When is the best season to visit Patagonia?

So, you want to go to Patagonia. Maybe you’ve figured out your must-see spots or even picked out some fun activities already.

But then, one big question remains – when should you visit?

Contrary to popular belief, Patagonia is not completely wet and windy for the entire year! From frozen peaks and mild winds in winter to cool alpine plains and blistering winds in summer, each season brings with it its own unique attractions and challenges.

So, here’s a primer on what each Patagonian season has to offer in terms of attractions and temperatures!

Spring

Patagonian lavenders. Photo: Jack Prommel

Temperatures: 3 – 18°C

Highlights: Wildlife-watching, Hiking

We start with the beginning of life – spring! Traditionally a peak season in most other destinations, spring is surprisingly not the most popular time in this South American paradise!

This is probably due to winter’s lingering chill, which keeps some areas in the low single digits well until November, not to mention the still present snow.

But if you’re looking for Patagonian flora and fauna waking up to warmth of spring, then spring is just for you!

Southern right whale breaching with its fin. Photo: Wikimedia

In the seas off the Valdes Peninsula, you have majestic whales and dolphins cresting the waves while seals and penguins roam the coasts.

Closer to land, you have the llama-like guanacos, their predators the pumas and the soaring Andean condor far above.

Chilean firebush. Photo: Carter Obasohan

And we can’t forget about the flowers! Spring means wildflowers blooming all over the lowland plains and forests, particularly at the Torres del Paine National Park. Eye-catching firebushes, spiky guanaco bushes and an unbelievably diverse collection of colourful orchids welcome the nature lover.

And what’s the best way to see all of this? With a great hike through the region’s unmatched trails! Better yet, you’ll likely have Mother Nature’s views all to yourself due to the lack of crowds!

Summer

Temperatures: 6 – 20°C

Highlights: Camping, Hiking, Kayaking

With up to 18 hours of daylight and much more tolerable temperatures, summer is the clear favourite for most Patagonian adventurers.

Summer usually means sweltering days elsewhere but here in Patagonia that works out a cool 20°C, making hiking and camping out in the Patagonian wilderness much more pleasant and attractive, especially near the mirror-like lakes of the Bariloche Mountains.

Rafting down the Futaleufú River. Photo: Oars.com

Don’t like to hike? Then look to the melting rivers, fjords and lakes, which open up new ways to explore Patagonia’s natural splendour through rafting and kayaking. Particular hotspots are the Torres Del Paine National Park for kayaking and Futaleufú River for whitewater rafting.

Although spring’s vibrant blooms may be long gone, in their place are summer’s charming swathes of verdant green shrubland – perfect for the ubiquitous grazing guanaco. Summer is also peak penguin season as they start to hatch their fuzzy little younglings.

The only real downside with summer is just how popular it is! Make sure to book super early as hotels and lodges called refugios frequently book out during this peak season. Also, make sure to bring a decent windbreaker as the infamous Andean winds have been known to reach speeds of up to 160km/h in summer!

Autumn

Temperatures: 0 – 17°C

Highlights: Photography, sightseeing

As we march inevitably towards winter, we start to see the temperature inch towards freezing and the foliage (and crowds) thin out. Oh, and you start to see less daylight…

But it’s not all doom and gloom! For one, autumn in Patagonia is a riot of colours, handing nature lovers and photographers countless opportunities to snap that picture-perfect shot.

Browns and oranges in Patagonia. Photo: Chris Stenger

On the ever-changing canvas called Patagonia, native beech and lenga trees offer warm palettes of gold, brown and red, lakes and rivers dabble in cool blue hues, while the pristine Andes’ finish it off with a touch of otherworldly white. It almost beggars belief how all of these diverse colours and ecosystems can exist right next to each other!

Not only that, the cool temperatures also means fewer crowds jostling for accommodation and space on trails, giving you more chances to snap that perfect nature shot without someone stumbling into frame.

Waterfall at Los Glaciares National Park. Photo: Jorge Láscar

Unfortunately the lack of crowds also means a lack of accommodation and activities, as many refugio, trails and cruises start to shut down. Still, hiking is still a valid option with most trails remaining open.

Winter

Glacier near El Calafate. Photo: Miguel Mansilla

Temperatures: -2 – 5°C

Highlights: Skiing, winter sports

Patagonia may be a unique paradise, but even it has to take a break in winter!

In winter, the chill starts to regularly dip below freezing, encasing fjords and lakes in ice and icebergs. Heavy snow in some areas also blocks off most trails or makes them too risky to traverse.

Weather-wise, the one saving grace of winter is the surprisingly calm winds (outside of snowstorms), which allow you to get views of pristine mirror-like lakes, particularly around the Lake District. Plus, there are a few hiking spots that allow guided tours such as the famous W Trail.

The pure white slopes of Cerro Catedral. Photo: Wernerluis

But rather than whine about what’s not open, how about the Patagonian winter’s unique charm – snow, and lots of it! The Andes mountains contain some of the most pristine and underrated slopes in the world for both beginner and advanced skiiers.

Snowboarding down Cerro Catedral. Photo: Federico Persiani

For beginners, we recommend the Cerro Catedral Ski Resort thanks to its well-marked piste slopes and a convenient airport in the nearby town of Bariloche. The more secluded La Hoya Ski Resort also has both beginner and advanced slopes, in addition to hikes and tours for non-skiers.

Sunset at Torres de Paine. Photo: Mario La Pergola

So, those are the four seasons of Patagonia in brief. Put simply, there’s no one “best season” when it comes to Patagonia. Each of them offers at least a little something for any lover of the great outdoors, whether it be hiking from spring to autumn or skiing down the slopes during winter. If you can figure out what outdoors activities you might enjoy in this Eden on Earth, then there’s bound to be a “best” season for you!

If you’re still thinking about which season to pick, then check out our guide on the many outdoors activities of Patagonia for some inspiration! Or, if you want to stick closer to home, there’s our list of the 8 coolest national parks in Japan!

This article was written with information gathered by Rin Matsumoto.