Practical information Patagonia

No visa is required for French, Belgian and Swiss nationals travelling to Argentina or Chile for a tourist stay of less than 90 days. However, your passport must remain valid for a minimum of six months after your planned return date. Upon arrival, you will receive a stamp or a PDI (Tarjeta de Turismo in Chile) which you must keep until you leave the country. If your itinerary combines both countries, you will cross the border several times, notably at Paso Cardenal Samoré or at Cerro Castillo checkpoint between Torres del Paine and El Calafate. Our team will send you the documents to print and crossing times before departure.

No vaccines are mandatory to enter Argentina or Chile from Europe. Routine vaccinations (DTP, MMR, hepatitis B) should be up to date, and we recommend hepatitis A as a precaution. Yellow fever does not affect Patagonia; only tropical zones in northern Argentina require it. There is no risk of malaria or dengue at these southern latitudes. The healthcare system is of good standard in major cities such as Bariloche, El Calafate, Puerto Natales and Ushuaia, with public hospitals and private clinics. Travel insurance covering medical evacuation is strongly recommended, particularly if you plan independent trekking or glacier activities.

Excluding international flights, budget on average between 180 and 280 euros per day and per person for a comfortable itinerary including 3-4 star accommodations, private transfers, English-speaking guides and national park entrance fees. A trek in a refuge on the W of Torres del Paine will be less expensive, around 130 euros per day, while an all-inclusive lodge stay like Explora or Tierra Patagonia can reach 600 euros per day. Domestic flights represent a significant expense: 150 to 300 euros per segment depending on how far in advance you book. At restaurants, expect 25 to 40 euros per person for quality asado, and 10 to 15 euros for a simple lunch.

The practicable season runs from November to March, with peak season between December and February. December and January offer the longest days (daylight until 10 p.m. in the south) and the mildest temperatures, around 18-22°C during the day. November and March are quieter in terms of visitor numbers, with often less violent wind in March. To observe whales in the Península Valdés, prioritize September to November. Avoid June to August south of the 45th parallel: many accommodations closed, refuges inaccessible, snow on trails. The lakes region and Bariloche, however, remain active in winter for skiing.

Distances require domestic flights, particularly between Buenos Aires and El Calafate (3h15), Santiago and Punta Arenas (3h30), or El Calafate and Ushuaia (1h20). On-site, we organize private transfers or 4x4 rentals depending on your itinerary. Argentina's Ruta 40 and Chile's Carretera Austral can be driven independently, with gas stations spaced 200 to 300 kilometers apart: fill up whenever possible. Long-distance buses (Marga, Bus Sur, Chaltén Travel) connect major stops at reasonable rates. Navimag ferries between Puerto Montt and Puerto Natales offer a scenic 4-day alternative through the fjords.

Patagonia is among the safest regions in South America. Tourist cities like Bariloche, El Calafate, Puerto Natales, and Ushuaia present no particular risk beyond the usual precautions against pickpocketing on buses and at bus stations. Buenos Aires and Santiago, which are unavoidable transit points, require a bit more vigilance in certain neighborhoods at night. The real risks in Patagonia stem from nature: sudden weather changes in the mountains, winds strong enough to knock over a hiker, crossings of glacial rivers, and winter driving on icy roads. Our local guides strictly follow the guidelines of park rangers (CONAF in Chile, APN in Argentina) and adapt itineraries in real time.