natural beauty and bustling urban centres. Whether you are planning a city break or a nature adventure, there are plenty of options to choose from.

One of the best things about Argentina in autumn is Patagonia. While it is a great place to visit in both spring and summer, travellers to Patagonia in the Argentine autumn will be treated to a picturesque palette of colours. The trees start to change colour here around March, so if you decide to plan a hiking or trekking trip in April, you will arrive to see the landscape painted in an incredible array of greens, yellows, oranges and reds.

Head to the popular outdoor town of El Chalten to tackle some of Patagonia’s most popular and scenic hiking trails, and make sure not to miss out on Glaciers National Park, home to Argentina’s biggest tourist attraction, the Perito Moreno glacier. It is hard not to be impressed by the stark icy blue of the glacier against the backdrop of the changing vegetation that surrounds it.

Another popular destination in autumn is the Iguazu Falls in the northern province of Misiones. Autumn is the perfect time to visit this jungle paradise, as temperatures will have dropped from the sweltering heights of summer, making the trip more pleasant. The area of Misiones can be unbearable for some people during summer, as the heat and humidity can be stifling, so if you want to catch the awesome splendour of the collection of over 250 waterfalls without sweating bullets, take a trip north in March, April or May.

While you’re in this part of the country, head over to the highland provinces of Salta and Jujuy, where you will be able to catch the last of the high temperatures and summer sun. Salta is the hottest part of the country all year round, so for those who don’t wish to deal with the unpredictability of the Patagonian weather, you can be pretty much guaranteed a few rays during the day in Salta. Rent a car and drive through Salta’s incredible natural landscapes, and take a day trip to Cafayate, the north’s wine-producing region, to sample some of the locally produced Torrontes wine.

If you’re more of an urbanite and culture vulture, spend some time in the Argentine capital of Buenos Aires. The autumn months are when some of the city’s best events take place, and two of Latin America’s biggest cultural fairs and festivals happen every April and May.

BAFICI is Latin America’s most important international film festival, and cinemas and theatres all over Buenos Aires are taken over by avant-garde and arthouse movies for two weeks in April. You have to be on it to get tickets though, as many locals are cinephiles and will have earmarked showings that they want to see, so tickets sell out fast. May sees the annual ArteBA art fair, the biggest and most important showcase for emerging and contemporary artists on the continent. Come and see who’s hot at this three-day fair, running from May 24 to 27.