How to Visit Patagonia: Plan Your First Trip to Patagonia

Patagonia’s unique geography and biodiversity contribute to its reputation as one of the world’s most remarkable and remote natural areas.

Patagonia is a dream destination for many but planning a trip to Patagonia can also be a daunting task!

This jagged-peaked, rugged part of the world is not only far from home for many, but it is also massive with spread apart destinations and two different countries to navigate.

If you’re intimidated by how to visit Patagonia and planning your first trip here, I don’t blame you.

Whether you’ve got your heart set on the W Trek in Torres del Paine, the rugged trails of El Chalten, or you’re simply in awe of the mighty and want to know the best places to see in Patagonia, I’ve got your back.

In this guide on how to visit Patagonia, you’ll find every single thing you need to know to build your perfect Patagonia itinerary and execute it flawlessly.

You’ll learn when to go, where to base yourself, and how to get around. You’ll also find sample routes, travel tips, and budget advice.

This Complete First-Timer guide to Patagonia was created by Hailey Briggs from The Restless Adventurer. Hailey traveled Patagonia extensively for 3 weeks.

A First-Timer Guide on How to Visit Patagonia

Disclosure: Some of the links below are affiliate links. This means that at no additional cost to you, Becci Abroad will earn a commission if you purchase through one of those links. This helps to pay the bills and the maintenance of the site.

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Patagonia Basics – Before You Go

Patagonia features dramatic snow-capped mountains, crystal-clear glacial lakes, and vast steppes, making it a popular destination for outdoor enthusiasts and adventurers.

Let’s dive into everything you need to know before you travel to Patagonia!

Where is Patagonia?

Patagonia is located in the southernmost part of South America, stretching across southern Argentina and Chile.

Patagonia covers more than a million square kilometers. This geographically massive region is sparsely populated featuring impressive landscapes with jagged peaks and unique wildlife.

Argentine Patagonia is located to the east of the Andes Mountains, stretching across to the Atlantic Ocean.

Argentine Patagonia is known for its wide-open plains with steppe and dramatic mountain ranges. The most popular places to visit in Patagonia on the Argentine side are El Calafate, El Chaltén, Bariloche, Ushuaia, and Perito Moreno Glacier.

The Chilean side of Patagonia is located to the west of the Andes, extending to the Pacific Coast.

This part of Patagonia is more rugged and wild, with fjords, temperate rainforests, and the iconic Torres del Paine National Park. There is less infrastructure on the Chilean side than in Argentine Patagonia, but it is equally jaw-droppingly beautiful.

You can’t see the entirety of Patagonia in one trip unless you have endless time and a high tolerance for long travel days.

You’ll need to know what the different regions have to offer and choose which ones fit into your allotted time.

Map over Patagonia

Check out the best places to visit in Patagonia on the map. In the top right-hand corner, you can click on the full-screen icon and have the map open directly in your Google Maps app

What Is the Best Time to Visit Patagonia?

For most Patagonia trips, it is best for you to travel in summer or the shoulder seasons (spring and fall).

Even in summer, Patagonian weather is famously unpredictable. You can get sunshine, sideways wind, and rain all in one day. I was constantly taking layers on and off throughout the day. Wind speeds can hit 100 km/h (62 mph), especially around Torres del Paine. Pack layers and be flexible with your plans.

The seasons are flipped in South America and Patagonia from the Northern Hemisphere, so when it is summer in the U.S. and Europe, it is winter in Patagonia.

Here is a full breakdown of each season:

Summer (December to February) – Peak Season

Summer in Patagonia brings longer daylight hours and the warmest temperatures, usually up to 64 Fahrenheit (18 degrees Celsius) or as high as 75 Fahrenheit (24 degrees Celsius) in Bariloche.

During the summer months, the trails and parks are all fully open. This is when you’ll have the most consistent weather, though Patagonia’s notorious wind is still blowing hard.

With peak season comes the largest crowds and highest prices. The trails will feel a lot busier, especially in places like Torres del Paine and El Chalten.

