What makes Patagonia a travel destination?
Patagonia covers the south of Argentina and Chile, from the lake district around San Carlos de Bariloche and Puerto Varas to the Strait of Magellan near Punta Arenas. The major destinations are protected areas: Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares with the Perito Moreno Glacier and Fitz Roy, and the Península Valdés on the Atlantic.
Between destinations there are often hours of steppe. From El Calafate to the Perito Moreno Glacier is 80 km, to El Chaltén 213 km, and the bus to Puerto Natales takes around six hours. Fewer stops usually make for better planning.
Tierra del Fuego with Ushuaia is not covered here; it has its own Tierra del Fuego page.
Sources: Secretaría de Turismo de El Calafate · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Bus-Sur
How do the Argentine and Chilean sides differ?
The Argentine side is broad and dry: steppe with few settlements, its highlights lying along the Andean edge and the Atlantic coast. The Chilean side is wetter and rugged, with fjords, forests, volcanoes and glaciers, reached via the Carretera Austral, ferries and flights from Santiago.
On the Argentine side, Los Glaciares National Park protects around 727,000 ha, almost half of it ice; Nahuel Huapi National Park near San Carlos de Bariloche covers more than 717,000 ha of forest, steppe and high Andes. In the steppe, little rain, strong sun and wind take their toll on plants.
Chile's tourism board counts more than 24,000 glaciers in Patagonia and the Chilean Antarctic; the Patagonian Parks Route links 17 national parks over 2,800 km. The climate in southern Chile is temperate and rainy, even in summer. Both countries share the Southern Patagonian Ice Field.
Sources: Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Chile Travel (Sernatur)
Which places belong on a Patagonia trip?
On the Argentine side these are Península Valdés, the lake district around San Carlos de Bariloche, El Calafate with the Perito Moreno Glacier, and El Chaltén below Fitz Roy. On the Chilean side follow the lake district around Puerto Varas, the Carretera Austral, Puerto Natales with Torres del Paine, and Punta Arenas on the Strait of Magellan.
Argentine side
Península Valdés. This peninsula in Chubut province is a UNESCO World Heritage site and biosphere reserve, covering more than 4,000 km² of land. Visitor points such as Punta Norte and Caleta Valdés are open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. The only settlement is Puerto Pirámides, reachable by bus from Puerto Madryn and Trelew.
Lake district around San Carlos de Bariloche. The town is the administrative seat of Nahuel Huapi National Park, which traces back to Latin America's first national park, established in 1922. The Cerro Catedral ski area lies 19 km away and is used year-round; the tourism office runs dedicated sections for chocolate shops and breweries.
El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier. El Calafate is the base for the southern part of Los Glaciares. An 80-km paved road leads to the glacier; its front is around 70 m high, and its 254 km² ice surface is somewhat larger than the city of Buenos Aires. Several viewing platforms and a barrier-free area give access to the front.
El Chaltén and Fitz Roy. The village lies 213 km from El Calafate beneath the 3,405-meter Fitz Roy, which the Aonikenk called Chaltén. The trails to Laguna de los Tres and Laguna Torre begin in the village.
Chilean side
Lake district around Puerto Varas. Puerto Varas and Frutillar on Lake Llanquihue have a distinctly German architectural character; Frutillar is home to the Teatro del Lago, described by the tourism board as the southernmost theater in the world. From Petrohué and Lago Todos los Santos, a boat continues to Peulla, with views of the Osorno and Calbuco volcanoes.
Carretera Austral. Route 7 runs for more than 1,200 km from Puerto Montt to Villa O'Higgins, passing Chaitén, Coyhaique, the hot springs of Puyuhuapi, the Queulat hanging glacier and Caleta Tortel, partly on gravel and partly by ferry.
Puerto Natales and Torres del Paine. Puerto Natales is the gateway to Torres del Paine National Park: 227,298 ha, established in 1959, a UNESCO biosphere reserve since 1978, and 80 km away via Route Y-290. Known for the granite massifs of the Cordillera Paine, the Grey Glacier and the W and O trekking routes.
