Updated for the 2026–27 season.
The best time to visit Patagonia is from November to March, the southern spring and summer, when the days are long, the trails and refugios are open and the boats sail to the glaciers. For the best balance, choose November or March: the weather is good, the crowds of December to February have not arrived or have gone, and in March the winds calm down and the forests begin to turn red. December to February is the warmest time, but also the busiest and the windiest.
Best monthsNovember and March
Peak seasonDecember to February
Hiking seasonAbout October to April
WindiestSpring and summer
WinterMay to September: snow, short days and many closures
Patagonia’s seasons
Patagonia is in the southern hemisphere, so summer runs from December to February. It stretches across southern Argentina and Chile, from the lakes around Bariloche to Tierra del Fuego, and the further south you go, the shorter the season.
| Season | Weather | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|---|
| Summer: December to February | The warmest months and up to 16 hours of daylight | The W Trek, El Chaltén, boat trips to the glaciers and the Andean Lakes Crossing | The busiest and windiest time; book lodges and refugios months ahead |
| Autumn: March to April | Cooler, calmer days and red and gold beech forests from late March | Photography, hiking with fewer people, Torres del Paine and El Chaltén | Days shorten quickly and many services close at the end of April |
| Winter: May to September | Snow, frost and about 8 hours of daylight | The Perito Moreno Glacier, puma tracking, skiing in Ushuaia and Bariloche | Many lodges, boats and trails close; some roads need care |
| Spring: October to November | Changeable weather, long days and growing wind | Penguins and whales on the coast, quieter trails, wildflowers | Some services open only from October or November |
Patagonia weather by month
Average daily high and low temperatures, monthly rainfall and daylight hours. El Calafate, on the dry eastern side of the Andes, is the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier and El Chaltén; Ushuaia, on the Beagle Channel, is the southernmost city in the world:
| Month | El Calafate | Ushuaia | Daylight (El Calafate) | Our verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 19.1 / 7.2 °C · 7 mm | 13.6 / 5.4 °C · 45 mm | 15 h 40 | Peak season: warm, long days, windy and busy |
| February | 19.2 / 6.8 °C · 14 mm | 13.6 / 5.2 °C · 35 mm | 14 h | Still summer, a little calmer late in the month |
| March | 16.6 / 4.7 °C · 17 mm | 12.2 / 4.6 °C · 38 mm | 12 h 10 | Excellent: fewer people, calmer winds, the first autumn colours |
| April | 12.9 / 1.1 °C · 20 mm | 9.4 / 3.0 °C · 47 mm | 10 h 15 | Very good: autumn colours; services start to close |
| May | 8.7 / −1.7 °C · 20 mm | 6.9 / 1.7 °C · 35 mm | 8 h 45 | Quiet and cold; many lodges close |
| June | 5.5 / −3.7 °C · 15 mm | 4.5 / 0.5 °C · 43 mm | 8 h | Winter: snow, skiing and the glacier without crowds |
| July | 5.2 / −4.4 °C · 14 mm | 4.6 / 0.2 °C · 36 mm | 8 h 35 | The coldest month; ski season |
| August | 6.9 / −2.8 °C · 14 mm | 5.7 / 0.1 °C · 38 mm | 10 h 10 | Late winter; whales arrive at Península Valdés |
| September | 11.1 / −0.8 °C · 11 mm | 7.6 / 1.0 °C · 31 mm | 12 h | Early spring; penguins return; few visitors |
| October | 13.5 / 1.3 °C · 14 mm | 10.1 / 2.3 °C · 28 mm | 13 h 55 | Spring: refugios and boats reopen; whales and penguins |
| November | 15.8 / 4.0 °C · 7 mm | 11.5 / 3.3 °C · 39 mm | 15 h 40 | Excellent: long days before the summer crowds |
| December | 17.9 / 6.2 °C · 10 mm | 12.5 / 4.7 °C · 43 mm | 16 h 25 | The longest days; busy from Christmas |
Climate averages for 1991–2020 from Argentina’s National Meteorological Service at El Calafate and Ushuaia airports. Daylight is calculated for the 21st of each month at El Calafate. The verdicts are based on our own experience planning trips to Patagonia.
The figures hide how fast the weather changes. In a single summer day you can have sunshine, rain, wind and even snow on the passes. Near the ice fields and in Torres del Paine it rains much more than in El Calafate, and the mountains create their own weather.
The wind
Wind is the defining feature of Patagonia. It is strongest in spring and summer, from about October to February, when gusts on exposed passes and lake shores can make walking hard. The calmest months are usually from March to May. Choose a windproof jacket over a heavy coat, plan flexible days and leave the highest viewpoints for the calmest mornings.
