21 Essential Things You Need to Know Before Traveling to Patagonia
Traveling to both Chilean and Argentinian parts of Patagonia is, for many of us, once in a lifetime adventure. We've created this guide on essential things you need to know before traveling to Patagonia, focusing on everything you should have covered before your ultimate journey to make your trip as smooth as possible. Happy planning!
Patagonia is an incredible region in South America, a dream destination for every traveler, including us, but planning this adventure can be quite a daunting task for many reasons.
First of all, Patagonia is a vast area spread between two countries, Chile and Argentina.
The weather conditions are harsh, public transport is often unreliable, and prices are much higher than our backpacker's budget can usually take.
Despite all these facts (all maybe because of these facts), our adventurous hearts and our outdoorsy souls were driven to visit Patagonia more than ever, and our dream came finally true not that long time ago.
Visiting Patagonia required lots of planning and lots of saving, but in retrospect, we can say it was more than worth it.
Simply put, the beauty of Patagonia is hard to ignore.
The region boasts the rugged landscape, sharp towering snow-capped mountain peaks, endless grassy areas, turquoise lakes, massive glaciers, and pristine wild rivers making their way through deep valleys.
It is easy to fall in love with Patagonia.
But to enjoy your holidays or an outstanding part of your long-term travels, this visit requires doing proper research to come well-prepared as the often underestimating the planning part can break your trip, despite all the beauty around.
We've created this travel guide on all the essential things you should know before traveling to Patagonia.
Including the region introduction, tips on how to cross borders between Chile and Argentina, how to plan your itinerary, what places to visit, when is the best time to travel to Patagonia, where to stay, what to pack and how to stay safe.
We are excited to help you plan your ultimate trip to Patagonia, and we hope you will have the time of your life the same as we had!
Where is Patagonia
Patagonia is a huge geographical region shared by Argentina and Chile in the south end of the South American continent.
The region covers an area of more than 1.000.000 square kilometers and contains pretty much everything from steppes, deserts, lakes, Andes Mountains, glaciers, and fjords.
The Atlantic Ocean surrounds Patagonia in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west.
The southern tip of Patagonia ends with Tierra del Fuego, which is often considered the southernmost point of the world.
It's known for its pristine nature and unspoiled wilderness, epic views, and superb hiking trails.
How to Get to Patagonia
First things first, how the hell should you get to Patagonia? And where should you even start?
Well, these are actually two entirely separate questions, and to get an idea of the area, travel routes, and top attractions, we recommend you check out our itinerary to get some inspiration.
Getting to Patagonia is not that hard for those traveling via land - often budget backpackers on a long-term trip - as crossing borders is pretty straightforward and nothing unusual in the region. For example, we traveled to Chilean Patagonia by bus.
So from Santiago de Chile, we took a bus via Pucon to Puerto Montt, where we took an overnight ferry to Chaiten, the beginning of Carretera Austral, and for us also the jumping-off point for exploring Patagonia.
When traveling via land on the Argentinian side first, you will most likely take an overnight bus (we recommend you break the journey somewhere along the way) from Bariloche to El Chalten.
Most travelers reach Patagonia by plane, though, which is much more comfortable and this means of transport also saves time.
No matter where you are flying from, you will most likely need to catch a connection for Patagonia in either Santiago de Chile or Buenos Aires in Argentina.
So from your home country, search for flight tickets to the capital of Chile or Argentina and then book a connecting domestic flight.
Depending on where your itinerary starts, you can carry on to Puerto Montt, Cochrane, El Calafate, Punta Arenas, or Ushuaia from these two airports.
What Part of Patagonia Should You Visit?
Patagonia spans across two countries, Chile and Argentina, so you can tell that it is a really vast region which is impossible to cover in only two to four weeks (this is the time the majority of people have for exploring Patagonia)
Therefore, your first question probably is what parts and places in Patagonia should you visit.
Unfortunately, there is no straightforward answer.