Punta Arenas. This port city on the Strait of Magellan has direct flights from Santiago. Boats run to Isla Magdalena, home to one of the largest Magellanic penguin colonies in the world, and ships head toward Tierra del Fuego.
Sources: Administración Península Valdés · Administración Península Valdés · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Ente Mixto de Turismo Bariloche · Secretaría de Turismo de El Calafate · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Cruce Andino · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · CONAF · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Chile Travel (Sernatur)
When is the best time to visit Patagonia?
The main season runs from October to April: Torres del Paine then has summer opening hours from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m., and buses between El Calafate and Puerto Natales run from September to April. The busiest months are January and February, while October and April are quieter. Whales off Península Valdés can be seen from June to December.
Summer brings more than 16 hours of daylight, according to the concessionaire Las Torres, but also the most wind: in Torres del Paine it ranges from 20 km/h to gusts of 110 km/h. In April and October it is colder, the wind milder, and fewer people are on the trails.
Outside the main season, extra requirements such as a guide requirement sometimes apply on the W route and to Base Torres, and the O circuit is closed in winter. The Carretera Austral is best driven from December to March. Orcas appear off Península Valdés from February to April and from September to November.
The south: El Calafate, Puerto Natales and Punta Arenas
| El Calafate | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 20 | 20 | 18 | 14 | 10 | 7 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 15 | 17 | 19 |
| Low °C | 8 | 7 | 5 | 0 | -2 | -4 | -4 | -3 | -1 | 2 | 5 | 7 |
| Rainfall mm | 71 | 62 | 75 | 71 | 71 | 68 | 61 | 63 | 51 | 54 | 57 | 68 |
| Puerto Natales (Torres del Paine) | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 17 | 17 | 15 | 12 | 8 | 5 | 5 | 7 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| Low °C | 11 | 10 | 8 | 5 | 2 | -0 | -0 | 1 | 3 | 6 | 8 | 10 |
| Rainfall mm | 119 | 98 | 110 | 110 | 97 | 101 | 85 | 86 | 77 | 82 | 95 | 108 |
| Punta Arenas | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 16 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 8 | 6 | 5 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 14 | 15 |
| Low °C | 7 | 7 | 6 | 3 | 2 | -1 | -1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | 5 | 6 |
| Rainfall mm | 57 | 45 | 58 | 60 | 52 | 49 | 45 | 44 | 35 | 38 | 43 | 51 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL CALAFATE AERO (17 km, 199 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station TENIENTE JULIO GALLARDO (7 km, 66 m), auf 10 m umgerechnet. Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station CARLOS IBANEZ DEL CAMPO INTL (18 km, 42 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
In the south, summer days remain cool, and rain falls throughout the year; Punta Arenas has a subpolar oceanic climate with strong wind. In the lake district around Bariloche and Puerto Varas, summer is warmer and drier, with most rain falling in winter.
The lake district: San Carlos de Bariloche and Puerto Varas
| San Carlos de Bariloche | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 25 | 25 | 22 | 16 | 12 | 8 | 7 | 9 | 12 | 16 | 20 | 23 |
| Low °C | 8 | 7 | 4 | 2 | 0 | -1 | -2 | -2 | -1 | 1 | 4 | 6 |
| Rainfall mm | 33 | 24 | 33 | 59 | 120 | 156 | 127 | 122 | 62 | 52 | 38 | 30 |
| Puerto Varas | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | 21 | 21 | 19 | 16 | 14 | 11 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 15 | 17 | 19 |
| Low °C | 9 | 9 | 8 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 4 | 4 | 5 | 7 | 8 |
| Rainfall mm | 65 | 57 | 86 | 113 | 163 | 181 | 166 | 161 | 91 | 99 | 84 | 72 |
Average daily highs and lows, and monthly rainfall. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station SAN CARLOS DE BARILOCHE (13 km, 846 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020. Temperaturen: Mittel der täglichen Höchst- und Tiefstwerte 2010–2024 der Station EL TEPUAL INTL (16 km, 90 m). Niederschlag: NASA POWER, Monatsmittel 2001–2020.
