I recently checked a big one off the bucket list and am excited to share my guide to Patagonia Chile with you! As someone who does not hike – I live in Charleston where it is very flat – this trip held many unknowns. As a result, I spent tons of time researching what the weather would be like in Patagonia in March, what I needed to wear, and all the best hikes in Torres del Paine. After months of planning and then experiencing, I have the answers to all of your burning questions for your next vacation to Patagonia!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
- Where is Patagonia and How Do You Get to Patagonia?
- What is the Best Month to Visit Patagonia?
- Where to Stay in Patagonia – Luxury Hotels Patagonia Chile
- What to Do in Patagonia
- Best Hikes in Patagonia
- Where to Eat in Patagonia
- Do You Need a Guide for Patagonia?
- How Many Days Do You Need in Patagonia?
- Is it Better to Visit Patagonia from Argentina or Chile?
- Why is Patagonia called Patagonia?
- What Language is Spoken in Patagonia?
- Is Chile good for a honeymoon?
- Entry Requirement for Chile COVID-19
- What to wear in Patagonia Chile
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The Ultimate Guide to Chilean Patagonia
This post will detail everything you need to know about Chilean Patagonia and answer all of your questions like: what month is best to visit Patagonia, what are the best hikes in Patagonia, where do I stay in Patagonia, Patagonia Chile vs. Argentina, is Chile good for a honeymoon, and many more!
Where is Patagonia and How Do You Get to Patagonia?
Patagonia is known as the southernmost region in South America split across both Argentina and Chile. It is an incredibly vast landscape with glaciers, iconic hikes, national parks, and spectacular wildlife.
To reach this remote destination, you will fly into the Patagonia Chile airport in Puerto Natales called Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT). There are direct flights from Santiago to PNT most of the year, but they do diminish in the winter months. You can easily fly via LATAM Airlines or SKY Airlines with direct flights or a short stop in Puerto Montt (PMC).
From Puerto Natales, it is about a 1.5-2 hours scenic drive to Torres del Paine National Park.
What is the Best Month to Visit Patagonia Chile?
The best months to visit Patagonia are the spring/summer months in the Southern Hemisphere: November, December, January, February, and early March. March transitions to fall, but the weather is still really nice.
I visited in mid-March and enjoyed great temperatures and fewer crowds! On the other hand, it can get super busy in the prime summer months which is when the weather is the most comfortable in the 70s. It was incredible to experience the base of the towers with only a handful of people up there with us.
Where to Stay in Patagonia – Luxury Patagonia Chile Hotels
If you are interested in glamping, you will want to stay at a luxury resort in Patagonia, Chile! Here are my top picks for your next vacation or honeymoon in Patagonia.
Awasi Patagonia
The ULTIMATE in luxury hotels is Awasi Patagonia. Managed by Relais & Chateau and named a Leading Hotel of the World, Awasi will blow you away with their first class service, cuisine, and friendly staff.
Each guest is assigned a guide throughout their stay who will map out your days with the best hikes or activities suited to your expectations. In addition, they pack meals, snacks, and drinks so you can enjoy some fabulous picnics before, during, and after your adventures.
There are 14 villas each overlooking the famous towers of Torres del Paine. Your villa will feature a fireplace in the living area, king sized bed, and bathroom with standup shower and soaking tub. However, my favorite feature is the outdoor wood-burning hot tub! There is nothing more necessary than getting to soak your muscles after a long day on the trail.
The lodge is a great place to hangout and meet your fellow travelers. The restaurant is housed here and serves incredible cuisine and local Chilean wines, among others. Definitely try the wine pairings with your meal – the sommelier is amazing and she poured really unique, small batch wines that you won’t find anywhere else. They accommodate any dietary restrictions and allergies. We are plant based and had incredible options on the trails and at the physical restaurant. I was pleasantly surprised by the variety and healthy choices! Even more surprising, the staff knew who everyone was by name and their dietary restrictions – I never once had to remind them of my avocado allergy or vegan/pescatarian diet.