You’ll need to book refugios, popular hotels, and bus tickets months in advance to travel to Patagonia during the summer.

Winter (May to September) – Off Season

You shouldn’t travel to Patagonia in winter (May to September) unless you have a specific reason for it, like skiing in Bariloche.

Many trails are just outright closed because of dangerous conditions. Parks like Torres del Paine are closed unless you book private snowshoeing tours.

El Chaltén essentially shuts down, and some border crossings close altogether.

Bariloche does have fantastic ski hills, so if you want to experience this sport in Patagonia, winter is the time.

Shoulder Seasons (October–November & March–April) – Best Balance

The shoulder seasons have a great balance of the pros and the cons of the summer and winter months.

In the shoulder season, there are fewer tourists, lower prices, and decent weather. Temperature highs are around 50 Fahrenheit (10 degrees Celsius) and temperature lows are around 32 Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius).

The fall colors in March and April add bonus beauty to hiking through Patagonia’s impressive landscaps.

Some tour agencies will reduce hours at the outer edges of these seasons, like October and April. But there should still be some available tours in the shoulder season.

I traveled to El Chalten, El Calafate, and Torres del Paine in November and loved the balance.

How Many Days Do You Need to Visit Patagonia?

You want to plan for, at least, one week in Patagonia!

To get to Patagonia, you’ll have to fly into Buenos Aires or Santiago de Chile first and then head on to Patagonia. So, with anything less than one week, you’ll have to deal with too much transit time.

How long you spend in Patagonia, completely depends on where you want to go, how much ground you want to cover, and what you want to do. For example, multi-day treks like the O-Circuit take 8 – 10 days in itself.

You probably only have a number of days off work and want to see what you can fit in. So, here’s a breakdown of what you can expect to cover based on different trip lengths:

• 7 days – 10 days: Focus on one area. For example, El Calafate and El Chaltén in Argentina or Torres del Paine and Puerto Natales in Chile.
• 14 Days: Combine 2 – 3 regions. For example, Torres del Paine, El Calafate and El Chaltén.
• 2 – 3 Weeks: Add a multi-day trek, a visit to Ushuaia, or a road trip to the Carretera Austral.
• 3+ Weeks: Travel between Chile and Argentina and include Bariloche in your Patagonia travels. You can also add a longer multi-day trek to the shorter itineraries.

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Getting Around in Patagonia

How to Get to Patagonia?

Getting to Patagonia takes a bit of effort because it is remote. With the right planning, it’s not too bad.

Mostly, you’ll fly into an international airport in Buenos Aires (Argentina) or Santiago (Chile). From there, you will need to take a domestic flight south to the destination in Patagonia you plan on visiting.

Here’s a step-by-step to help you visualize it.

Step 1: Fly into a Major City in Chile or Argentina

From North America or Europe, the most common entry points to visit Patagonia are Argentina’s capital city, Buenos Aires, and Chile’s capital city, Santiago de Chile.

Buenos Aires has two international airports: Aeropuerto Internacional Ezeiza (airport code: EZE) and Aeroparque Jorge Newberry (airport code: BUE).

The airports in Buenos Aires are best for traveling to destinations in Argentine Patagonia such as El Calafate, El Chaltén, Ushuaia, and Bariloche.

Santiago de Chile has one international airport, Aeropuerto Internacional de Santiago (airport code: SCL). The Santiago Airport is best for traveling to destinations in Chile Patagonia like Puerto Natales, Punta Arenas, and Balmaceda.

Step 2: Domestic Flights into Patagonia

From Buenos Aires or Santiago de Chile, you need to take a domestic flight to one of the towns in Patagonia with an airport.

LATAM Airlines, Aerolíneas Argentinas, and Sky Airlines are the major airlines for domestic flights to Patagonia.

Local low-cost airlines like FlyBondi or JetSmart might also have flights to Patagonia. However, you should be aware that these airlines have a bit of a questionable service, and you might face delays or unexpected cancellations.

