Patagonia Travel Guide
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Top Attractions
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Your Guide to Patagonia
At the southernmost tip of South America, sits a remote, dream-worthy travel destination consisting of breath-taking mountaintops, walkable glaciers, and untouched wildlife. This wistful landscape is known as Patagonia. Its broad territory stretches across the borders of Argentina and Chile and draws tourists from all over the world.
While a popular travel destination, much of Patagonia remains wild and remote, with some areas accessible only by foot. It is essential to plan before traveling to Patagonia to make the most of your trip. This guide will help you set your itinerary, book your flights, and pick a place to stay.
Top Attractions in Patagonia
Patagonia is known for its natural beauty and pristine wildlife. Much of what draws tourists to the area is the chance to explore open spaces and breathe in the fresh, breezy air. Many of the top attractions in Patagonia are located in National Parks, making guided tours and expeditions very popular in the region.
When you travel to Patagonia, you have to decide whether you want to focus on the Chilean or the Argentinian side of the territory. Each country offers unique vistas and attractions.
The Chilean side of Patagonia is largely remote wilderness and offers temperate rainforests, glaciers, and fjords. The Argentinian portion of Patagonia runs along the Atlantic Ocean and features steppe and desert-like environments as well as the Andes mountain range.
Patagonia is vast. A traveler could spend months in the area and not see everything they may wish to see. If you are unsure of where to start, the top attractions in Patagonia may help you kick off your itinerary:
- Torres del Plaine National Park
- Perito Moreno Glacier
- Tierra del Fuego National Park
In the sections that follow, we will highlight the special sights offered by each attraction.
Torres del Plaine National Park
Known for its picturesque lakes, lush forests, and snow-tipped mountain peaks, Torres del Plaine is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Patagonia. Located in Chile, Torres del Plaine is about 100 miles north of Puerto Natales and offers a variety of trails and expeditions that will introduce visitors to nearly everything Patagonia has to offer.
The park is vast, consisting of over half a million acres of landscape, but visitors can choose hikes that take mere hours to complete or days-long hiking and camping expeditions that traverse wide spans of the park.
Torres del Plaine features massive mountain peaks known as massifs that jut out from the Earth to form walls of rock that appear to touch the sky. It is also known for its crystal clear lakes and lush forests. Any hike or expedition taken through Torres del Plaine will provide awe-inspiring vantage points and views that look like they came straight out of one’s imagination.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Part of Argentina’s Austral Andes, Perito Moreno Glacier is one of the largest glaciers found in Patagonia and is one of the only glaciers in the world that is still growing. Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier offers jaw-dropping views of sheer, blue ice walls that can reach over 250 feet above water level.
There are a variety of tours available at Perito Moreno Glacier, from hiking to boat trips, enabling you to view the glacier from nearly every vantage point. Because the glacier is still growing, it is not uncommon to witness the ice fracture or break off into the lake waters below.
Some tours even offer visitors the chance to walk on the glacier, which is a once in a lifetime type of opportunity. Visitors choosing to explore the glacier on a boat will appreciate the massive heights of the structure and will feel the cold emanating from both the glacier and the fresh waters below.
Tierra del Fuego National Park
The Empire State Building is an essential landmark of New York City. At 1,454 feet tall, it was the tallest building in the world upon its completion in 1930 and is the pinnacle of architecture and design. Although the view of this magnificent skyscraper alone is reason enough to visit, it’s what it has to offer inside that makes it such an iconic attraction.
You’ve never truly seen New York City until you’ve seen it from above, and the Empire State Building allows you to do that. There are two observatories in the building: one on the 86th floor and one on the 102nd.
With 360-degree views that can stretch up to 80 miles, the view of New York City from the Empire State Building is unmatched. But that’s not all. Visitors can also walk through awe-inspiring exhibits on the 2nd and 80th floors with content ranging from historical, to architectural, to borderline fanciful.
The Experience Flying into Patagonia Airports
Whether you want to visit a small portion of Patagonia or spend weeks exploring the area, you will need to fly to visit Patagonia. Once you reach either Buenos Aires, Argentina, or Santiago, Chile, the capital cities of the two countries that house the famous travel destination, there are numerous airlines and destination cities that will lead you into Patagonia.
When flying to the Chilean side of Patagonia, you will likely fly into one of the following airports:
- Aeropuerto Internacional El Tepual
- Aerodromo Balmaceda
- Aeropuerto Teniente Julio Gallardo
- Aeropuerto Presidente Carlos Ibáñez
If you choose to fly into the Argentinian side, your Patagonian destination airport will likely be one of these:
- Aeropuerto Internacional Teniente Luis Candelaria (Bariloche)
- Aeropuerto Internacional de El Calafate Comandante Armando Tola
- Aeropuerto Internacional Malvinas Argentinas
Depending on the time of year and the popularity of the particular area, there may be as many as one or two flights every hour flying into some Patagonian airports. Other airports offer only one or two flights per week, so you will need to plan accordingly.