Sources: Pases Parques (official ticket sales) · Bus-Sur · Las Torres Patagonia · Las Torres Patagonia · Las Torres Patagonia · CONAF · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Administración Península Valdés · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Chile Travel (Sernatur)
What entry rules apply for Patagonia?
For tourist stays of up to 90 days, Swiss, German and Austrian nationals need no visa for either Argentina or Chile, but do need a passport (as of September 2026); other nationalities are subject to different rules. Argentina requires proof of travel health insurance, according to the Federal Foreign Office, Germany and the BMEIA, Austria. The authoritative sources are always the relevant official agencies.
Argentina
- Switzerland: passport, return or onward ticket, and proof of sufficient funds; a single 90-day extension is possible (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA).
- Germany: passport or provisional passport, no national ID card; proof of health insurance covering emergencies, hospital treatment and repatriation (Federal Foreign Office, Germany).
- Austria: passport, valid for at least 3 months on entry; travel health insurance with repatriation cover is mandatory (BMEIA, Austria).
Chile
- According to Chile's foreign ministry, no visa is required for up to 90 days for Swiss, German and Austrian nationals.
- Germany: passport, valid for at least six more months on entry; the free Tarjeta Única Migratoria is valid for a maximum of 90 days (Federal Foreign Office, Germany).
- Austria: passport valid for the length of stay, return flight ticket and sufficient funds (BMEIA, Austria).
- Fresh food such as fruit, vegetables, dairy products and cured meat is prohibited; the declaration for the agricultural service SAG is mandatory.
Every crossing between the two countries is a formal exit and entry with checks; border crossings can close at short notice, according to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA.
The travel health insurance requirement for Argentina is based on the Federal Foreign Office, Germany and the BMEIA, Austria; a repeat check on 19 September 2026 found no explicit confirmation of this requirement for Swiss nationals on the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA's travel advisory and entry pages, even though the FDFA lists a passport, return or onward ticket, and sufficient funds as entry requirements. Anyone who wants to be certain should ask the Argentine representation in Switzerland before traveling.
Entry requirements can change at short notice. The authoritative sources are the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, Germany, the BMEIA, Austria, and the representations of Argentina and Chile. Travelers with a different passport should check the visa requirement in the list of visa-exempt passports from the Argentine Cancillería and with the Chilean migration service, which refers visa-required nationals to the consulates.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de Chile (consulado.gob.cl) · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Consulado General de la República Argentina (Cancillería) · Servicio Nacional de Migraciones (Chile)
What vaccinations and health risks apply in Patagonia?
Neither Argentina nor Chile requires a yellow fever certificate on entry, according to the CDC. The standard vaccinations are recommended, plus hepatitis A according to the CDC; yellow fever is only a consideration for Argentina's north around Iguazú, not for Patagonia. Watch out for hantavirus, strong sun, and thin medical coverage away from the towns.
- Yellow fever: vaccination recommended only for Corrientes and Misiones with the Iguazú Falls; not recommended by the CDC for Chile.
- Hepatitis A: recommended by the CDC for both Argentina and Chile. Full measles protection is advised for all travelers.
- Rabies: any bite or scratch from a mammal is an emergency.
- Hantavirus: transmitted through rodent droppings; avoid contact and keep food supplies sealed.
Medical care in Patagonia is limited, according to the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, and private hospitals require an advance payment or guarantee of costs. From Torres del Paine it is 54 km to the year-round emergency station at Cerro Castillo, and 80 to 140 km to the hospital in Puerto Natales.
Which vaccinations make sense in each individual case should be checked with a doctor before travel.
Sources: healthytravel.ch (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine) · healthytravel.ch (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine) · CDC Travelers' Health · CDC Travelers' Health · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · CONAF
How safe is Patagonia?
The crime advisories from the Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, the Federal Foreign Office, Germany, and the BMEIA, Austria mainly cite large cities such as Buenos Aires, Santiago and Valparaíso; pickpocketing also occurs at tourist sites, according to the FDFA. For travel within Patagonia, their advisories on natural hazards matter most: wildfires, rapidly changing mountain weather, and long overland stretches.