Kiwi.com is a great platform for searching and comparing flight schedules and prices across airlines for your Patagonia trip.

Flights to Patagonia Argentina

In Argentina, you can fly with a direct flight from Buenos Aires to:

• El Calafate
• Ushuaia
• Bariloche
• Puerto Madryn

Ushuaia also has a direct flight connection with El Calafate.

Flights to Chilean Patagonia

In Chile, there is a direct flight from Santiago de Chile to Patagonia for:

• Puerto Natales
• Punta Arenas
• Balmaceda
• Puerto Montt

Balmaceda and Puerto Montt are gateways to start road trips of Carretera Austral. You’ll still need to rent a car for your road trip.

Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas are also connected with a 3-hour bus connection.

Book your flight to Patagonia here

How to Get Around on Your Trip to Patagonia?

After flying into those main cities in Patagonia, you’ll need to travel by car or bus to get to the towns without airports.

In a few cases, it is possible to travel with domestic flights inside Patagonia.

Let’s explore how to get around on your Patagonia trip!

Domestic Flights in Patagonia

There are very few domestic flights within the different parts of Patagonia, which is why most people travel with long-distance buses or rent a car.

The most popular flight routes to take in Patagonia are:

• A flight from El Calafate to Ushuaia takes 1.5 hours.

• A flight from Torres del Paine to Puerto Montt to start a Carretera Austral road trip.

• A direct flight from Bariloche to El Calafate takes 2 hours, but there are few of these direct flight connections. Most of the flights between Bariloche and El Calafate are connected flights that take over 7+ hours.

Long-distance Buses in Patagonia

The most common way to get around Patagonia is with long-distance buses.

In both Argentina and Chile, there are several bus operators connecting cities with more remote areas. The website Busbud is a great resource for comparing prices and schedules for the different bus companies.

Here are the typical distances between towns in Patagonia:

• El Calafate to El Chaltén: 3 hours by bus on a paved road and pretty straightforward. There are several departures daily.
• El Calafate to Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine): 5 – 6 hour bus ride including a border crossing between Argentina and Chile.
• Puerto Natales to Torres del Paine: 1.5 – 2.5 hour bus ride depending on which park entrance you want to get to.

Renting a Car in Patagonia

Renting a car isn’t necessary to visit Patagonia but having a car can be helpful to travel Patagonia’s more remote areas. And for traveling the Carretera Austral in Chile you’ll need to rent a car.

In Patagonia, roads are generally safe. You should keep in mind that fuel stations can be far apart so fill up when you can.

Driving in towns is easy, but some remote routes are gravel or unpaved. So, for visiting more remote and rural areas, especially in Chile, it is recommended to rent a Four Wheel Drive (4WD), called a 4×4 (cuatro-por-cuatro) in Spanish.

In Bariloche and the Lake District, it can also be enormously helpful for getting around since there are fewer buses between destinations there.

When visiting both Chilean and Argentine Patagonia, renting a car in one country and returning it in another can be costly or even prohibited. To drive across the border, ensure you obtain a cross-border permit in advance.

Tours and Private Transfers

Booking group tours and private transfers can help to get around Patagonia is a great alternative if you’re short on time.

Guided tours can also take some of the pressure off the logistics of planning your Patagonia trip on your own.

I traveled by bus most of the time but did guided tours when buses became more difficult.

You can book transfers, shuttle rides, and taxi rides between airports, national parks, and trailheads if you don’t want to rent a car.

What’s the Right Transport for Your Patagonia Trip?

For budget Backpackers, long-distance buses are the best and most economical option to travel to Patagonia. Although, you’ll still need to take domestic flights into Patagonia.

For travelers who are short on time, you should prioritize flights and transfers whenever possible to get as much as possible out of your time at each destination in Patagonia.

For adventurous travelers with a flexible schedule, rent a car and keep your Patagonia itinerary open to improvise.

For mid-range travel budgets with more focus on convenience on your Patagonia trip, you can combine the cheaper long-distance buses with private tours, shuttle rides, and taxi rides.

