Are you planning to visit Argentina? Explore all the essential information and tips about the weather, tours, and attractions to discover in Mendoza in August. Discover the charm of the destination and enjoy everything the city has to offer during the winter.
1. Weather in Mendoza in August: Get ready for the cold!
In August, Mendoza is still at the peak of winter. Thus, the destination experiences very low temperatures, especially at night, and has a low probability of rain. So, if you are looking for a destination to enjoy the winter, Mendoza is an excellent choice.
The average temperature in Mendoza in August
Just like in July, Mendoza in August continues with very low temperatures, getting close to 1 °C (33.8 °F). The average temperature in the city in August is 9 °C (48.2 °F), while the average maximum temperature is 16 °C (60.8 °F), and the average minimum temperature is 4 °C (39.2 °F).
Snowfalls can still occur in the high mountain region in August. So, when visiting Luján de Cuyo, Uco Valey, and the area near the Andes, you will see a lot of snow in Mendoza. However, be cautious when traveling in winter, as snowfalls can often lead to the cancellation of some tours and road closures, especially the road that connects Mendoza to Santiago, Chile.
The lowest temperatures occur at night and in areas near the Andes, potentially reaching negative temperatures in some regions. During August 2023, the lowest temperature recorded in Mendoza was 2 °C (35.6 °F), while the highest temperature was 28 °C (82.4 °F).
Precipitation and humidity in Mendoza in August
August is one of the months with the least rain in Mendoza. The average precipitation in the destination during the month is 27 mm. Therefore, the probability is that there will be only 3 rainy days.
Daylight duration in August
The days gradually start to lengthen in Mendoza in August. During this month, the day has an average of 10 hours and 57 minutes of sunlight, with the sun rising around 8:00 a.m. and setting around 7:00 p.m. If your trip is scheduled for the end of August, you will have more hours of sunlight to explore the attractions compared to the days at the beginning of the month.
2. What to do in Mendoza in August: Unmissable excursions for the month
August is a very cold month, perfect for continuing to enjoy wine and gastronomic experiences, especially having lunch at the wineries and visiting good restaurants, as well as practicing snow sports.
Adventure tours, such as trekking, bike rides, and climbing, can also be done in August, but remember to bring appropriate clothing to stay warm. And if you plan to hike or climb in the Andes region, pay attention to the weather forecast to avoid bad weather.
Water activities, such as canoeing and rafting, are not appealing at this time of year as the waters are very cold, which can make this type of tour more uncomfortable than enjoyable.
The destination also has many classic tours that should be done at any time. Check out our article on the best tours in Mendoza, Argentina. Now, take a look at our quick tips for activities to do in Mendoza in August:
- Lunch and winery visits: a tour at any time of the year. Take advantage of August to visit the wineries, and if you have the opportunity, have lunch at least at one bodega.
- Wine tastings: be sure to taste good wines, either at the wineries or during meals. Enjoy the winter to taste the oaked wines with spices and other notes that match the season.
- Cacheuta Hot Springs: enjoy the cold weather in Mendoza in August to relax at the most sought-after hot springs in the destination.
- Wine Bike Tour: enjoy beautiful landscapes, visit wineries, and taste wines and liqueurs on a fun bike tour.
- Skiing: take advantage of the snow in the Andes region to ski a little in Mendoza in August. The ski schools in the region offer lessons for beginners.
3. Must-visit wineries in August
The wineries are the main stars of Mendoza. Check out our tips for the perfect wineries to visit in August.
- Susana Balbo Wines: one of our favorite wineries, as its restaurant has a delicious menu perfectly designed for each season.
- Catena Zapata: located in a spectacularly architected building with a view of the Andes, the winery has an elegant restaurant that offers sophisticated dishes.
- Norton: a winery with a restaurant and an incredible view of the Andes, offering guided tours with tastings.
- La Azul: a small and simple winery with a view of the Andes, located at the foot of Cordón del Plata in Uco Valey. The winery has a cozy restaurant and inn.
- Zucardi: a family business that produces various wine labels. It offers different tourist experiences. You can visit the Piedra Infinita Cocina restaurant, which has a beautiful view of the mountains, and the Pan y Oliva at Bodega Santa Julia, which is also owned by the Zuccardi family.
- Casa Petrini: located in Uco Valey, Tupungato, the winery has a view of the Andes and the Las Tunas River. The winery offers facilities with a resort, spa, and restaurant.
4. Cuisine in Mendoza: Perfect restaurants to explore in August
Winter in Mendoza pairs well with hot dishes, accompanied by a good Malbec with fresh notes. So, if you love enjoying the best cuisine in every place you visit, be sure to try dishes that embody the season.
Most of the good restaurants in Mendoza have a menu adapted to each time of the year, with dishes that match the climate and are made with seasonal ingredients. In winter, the menus include some traditional soup options, such as locro (a dish with white corn, beans, pumpkin, and various meats) and guiso (a type of soup, with each restaurant having its own recipe).
Check out our tips for restaurants to visit in Mendoza in August:
- Osadia de Crear: the restaurant at Suzana Balbo Winery offers a special menu for each season. When visiting during the winter, be prepared to find delicious hot dishes.
- 1884 Restaurante: considered one of the best restaurants in Mendoza, it offers an amazing menu and an elegant and cozy atmosphere. Located in an 1884 winery, the restaurant is perfect for dinner.
- Fogón Cocina de Viñedo: the restaurant at Bodega Lagarde is located among vineyards and combines various cooking techniques over fire.
- Finca Don Carlos Restaurant: the restaurant at Bodega Finca Don Carlos is ideal for an incredible experience in Mendoza in August. It offers outdoor barbecues and has an amazing view of the Uco Valey landscapes.