As it always happens with exceptional places like this one, both Chilean and Argentinian parts have mind-blowing highlights you won't want to miss once you see photos.
If you have enough time, we recommend you visit both countries to see some of the top attractions, but your final route will also depend on your budget and the way of transport you will use because distances are extensive.
If you are short on time, we recommend sticking to one area, so you won't kill too much time getting from one place to another.
On the other hand, if you can afford to travel more slowly, you should take advantage of it, and visit even more secluded destinations.
In Chile, you should not miss Torres del Paine National Park, you can drive part or even the entire length of Carretera Austral.
In Argentina, the must-see places are hikes around El Chalten, Perito Moreno Glacier, and Ushuaia.
In case your time and budget are not limitless, do not despair.
Patagonia is truly so beautiful that you can choose only one smaller area and explore it thoroughly rather than frantically jump from one place to another while trying to see it all.
How Many Days for Patagonia
There is no way to tell how many days you need for Patagonia. Every travel itinerary is unique, as it reflects your travel style, budget, and preferences.
he region is vast, it has tons of entry points, and offers many different ways to spend your vacation there.
If you really pushed us, we would say that two weeks is a bare minimum for Patagonia. Yes, three weeks are better.
Well, four weeks in Patagonia are even better. But as you can see, this is clearly going nowhere.
The Patagonia equation is very simple. The more time you have for this region, the more you see.
What we can recommend you is to see this super helpful post on the Patagonia travel itinerary.
In this blog post, we outline several ways to travel to Patagonia, and you can find there from 1-week to 4-week versions of suggested itineraries.
We hope you'll find more inspiration on this topic there.
How & Where to Cross Borders Between Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia
Only in Patagonia, we crossed borders between Chile and Argentina three times.
Luckily we, Czechs, don't need to have visas, and we don't have to pay any reciprocal fee, but check the most up-to-date information for your country before your travels.
Crossing borders between those two countries is not hard; you only need to follow all rules.
Every time we entered Chile, we noticed that officers were much stricter than on the Argentinian side, so do not bring any seeds, fruit, or dairy products with you.
Otherwise, you'll pay a hefty fine, and your travels will be delayed.
You have three options on how to cross borders between Chile, and Argentina and all of those options depend on the way you are going to travel around Patagonia.
Rental Car
When traveling in Patagonia by a car, you must ensure you have a document from the rental company which legally allows you to take the vehicle to another country.
Most companies do not have a problem issuing you such a document.
You only need to let them know at least one week in advance that you're going to need it (check conditions first that they allow travelers to drive abroad).
You should also check whether it is possible to drop off the car at another location (sometimes it is, but the one-way fee is pretty high).
When crossing borders in the high season, try to arrive at the borders as soon as possible to avoid lines.
In Patagonia, you can cross borders between Chile and Argentina, for example, in Chile Chico, then in Rio Turbio and Rio Gallegos.
Here you will find the best deals on rental cars in Patagonia.
On Foot
Are we serious here? Can you really cross borders between Chile and Argentina on foot? Tiny hint - yes, you can, and yes, it is very scenic, so make sure your camera is fully charged.
We crossed borders in Patagonia by bus most of the time. But it is impossible not to mention here our favorite border crossing in the region, which starts at the end of Carretera Austral in the village called Villa O'Higgins.
From here, we walked one day through the stunning scenery to Argentina and the whole day involved a boat trip, hiring a driver, walk across borders, another boat trip, and a bus ride.
If you have time and love hiking, this is a must-do activity where you combine the inevitable with a great adventure.
Public Transport
Crossing borders between two countries on a bus was overall easy and stress-free in South America. Your bus driver usually has a list of all passengers; then, he will tell you to go to immigration and give you essential instructions whether you need to take out your backpacks or not.
Then all the people from the bus get the passport stamp one by one when everything is ok, it does not take long, and everyone jumps on the bus and carries on to the final destination.
Plane
The last time we were in Patagonia, taking international flights did not correspond with our itinerary and budget.