How to Travel Between Chile and Argentina’s Patagonia?

If you plan to travel between Chile and Argentina by land the most common crossing is between El Calafate and Puerto Natales.

For border crossing in Patagonia, everything you need is:

• Passport that doesn’t expire within the next 6 months
• Any necessary visa paperwork. Many countries like Canada, the US, and the UK don’t need a visa to travel as tourists for under 90 days in Chile. You can check your nationality’s visa requirements for Chile and visa requirements for Argentina.
• A filled-out Digital Affidavit for Entry to Chile.
• Don’t bring products into Patagonia! Even if you claim it on the form, they will take your produce or animal products away from you. If you don’t claim anything and are found with any in your bag you can get a hefty fine. I had bananas in my bag but had claimed some products I wasn’t sure about (like granola), and they just threw them out. When in doubt, just claim it.

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The Best Places to Visit in Patagonia

Patagonia offers some of the most scenic landscapes in Latin America!

Let’s explore some of the best places to visit in Patagonia – in both Argentina and Chile!

What Are the Best Places to Visit in Patagonia Argentina?

From the iconic towering Mount Fitz Roy and the unique Perito Moreno Glacier in the south to the clear waters of Nahuel Huapi Lake in the northern part, Argentina’s part of Patagonia is a true gem.

Here are some of the best places to visit in Patagonia Argentina!

El Chaltén

El Chaltén is a small town in Patagonia that is often celebrated as Argentina’s Hiking Capital and a gateway to Patagonia’s wild beauty.

El Chaltén serves as the entry point to several of Patagonia’s most famous treks like Laguna de los Tres & Mount Fitz Roy, Laguna Torre, the Huemul Circuit, and more.

El Chaltén is situated near the Chilean border within Glacier National Park and offers numerous hiking adventures into Patagonia’s stunning landscapes including the iconic Mount Fitz Roy (Cerro Fitz Roy in Spanish) and Cerro Torre.

The hikes starting from El Chaltén vary in length, which allows you to select an excursion that fits your schedule, from multi-day treks to shorter day hikes.

Many routes include visits to Mount Fitz Roy and the stunning Laguna de los Tres, a pristine glacial lake among towering mountains.

The town itself is small but backdropped by the looming peaks of Mount Fitz Roy is very scenic. There are a few cafes and restaurants, but the main attraction is its surrounding trails.

I also recommend hiking the shorter Mirador de los Condores and Las Águilas.

Book a Laguna de los Tres trekking experience in El Chaltén

El Calafate & Perito Moreno Glacier

El Calafate is where visitors go to see Perito Moreno Glacier, a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the most visited glaciers in Patagonia.

Perito Moreno is located inside the Los Glaciares National Park, known as Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Spanish.

The Perito Moreno Glacier is shockingly blue, and you can even go ice trekking on top of the Perito Moreno Glacier!

There are fantastic farm stays and horseback riding at traditional estancias near El Calafate, which was the highlight of my three weeks in Patagonia.

Reserva Natural Laguna Nimez is a great spot to see wild flamingos, and the Laguna Nimez is a perfect day trip from El Calafate

El Calafate has a small airport that you can fly into from Buenos Aires.

Discover the best tours in El Calafate!

Ushuaia & Tierra del Fuego

Ushuaia is located at the southern tip of Argentina, often called “the end of the world.”

Tierra del Fuego National Park has the best hiking and you can take a cruise on the Beagle Channel to see glaciers, penguins, and sea lions.

The area is also great for wildlife like penguins and seals, rugged hiking trails, and massive glaciers.

Ushuaia is where all of the Antarctica boats depart from in South America.

Bariloche & the Lake District

Bariloche and the Lake District are known for their alpine scenery, dense forests, ski mountains, and lakes. The area also offers some great hiking trails in the forested mountains and is good for road-tripping including the iconic Circuito Chico road.

Bariloche is located in the Northern part of Patagonia farther away from the other Patagonia destinations mentioned here.

The best towns to visit are Bariloche, Villa La Angostura on Nahuel Huapi Lake, and San Martín de los Andes.

