Nestled at the foot of the Andes at 750m elevation, Mendoza is the heart of Argentina's wine country, producing 70% of the nation's wine including world-renowned Malbec. Founded in 1561, the city was devastated by an earthquake in 1861 and completely rebuilt with wide avenues and abundant plazas. Mount Aconcagua, the Western Hemisphere's highest peak at 6,961m, looms 100km to the northwest.
Nights sit around 9°C and afternoons around 21°C, though some nights drop to 4°C.
Mendoza has real seasons: summer afternoons sit around 30°C, winter ones around 16°C.
Some summer days reach 38°C, and some winter nights drop below freezing.
Most of the rain falls in summer, least in winter. The wettest month is February, with 44 mm.
Wind is rarely an issue; most months sit between calm and a light breeze. The air stays clean through the year.
Days stretch to about 14.2 hours of light in December and shrink to 9.8 in June — something to weigh if you work to a fixed timezone.
For what you're after, the best months in Mendoza are November – March. Expect fast internet (157 Mbps) and a moderate cost of living (about €900 a month).
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