But if you are short on time, we definitely recommend you checking out flights between Patagonian major destinations as sometimes you can find great deals, including direct flight, which saves time.
The Best Time to Visit Patagonia
If there is something you should really consider before traveling to Patagonia, it is the weather and seasons as elements (or rather not knowing the elements) can greatly impact your trip.
No matter when you decide to visit Patagonia, you can be sure there will be days when you'll experience all four seasons in only one day.
That's how unpredictable and changeable the weather in the region can be.
That's being said, there are four distinct seasons in Patagonia, while some are for sure better for traveling and hiking than others.
Weather-wise the best time to travel in Patagonia is from December to February.
These months are summer months in the Southern Hemisphere.
You can expect higher temperatures (around 22 degrees of Celsius), a higher chance of sunny days, a few rain showers, and strong winds.
Summer is a favorite season for hikers.
As a result, you can expect that accommodations, buses, and cars can be booked up well in advance.
Therefore, when planning on traveling in Patagonia during this time of the year, you should start preparing your trip as soon as you can.
It should not surprise you that prices are the highest in the summer.
We think that if you still want to get a chance for fine weather, enjoy hiking trails with fewer crowds, and take advantage of a bit lower prices, you should consider visiting Patagonia in either late spring between late October and November or early autumn between March and the beginning of May.
During this time of the year, temperatures are still pleasant (although it is a bit colder than in summer), it can rain, but it is a thing in Patagonia all year round.
Both autumn and spring are the most photogenic times of the year in the region because the snow is either melting and the landscape is fresh and green, or in the autumn, you can take those incredible photos with colored trees on the backdrop.
Services such as accommodation and bus companies should still operate, but you need to double-check it closer to winter.
Winter is a hibernation time in Patagonia for tourism, and only hardcore hikers usually travel in the region between June and September.
You can experience heavy snowfalls and low temperatures, and although there are not that many travelers you will have to share the place with, you should book your hotels well in advance to make sure they will be open.
Especially in more remote parts of Patagonia. Public buses change travel schedules, and hiking trails and roads can be impassable.
Traveling in Patagonia in winter must be a peaceful and enriching experience, but it for sure requires even more planning than usual.
Patagonia on a Budget
Patagonia is an expensive region, particularly by South American standards; we definitely cannot hide this fact from you.
When traveling the continent long-term, after crossing borders to either Chile or Argentina, you will have a feeling you crossed borders to an entirely different, much pricier world.
It is definitely truer in the more remote parts of the region, but we think there it is quite understandable.
Although Patagonia is certainly not a budget-friendly destination, there are certain ways to lower the necessary expenses.
Overall accommodation and transport will take the most out of your budget.
Searching for cheap accommodation can be a pain, especially in the season, so booking hostels well in advance to secure your spot is a rule of thumb.
For sure, the cheapest option when it comes to accommodation is sleeping in the campsites (it pays off to travel with your equipment) followed by sleeping in dormitories.
In general, public transport is quite expensive in Patagonia, so when traveling in a group of more people, you should consider whether it is not cheaper to rent a car and share costs.
Last but not least, grocery stores in Patagonia are overpriced and often don't offer fresh stuff (we can understand that though).
Still, eating in the restaurants is even more expensive, so always when booking a hotel or even cheap hostel, make sure there is a kitchen where you can cook own food.
Most of Patagonia's hiking trails and attractions are free, so when you need to count every cent, avoid Torres del Paine, where the entrance fee is pretty steep, although we would rather save up elsewhere.
If you don't have money to splurge, budget around $40 - 50 per person a day.
Planning Patagonia Itinerary
When traveling in Patagonia, careful planning will be a vital part of your success. Before creating your perfect Patagonia travel itinerary, it is necessary to know several things.
First, as we mentioned above, distances between points of interest are vast, so you should not over-dimension your plans.
You must know how much time it will take you to get from one point to another, how much time you need for rest, be ready that the nature in Patagonia is stunning, so you will often drive slower or stop to take a photo.