Puerto Madryn & Penisula Valdes

Puerto Madryn is a small town located in the northern part of Patagonia facing the Atlantic Ocean.

Puerto Madryn doesn’t have much to offer, but around an hour’s drive from the town you have another of Patagonia’s most unique places: Peninsula Valdes!

At Peninsula Valdes, you can experience penguin colonies, sea lions, seals, killer whales, and Southern Right Whales in their natural habitat.

During the whale season at the Valdes Peninsula from June to December, you can see wild Southern Right Whales on whale-watching tours in the bay of Puerto Piramides, the peninsula’s only town.

Peninsula Valdes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its unique ecosystem and rich biodiversity.

Puerto Madryn and Peninsula Valdes are often left behind when planning a Patagonia trip, but the area’s incredible wildlife does deserve a spot on the list as one of the notable places to visit in Patagonia.

Explore Puerto Madryn & Peninsula Valdes

What Are the Best Places to Visit in Chilean Patagonia?

From towering mountains in the Torres del Paine National Park to remote villages and unique nature on the Carretera Austral, Chile’s side of Patagonia is truly unique in its own way!

Let’s explore the best places to visit in Chilean Patagonia!

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine Natural Park is Chile’s most popular national park with an insanely diverse set of mountains, glaciers, and vibrant turquoise glacier lakes.

The park gets its name from the three towering mountains that are unique anywhere else in the world.

Torres del Paine National Park is home to two of Patagonia’s most famous multi-day trekking routes, the W-Trek and the O-Circuit.

Inside the Torres del Paine National Park, you will also find the striking Patagonian glacier, Grey Glacier.

The Grey Glacier is part of the Southern Patagonian Ice Field. It stretches over 270 square kilometers and feeds into the icy waters of Lake Grey.

Refugios and campsites in Torres del Paine National Park book out months in advance in high season. So, start planning your Patagonia trip as early as possible if you want to hike the W-Trek or O-Circuit.

Book the Best Torres del Paine Experiences

Puerto Natales

Puerto Natales is a small port town in southern Chilean Patagonia, known as the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park.

Puerto Natales is the nearest town to Natural Park, so you are likely to stop by here first when starting your Patagonia trip to Chile.

The town itself has a laid-back atmosphere with cozy cafes, local restaurants, and charming architecture. It’s a popular base for hikers, nature lovers, and adventurers exploring the rugged landscapes of Patagonia.

You can take tours from Puerto Natales to glaciers outside of the park and go whale watching.

Punta Arenas

Punta Arenas is the southernmost city on mainland Chile, located on the shores of the Strait of Magellan. The town used to be a key stop for ships navigating between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans

Punta Arenas is a 3-hour drive from Puerto Natales and has penguin tours to Isla Magdalena.

The town has a nice waterfront promenade, and there are more tour options in Punta Arenas than in Puerto Natales, like mountain biking, hiking, and whale and dolphin-watching cruises.

The Carretera Austral

The Carretera Austral, translated as the “Southern Highway”, is a remote highway that runs over 1,200 km down Chile’s northern side of Patagonia.

Carretera Austral runs between Puerto Montt and Villa O’Higgins and features 10 of Patagonia’s 17 national parks along its route.

Carretera Austral is considered very off-the-beaten-path, and on your way will see some of the most uninhabited lands in Chile.

While many of the roads are unpaved and offer rough driving conditions, the Carretera Austral could make for an epic adventure.

The best places to visit along Carretera Austral are:

• Estancia stays
• Cerro Castillo National Park
• Marble Caves
• Queulat National Park
• Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
• Patagonia National Park

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How to Spend Your Time in Patagonia?

Since Patagonia is so spread out, choosing the right itinerary is all about balancing travel time with your must-sees.

Let’s explore some sample itineraries based on how many days you have with realistic pacing.

