How to Travel to Patagonia
If you are visiting areas in both Chile and Argentina, flying into one and out the other will save you a day of backtracking., Learn a little bit of Spanish before arriving in the region., Bring clothes for warmth and even for heat if you are...
Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: If you are visiting areas in both Chile and Argentina
There shouldn't be a penalty in airfares for doing this but double check to make sure.
For example, you can take American Airlines from New York to Buenos Aries (there are two airports in Buenos Aries, EZE and AEP, one typically for domestic flights and one for international flights), Aerolineas Argentinas from Buenos Aries to El Calafate, and Lan Chile from Punta Arenas to Santiago, Chile and from Santiago to New York. -
Step 2: flying into one and out the other will save you a day of backtracking.
Speaking at least a few phrases will increase your experience with local people.
Patagonians are friendly people but many of them don´t speak English at all.
Do not expect to be able to find someone who can translate for you.
Welsh is also useful in Chubut river low valley. , Temperatures can really get over 20 °C (68 °F) even in the furthest latitudes, in particular in the coastal region.
Be also equipped for sudden temperature drops and rainfall while traveling in the mountains.
Patagonia is well known for its wind! The sun can be very strong and there is less ozone above in this part of the world to protect you from the sun here so liberal use of sunscreen (with a high SPF) is recommended. , E.g.
December is not the best month to watch whales although can be ideal to enjoy Andean flowers or take the best mountain trails. , This is an immense region twice the size of Italy and England, together! , Gravel roads are pretty rough in several places and there are not so many villages in between some routes.
A 4-wheel drive vehicle (i.e. a Jeep Cherokee) will not be as punishing.
Some towns only have one gas station and there could be well over a 100 miles (160 km) between towns (i.e.
El Calafate to El Chalten) so plan ahead.
Also, not all gas stations are open 24 hours a day.
Alternatively, take the bus.
Many areas in Patagonia are linked by regular bus service.
Most trekkers use this form of transportation and given the low quality of the roads in this area, leaving the driving to someone else might be a good idea.
It is also a reasonably priced option.
You will need special paperwork to cross the border in a rental car.
Crossing at Cancha Carrera is fairly painless and probably much faster than crossing near Puerto Natales. , Even some famous tourist destinations, like El Chaltén in The Glaciers National Park, don´t have one.
There can be very little infrastructure between towns and that may be a reason to carry a satellite phone, as there is no cell coverage outside of larger towns and very few services available to help you if you break down.
If you rent a satellite phone before you leave, try it out before leaving for Patagonia to make sure you understand how to use it (it is different from a cell phone) and that the unit works. , If you are traveling around by car, in some areas it's hard to find an ATM. , E.g.
Some ranches or “estancias” within Santa Cruz province don´t have many rooms and are located far away from food supplier chains.
They´ll be grateful if you do so.
Hotels in the Torres del Paine have their own electrical generators and use satellite phones as there seems to be no alternative.
Hotels in Torres del Paine book up early! If you stay at the Costa Australis hotel in Puerto Natales, don't open the windows at night for fresh air or a large number of insects will enter your room! , It could be hard to find a variety of vegetables or fruit.
In general it can be hard to be a vegetarian in this part of the world.
You probably won't have any problems within the tourist villages or most populated regions set mainly in the north, however.
In El Calafate, El Chalten, Puerto Natales, and Punta Arenas there are a multiple of restaurants and/or food markets. -
Step 3: Learn a little bit of Spanish before arriving in the region.
-
Step 4: Bring clothes for warmth and even for heat if you are traveling during summer.
-
Step 5: Take into account a “fauna calendar” and choose months to travel according to your needs.
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Step 6: Be informed about the real distances between main attractions.
-
Step 7: Don´t rent a small car if you decide to go through inner landscape.
-
Step 8: Don´t expect to find mobile signal everywhere.
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Step 9: Take cash with you.
-
Step 10: For some accommodations it is necessary to book in advance.
-
Step 11: Be cautious if you follow a special diet and decide to visit areas off the main circuits.
Detailed Guide
There shouldn't be a penalty in airfares for doing this but double check to make sure.
For example, you can take American Airlines from New York to Buenos Aries (there are two airports in Buenos Aries, EZE and AEP, one typically for domestic flights and one for international flights), Aerolineas Argentinas from Buenos Aries to El Calafate, and Lan Chile from Punta Arenas to Santiago, Chile and from Santiago to New York.
Speaking at least a few phrases will increase your experience with local people.
Patagonians are friendly people but many of them don´t speak English at all.
Do not expect to be able to find someone who can translate for you.
Welsh is also useful in Chubut river low valley. , Temperatures can really get over 20 °C (68 °F) even in the furthest latitudes, in particular in the coastal region.
Be also equipped for sudden temperature drops and rainfall while traveling in the mountains.
Patagonia is well known for its wind! The sun can be very strong and there is less ozone above in this part of the world to protect you from the sun here so liberal use of sunscreen (with a high SPF) is recommended. , E.g.
December is not the best month to watch whales although can be ideal to enjoy Andean flowers or take the best mountain trails. , This is an immense region twice the size of Italy and England, together! , Gravel roads are pretty rough in several places and there are not so many villages in between some routes.
A 4-wheel drive vehicle (i.e. a Jeep Cherokee) will not be as punishing.
Some towns only have one gas station and there could be well over a 100 miles (160 km) between towns (i.e.
El Calafate to El Chalten) so plan ahead.
Also, not all gas stations are open 24 hours a day.
Alternatively, take the bus.
Many areas in Patagonia are linked by regular bus service.
Most trekkers use this form of transportation and given the low quality of the roads in this area, leaving the driving to someone else might be a good idea.
It is also a reasonably priced option.
You will need special paperwork to cross the border in a rental car.
Crossing at Cancha Carrera is fairly painless and probably much faster than crossing near Puerto Natales. , Even some famous tourist destinations, like El Chaltén in The Glaciers National Park, don´t have one.
There can be very little infrastructure between towns and that may be a reason to carry a satellite phone, as there is no cell coverage outside of larger towns and very few services available to help you if you break down.
If you rent a satellite phone before you leave, try it out before leaving for Patagonia to make sure you understand how to use it (it is different from a cell phone) and that the unit works. , If you are traveling around by car, in some areas it's hard to find an ATM. , E.g.
Some ranches or “estancias” within Santa Cruz province don´t have many rooms and are located far away from food supplier chains.
They´ll be grateful if you do so.
Hotels in the Torres del Paine have their own electrical generators and use satellite phones as there seems to be no alternative.
Hotels in Torres del Paine book up early! If you stay at the Costa Australis hotel in Puerto Natales, don't open the windows at night for fresh air or a large number of insects will enter your room! , It could be hard to find a variety of vegetables or fruit.
In general it can be hard to be a vegetarian in this part of the world.
You probably won't have any problems within the tourist villages or most populated regions set mainly in the north, however.
In El Calafate, El Chalten, Puerto Natales, and Punta Arenas there are a multiple of restaurants and/or food markets.
About the Author
Michael Foster
Dedicated to helping readers learn new skills in hobbies and beyond.
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