Patagonia, a 260,000 sq mi (670,000 km2) area along the southern tip of South America, is well-known for its scenic landscapes and abundant wildlife, making it a popular vacation spot for tourists all over the world. This region covers both southern Chile and Argentina, so it may seem a bit difficult to visit as a foreigner.X Thankfully, it’s easy to visit this area as long as you have the details of your trip planned in advance.
StepsMethod 1Method 1 of 5:Getting to and Around Patagonia
1Plan your trip between September and May. Keep in mind that Patagonia lies in the Southern Hemisphere, so the weather will be most pleasant and temperate between September and May.X Book your trip between October and February if you’d like to visit during the region’s spring or summer months. Plan your travel arrangements several months in advance, as this is a popular destination for tourists.XIf you don’t mind cooler weather, you may enjoy visiting in March and April.For instance, if you’re planning on visiting in October, you may want to book your trip in June or July.
2Book a flight to Chile or Argentina to start your journey. Look up flights from your local airport to the major airports in Chile and Argentina. Fly into Santiago or Buenos Aires, where you can book more specific travel arrangements that take you into Patagonia.XInternational flights can be a bit pricey, so try to book your flight sooner rather than later.
3Fly from a Chilean or Argentinian airport to Patagonia. If you’re starting your trip in Chile, book a flight to Punta Arenas, which is a popular destination along Patagonia. You can book round-trip tickets between these airports, which are available several times during the week. If you’re starting in Argentina, fly from Buenos Aires to Ushuaia or Calafate, which are other popular cities in Patagonia.XThese airfares can get a little pricey, and can be as expensive as $515.LATAM Airlines is the airline that commandeers these smaller, cross-country flights.
4Order a bus ticket to travel through the entire Patagonia. Book a bus ticket if you plan on visiting both Chile and Argentina. Note that the bus ride itself takes anywhere from 5 to 7 hours, as you’ll need to stop at customs once you cross the border. Try to buy a ticket at least a month before your trip, as these bus rides fill up quickly.XA bus ticket is at least $80 for a one-way trip.
5Rent a car if you want to get around independently. Look around the airport to find a rental car company that you can work with. Lease a car for the length of your trip, then hit the road. Keep in mind that Patagonia is an extremely large area, and it will take several hours for you to drive to different destinations.XRental cars are a more viable option if you plan on visiting Patagonia for several weeks, or if you only plan on visiting one area.
6Visit different portions of Patagonia via cruise trip. Some travel between Ushuaia in Argentina and Punta Arenas in Chile. You can also stop at popular Patagonia destinations, like the Strait of Magellan, and Cape Horn along the way. XMethod 2Method 2 of 5:Arranging Documents and Insurance
1Make sure that your passport is up-to-date. Look at the date your passport was issued to see if it’s expired or not. Bring your passport with you to the airport—you’ll need it to travel, especially if you plan on crossing the border between Chile and Argentina.XIf your passport is expired, check your government’s website to see how you can renew it.
2Exchange your money for Chilean or Argentinian pesos. Visit a travel center to transfer your home currency into Chilean and/or Argentinian pesos, depending on where you’re visiting. For easier transactions, you can also use your credit card—just be sure to let your bank know when you plan on leaving the country so your account isn’t flagged for fraud.XA day of food and snacks in Chile can cost up to 25,000 pesos. Keep in mind that 1 Chilean peso translates to about 0.09 Argentinian pesos.
3Get vaccinated for tetanus and Hepatitis A before you travel. Schedule an appointment with your doctor and ask if you’re up-to-date on your tetanus and Hepatitis A shots. Additionally, ask your doctor if you’re up-to-date on your diphtheria, Hepatitis B, rabies, and typhoid vaccines. XAll of these vaccinations can provide you with some peace of mind as you travel.
4Invest in travel medical insurance as a precaution. Purchase a travel medical policy to give yourself peace of mind, especially if you plan on hiking and exploring in Patagonia. Get a policy that covers your entire trip and any possible accidents that could occur along the way.XTravel insurance companies offer a variety of different policies at different prices. Enter your information on the website to get an exact quote.Method 3Method 3 of 5:Packing Clothing and Accessories
1Keep your belongings in a suitcase or hiking backpack. Pack your things in a suitcase if you plan on staying at a hotel or lodge, but bring a sturdy hiking backpack with you as well. Exploring Patagonia involves a lot of hiking, so you need to have easy access to your supplies, like water and sunscreen.XWhen you fly to Patagonia, you can check your suitcase and possibly bring the backpack as a carry-on, depending on the airline.
2Bring along a short-sleeved shirt in case of warm weather. Find a couple of comfortable, breathable tees that won’t absorb too much sweat. Keep these tops on hand in case the weather is especially warm.XIf you’re staying for a week or so, pack at least 2 short-sleeved shirts for your trip.