The best time to visit each region
| Region | Best months | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Torres del Paine (Chile) | October to April; November and March for fewer people | Most refugios and campsites on the W Trek open from about October to April; pumas can be seen all year |
| El Chaltén and Fitz Roy (Argentina) | November to March; April for autumn colours | A hiking village: many hotels and restaurants close in winter |
| El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier | All year; October to April for boat trips and ice walks | The walkways in front of the glacier are open in every season |
| Ushuaia and the Beagle Channel | November to March; June to September for skiing | The port for Antarctic voyages from November to March |
| The Lake District: Bariloche and Puerto Varas | December to March; April for autumn colours | Milder and greener than the far south; ski season in July and August |
| Península Valdés (Atlantic coast) | September to November | Southern right whales, Magellanic penguins and elephant seals at the same time |
Read our guides to the Perito Moreno Glacier and the best places in Argentine Patagonia.
Wildlife calendar
| Wildlife | Where | When |
|---|---|---|
| Southern right whales | Península Valdés | June to December; best in September and October |
| Orcas hunting on the beach | Punta Norte, Península Valdés | Around March and April, at high tide |
| Magellanic penguins | Punta Tombo, Magdalena Island near Punta Arenas, Martillo Island near Ushuaia | From about September or October to March |
| Elephant seals | Península Valdés | Breeding season, September to November |
| Pumas | Torres del Paine | All year; often easier to see from May to September |
| Andean condors | Torres del Paine, El Chaltén | All year |
Hiking: the W Trek and El Chaltén
The hiking season runs from about October to April. December to February brings the longest days and the most services, but also the most hikers; November and March are quieter and often calmer. Refugios and campsites in Torres del Paine must be booked in advance, months ahead for the high season. In winter some trails close and others are best walked with a guide.
See our Patagonia hiking guide, with the W Trek, the Fitz Roy and itineraries from lodges.
Month by month
December, January and February
High summer: up to 16 hours of daylight, the warmest temperatures and every refugio, boat and lodge open. It is also the windiest and busiest time, with Christmas, New Year and the school holidays of Argentina and Chile. Book early.
March and April
Our favourite time. The winds ease, the crowds thin out and from late March the beech forests turn red and gold around El Chaltén and Torres del Paine. Days get shorter and many services close at the end of April.
May to September
Winter brings snow, frost and short days. Many lodges and boat services close, but the Perito Moreno Glacier stays open, Torres del Paine is quiet and beautiful, pumas are often easier to see, and Ushuaia and Bariloche have their ski season.
October and November
Spring: refugios and boats reopen, the days lengthen quickly and wildlife returns to the coast. The weather is changeable and the wind grows stronger, but November is one of the best months of the year.
Patagonia with the rest of South America
Patagonia’s best months, November to March, are the rainy season in the Andes of Peru and Bolivia. To combine Patagonia with Machu Picchu, travel in October, November, March or April, when both are good. From Ushuaia, Antarctic voyages sail from November to March: see our Antarctica tours. Our Argentina and Chile tour (16 days) and the Chile Highlights (13 days) include Patagonia, and you can read our guide to the best time to visit South America.
What to pack
- Layers: a thermal base, a fleece and a windproof, waterproof jacket, in every season.
- Hat, gloves and buff: even in summer, for the wind and the cold mornings.
- Sun protection: sunglasses and sunscreen; the sun is strong and the days are long.
- Good boots: waterproof hiking boots for the trails and the glacier walkways.
Travelling as a couple or at a gentle pace? Read our guides to a Patagonia honeymoon and Patagonia tours for seniors, see all our Patagonia tours or start planning a tailor-made trip.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Patagonia?
November or March. Both have good weather, long days and open services, with fewer visitors than December to February. March also brings calmer winds and the first autumn colours.
When is the windiest time in Patagonia?
Spring and summer, from about October to February. The calmest months are usually March to May.
Can you visit Patagonia in winter?
Yes. The Perito Moreno Glacier is open all year, Torres del Paine is quiet and pumas are often easier to see, and there is skiing in Ushuaia and Bariloche. Expect snow, about 8 hours of daylight and many closed lodges and boat services.
When is the best time to hike the W Trek?
From November to March. Refugios and campsites open from about October to April and must be booked in advance, months ahead for the high season.
Is Patagonia cold in summer?
It is cool rather than hot: highs of about 13 °C in Ushuaia and 19 °C in El Calafate, with nights of 5–7 °C. The weather changes fast, so bring layers and a windproof jacket.
When can I see penguins and whales in Patagonia?
Magellanic penguins nest on the coast from about September or October to March. Southern right whales visit Península Valdés from June to December, with the best sightings in September and October.
Can I combine Patagonia and Machu Picchu?
Yes. October, November, March and April are the best months for both, avoiding the heaviest rain in the Andes and the coldest months in Patagonia.
Ready to Experience This Firsthand?
Our travel consultants in Cusco design your itinerary around your dates, pace and hotel style.
Wilfredo Zúñiga Huamanguillas
Anthropologist & Hospitality Professional | South America Travel ExpertAnthropologist, hospitality professional and South America travel expert with 11 years of experience in tourism, trained at the Universidad Nacional de San Antonio Abad del Cusco. Wilfredo writes about the people, traditions and landscapes of the continent, from the Andes and Machu Picchu to Patagonia, Brazil and the Amazon.
More about Wilfredo →