And always integrate into your itinerary one or two days in case the weather won't cooperate and think of a backup plan in case some trail is impassable.
If we should give you one piece of advice when planning your itinerary, always build rest days into it.
Some things are simply impossible to book in advance in Patagonia.
Therefore, you need time to reserve your onward travelers, there can be a delay or the bus does not need to run every day, your car can break down, you can get sick, etc.
We genuinely hope none of those things will happen, so later you can use this extra day for more thorough exploring or much-needed relaxation.
Believe us, traveling every day from one place to another while hiking 20+ kilometers every day can be pretty exhausting. And yes, hiking is the best way to see Patagonia.
When you are traveling during the high season, it is essential to know that because of the limited availability, you won't be that flexible with changing your itinerary.
In most cases, you will have to stick with it, so it is necessary to take your time when working on it.
Of course, when traveling long term, you are a bit more flexible, but always before you change your plan, do not forget to check that bus tickets are available all together with accommodation within your budget.
Accommodation in Patagonia
You have several options on where to stay overnight when traveling in Patagonia.
From cheap campsites and family guesthouses which often cannot be found on booking sites (these places work on a first-come, first-served basis), mid-range hotels to absolutely luxurious lodges often located at unique locations.
Finding a perfect accommodation in Patagonia is often a daunting task, but on the other hand, it pays off to know what to expect and what the options are.
Camping in Patagonia
Camping is the unique way to explore a region that would otherwise have been almost impossible to visit for most budget travelers.
Camping is popular especially among local travelers, but it is also an option for those who love hiking and want to explore off the beaten path and stay away from the crowds in the Patagonian mountains.
Campgrounds in Patagonia usually work on a first-come, first-served basis.
Note that when you plan on hiking the most famous multi-day treks, you will need to make a booking well in advance as the sites fill up quickly.
Also, if you opt for this way of traveling, you should be well-prepared.
Not only mentally, because conditions can often be challenging, but your equipment should also reflect the difficulties the unpredictable weather can bring.
Guesthouses, Cabanas and Hospedajes
Often, when we were road tripping Carretera Austral, we slept in a basic but considerably clean guesthouse with a kitchen. These places were usually impossible to book online, and we were lucky to find a bed available every day.
Looking for accommodation last-minute can often be a hit or miss experience, but we like this travel style, plus it gave us an option to get an insight into local's life.
Hotels in Patagonia
There is no shortage of hotels in Patagonia, especially in the famous areas around El Chalten or Puerto Natales. The quality of hotels differs the same as the price, but when booking well ahead, you should find good deals.
We would have opted for hotels, especially in the off-season, to ensure we get the comfort and hideaway from cold winds.
Lodges in Patagonia
When visiting Patagonia for a short holiday, you might be able to afford to stay in one of the more luxurious lodges.
These types of accommodation are absolutely stunning, often set in an incredible landscape with perfect views.
We must admit we always envied people staying in lodges that offered incredible views through huge glass windows.
No matter where you are going to stay, we can only recommend you reserve your room or a bunk bed in advance.
So you won't end up like us when we arrived in El Chalten and had to walk around the town for more than an hour before we found a shabby room available for an outrageous price.
Needless to say, we made the reservation but did not pay it in advance - which the owner did not tell us to do, and he canceled the booking without letting us know.
Here you can find the best accommodation in Patagonia.
How to Get Around Patagonia
When we consider the remoteness of Patagonia, getting around this region is not that hard in the end, depending on the time of the year you are visiting the destination.
Depending on your budget and time schedule, you can opt what way of transport will be the best for you.
We were actually quite surprised by the number of alternatives we had, and we really appreciated that the transport did not break our bank account.
It is necessary to say that it is much easier and the options are wider when you travel in the high season.
Hitchhiking
We recommend hitchhiking only to travelers with plenty of time, possibly with their own tent.
Patagonia is a safe region, so hitchhiking is definitely a way to go in case you don't want to spend money on public transport.