- Wildfires: in summer, fires occur regularly in Patagonia (Federal Foreign Office, Germany); they can temporarily close national parks (Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA).
- Mountains: weather can change very quickly. The FDFA recommends tours with local guides, and in Chile, tours must be registered with CONAF.
- Border areas: Chile's border areas with Argentina are partly mined, according to the FDFA; stay on the usual roads.
- Help: in the mountains of Torres del Paine, help can take several hours to arrive, according to CONAF.
Current advisories: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Argentina, Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Chile, Federal Foreign Office, Germany, Argentina, Federal Foreign Office, Germany, Chile.
Sources: Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · CONAF
How do you get to Patagonia and travel between the places?
On the Argentine side, airports include El Calafate, Bariloche and Trelew; on the Chilean side, Punta Arenas, Puerto Natales (seasonal) and Puerto Montt, all three with direct flights from Santiago. Santiago–Punta Arenas takes around 3 h 20 min. Buses run between the two countries, with El Calafate–Puerto Natales taking around six hours.
International long-haul flights land in Buenos Aires-Ezeiza (EZE) or Santiago de Chile (SCL). From Santiago there are nonstop connections to Punta Arenas, Puerto Montt, Balmaceda and, with a few flights, Puerto Natales; from Ezeiza there are direct connecting flights to Bariloche and Ushuaia.
| Route | Mode of transport | Duration or distance |
|---|---|---|
| Santiago – Puerto Montt | Flight | 1 h 45 min |
| Punta Arenas – Puerto Natales | Bus via Route 9 | 250 km, 3 h 15 min |
| Puerto Natales – Torres del Paine | Bus, car | 80 km via Route Y-290 to the Serrano sector; around 110–130 km via Route 9 and Cerro Castillo to the Laguna Amarga sector |
| El Calafate – Puerto Natales | Bus, with border crossing | around 6 h |
| El Calafate – El Chaltén | Road | 215 km, around 3 h |
| Puerto Varas – San Carlos de Bariloche | Cruce Andino, bus and boat | 180 km, around 12 h |
| San Carlos de Bariloche – Puerto Varas | Road via Paso Cardenal Samoré | 318 km |
| Trelew Airport – Puerto Madryn | Road | 50 km |
The distance to the park depends on the access point: the paved Route Y-290 leads to the Serrano sector in the south over 80 km, the shortest route. To the main entrance at Laguna Amarga in the northeast, where most day tours and the W trek start, it's around 110 to 130 km via Route 9 and Cerro Castillo, depending on the exact destination (Sarmiento entrance or Laguna Amarga); torresdelpaine.com states a driving time of around 2 hours for this. The figures of roughly 80 and roughly 115 km that circulate in travel guides are both correct, they simply refer to different access points.
Near Puerto Natales are the Chilean border posts Río Don Guillermo, near Villa Cerro Castillo, and Dorotea, both open to all vehicles. In the north, the paved, year-round Paso Cardenal Samoré at 1,305 m connects Bariloche with Osorno; it is open in summer from 8 a.m. to 7 p.m. and in winter from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Buses to Torres del Paine leave Puerto Natales at 7:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m.; there is no gas station in or near the park. The Carretera Austral is usually started in Puerto Montt or Balmaceda, both with direct flights from Santiago.
Sources: Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · CONAF · torresdelpaine.com · elchalten.com · Bus-Sur · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Cruce Andino · Ente Mixto de Turismo Bariloche · Unidad de Pasos Fronterizos, Gobierno de Chile · Unidad de Pasos Fronterizos, Gobierno de Chile · Unidad de Pasos Fronterizos, Gobierno de Chile · Administración Península Valdés · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Aeropuerto El Calafate · FlightConnections · FlightConnections
What currency is used, and what do the national parks cost?
