“What is the best month to visit Patagonia?” is the question we hear most, and the honest answer is another question: what do you want to see? The glaciers are there all year, the whales and the penguins keep their own calendars, the Lake District has two completely different seasons, and the wind, the light and the crowds change from month to month. This guide goes through the year in Argentine Patagonia so you can choose the month that fits your trip.
By the team at 01Argentina Travel Agency, Buenos Aires
The short answer
For a first trip that combines the glaciers, the wildlife and the long days, November and March are the best all-round months: the excursions are running, the days are long, and the crowds and the wind are lighter than in midsummer. October to mid-December is the only window when you can see the whales of Peninsula Valdés and the penguins of Punta Tombo on the same trip. December to February is high summer, with everything open and everything busy. June to September is winter: the season for skiing in Bariloche and snow in Ushuaia, and for the whales on the Atlantic coast.
What each highlight needs
The Perito Moreno glacier can be visited every month; the walkways and the boats run all year. The southern right whales are in the gulfs around Peninsula Valdés from June to mid-December. The Magellanic penguins nest at Punta Tombo from September to mid-April. Hiking in El Chaltén is best from November to March; see our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Patagonia for hiking. Skiing on Cerro Catedral in Bariloche runs roughly from June to September, depending on the snow.
Month by month
January. The peak of summer and of demand: the longest days, every excursion running, the warmest lakes in Bariloche and the busiest hotels in El Calafate. The wind in the south is at its strongest. Book well ahead.
February. Still summer, still busy, slightly calmer at the end of the month. Excellent for the glaciers, the trails and the Beagle Channel; the penguins are still at Punta Tombo.
March. Many locals’ favourite month. The weather is more stable, the wind drops, the crowds thin and the first autumn colours appear. Very good for hiking, glaciers and the Lake District.
April. Autumn: the forests of Bariloche and El Chaltén turn red and gold, the days shorten and some services reduce their timetables. The penguins leave Punta Tombo around the middle of the month. Beautiful and quiet.
May. The quietest month of the year, between seasons. The glacier is still there and very peaceful; high trails may already carry snow. Good for travellers who value calm over long days.
June. Winter begins. The whales start arriving at Peninsula Valdés, the ski season opens in Bariloche when the snow allows, and Ushuaia turns into a snow destination. The Perito Moreno glacier in winter, with fresh snow on the walkways and almost nobody around, is a special experience.
July. The heart of winter and of the ski season, with the Argentine school holidays making Bariloche and Ushuaia busy. The whales are in the gulfs.
August. Usually the most reliable snow for skiing, and an excellent month for whales, with calves in the water. Short days and cold in the far south.
September. The end of the ski season and the start of spring. The penguins return to Punta Tombo while the whales are still at Peninsula Valdés: the wildlife season of the Atlantic coast is at its fullest.
October. Spring and the opening of the season in the south. Cold mornings and possible snow on the high trails, but quiet and green, with whales and penguins on the coast.
November. One of the best months of the year: long days, everything opening, whales and penguins on the coast, the glaciers and trails in good condition, and fewer people than in summer.
December. Summer arrives, with the longest days of the year (in Ushuaia the light lasts until well after ten at night). The whales leave around mid-month; the penguins are there all summer. Busy from mid-December.
Matching the month to the trip
If you want glaciers and trekking, choose November to March. If you want whales and penguins, choose October to mid-December, or September if you can travel then. If you want the Lake District at its most beautiful, choose March or April. If you want snow, choose July or August. And if you have a single trip to combine several of these, tell us your dates and we build the route around what each region does best in that month; our guide to how many days you need in Patagonia helps with the length.
Frequently asked questions
What is the worst month to visit Patagonia?
There is no bad month, only different trips. May and June are the quietest and darkest in the south, and many seasonal excursions do not run, but the glaciers, the whales (from June) and the snow make them worthwhile for the right traveller.
Is it cold in Patagonia in summer?
It can be. Summer days are mild and sometimes warm, but the wind and the latitude make it feel cool, and the weather can change several times a day. Pack layers in every month.
When is it cheapest to travel to Patagonia?
The shoulder and winter months, outside the summer peak and the July holidays, are usually the easiest for availability and rates. Our article on what drives the cost of a Patagonia trip explains why.
Planning your dates? Read our Patagonia travel tips for first-timers, or contact 01Argentina Travel Agency: we have been arranging trips to Patagonia since 2005, and we reply within 24 hours.