Patagonia is divided between Chile and Argentina, encompassing a vast territory of over 400,000 square miles (1 million square kilometers). Travelers can spend months exploring the Patagonia region in both countries, and I listed the major towns, airports and natural attractions in the table below.
Patagonia Scenic Atractions
| Chilean Patagonia Regions & Towns | Chilean Patagonia Major Airports | Closest Attractions | Argentine Patagonia Regions & Towns | Argentine Patagonia Major Airports | Closest Attractions |
| Los Lagos | |||||
| Provinces: Chiloé, Chaitén, Llanquihue, Osorno, Palena and Futaleufu. | Puerto Montt (PMC) | Valdivian Rainforests | Provinces: Río Negro, Chubut and Tierra del Fuego | San Carlos de Bariloche (BRC) | Nahuel Huapi National Park |
| Towns: Puerto Montt, Puerto Varas, Osorno, Castro and Valdivia. | Castro (MHC) | Corcovado Volcano | Towns: Bariloche, Villa La Angostura, San Martin de los Andes, Trelew and Esquel | Esquel (EQS) | |
| Valdivia (ZAL) | Borde Río Ecological Park | ||||
| Araucanía | |||||
| Pucón and Temuco | Temuco (ZCO) | Volcano Villarica | |||
| Huerquehue National Park | |||||
| Aysen | |||||
| Coyhaique, Chile Chico, Puerto Río Tranquilo, Caleta Tortel | Balmaceda (BBA) | Queulat National Park | Towns: El Calafate, El Chaltén, Trevelin | El Calafate (FTE) | Perito Moreno Glacier |
| Cerro Castillo National Park | Parque Nacional Los Glaciares | ||||
| The Marble Caves | |||||
| The Exploradores Valley | Ushuaia, Río Grande | Ushuaia (USH) | |||
| General Carrera Lake | Tierra del Fuego National Park | ||||
| Patagonia National Park | |||||
| Magallanes | |||||
| Punta Arenas (PUQ) | Torres Del Paine National Park, Grey Glacier | ||||
| Puerto Natales (PNT) | Villa O’Higgins | ||||
| Cape Horn | |||||
| Tierra Del Fuego Island | |||||
| Navarino Island |
Best months to travel to Patagonia
The best time to visit Patagonia is from November through March, and the busy tourist season peaks between December and February. The average daytime temperatures range from 59°F to 72°F (15°C to 22°C) during these months with 18 hours of sunlight.
Award Flights to Chile
It’s easy to find premium cabin space on Latam Airlines from the US to Santiago (review).
What part of Patagonia must be covered by the first time visitors?
I recommend visiting Torres Del Paine National Park in Chile (review) and Parque Nacional Los Glaciares in Argentina (review). These two national parks have the most breathtaking scenery on our planet, and rental cars are highly recommended (review).
First Time Patagonia Travel Itinerary
I will briefly summarize the sample Patagonia trip itinerary below (please refer to the review links above for booking flights and accommodations):
- Fly to Santiago airport (SCL) and either stay 1-2 nights in Santiago or take a connecting flight to Southern Patagonia.
- Take a flight to Puerto Natales (PNT) (Google Flights).
- Rent a car at PNT airport (link). Avoid cross-country car rentals, which are expensive and require special permits.
- Accommodation is either in Puerto Natales (cheaper) or inside the Torres Del Paine National Park (more expensive).
- Purchase Torres Del Paine National Park Pass (link).
- Explore Torres Del Paine National Park for 3-4 days (hikes and Grey Glacier navigation).
- Explore Bernardo O’Higgins National Park (Balmaceda hanging glacier, the Tyndall, Geike and Serrano glaciers and Mount Balmaceda) 30 miles from Puerto Natales.
- Return the rental car at PNT airport.
- Take a bus from the bus station in Puerto Natales (Terminal Rodoviario) to El Calafate (6 hours) (link). Check-in at the desk and prepare for passport control by presenting the PDI Tourist Visa at the border crossing.
- Take a bus or taxi from El Calafate Bus Terminal to El Calafate Airport (FTE).
- Rent a car from EL Calafate airport (FTE) and stay for 1-2 days (link).
- Explore Perito Moreno Glacier near El Calafate and take a glacier navigation tour.
- Drive to El Chalten and stay for 3-4 days (Parque Nacional Los Glaciares hikes).
- Return rental car at FTE airport and take a flight to Buenos Aires (EZE or AEP airports) (Flights).
- Spend a few days in Buenos Aires and then catch a flight to the US.
Conclusion
A trip to explore Patagonia should be high on the list of travelers interested in scenic nature and hiking enthusiasts. The lakes of Torres Del Paine National Park have very unique colors that are not seen anywhere else on our planet.