Mendoza

Visit Argentina’s largest wine-producing area, explore Mendoza’s plazas and use the city as a base for the Andes.

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Mendoza is the capital of Mendoza Province in western Argentina, on the eastern side of the Andes. The Greater Mendoza area is South America’s largest wine-producing region, and the city is a base for visiting wineries along the Argentina Wine Route. Argentina’s Malbec wines come mainly from the high-altitude districts of Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley. Olive oil is another main local industry. Along the city’s streets, acequias, narrow stone irrigation ditches, water roughly 100,000 trees.

Start at Plaza Independencia, the city centre, then visit the four smaller plazas nearby or explore Parque General San Martín. Museums cover local history, natural history and winemaking; the National Wine Museum is about 17 km southeast of the city, in Maipú. Mendoza is also a stopover for climbers heading to Aconcagua, and nearby activities include hiking, horse riding and rafting. Summers are hot and winters cold and dry. The National Grape Harvest Festival takes place in early March. Allow a few days to explore the city and nearby wine districts; local transport includes buses, trolleybuses and taxis.

Mendoza in five

Book winery visits aheadMost bodegas take visitors by reservation only, and many close or cut hours on Sundays and holidays. Plan two or three a day at most.
Hire a driver for the Uco ValleyThe Uco Valley is about 1.5 hours south of the city. Tastings add up, so a driver or tour beats renting a car.
Cycle between wineries in MaipúMaipú is flat and close to the city, with bike rentals near the wineries. Go early in summer; afternoons are hot.
Check the Andes pass before the Chile busBuses to Santiago cross the Cristo Redentor pass, which closes in heavy snow in winter. Check the pass status the day before.

Things to do in Mendoza

See all attractions in Mendoza

Museum · MendozaGeneral San Martín Historic MuseumPlan a weekday visit; the listed hours are limited to the morning and early afternoon, and the museum is closed on weekends.

Shopping · MendozaMUSEO DEL VINOAsk staff for recommendations based on your budget and taste.

Sight · MendozaCaverna de Las Brujas

Free trip plannerPlan a trip to MendozaPut the places you like in Mendoza on a map, give them days, and let one button order each day. Free, with no account.Plan a trip

Need to know

Airport: Mendoza (MDZ), about 20–30 min from the center
Getting there: Flights from Buenos Aires; buses from Santiago over the Andes
Getting around: Walkable center; drivers or tours for the wine regions
Best base: The city center, or a vineyard stay in Luján de Cuyo
Time needed: 3–4 days

Weather by month

Rainy days
Days with storms

Best
Good
Mixed

JanuaryClear8 rainy daysHigh30°Low20°Hot, dry
FebruaryClear7 rainy daysHigh29°Low20°Harvest begins
MarchClear7 rainy daysHigh26°Low17°Harvest festival
AprilClear5 rainy daysHigh21°Low12°Autumn leaves
MayClear5 rainy daysHigh16°Low8°Cool, clear
JuneClear2 rainy daysHigh12°Low5°Cold nights
JulyClear2 rainy daysHigh12°Low4°Ski season
AugustClear3 rainy daysHigh16°Low6°Windy
SeptemberClear3 rainy daysHigh20°Low9°Spring
OctoberClear4 rainy daysHigh23°Low12°Warm, clear
NovemberClear5 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh27°Low16°Warm
DecemberClear6 rainy days1 day with stormsHigh29°Low19°Hot

Average daily high and low in Mendoza, 2016–2025. Rainy day: 1 mm of rain or more.

Right now in Mendoza

Local time, today's weather and the exchange rate, refreshed through the day.

Feels like: 22°
Humidity: 32%
Wind: 8 km/h
Chance of rain: 29%

Mendoza

05:43 PM

Monday, November 2

GMT-3

Today26°15°29%Monday: Drizzle. High 26°, Low 15°. Chance of rain 29%.
Tue27°14°24%Tuesday: Drizzle. High 27°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 24%.
Wed22°14°65%Wednesday: Rain. High 22°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 65%.
Thu28°14°0%Thursday: Clear. High 28°, Low 14°. Chance of rain 0%.
Fri20°11°8%Friday: Cloudy. High 20°, Low 11°. Chance of rain 8%.
Sat23°9°10%Saturday: Clear. High 23°, Low 9°. Chance of rain 10%.
Sun27°12°3%Sunday: Clear. High 27°, Low 12°. Chance of rain 3%.

Updated 03:17 PM local time · Weather data by Open-Meteo.com

Money

Mid-market rate1 USD = 1,537 ARS

Amount

Converted to

ARS · Argentine Peso

Rates from Nov 2, 2026 · Rates By Exchange Rate API

Day trips by train

Aconcagua viewpointAbout 3 hours by roadThe highest peak in the Americas from the Horcones trail.
Uco ValleyAbout 1.5 hours by roadHigh-altitude vineyards and long lunches.
Cacheuta hot springsAbout 1 hour by roadThermal pools in a mountain valley.

Before you go to Mendoza

Winery tours and driversBook a driver for Uco tastingsCompare tours

Rooms near the vinesCity center or Luján de CuyoCheck availability

eSIM for MendozaMaps on wine-road drivesRead the guide

Insurance for Andes crossingsPass closures and delaysRead the guide

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Rules for Mendoza, checked

Check visa and entry requirements for your passport with Argentina’s National Directorate of Migration before you travel.Source
Check Argentina’s customs rules before packing goods that may need to be declared.Source

Plan around Mendoza

All of Argentina

Entry rules, money and the regions

Read the guide Santiago

Over the Andes by bus, about 7 hours plus border

Read the guide Valparaíso

Chile's hill-town port beyond Santiago

Read the guide Buenos Aires

The usual flight origin

Read the guide Getting around

Buses, flights and cars across the Andes

Read the guide Travel insurance

Pass closures and winter delays

Read the guide

Mendoza FAQ

When is the grape harvest in Mendoza?

Roughly February to April, depending on the grape and altitude. The Vendimia harvest festival is held around late February to early March.

How many wineries can I visit in a day?

Two or three with a lunch. Tastings take one to two hours each, and the regions are spread out.

Can I travel from Mendoza to Santiago by bus?

Yes. Buses cross the Andes by the Cristo Redentor pass in about 7 hours plus the border check. The pass can close in winter snow.

Do I need a car to visit Mendoza's wineries?

Not for Maipú, where bikes and short taxis work. For Luján de Cuyo and the Uco Valley, a hired driver or a tour is safer than renting a car, since tastings add up.

Is Mendoza worth visiting outside harvest season?

Yes. Winter has Andes snow views and quiet bodegas, spring brings blossoms, and summer has long evenings. Book winery visits ahead in every season.