5. Hotels in Mendoza perfect for the winter
On colder days and nights, a heater becomes essential to provide a more comfortable trip. To ensure a cozy stay, it is advisable to choose a hotel that has a heating system. Therefore, when opting to rent an Airbnb or house on other platforms, it is crucial to check if the accommodation has a carbon monoxide detector.
For your trip to Mendoza in August, we have selected the perfect hotels for a comfortable winter stay.
Located in Uco Valley, the hotel features a spa, a restaurant, and all the infrastructure to enjoy the colder days.
Located near squares Independencia and Italia, this hotel has a complete infrastructure for low temperatures.
Located in Uco Valley, the hotel is a tranquil place ideal for enjoying a few days of chilly weather with views of the Andes.
Tips for booking accommodations in Mendoza in August:
- August is still high season in Mendoza. The tourist flow is high, and as a result, the prices of accommodations, tours, and even restaurants are higher. Therefore, I recommend that you book your hotel well in advance.
- Be cautious of scams, as the rate of scams involving accommodations booked outside official platforms is quite high in Mendoza. Therefore, prefer to make your reservation on official platforms such as Booking, Hotels.com, and Airbnb.
- Avoid making any upfront payments outside of the chosen platform, even if a property requests it.
- Carefully read the reviews and check the location before booking any accommodations.
- If you’re unsure where to stay in Mendoza, in the city center, I suggest hotels near the main squares (Independencia, Italia, San MartÃn, Chile, and España) or Calle Aristides, a good area for those who enjoy nightlife.
- If you prefer the wine regions, the best options are the wine hotels in Mendoza, which offer a complete immersion experience with lots of comfort, safety, and beautiful landscapes. In the Uco Valley and Luján de Cuyo, there are excellent wine hotels.
6. What to bring to Mendoza in August
Your suitcase for Mendoza in August should have clothes for cold weather and some pieces for days with mild temperatures.
I recommend that you bring clothes that can be worn in temperatures ranging from 4 °C (39.2 °F) to over 16 °C (60.8 °F). Accessories such as scarves, boots, thermal underwear, and a warm coat are very welcome for greater comfort during the month.
When traveling to Mendoza in August, pack a suitcase with cold-weather clothes, and don’t forget to bring warm pants, knits, sweatshirts, and a coat that can handle the cold. See below for the essential items for your travel suitcase to Mendoza.
- Sunscreen: despite the low temperatures, sunscreen is always essential for skin health and protection.
- Cold weather clothing: temperatures in August are low, especially at night. Therefore, bring very warm pants, wool, knits, sweatshirts, coats, and sweaters. Don’t forget to bring options for even colder days.
- Thermals: this is a highly recommended item in August, especially if you don’t have items for a more intense cold.
- Accessories: if you tend to feel very cold, you can bring a scarf, tights, or a beanie.
- Lip and body moisturizer: don’t forget facial, body, and lip moisturizer, as they are essential to keeping your skin and lips hydrated.
- Cap/Hat: since temperatures are lower and the sun is not as intense, caps and hats are no longer essential items, but they are welcome, especially for hiking and adventure trips.
- Boots and sneakers: your August suitcase must include boots or sneakers. Closed shoes are essential to keep your feet warm in lower temperatures.
- Socks: choose thicker socks to keep your feet well-warmed on colder days.
- Trail shoes: if you are an adventurer and plan to go trekking in the region, don’t forget to bring suitable trail shoes or boots.
- Activewear: if you plan to go hiking or cycling, pack comfortable and suitable clothing for the chosen sport. We recommend bringing leggings/pants, light tops/tank tops, and a jacket (a windbreaker preferred).
- Swimwear: if you plan to visit the Caucheta hot springs, include at least one swimwear item in your suitcase.
- Coat: one or more coats that can withstand a more intense cold are essential when traveling to Mendoza in August.
- Clothing for snow and extreme cold: if you are going to practice snow sports, don’t forget the appropriate clothing. If you don’t have this type of clothing, don’t worry; in Potrerillos, several stores offer rental equipment and clothing for snow.
In addition to the items mentioned, don’t forget the necessary documents to enter Argentina.
When traveling to Mendoza, don’t forget to subscribe to a VPN (Virtual Private Network). It’s essential for our trips, as it secures connections on Wi-Fi networks and allows access to any website or app from other countries. We’ve encountered issues accessing bank apps while abroad, and the VPN enabled quick and secure access.
7. What to expect in Mendoza in August?
High season in Mendoza
In August, it is still the high winter season, especially until mid-month, and the city is receiving a large influx of domestic and foreign tourists. Therefore, Mendoza is still crowded, with slightly higher prices.
When visiting Mendoza in August, be prepared to find tours always crowded. Due to the large influx of tourists, it is common to find a lack of availability for lunches and tours at some wineries if you don’t book in advance.
The landscapes of August in Mendoza
In August, the golden leaves of autumn are falling from the trees, creating an amazing view. The trees in General San MartÃn Park and other city landscapes are covered with many golden leaves on the ground.
The vineyards of Mendoza in August are without leaves. Therefore, the landscapes you will find are quite different from the summer, when the vineyards are green and full of grapes.
For those planning to visit the High Mountain region, it is covered with snow, and the landscapes are beautiful. The landscapes of San Rafael remain stunning, with the blue waters of the Atuel Canyon reflecting the rocks and standing out on clear days.
Extra Tip: festivals and events to enjoy in Mendoza in August
In August, no major events take place in Mendoza. To explore the destination, check out everything about car rentals in Mendoza and our tips on travel insurance in Argentina.