1 Week Patagonia Itinerary

For spending one week in Patagonia, there are two popular Patagonia itinerary options:

• One week in Argentina (El Chalten and El Calafate)
• One week in Chile (Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine)

For Argentina, El Chalten and El Calafate are two of the best places to visit in Patagonia.

The two towns on the Argentine side of Patagonia are only 3 hours apart by bus, making them the easiest combination to do in one trip to Patagonia.

If you’re short on time, this is the most accessible and rewarding pair for a week-long Patagonia trip.

For a Patagonia trip to Chile, Puerto Natales is the ideal jumping-off point for Torres del Paine National Park.

Puerto Natales is only a 1.5-hour drive to the main entrance of Torres del Paine Natural Park.

Private transfers are the quickest and easiest ways into the park, and there are several departures daily starting as early as 6:45 am. The bus journey takes about 2 hours but can take up to 4 if you are getting off further into the park.

If you have a shorter amount of time in Patagonia, a Torres del Paine, and Puerto Natales combination makes for a great week-long trip. With a few more days you could also add a visit to Punta Arenas to your Patagonia trip.

Patagonia Itinerary Option A: One Week in Argentina (El Calafate & El Chaltén)

• Day 1: Arrive in El Calafate
• Day 2: Perito Moreno Glacier (mini-trek or boat tour)
• Day 3: Travel to El Chaltén (3 hrs)
• Day 4–5: Hike Laguna de los Tres + Laguna Torre
• Day 6: Return to El Calafate, Laguna Nimez
• Day 7: Fly out

Patagonia Itinerary Option B: One Week in Chile (Puerto Natales & Torres del Paine)

• Day 1: Arrive in Puerto Natales
• Day 2 – 6: Day hikes in Torres del Paine or fast-paced W Trek (refugios or camping)
• Day 7: Fly out

3 Week Patagonia Itinerary: Deeper Exploration

For spending 3 weeks on a trip to Patagonia, follow the 2-week Patagonia itinerary above and add a destination of your likely to the third week.

How to Spend 3 Weeks in Patagonia

• Week 1: El Calafate and El Chaltén
• Week 2: Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine
• Week 3:
  • Option A: Fly to Ushuaia for wildlife and hiking in Tierra del Fuego
  • Option B: Complete the O-Circuit in Torres del Paine Natural Park starting in week 2, finishing in week 3, then visit Punta Arenas in Chile.
  • Option C: Fly to Bariloche and explore the Lake District.

Option A: Add Ushuaia (Southern Patagonia)

You can head further down to the Southern Patagonia and visit Ushuaia in Argentina.

Reaching Ushuaia requires a domestic flight from Buenos Aires or El Calafate, as no direct bus routes connect El Chaltén or Torres del Paine to Ushuaia. For context, the distance involves over 11 hours of direct driving, covering nearly 900 kilometers.

A visit to Ushuaia can easily be done from El Calafate where there is a brief 1.5-hour domestic flight.

Option B: Extend Your Stay in Chile

You could also stay longer in Chile and complete more of the hiking treks in Torres del Paine Natural Park.

A popular multi-day hike in Torres del Paine National Park is the O-Circuit, a challenging and scenic trekking route to the remote and less-visited northern part of the natural park.

The O-Circuit covers approximately 130 kilometers and the hike typically takes 7 to 9 days to complete and is ideal for experienced hikers.

Option C: Add Bariloche (Northern Patagonia)

Another option is to catch a flight and explore Bariloche and the Lake District in the Northern part of Patagonia.

Bariloche is almost 1,500 km north of El Calafate and the other Patagonia destinations in the south. As a result, visiting Bariloche is usually for longer trips to Patagonia or if you want to visit Bariloche on its own.

This region is stunning, but the southern destinations have more unique features.

+2 Weeks Patagonia Itinerary: The Carretera Austral Road Trip

Carretera Austral in Chile would have to be an adventure on its own and is ideal if you have more than two weeks for a trip to Patagonia.

Carretera Austral is a scenic route in southern Chile that stretches over 1,200 kilometers through remote Patagonia, connecting towns and natural landmarks from Puerto Montt to Villa O’Higgins.