We hitchhiked only a couple of times in Patagonia for a few kilometers when we needed to get to a national park without road access or regular public transport.
The disadvantage here is that you must be prepared that no one will stop, and also what we could see cars were often already occupied by four or five people, so there was no space left for other travelers.
Hitchhiking is often a great way how to meet locals, but it is better to know at least basic Spanish. Consider bringing a Spanish Phrase Book with you.
Cycling
Chilean Carretera Austral is one of the most spectacular road trips in the world, and it is popular among hardcore cyclists, who often cycle this more than 1000 kilometers long drive and then cross borders to Argentina and carry on as far as they can.
If you decide on cycling in Patagonia, you need to be physically fit, have good outdoor equipment, and have a positive mental attitude!
The wind that picks up in the afternoon can make biking in Patagonia quite difficult.
The very similar destination we have in mind is Iceland, where we could not picture ourselves on bikes, although it is one of our most favorite sports.
Public Transport
When we were in Patagonia, we traveled almost all the time by public transport without a problem, but if you are on a strict itinerary, this way of transportation requires a bit of planning.
Which is sometimes a hard thing to do when sitting behind the screen on the other side of the world as timetables change often or are not loaded online.
The downside of traveling by bus in Patagonia was that buses, especially on the Chilean side of Patagonia, were not regular, or they did not run every day.
Therefore, we always had to adjust our plans to a bus schedule.
The other thing is that in the main season, bus tickets can be sold out.
It happened to us when traveling from El Calafate to Puerto Natales, and we had to wait there one more day, which cost us more money.
On the other hand, we were always able to get where we needed, and we believe that if we were willing to pay more, there would always have been a way how to get from one place to another.
Note, that bus lines and bus schedules are even more irregular out of season.
Renting a Car in Patagonia
Probably the best and most comfortable way how to get around Patagonia is by rental car.
Make sure you reserve your car well in advance as well, because inventories are often booked ahead from December to February, especially when you want to rent a campervan.
Roads in Patagonia are quite ok for driving; only a part of Carretera Austral is not paved yet.
Without any doubt, having own car and being independent is the best way to get around for travelers on a strict schedule or for those looking for a certain level of comfort.
Tours in Patagonia
Travel agencies in Patagonia also offer a large number of Patagonia Tours - this is also a comfortable way to explore the area, you only need to reserve the correct dates.
Despite the fact we prefer traveling independently anytime we can, sometimes it is not that bad to leave all the planning on others.
That's being said, you always have to consider if you can stretch your budget a bit because traveling with an organized tour is a bit more expensive.
On the other hand, you get a knowledgeable guide and usually also a group of same-minded travelers.
It is possible to book a certain tour as a day trip, but you can also book a multi-day tour that can last even two or more weeks to show you around the top spots in Patagonia.
Patagonia is Hikers Paradise
Yes, you can admire the beauty of Patagonia through the car's window, because the mountains and thick forests are everywhere around, but to get some of the most iconic views, you need to hike a bit.
If your itinerary contains hikes such as Mirador Las Torres in Torres del Paine National Park or Laguna de Los Tres in Los Glaciares National Park, you should start doing some workout at least a couple of weeks before your Patagonia holidays.
At least if you want to enjoy it and not to struggle on the way up.
Traveling in Patagonia was for us probably the most physically challenging four weeks out of the year spent in South America and Central America.
We hiked more than 20 kilometers almost every day, and when we did not were on the trail, we needed to get from one place to another, so it was pretty exhausting.
Why did we do that, though?
Well, Patagonia has so many hiking trails and so many wonderful places that we wanted to see as much as we could no matter what.
If hiking is your thing, we must warn you that the Patagonian landscape can be addictive.
If you are not a hiking type of traveler, we believe you'll find your new hobby after this trip.
Hiking is one of the most natural (and budget-friendly) ways how to explore a new destination, and there's no need to be worried, even if you are not that experienced.
It also helps you to stay fit and healthy while traveling.
The rule of thumb is not to overestimate your physical condition and learn about the trek's profile and tricky parts.