In Argentina, payment is in Argentine Pesos (ARS); in Chile, in Chilean Pesos (CLP). In Chile, card payment is possible almost everywhere; in Argentina, cash from ATMs comes with high fees, and US dollars can be exchanged nationwide. National parks charge admission — Los Glaciares around 50,000 ARS per day (as of September 2026).
| Protected area | Fee | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Los Glaciares | 50,000 ARS per day | same rate at the El Chaltén entrance; 3 days 100,000 ARS |
| Nahuel Huapi | 35,000 ARS per day | children up to 6 free |
| Península Valdés | 50,000 ARS per day | children 6 to 11: 25,000 ARS |
| Torres del Paine | from 32,400 CLP (1 day), from 48,500 CLP (multiple days) | children up to 12 free |
The Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA advises against changing money on the street in Argentina, since counterfeit bills are in circulation. Cash from 10,000 US dollars upward must be declared in both countries. In Chile, Visa and Mastercard are widely accepted; the Cruce Andino is billed in US dollars.
Sources: Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · Federal Ministry for European and International Affairs (BMEIA), Austria · Federal Department of Foreign Affairs FDFA, Switzerland · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración Península Valdés · Pases Parques (official ticket sales) · Cruce Andino
Where do you stay in Patagonia?
Base locations include El Calafate, El Chaltén, Puerto Natales, Puerto Varas and San Carlos de Bariloche. In Torres del Paine there are hotels with road access as well as refugios and campsites along the trails, which must be booked in advance for the W or the O. There are also estancias offering guest rooms.
In Torres del Paine, the Hostería Pehoé, Hotel Lago Grey and Explora are reached by car; without road access lie the refugios Paine Grande, Grey, Los Perros and Dickson. Bookings are made directly with concessionaires, including Las Torres Patagonia and Vértice Patagonia. Puerto Natales is small, so book early in high season.
In Magallanes, estancias offer rooms with horseback riding; Estancia La Península can only be reached by boat. On the Cruce Andino you can stay overnight in Peulla or Puerto Blest.
Sources: CONAF · Parque Nacional Torres del Paine (CONAF Magallanes) · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Cruce Andino
What do you eat and drink in Patagonia?
Lamb and king crab are, according to Chile's tourism board, the specialties of Puerto Natales. In Argentina's Chubut province, Welsh tea with Torta Negra is part of the settlers' tradition, and in San Carlos de Bariloche the tourism office runs dedicated sections for chocolate and breweries.
The Welsh, who arrived aboard the Mimosa from Liverpool in 1865, brought the tea culture to Chubut. In Gaiman, Trevelin, Dolavon and Trelew, black tea is served with homemade bread, salted butter, scones and the long-lasting Torta Negra Galesa.
Anyone entering Chile should eat up fresh supplies beforehand. In Torres del Paine, cooking is only allowed with a stove at designated campsites; restaurants are found in the hotels and at the Serrano and Pehoé campsites.
Sources: Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Ministerio de Turismo y Áreas Protegidas del Chubut · Ente Mixto de Turismo Bariloche · Federal Foreign Office, Germany · CONAF
What history and culture shape Patagonia?
Patagonia is shaped by indigenous peoples, European settlers, and sheep farming. The name Chaltén for Fitz Roy comes from the language of the Aonikenk, for whom the mountain was sacred; Welsh settlers landed in Chubut in 1865, and on Península Valdés estancias have bred Merino sheep since the late 19th century.
In 1903, Francisco Pascasio Moreno donated land near Puerto Blest to the Argentine state, with the condition that it be preserved. This became Latin America's first national park in 1922, and Nahuel Huapi National Park in 1934.
Chubut celebrates the Welsh landing every year on 28 July. 98% of Península Valdés is privately owned estancia land, and in Punta Arenas the Nao Victoria Museum displays a replica of Magellan's ship.
Sources: Administración de Parques Nacionales · Ministerio de Turismo y Áreas Protegidas del Chubut · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración Península Valdés · Chile Travel (Sernatur)
What are the top experiences in Patagonia?
The classics are the hike to Base Torres and the W in Torres del Paine, the view of the Perito Moreno Glacier, day hikes to Fitz Roy and Laguna Torre from El Chaltén, and whale watching off Península Valdés. There is also the Cruce Andino across three lakes and the Carretera Austral.
