Best time to visit Patagonia

The best time to visit Patagonia is the summer season between November and March. There may be a few crowds, but Patagonia spreads right across Chile and Argentina, so there’s plenty of it to go around. Torres del Paine National Park steals the best of the weather, although it can still get cold in the south and highlands, including areas like Tierra del Fuego National Park.

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Best time to visit Patagonia

Patagonia’s weather is characterised by unpredictability; warm, windproof and waterproof layers are essential year-round – especially given the relentless wind.

November to March is the best time to visit Patagonia, with warmth and longer days on both the Chile and Argentina sides. Southern nights last a scant six hours, although night frosts and sleet can occur in the highlands even in summer. Mid-November to mid-December is less crowded, with spring blooms. April and May are the best months to visit Patagonia for colourful autumn foliage and fewer crowds, with northern regions still retaining some warmth against the milder temperatures of the south. When to go to Patagonia also depends on the region – it is huge and there are great variations all over. Coasts are wetter and milder; the inland steppe is chillier and arid.

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When to go to Patagonia, month by month

If you’re heading to Patagonia in January or February then be prepared for surprising heat in the north, in places like Peninsula Valdés, as well as rain in the south, Tierra del Fuego, for example. Temperatures dip across the region pretty much from March through to October with nights, especially, proving particularly chilly. Mid-March to May allow you to avoid the tourist hordes, and photographers should come prepared to capture the wonderful autumn colours and spectacular sunsets. May, June, July and August are cold and wet in and around Tierra del Fuego with many areas becoming frozen and often inaccessible to tourists. That said, winter months in Patagonia have plenty of clear blue sky days and less wind but more southerly national parks, such as Torres del Paine National Park and Isla Magdalena, are usually shut. September and October bring spring to Patagonia, and are also one of the best times to visit if you want to steer clear of the amassing crowds and don’t mind wrapping up against harsh winds. As temperatures start to rise during November and December popular parks and natural landmarks start to get busy. However, this is a massive area and if you don’t mind sharing, booking well in advance or getting further off the beaten track there are a great many Patagonia adventures to go round.

Tierra del Fuego Weather Chart

MIN °C

MAX °C

RAIN (mm)

JAN

FEB

MAR

APR

-2

MAY

-3

JUN

-5

-1

JUL

-5

-2

AUG

-5

-1

SEP

-4

OCT

-3

NOV

-2

DEC

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Responsible Travel recommends

Our nature pick: Penguins

Patagonia is the best place to spot penguins outside of Antarctica, and they’re here in the warmer months of October-April. Head to the beaches around Ushuaia and Peninsula Valdés – or to Punta Tombo if you want to walk amongst South America’s hugest colony of Magellan penguins.

Festivals & events in Patagonia

Kayaking with whales

You can kayak with whales in the lagoons around Peninsula Valdes! Southern right whales travel to this nature reserve between late September and early December, and you can see them breaching, slapping their tails and tending to their babies from the shore – or from your kayak.

National Festival for the Longest Night of the Year

In impressive, South American style, the "National Festival for the Longest Night of the Year" actually lasts for nine nights. Held in Ushuaia, the festival begins with a torch light parade on 20th June, and there are fireworks and live music.

Pumas

While most travelers avoid the depths of winter, feline fans should head south for the season. It’s the best time to visit Patagonia if you want to spot big cats – including the elusive puma. The cold encourages them to descend from chilly mountaintops into warmer valleys – which are no longer filled with tourists who might scare them away.