Simply put, visiting Patagonia is one of the reasons to start hiking and begin to enjoy nature around.
What to Pack for Patagonia
With the combination of unpredictable weather and the fact that you will spend most of your day out, you should arrive well-equipped. Martin soon found out that his old trusty waterproof jacket is not that waterproof here in Patagonia.
As Patagonia is an outdoor destination, we recommend keeping it in mind when you start preparing your list of what to pack. To be honest, we prefer functionality over design, and it certainly paid off in this windy region.
We've handpicked six essential things you should pack with you for your Patagonia trip, but there are many more items you should not leave your home without.
Backpack 30-40L | To make your trip as comfortable as possible, carry a quality backpack with back support and waist strap.
Fleece Jacket | The region of Patagonia is extremely cold even in summer, so bring along fleece jacket or any additional layer with long sleeves not to feel cold. We spent quite a lot of time on the lake's shore and a warm jacket came handy.
Down Jacket | In our opinion, coming to Patagonia without a down jacket would be a mistake. If you have one, bring it.
Rain Poncho | It can start raining any time of the year in Patagonia's mountains, and rain poncho will protect you and your valuables as well.
Rain Jacket | Wind in Patagonia is so strong, especially during summer hiking season, that you must pack a quality waterproof and windproof jacket otherwise the day could be quite miserable.
Trekking Poles | We always find hiking poles useful, especially when we know from trek's profile there will be a steep descend.
We've also written a full post, Patagonia Packing List, in case you want to read what to bring and what to leave behind.
Do not forget that your packing list is always dependant on travel style.
You do not have to be that punctual when you need to fit all your stuff in the car's trunk.
On the other hand, when traveling on a bus and getting around on foot, every extra kilogram on your back can be pretty unpleasant.
Patagonia Travel Resources
Remember, it's better to make Patagonia reservations in advance. We said that before and will repeat it.
Patagonia is one of the most expensive destinations in the world, and because of its popularity, travelers need to secure many things in advance to ensure the trip will go smoothly.
We are not saying that you cannot travel your usual way, we also like to book things last-minute, but here in Patagonia, especially when we traveled during the main season, we made sure to plan our itinerary more thoroughly.
Always read conditions before making your final reservation, and read your itinerary several times to ensure everything fits, or we recommend not booking non-refundable reservations, so you won't lose money when your plans change.
Here's what you should think of when planning your Patagonia adventure.
Flight tickets
To get to Patagonia, chances are you will have to travel by plane. First, choose your preferred season, and then look for the best available rates. Sometimes, it is possible to find great offers, especially when your travel dates are flexible.
When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Car Rental
When reserving a rental car, you need to decide how many people will travel with you, and also if you prefer to rent a standard car and sleep in hotels, or you can also rent a campervan and stay in campgrounds.
Both options have pros and cons, and you need to calculate rates as renting campervans might save you money on accommodation, but the initial renting fee is higher.
Accommodation
Booking your room in either hotels or hostels should be your next step when finalizing your trip to Patagonia. Some hotels even offer a first-minute deal, but always check conditions if you can change or cancel the reservation later in case something happens.
Cheap hostels usually sell out first, and in the period between December and February, it is very hard to find a good last-minute deal.
When we search for accommodation, to find the best rate, we usually use Booking.com in combination with Hostelworld.
Tours
When you reserve all the services mentioned above, you need to decide whether you want to visit all places on your own or if you want to arrange a guided tour.
You can use GetYourGuide or Viator sites that offer a variety of day or multi-day tours.
Most of the one-day or multi-day treks are not necessary to book ahead.
But in case you would like to do the W or O Trek in Torres del Paine, you must reserve it once the quota opens because spaces fill up quickly.
How Crowded is Patagonia?
When you hear the word Patagonia, you will most likely imagine pristine nature and only yourself standing in front of the crystal clear lake with a mountain backdrop creating the most terrific vista you've ever seen.