Torres del Paine
| Section | Length | Walking time |
|---|---|---|
| Guardería Grey – Paine Grande | 11 km | 3 h 30 min |
| Paine Grande – Italiano | 7.5 km | 2 h 30 min |
| Italiano – Mirador Británico | 5.4 km | 3 h |
| Italiano – Los Cuernos | 5 km | 2 h 30 min |
| Los Cuernos – Hotel Las Torres | 11.6 km | 4 h 30 min |
| Hotel Las Torres – Chileno | 5 km | 2 h |
| Chileno – Mirador Base Torres | 4.4 km | 2 h 30 min |
The final stretch to Base Torres crosses a glacial moraine and is, according to CONAF, demanding; it should only be walked in daylight.
El Chaltén and Los Glaciares
To Laguna de los Tres it's 10 km and 750 meters of elevation gain, around 5 h each way; to Laguna Torre 10 km in 3 h 30 min. Shorter options are the Mirador de los Cóndores in 45 minutes and the 20-meter Chorrillo del Salto waterfall. Besides Perito Moreno, the Upsala, Viedma and Spegazzini glaciers lie within the park; the Viedma is, according to the park administration, the largest in Argentina.
Wildlife and lakes
Southern right whales can be seen off Península Valdés from a boat or from the shore. Near Punta Arenas, tours registered with Sernatur take visitors to Isla Magdalena. The Cruce Andino links Vicente Pérez Rosales and Nahuel Huapi national parks every day of the year.
Sources: CONAF · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Ministerio de Turismo y Áreas Protegidas del Chubut · Chile Travel (Sernatur) · Cruce Andino
What rules apply in the national parks?
In Torres del Paine, every heat source outside the designated cooking areas is banned, from grills to cigarettes; violations cost up to 2,000,000 CLP, up to three years in prison, or deportation for foreigners, according to CONAF. Drones are banned in Torres del Paine and Los Glaciares, and trash must be carried back out.
- Stay on marked trails only, and camp only at approved sites.
- Do not feed or touch the wildlife.
- In El Chaltén, registration is mandatory for trekking and climbing in remote areas.
- Disinfect boats and fishing gear in Torres del Paine against the invasive Didymo algae.
On Península Valdés, where 98% of the land is private, only the designated visitor sites may be visited.
Sources: CONAF · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Administración Península Valdés
What can Patagonia be combined with?
The most obvious pairing is Tierra del Fuego with Ushuaia, covered on its own page. Other building blocks are the capitals Buenos Aires and Santiago de Chile, the Chilean lake and forest district with Chiloé to the north, and the Falkland Islands in the South Atlantic.
- Tierra del Fuego: ships run from Punta Arenas toward Tierra del Fuego.
- Argentina: for Iguazú in Misiones, healthytravel.ch recommends the yellow fever vaccination.
- Chile: the lake district with Chiloé connects to the north of the Carretera Austral.
- Falkland Islands: a dedicated page on getting there and entry requirements.
Sources: Chile Travel (Sernatur) · healthytravel.ch (Swiss Expert Committee for Travel Medicine) · Chile Travel (Sernatur)
Who is Patagonia suited for, and who is it less suited for?
Patagonia suits hikers, nature photographers and wildlife watchers who accept long drives and changeable weather. It is less suited to beach holidays, short trips with many stops, and anyone who needs a fixed daily schedule without room for wind and rain.
- Well suited: multi-day hikers, wildlife watchers and self-drivers on the Carretera Austral.
- With reservations: families with small children. Children often pay no entrance fee in the parks, but trails are long and the weather harsh.
- Less suited: anyone who copes poorly with cold and wind, or who needs to be online constantly; in Torres del Paine there is mobile signal only in Villa Monzino.
Sources: CONAF · Administración de Parques Nacionales · Pases Parques (official ticket sales)
Worth combining
- Argentina
- Chile
- Tierra del Fuego
- Falkland Islands
- Torres del Paine
- El Calafate
- El Chaltén
- Carretera Austral
- Península Valdés
- Bariloche and the Lake District