3Pack thermal layers for your trip. Shop online or at your preferred clothing store for long, moisture-wicking underwear that you can wear on hikes. Additionally, pack fleece-lined shirts and pants that will keep you warm as you hike. As a precaution, take an extra sweatshirt with you in case it gets really chilly.XFor instance, take along a sweatshirt, several pairs of long underwear, 2 fleece-lined shirts, and 2 fleece-lined pairs of pants as a precaution.The temperature can rise and fall between 5 to 70 °F (−15 to 21 °C) on any given day.
4Take a set of waterproof pants, jacket, and boots. Search your closet for water resistant clothes, like a raincoat, waterproof pants, and waterproof hiking boots. Pack at least 1 of each garment in case you run into inclement weather.XYou’ll be doing a lot of walking in different kinds of weather, so hiking boots are a better option than regular sneakers.
5Protect your head, hands, and feet with extra layers. Keep your skin covered and protected with long socks. Invest a few new pairs if you don’t have a lot of long socks lying around your home. Additionally, toss a hat and a pair of gloves into your suitcase, which will keep you protected from the sun and wind.X
6Stay protected with sunscreen, bug spray, sunglasses, and a headlamp. Pack a bottle of sunscreen, along with bug spray—as you hike and sightsee, you’ll definitely run into a lot of bugs and direct sunlight. For extra protection and safety, bring a pair of sunglasses with you, along with a headlamp.XYou may also want to bring a portable battery for your phone while you’re out hiking and sightseeing.Method 4Method 4 of 5:Evaluating Your Lodging Options
1Book a room at a luxury lodge for maximum convenience. Look up hotels and lodges in the area you’re visiting, whether you’re in Chile or Argentina. Search for lodging that has transfers to the airport, which can make your schedule a lot less stressful while you travel.XExplora is a popular Chilean lodge, while Eolo Lodge is a well-known spot in Argentina.
Tip: Relax at a villa if you value privacy. Book yourself a private villa with a separate company, which entitles you to a private tour guide and tour vehicle to show you around.
2Stay at EcoCamp for a laid-back camping experience. If you’re staying in Chile, settle down at EcoCamp, a hybrid hotel and campsite with a lot of private luxury options for different guests in the middle of Torres del Paine National Park. You can work with the establishment to get even more out of your stay, like going for a hike through the park.X
3Book accommodations at a private ranch or farm if you’re in Argentina. Look for farms or ranches with open room during your trip. Try to book a room with these places before embarking on your trip. Some places may serve you food during your stay, like Monte Dinero.XThese farms are pretty luxurious and tend to be on the pricier side (over $250).Method 5Method 5 of 5:Sightseeing in Patagonia
1Visit the Torres del Paine National Park to see a lot of wildlife. Explore this Chilean park to see stunning glaciers, beautiful lakes, and groups of wild animals. Start on the “W Trek,” which is a well-known hike that takes you through a lot of popular sites in the park. If you have a lot of time to burn, embark on a 9-day hike known as “the Circuit,” which lets you explore another section of the park.XThis is a great sightseeing option if you don’t want to deal with crowds of people.You can register for official tours and treks at this park. Some are around 80,000 Chilean pesos ($126), while others cost up to 1,039,000 Chilean pesos, or $1,699.Near here, you can sail along the Grey Lake to take pictures of the Grey Glacier.X
2Stop by Puerto Natales to see the glaciers and ocean. Visit Puerto Natales, a coastal Chilean town in Patagonia that has great views of the region’s glaciers. In this region, you can visit Seno Otway, where groups of penguins live, or search for whales and sea lions near Magdalena Island. If you’re in the mood for something daring, take kayak trip down the Strait of Magellan, or visit Clarence Island on your own.XYou can fly directly from Santiago to Puerto Natales.You can ski on Clarence Island.
3Drive down the Carretera Austral for a fun road trip. Take a rental car and drive down Route 7, which takes you through a lot of the Chilean Patagonia. Stop by the Queulat National Park on your way down, along with General Carrera Lake and Yelcho Lake. You can also stop at the Pumalin National Park and the Cerro Castillo National Park.XIt takes about 2-3 days to drive down this entire road, since it’s about 770 mi (1,240 km) long.
4Sightsee along Peninsula Valdes to see a lot of marine life. Visit Argentina to see the Peninsula Valdes, which connects with the Atlantic Ocean. You can see different kinds of whales off the coast here, along with Magellanic penguins, guanaco, and elephant seals. You may also see a variety of birds and ducks during your visit.XIf you visit this area between June and November, you may see Southern Right whales swimming with their newborn calves.
5Check out Tierra del Fuego National Park if you’re in Argentina. Stop by Ushuaia, a major city in Argentina that’s close to Tierra del Fuego, a park with a rainforest. You can get a great view of Ushuaia from this park, too!X If you want, sign up for a fun cruise where you can journey along the Beagle Channel and Magellan Straits.X
6Stop by the Los Glaciares National Park to see glaciers up close. Visit Perito Moreno, which is the largest glacier in the park. You can also try on special equipment and walk around a glacier.XIt costs an equivalent of $260 (17,886 Argentinian pesos) to get into this park.