The Singular Hotel Patagonia Chile
If Awasi is not your speed, I also suggest The Singular Hotel in Puerto Natales. It is closer to town and only 5 minutes from the airport so it is a great option. We stayed at The Singular in Santiago and loved it! This is a luxury hotel brand popular throughout Chile.
What to Do in Patagonia Chile
Obviously you are coming to Patagonia to enjoy the natural beauty and likely plan to hike. I’m sharing the best hikes in the next section, but there are so many other great things to do besides hiking! No matter your age or abilities, there is something for you.
Visit an Estancia
Estancia is the Spanish term for farm. They are a big part of the traditional gaucho culture in the region. Visit one to learn more about their history and lifestyles, then enjoy a Chilean barbecue cooked literally farm to table!
Spot Wildlife
There are endless opportunities to spot wildlife in this vast landscape. You will see tons of guanacos (relative to llamas or alpacas), pumas, condors, cows, horses, sheep, and more!
Horseback Riding
Patagonia might be the most stunning place to ride horseback and take in the scenery!
Fishing in Patagonia Chile
Many people come to Patagonia specifically to fish! With so many mountain streams you will find plenty of fish, especially trout.
Tierra del Fuego
Tierra del Fuego means “land of fire” and was coined by Magellan during his exploration due to the many bonfires. This region is located at the very tip of South America and is home to the town of Ushuaia known as the end of the world. You will find national parks, vast landscapes, glaciers, lakes, and more in this incredibly remote and untouched part of the world.
Isla Magdalena
Visit Isla Magdalena if you are hoping to spot penguins! There are thousands of them there waiting to charm visitors. You will take a ferry from Punta Arenas to explore this area.
Kayak in the Glacier Lakes
Paddle amongst the breathtaking icebergs and glaciers on Grey Lake in Torres del Paine.
Milodon Caves
Milodon Caves is a natural monument in Chilean Patagonia. It features many caves and a monolithic rock formation known as The Devil’s Chair, Silla de Diablo.
Best Patagonia Chile Hiking
Torres del Paine National Park
Torres del Paine National Park is the most famous in Chilean Patagonia. It’s known for the iconic W hike which is named for its shape as it takes you close to glaciers and peaks. You can hike the whole trail in about 4 days of camping or do day hikes like we did. Our favorite hikes were:
- Mirador Base de las Torres (Lookout at Base of the Towers) – 21km round trip journey to reach this iconic spot. This was easily the hardest thing I have ever done, but the view was 1000 percent worth it. It is a difficult hike especially towards the top when you are climbing up rocks. I did not intend to do this hike until our guide put me at ease. There were people of all shapes, sizes, races, and age on the trail – ranging from babies in carriers to women in their 70s! If I can do it, you can too.
- Glacier Gray – This was my first time seeing a glacier and it was truly incredible. The hike itself was relatively easy and only about 12km in total. We hiked to the halfway point for a day trip, but you can keep going and camp overnight. The ferries only run twice a day (for now due to COVID) and you will miss the return trip if you do the full hike – there is not enough time.
- Laguna Azul – this was the easiest hike that we did. It is mostly flat as you wind around Laguna Azul with a great view of the towers above you. We spent about an hour, but you can do more or less!
Cerro Castillo National Park
Cerro Castillo National Park is a newer nature reserve in Chile known as a quieter alternative to Torres del Paine. It is named for its highest peak, Cerro Castillo. Here are a few spots not to miss:
- Laguna Cerro Castillo – a stunning day hike to this sparkly blue glacial lake at the base of Cerro Castillo (Castle Mountain in English) is 8.9 miles which should take about 5-6 hours. Expect few crowds since this is not as well known as Torres del Paine.
Where to Eat in Chilean Patagonia
Since we stayed at Awasi, all of our meals were taken care of on site due to the remote location. Unfortunately we did not get to try much of the local cuisine this trip, but here are a few places I would love to check out next time if we stay closer to town.