Well, everything we'd just said is there, except for the part of you being alone. In some places, there are crowds in Patagonia.
Patagonia has gained popularity in the past decade.
Well, it's always been popular, but it was either too expensive or uncomfortable to travel, which has changed as people are getting richer and services are much better.
And some of the most famous places, like Torres del Paine in Chile or El Chalten in Argentina, can get crowded, especially during the main hiking season from December to February.
Here we must say that we never had a negative experience when traveling between destinations or hiking in the mountains where the crowds usually disperse, but we could feel it in the small mountainous towns that were often full.
That's being said, if you consider avoiding the top tourist destinations, we must say only one thing. Do not do it.
They are popular for a reason, and it would be a shame to skip them.
On the other hand, it is not that hard to find many off-the-beaten trails in Patagonia, such as in Patagonia National Park.
And if you are still uncertain, read our tips on how to avoid crowds when traveling.
Is Patagonia Safe?
According to our personal experience, Patagonia is the safest destination in South America.
Although always some odd things can happen, the region is so vast and so sparsely populated that pickpockets, muggings, or kidnapping is not anything you should be worried here about.
Local people are friendly and always ready to help.
Patagonia was even the only region where we were brave enough to hitchhike (it is not our usual travel style; therefore, we respect it).
If there is one thing you should watch out for, it is nature.
Never underestimate the power of nature, and always go to the mountains well-prepared.
Of course, it would be a mistake not to keep your guards up as you normally do in a foreign country.
Watch for your belongings, watch your surroundings, never leave your stuff plainly visible in the car.
You Need Travel Insurance for Patagonia
The topic of safety brings us to travel insurance.
We would never ever leave our home country, especially when traveling to a remote region such as Patagonia, where we planned on hiking in the mountains without travel insurance.
We just do not think it is worth it; what else, in our opinion, it is reckless.
We would rather pay for the insurance a hundred times without using it than travel once and then feel sorry.
Medical help in foreign countries can get super expensive, and you surely do not have to pay this debt until the rest of your life.
At all times, it's a good idea to have travel insurance in case something goes wrong.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
One more thing, always make sure travel insurance covers the destination, elevation, and activities you want to do.
Safe travels!
Wi-Fi
Wi-fi in Patagonia is not great, but it works. In fact, we were pleasantly surprised by how the Wi-Fi worked there.
We did not expect much and were mentally prepared to be offline for most of our days down South, but in the end, we had Wi-Fi every day in every cheap hostel we slept in.
We are not saying the internet worked somehow fast, but it was sufficient for us to upload some photos and post a couple of articles on our blog.
We also bought a sim card with data, although we have to say the connection was terrible outside towns.
It stopped usually working one meter behind the sign announcing the end of town, but overall, everything worked much better than we had expected.
We would probably not schedule important work calls or business meetings calls, but the internet in Patagonia was just fine for every other task.
Nowadays, there are also many offline apps out there, and we recommend you download some of them, for example, our favorite navigation app, Maps.me.
Wildlife
Spotting wildlife is yet another reason and a lure why to travel to Patagonia.
Wild cats such as pumas are wandering around the region, but only those incredibly lucky can see those shy animals.
Other animals you can observe in Patagonia are penguins, orcas, foxes, flamingos, whales, or sea lions.
If spotting wildlife is the primary reason for going to Patagonia, do not forget to check the best season.
As usual, be respectful and keep your distance.
For the best chance to spot wildlife, hire a naturalist guide and be equipped with binoculars or a telephoto lens for great photos.
Must-Visit Places in Patagonia
Patagonia is full of highlights, and it is hard to choose the must-see destinations, but here we will outline places we've visited and enjoyed the best.
Of course, this is only a fraction of the best of Patagonia, but these points of interest can define your route across the region.
Carretera Austral
Carretera Austral is more than a thousand kilometers long picturesque road with many national parks along. It is a destination on its own.
We explored Pumalin National Park and Chaiten Volcano, Hanging Glacier, Laguna Cerro Castillo, Patagonia National Park, Marble Caves, or Villa O'Higgins.