This iconic route is separate from other parts of Patagonia and would require more time.

To get to the start of Carretera Austral, you should take a domestic flight into Puerto Montt. If you have 3+ weeks you could add in Torres del Paine.

Patagonia Itinerary for Carretera Austral

• Start: Balmaceda or Puerto Montt (Chile)
• Route: Drive Carretera Austral and visit its highlights:
  • Pumalín Douglas Tompkins National Park
  • Cerro Castillo National Park
  • Patagonia National Park
  • Marble Caves
  • Queulat National Park
  • Estancia stays and fjords in rural Patagonia
• End: Puerto Natales or backtrack to your starting point

Explore popular activities along Carretera Austral

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Travel Tips for Being On the Road in Patagonia

How is the Internet & Cell Phone Coverage in Patagonia?

There is limited cell phone coverage when traveling between towns in Patagonia. If you’re road-tripping remotely like on the Carretera Austral, you might want to consider getting a Garmin satellite phone for emergencies.

Also, consider downloading offline maps like Maps.me or Gaia GPS.

Torres del Paine has no cell signal or Wi-Fi once you’re inside the park. And longer day hikes like Laguna de los Tres won’t have cell signals either.

Wi-Fi is available in most towns, hostels, and hotels. Speeds can be slow in smaller towns like El Chalten.

If you want to get a travel sim card, I recommend using an E-Sim. If you plan to cross borders between Argentina and Chile, this is especially convenient.

Patagonia Packing List

Patagonia’s weather is famously unpredictable. Packing smart matters more here than almost anywhere else.

Below is a detailed list of what to bring based on real conditions I experienced.

You already know that you need to pack your underwear and socks, so here are the Patagonia-specific essentials:

Clothing: Layering Is Key

• Base Layer – Merino wool or synthetic top and bottoms
• Mid Layer – Lightweight down or synthetic puffy jacket
• Fleece or wool sweater for layering
• Outer Layer – Water and windproof shell for both jacket AND pants
• 1–2 pairs of hiking pants (quick dry)
• 1 pair of gloves (yes, even in summer – I wore gloves on my glacier trek)
• Beanie and sun hat
• Buff or neck gaiter

Patagonia Hiking & Gear

• Hiking or trekking boots (waterproof and broken in!)
• Camp shoes or sandals – especially if you’re multi-day trekking
• Daypack (20 – 30L) for day hikes
• Trekking poles – Highly recommended for Torres del Paine and El Chalten hikes. You can also rent these in town if you don’t want to buy some or lug them across the world. I never used trekking poles prior to this trip and now I’m a huge supporter of them.
• Water bottle (tap and stream water is safe in many areas)
• Headlamp (especially for camping or early starts)
• Dry sacks – keep electronics and clothing dry.
• Wind protection – UV rays are strong, even when it’s cold.

General Travel Items

• Travel backpack – easier if you’re traveling between several destinations and on buses
• Plug adapters:
  • Argentina: Type C or I (220V)
  • Chile: Type C or L (220V)
• Power bank and charging cables
• Sunscreen and lip balm with SPF – this is a must. Even when it’s cold in Patagonia, you can get a sunburn. I burned my lips almost every long hiking day I did.
• Mini first-aid kit

What Not to Pack for Patagonia

• Heavy paper guidebooks – download offline maps instead or talk to local guides
• Jeans – heavy, slow to dry
• Umbrella – Patagonian wind will destroy it
• Anything formal – everyone in Patagonia looks like a dirtbag hiker

Budgeting for Patagonia

Patagonia is often seen as a travel bucket list trip, and many worry about the cost of traveling to the region’s remote areas. However, travel to Patagonia can be done budget-friendly, mid-range, and luxury.

Before arriving in Patagonia, I took cash out for the more remote travel in Argentina. I quickly learned that I shouldn’t have taken out Argentinian pesos before arriving in Argentina.