- Restaurant Bahia Mansa – Puerto Natales
- Lenga – Puerto Natales
- Santolla – Puerto Natales
- Last Hope Distillery – Puerto Natales
- The Singular Patagonia Restaurant – Puerto Natales
- Taberna Club De La Union – Punta Arenas
- Wake Up Coffee and Brunch – Punta Arenas
Frequently Asked Questions about Patagonia
Do You Need a Guide for Patagonia Chile?
You are probably wondering if you need a guide for Patagonia? The answer is completely up to you! If you feel more comfortable having an experienced guide to show you the way, then definitely get a guide. If you stay at Awasi, you automatically have one assigned to you. It was incredibly nice to have someone drive us, bring lunch, and handle passes for the parks. On the other hand, you do not need one to hike. Many people hike without a guide and camp throughout the national park.
How Many Days Do You Need in Patagonia Chile?
I could have definitely spent a couple more days in Patagonia (but I say that about every trip). We spent 3 full days and hiked all of them. Another day or two to simply relax or do more low key activities like visiting a traditional estancia would have been perfect in my opinion. If you have the time, you can definitely use it as there is so much to see, however, three full days (with two half days) worked great for us. My suggestion is a minimum of 3 full days, preferably 4-5 in Chilean Patagonia.
Is it Better to Visit Patagonia from Argentina or Chile?
Patagonia is a region split between Argentina and Chile in the southernmost part of South America. You can visit either side (or both) and see totally different things!
Argentine Patagonia is much larger in size with many things to do. It is known for the Perito Moreno Glacier which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site. In addition, there are many popular things to do like: Argentina Lake District, El Chalten, El Calafate, and Mount Fitz Roy.
Chilean Patagonia is most well known for Torres del Paine National Park and the iconic W Trek. It is smaller in size, but you are able to see a lot more different things from the unique landscape of fjords, channels, archipelagos, and glaciers.
Why is Patagonia called Patagonia?
Is Patagonia a country? Where did the name come from? All frequently asked questions about Patagonia! The name came from the word patagon meaning big feet which Magallan used to refer to the native tribes of the region due to their large footprints! They were much bigger than the Europeans were at the time of his 1520 expedition.
What Language is Spoken in Patagonia Chile?
Most everyone speaks Spanish or Portuguese in Patagonia and throughout Chile. However, everyone we encountered also spoke English.
Is Chile good for a honeymoon?
Chile is a great place to honeymoon! In fact, we met several people during our visit that were on their honeymoons. Awasi makes for an unforgettable Patagonia honeymoon resort. Whether you want to hike Patagonia, visit wineries, explore the lake region or Atacama, there is something for every type of traveler.
Chile Entry Requirements COVID19
Chile only reopened their borders in November of 2021. When we traveled in March 2022, we had to complete many things that are now optional a month later including a required PCR test at the airport on arrival.
Please refer to this website for the most up to date entry requirements. As of today, you no longer need to test before entry. In addition, the mobility pass is optional, however, it allows you access to many things like transportation, theaters, restaurants, etc. If you are vaccinated, it is easy to complete and can be done a month prior to arrival.
In order to travel to Chile right now, you will need to have the following as Chile is at Alert Level 1.
- Complete the Traveler Affidavit 48 hours prior to entry
- Have health insurance that covers covid-19 (make sure the policy clearly states this)
- Diagnostic testing will be performed randomly
Should they move to Alert Level 2 or 3, you will be required to have the following:
- Proof of vaccination validated by the Chilean authorities and receive a mobility pass
- Have a negative result on a PCR test taken no more than 72 hours before the final flight to Chile
- Take a PCR or antigen test as required on arrival
What to Wear in Patagonia Chile
I had the hardest time packing and planning what to wear in Patagonia. I live in Charleston, SC which is usually pretty warm with mild winters and we have NO hills. As a result, I did not own enough warm layers or hiking boots so I really had to do my research when shopping.
I can’t stress enough to wear lots of LAYERS – you will go from hot to cold so need to be able to adjust to the wild weather in Patagonia. You can experience all 4 seasons in one single day in Patagonia.
Here are a few of my must haves for your Patagonia packing list.
And, I wrote a whole post about what to wear and pack for Patagonia!
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