Another consideration is unpredictable weather. Thanks to dueling ocean winds and rocky terrains, the storms and strong winds can descend into the area suddenly, delaying or canceling flights. When you make your travel plans, consider back-up and alternative routes available in case sudden weather events make certain locations inaccessible for some time.
Top 3 Tips to Fly Cheap to Patagonia
Once you fly into South America from your place of origin, the cost of connecting flights to Patagonia runs anywhere from $20 to $200 per one-way flight. So, how do you score flights for only $20 per ticket versus $200? Here are three ways to save money when flying in Patagonia:
1. Fly the offseason.
Most tourists visit Patagonia during the summer, which is between December and February in the southern hemisphere. While the weather is beautiful this time of year, the prices to fly are also much higher. If you travel during the early spring or late fall months, you will be able to find cheaper flights while still enjoying warmer temperatures.
2. Book your flights in advance.
Booking up to 6 months in advance, especially if you plan to travel during peak season, will enable you to book cheaper flights. The closer to your travel date, generally the more expensive flights become. This is another reason why it is essential to plan a trip to Patagonia in advance.
3. Fly the Chilean side.
Because much of the Chilean portions of Patagonia are more desolate and remote, the flights tend to be cheaper, often less than $100 for a one-way flight. It is important to note, however, that there are no direct flights from the Chilean to the Argentinian side of Patagonia. So, while Chile is more affordable, you may miss out on some of the more popular Patagonian attractions.
Popular Areas of Patagonia to Stay
From luxury hotels to camping sites, Patagonia offers a wide array of accommodations for tourists visiting the area. Many of these hotels and other lodging retreats are located in the cities located near the popular National Parks that are scattered across the landscape. Some of the most popular cities for tourists to stay in are:
- Puerto Madryn, Argentina
- El Calafate, Argentina
- Puerto Natales, Chile
- Punta Arenas, Chile
Depending on the experience you are looking for in Patagonia, these cities offer accommodations and access to the tours and expeditions that will fulfill all of your travel dreams.
Popular Hotels in Argentina and Chile
Argentina
If you choose to stay in Argentina, two of the most popular cities are Puerto Madryn and El Calafate. Some of the most popular hotels in these cities are:
- La Posada de Madryn
- Hotel Territorio
- El Pedral
- Blanca Patagonia
- Xelena Hotel & Suites
- Design Suites
Chile
In Chile, you will likely stay in Puerto Natales or Punta Arenas. Both of these cities offer nice accommodations, including the following hotels:
- Weskar Patagonian Lodge
- Altiplanico
- Hotel Simple Patagonia
- Hotel Rey Don Felipe
- La Yegua Loca
- Hotel Jose Nogueira
All of the hotels in Patagonia combine modern spaces with the natural beauty of their surroundings and can make traveling to the area a dream even for tourists who are not especially outdoorsy or camping enthusiasts.
Popular AirBnB Places in Argentina and Chile
If you are looking to live like a local, or at least try out a home-like stay, you may consider an AirBnB rental in Patagonia. Concentrating on the main cities we’ve covered in this guide, here are a few AirBnB rentals to consider on your next trip:
Enjoy this apartment complete with ocean views and modern style in Puerto Madryn, Argentina
- This cabin in El Calafate, Argentina, gives you the full experience of privacy and wide-open spaces that the remoteness of Patagonia is known for
Interested in waking up to views of mountain peaks over open waters, this apartment in Puerto Natales, Chile, is for you
A tiny home located in Puerto Arenas, Chile, allows you privacy and easy access to the city
Top 3 Things to do in Patagonia
Patagonia is all about outdoor adventures and taking in the natural beauty of the area. So, it should not come as a surprise that the top three things to do in Patagonia are the best ways to see the sites and soak in every aspect of the unique environment:
- Hiking: Filled with National Parks with thousands of trails, Patagonia is a hiker’s paradise. No matter where in Patagonia you go, you will likely find yourself hiking through the rugged terrain to find the best overlooks and vantage points to take in the sights.
- Boat Rides: The fjords in Patagonia are almost as plentiful as the hiking trails. With glaciers and gorgeous waters, many tourists find boat rides to be an inviting way to take in their natural surroundings. They also offer a chance to see whales and other water life known to inhabit the area.
- Explore the quaint port cities. Surrounded by water, many of these small cities have histories of being fairly isolated and have developed unique cultural practices that you can explore and learn about by touring the streets and eating in local restaurants.
Coolest AirBnb Experiences in Patagonia
If you are looking for the full Patagonian experience, complete with mountain and water views, remote isolation, and luxury accommodations, this cabin located in Rio Negro, Argentina is for you. Located near Bariloche airport, this cabin sits on Lake Nahuel Huapi. It offers open spaces, outdoor seating areas, and close vicinity to some of the most popular Patagonian attractions Argentina has to offer.
Final Thoughts
Patagonia offers some of the most spectacular sights the world has to offer. Filled with pristine, protected National Parks, the ability to connect with nature and wildlife is unparalleled in this gem tucked into the southernmost point of South America. Start planning your trip today and explore all of the beauty that Patagonia has to offer.