But there are many more attractions that it would have been easy to spend your entire Patagonia trip along this route.
Villa O'Higgins to El Chalten
One of the best days we had in Patagonia was crossing borders on foot between Chile and Argentina.
It is a bit an unusual way how to cross borders, but if you can, check this option out as the scenery is absolutely breathtaking.
The only downside is that Villa O'Higgins (the village on the Chilean side where Carretera Austral ends) has no car drop-off point, so you need to get there by public transport or on a bike.
El Chalten
Argentina's hiking capital is a place that is hard to miss.
Several trails start right from this small town, but the most iconic hikes are Cerro Torre towering above Laguna de Los Tres and Laguna Torre hike.
Although we found El Chalten way too popular and the atmosphere (and prices) were more touristy than we would have enjoyed, we must admit the surroundings have their charm.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno is the shining star of Argentinian Patagonia, one of the most famous glaciers in the world, and it was almost scary how close we could get.
It was one of the most expensive days we experienced in Patagonia, but it was well worth it.
No photo does justice to Perito Moreno because the glacier is more than majestic when you stand in front of it and listen for crackling sounds.
Make sure this place has a firm spot on your itinerary.
Torres del Paine National Park
Some say it is one of the most beautiful national parks in the world.
We will leave the decision on you, but one thing is sure, make sure you pay the entrance fee and see it yourself.
We will never get tired of insanely blue glacial lakes and jagged peaks towering behind, and for that reason, Torres del Paine National Park did not disappoint.
Ushuaia
The world's southernmost point, Ushuaia is the jumping-off point for Antarctica, but even travelers who did not book this expensive tour can admire the beautiful nature close to the city.
Yes, Ushuaia is a gateway to Tierra del Fuego National Park, which is known for great hiking trails and unspoiled nature.
Plus, the feeling of reaching this place that feels very secluded, despite being a busy town, is priceless.
Food in Patagonia
As we traveled in Patagonia on a budget, we could not afford to eat in restaurants, especially in the touristy towns.
When lucky, you can find a menu del dia alias lunch menu for $8 - $10, but we did not want to pay that much for average bland food.
If your budget is higher, you will for sure find a good restaurant serving grilled steaks paired with wines from the region.
Supermarkets or small grocery stores are almost everywhere, so you do not need to worry that you'll be hungry, but the problem is freshness, especially in the little towns along Carretera Austral.
Finding fresh vegetables or fruits was a real problem, sometimes even in places where we hadn't expected it, such as in El Chalten.
Food prices are higher because food travels across Argentina or Chile to Patagonia by sea or via land for long distances.
We usually cook meals in hostels, so always check in advance that your accommodation has an equipped kitchen if you plan on doing the same.
When planning on hiking multi-day treks, stock up with food at least one day in advance to make sure there will be food suitable for hiking available in store.
Money & ATMs in Patagonia
In the remote parts of Patagonia, for example, on Chile's Carretera Austral, the cash is still the king.
Unless staying in a bigger city such as Coyhaique, you won't have many opportunities to pay with your credit card.
At the beginning of your trip, always withdraw enough cash to ensure you have enough money with you.
We always had at least $200 with us just in case we ran out of cash as we found out on our travels. No one will ever refuse American dollars in Patagonia.
The situation in Argentina is a bit more complicated nowadays because of inflation, but we always paid with Argentinian Pesos without a problem.
Surprisingly, we had an issue exchanging Chilean Pesos to Argentinian Pesos anywhere in Argentina, and the first destination where we could do it was in Ushuaia.
At least for a somewhat fair price.
Also, cash machines in Patagonia may run out of money, or there can be a small limit of money you can withdraw; therefore, we recommend having emergency cash.
Our ‘favorite’ ATM was the one in El Chalten, one of the most touristy places in Patagonia.
Here, everyone could take out a maximum of $50 at once, which is usually not enough for accommodation and food for a day.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