The Argentine peso was dramatically reduced compared to USD because of Argentina’s recent economic problems. However, you only get to use the favorable blue dollar rate within Argentina. That means if you pay by credit card or by exchanging USD cash for Argentinian pesos within the country, your money goes almost 8x further. That’s crazy! We ended up losing about $600 CAD in value because of this.

So, the biggest takeaway is that if you’re worried about having cash: bring USD in cash or withdraw from ATMs in El Calafate or Buenos Aires.

In Chile, credit cards are widely accepted. ATMs in more remote towns of Patagonia can run out of cash or have high withdrawal fees, so stock up in larger towns like Puerto Natales and El Calafate.

Here is a realistic breakdown of what to expect for different travel styles:

Daily Costs (Per Person)

• Accommodation:
  • Low-end hostels $25 – $50 US for a dorm bed,
  • Mid-Range $70 – 150.
  • Luxury: Luxury hotels go for a couple of hundreds of dollars per night. Torres del Paine gets pricier.
• Meals
  • Low end $8 – 20 per meal in Argentina, $25 – 40 in Chile.
  • You can get higher and higher if you go to fancier restaurants and eat fancier meals.
• Activities/Tours: $100 – $500 per tour.
  • Glacier trekking costs around $500 per person.
  • Smaller tours like horseback riding or guided hiking tours are less.
  • Tours in Torres del Paine are generally pricier.
  • Park fees are around $50 per entrance ticket.
• Transportation:
  • Buses between destinations like El Calafate and El Chalten are around $30
  • Buses between El Calafate and Puerto Natales are around $50.
  • Domestic flights are around $100 – $200.
  • Rental cars range between $100 – 200 per day.

Peak season sees higher prices, and the more tours you book the more expensive it will be.

Book an experience for your Patagonia trip

 

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Frequently Asked Questions Travel to Patagonia

Is it better to visit the Chilean or Argentine side of Patagonia?

Both are incredible, it just depends on your priorities. Argentina has slightly easier logistics. El Calafate and El Chalten are easy to get to and between. They have better connectivity. Chile is considered more remote with fewer towns but equally insane landscapes.

Can I visit Patagonia without doing multi-day hikes?

Absolutely. You can do day hikes in El Chaltén, drive through scenic areas, take boat tours to glaciers, and explore wildlife-rich spots like Ushuaia or Punta Arenas. You can also stay in traditional ranches that provide day tours.

Can you visit Patagonia on your own?

Yes! Patagonia is very safe for travelers, including solo and female travelers. I was a solo female traveler. All popular hikes will have tons of people on them so hiking alone is fine.

Trails are well-marked, hostels are social, and group tours are easy to join. It’s also one of the safest regions in South America.

I’d say Patagonia is one of the safest places in the world to hike solo, as long as you stick to popular trails.

How far in advance should I book?

If you’re traveling in peak season, book everything in advance. Especially refugios in Torres del Paine (you should book these 6 months in advance).

For high season, make sure to book flights, Torres del Paine camps/refugios, and some tours, at least, 3 – 6 months in advance.

For shoulder season (Oct–Nov, Mar-Apr), booking 1 – 3 months is usually enough. If you have your heart set on anything, sooner is better.

Can you get by with English in Patagonia?

You can get by traveling Patagonia with English.

In some towns like Puerto Natales, locals will only speak Spanish. Download the Google Translator app, and this is enough to get by.

Can You Drink the Water in Patagonia?

Tap water is safe to drink in Patagonia. You can actually fill up from streams in Patagonia’s national parks.

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Final Thoughts: Is Patagonia Worth Visiting?

Patagonia is one of the most jaw-dropping places on Earth, and definitely worth visiting!

While planning a trip to Patagonia can be an overwhelming exercise at first, the incredible travel experience rewards those who plan well.

Between the wind, the remoteness, and the sheer scale of the region, it’s not a destination where you want to just wing it.

Whether you’re heading to Patagonia for a week or a month, for trekking or just to soak in the wild beauty, I hope this guide has given you more clarity and confidence in how to visit Patagonia and plan the best Patagonia trip for you!