Most people pack for Buenos Aires like it's a tropical city. It isn't. Summer hits 29°C (84°F), but June and July nights drop to 8°C (46°F) and 7°C (45°F), and Porteños dress up more than you'd expect, so a bag full of shorts and flip-flops gets it wrong twice.
Buenos Aires weather by month
Daily high and low (°C), and days with rainSee the numbers
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High | 29°C84°F | 29°C84°F | 27°C81°F | 21°C70°F | 17°C63°F | 15°C59°F | 14°C57°F | 16°C61°F | 19°C66°F | 23°C73°F | 25°C77°F | 28°C82°F |
| Low | 21°C70°F | 21°C70°F | 20°C68°F | 14°C57°F | 11°C52°F | 8°C46°F | 7°C45°F | 9°C48°F | 11°C52°F | 14°C57°F | 16°C61°F | 19°C66°F |
| Rain days | 7 | 7 | 10 | 10 | 7 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 9 |
Season by season
Summer
December–FebruaryHot and sunny, with highs of 28°C (82°F) to 29°C (84°F) and lows of 19°C (66°F) to 21°C (70°F). Rain is light, 7 to 9 days a month. Pack breathable clothes, sunscreen and a water bottle, and plan Palermo and San Telmo walks for the morning.
Autumn
March–MayThe best time to go, in our view. March is still warm at 27°C (81°F), April drops to 21°C (70°F) and May to 17°C (63°F), with lows sliding from 20°C (68°F) to 11°C (52°F). March and April are among the wettest months at 10 rain days each, so bring a light shell.
Winter
June–AugustMild days, cold nights. Highs of 14°C (57°F) to 16°C (61°F) and lows of 7°C (45°F) to 9°C (48°F), and it's fairly dry with 5 to 7 rain days. Bring a real jacket and a sweater, because dinner starts late and you'll be walking home in the coldest part of the night.
Spring
September–NovemberHighs climb from 19°C (66°F) in September to 25°C (77°F) in November, and lows from 11°C (52°F) to 16°C (61°F). The jacarandas bloom purple across the city in October and November. November brings 10 rain days, so keep a shell handy.
What to bring to Buenos Aires
0 of 21 packed- Epicka 70W Universal Travel AdapterTech & Power
Its EU plug fits the type C sockets and its AU plug fits type I, so you're covered in any Buenos Aires hotel or apartment.
- Pacsafe GO Anti-Theft Tech CrossbodyDocuments & Security
Phone snatching is the main hassle in busy parts of the city, and this crossbody's steel-wire strap and lockable zip pullers keep your phone, cards and passport on you.
- Allbirds Men's Tree Dasher 2Footwear & Shoe Care
Buenos Aires is a walking city with only 5 to 10 rain days a month, which is exactly where a light, cushioned knit sneaker makes sense.
- Allbirds Women's Tree Dasher 2Footwear & Shoe Care
It's light, cushioned and machine washable, so it handles long days between Recoleta, Palermo and San Telmo and still looks clean for a casual dinner.
- Hydro Flask 24 oz Wide Mouth Bottle with Flex Straw CapWater Bottles & Hydration
Summer days hit 29°C (84°F), and an insulated bottle that keeps water cold for 24 hours saves you buying drinks on every block.
Most flights to Buenos Aires are long-haul, and firm 20-30 mmHg compression helps with swollen legs, though check with a doctor first if you have a circulation condition.
- Anker Nano Power Bank 5,000mAh (Built-In USB-C)Tech & Power
A day of maps, ride-hailing and photos drains your phone, and this pocket-size battery plugs straight in with no cable to carry.
Clothing
- Smart-casual outfits for dinner · 2Porteños dress up, dinner often 9pm or after
- Light breathable shirts · 4Dec–Feb highs of 28–29°C
- Warm jacket or coat · 1June and July nights drop to 8°C and 7°C
- Sweater or fleece · 1Shoulder seasons and winter evenings
- Light rain jacket · 1March, April and November average 10 rain days
- Long trousers or jeans · 2
Footwear
- Dressier shoes for evenings · 1 pair
Gear
- Compact umbrella
- Sunglasses · 1
Health and toiletries
- Sunscreen · 1Summer sun
- Basic medications
Documents and money
- Passport
- Cards plus some cash in pesos
Tech
- Phone with offline maps
What shoes should you pack for Buenos Aires?
You'll walk a lot, and the sidewalks are uneven and broken in places, with old cobbles in San Telmo. Bring cushioned sneakers for the day and one pair of smarter shoes for dinner or a tango show. Watch your step on smooth tiles after rain.
What do people wear in Buenos Aires?
Porteños dress well and lean toward darker colors. Jeans, nice tops and good sneakers are fine by day, and dinner in Palermo or Recoleta calls for something smarter. Shorts are fine in the summer heat, though you'll see fewer of them than in a beach town.
What plugs does Buenos Aires use?
Argentina uses type C and I plugs at 220V. Type I is the angled two-pin shape also used in Australia, and you'll see both types around the city. US visitors need an adapter, and single-voltage hair tools need a converter.
Tours and things to do in Buenos Aires
Packed and ready? Browse guided tours, day trips and tickets for Buenos Aires.
What should you leave at home for Buenos Aires?
Leave flashy jewelry and an expensive watch at home. Phone snatching is a known problem in busy areas like Calle Florida and around Retiro, so keep your phone in a zipped bag. Skip the heavy winter gear too, because average lows stay at 7°C (45°F) or above.
Packing for Buenos Aires: questions people ask
What should I wear in Buenos Aires in July?
July highs are around 14°C (57°F) with lows of 7°C (45°F), so pack a warm jacket, a sweater and long pants. It's dry, with only 5 rain days.
Is Buenos Aires hot in December?
Warm to hot, with highs of 28°C (82°F) and lows around 19°C (66°F). January and February are hotter at 29°C (84°F).
What do people wear in Buenos Aires?
People dress fairly smart and in darker colors. Jeans and good sneakers work by day, and something nicer is normal for dinner.
Do I need to worry about pickpockets in Buenos Aires?
Pickpocketing and phone snatching happen in crowded areas. Keep your phone in a zipped bag and don't leave it on café tables.
What plug adapter do I need for Argentina?
Argentina uses type C and I sockets at 220V. An adapter with EU and AU plugs covers both.
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