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Best time to visit Patagonia: month by month
Short answer
November to March is the season, with long days (up to 17 hours of light in December) and highs of about 15–22°C. January and February are busiest and windiest, while November, December and March are calmer and cheaper.
Month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rainy days | Crowds |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 18°C | 10°C | 8 | very high |
| Feb | 18°C | 11°C | 6 | very high |
| Mar | 14°C | 7°C | 11 | high |
| Apr | 11°C | 5°C | 9 | medium |
| May | 7°C | 3°C | 10 | low |
| Jun | 4°C | 0°C | 8 | low |
| Jul | 3°C | -2°C | 10 | low |
| Aug | 4°C | -1°C | 11 | low |
| Sep | 7°C | 1°C | 7 | low |
| Oct | 10°C | 4°C | 9 | medium |
| Nov | 13°C | 6°C | 8 | high |
| Dec | 16°C | 9°C | 8 | high |
Temperatures and rainy days: Copernicus ERA5 averages, 2021–2023. Crowd levels are our estimate.
Season by season
Spring (Sep–Nov)
Cool, with highs rising towards 15°C by November and frequent wind. Lodges reopen from around October; trails can still be snowy early in the season.
Summer (Dec–Feb)
Highs of about 18–22°C and up to 17 hours of daylight. The busiest season, with strong winds on many days.
Autumn (Mar–May)
March is still good, with highs around 15–18°C and autumn colours in the forests in April. Many lodges close from May.
Winter (Jun–Aug)
Cold and short-dayed, with snow on trails and many El Chaltén businesses closed, though the Perito Moreno Glacier is open year-round.
Events worth planning around
- Fiesta Nacional del Lago Argentino in El Calafate (mid-February)
- Carnival public holidays (February or March), a busy national long weekend
- Argentine summer school holidays (January to February), peak domestic travel
When to avoid
Avoid May to September unless you are prepared for cold, short days and closures in El Chaltén. January and February are the busiest and most expensive months.
Common questions
What is the best time to visit Patagonia?
November to March, with highs of about 15–22°C and long days. December and March are calmer and cheaper than January and February.
Is Patagonia very windy?
Yes. Gusts of 60–100 km/h are possible at any time, especially in summer.
Is Perito Moreno open in winter?
Yes, the glacier is open year-round, though many lodges in El Chaltén close from about May to September.