June 1, 2024
Solo Traveling Patagonia
Patagonia, a region in southern Argentina and Chile, is one of the most beautiful places in the world, full of adventure and exploration. This region has been captivating explorers and travelers for centuries. The rigid peaks to glistening lakes to ancient glaciers to fluffy penguins.
There any many ways you can experience Patagonia – from budget to luxury and everything in between.
I knew that I had to visit Patagonia even if it was buy myself as a solo female traveler. Read this guide to learn more.
In This Guide
The Regions that Make Up Patagonia
Best Time to Visit
How to Get Around
Must Visit Destinations and Experiences
- Hike the Perito Moreno Glacier
- Visit Torres del Paine
- Hike the W or O Treks in Torres del Paine
- See Penguins in Punta Arenas
- Spend an Afternoon Exploring El Calafate, Puerto Natales, or Punta Arenas
- Spend a Day(s) with a Gaucho / Stay at an Estancia
- Drive on the Iconic Ruta 40
Safety
What to Pack
Tips and Tricks
The Regions that Make Up Patagonia
Patagonia is a vast area that encompasses two countries – Chile and Argentina.
For the purposes of this blog, majority of the information will be based on my experience of traveling to El Calafate, Puerto Natales, and Torres del Paine national park.
Below are major hubs for travelling Patagonia.
Puerto Natales
Puerto Natales is easily connected from Santiago, Chile. It is the gateway town to Torres del Paine national park and primarily caters to tourism to the park. This was probably my favorite town I visited (so far) in Patagonia. It felt a little bit of upstate New York. There are plenty of hotels, shops, and restaurants and has a good mixture of locals and international hikers.
Punta Arenas
Located south of Puerto Natales, this bustling town is the Chilean gateway to Antarctica. It has an airport, Presidente Carlos Ibáñez del Campo International Airport (PUQ), that is connected to Santiago, Chile. Punta Arenas is known for its penguin spotting tours. This town feels more metropolitan than Puerto Natales and there is more to do here from visiting museums to cemeteries.
El Calafate
El Calafate is situated on the Argentinian side that feels like a big town. It has an abundant number of restaurants, hotels, and shops. You will most likely be flying from Buenos Aires, Argentina. The Perito Moreno Glacier, a 12,000-year-old glacier, is a 45-minute car ride away from city center as well as many hikes.
El Chalten
El Chalten is a town north of El Calafate and is much smaller than its southern counterpart. It does not have a major airport so you will have to rely on a driving from FTE airport in El Calafate, which is about two and a half hours away. El Chalten is a hiker’s paradise – you can easily hike from wherever you are staying in the town.
Ushuaia
Ushuaia is considered the southernmost town in the world. if you are travelling to Antarctica, this will most likely be your pit stop before you make your way to your Artic tour. Ushuaia is an outdoor paradise, from trials to penguins.
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit Patagonia is during the summertime (December – March). Summer is, however, high season and you will encounter high crowds especially at Torres del Paine. You will never feel alone during this time period.
Shoulder season is considered October/November and April/May. Prices and crowds during shoulder season will be more manageable, however, the weather may be more extreme and fickle. I travelled during mid-April and there was still a considerable number of travelers in the towns and hiking trails.
Winter in Patagonia can be harsh with strong winds and plenty of snow. But if you enjoy winter activities and don’t mind bringing heavier duty gear, winter is your time to do. Note that during winter, many tour companies, hotels, and restaurants (especially in smaller towns) will be closed.
How to Get Around
Patagonia has an extremely well-developed infrastructure for tourism. They get thousands of travelers every year and I felt comfortable with the transportation options available to me. Below are the primary transportation options for travels.
Flying into Patagonia
Airports | The two most popular starting points for exploring Patagonia is El Calafate, Argentina or Puerto Natales, Chile. These are big towns that have regional airports Aeropuerto Internacional Comandante Armando Tola de El Calafate (FTE) in Argentina and Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport (PNT) in Chile that have daily flights to and from Buenos Aires and Santiago, respectively.
LOCAL TIP: If you are visiting to Torres del Paine, it will be better to fly into PNT airport. Torres del Paine is about a 1.5 hour drive from the airport. If you fly into FTE, you will need to cross the border via bus or car rental into Chile.
Getting Around Town
Taxi or Car Rental | I took a taxi from FTE airport to my hotel and back to the airport when I was leaving. Having a car rental gives you much more freedom to explore the area. There are plenty of car rental companies.
Local Tip: Uber or ride sharing options are not available in El Calafate. You can easily grab a taxi or rent a car at FTE. Many hotels also offer airport pickup and drop-off.
Crossing to and from Argentina and Chile
Buses | I took one of the many buses available to cross to and from Argentina and Chile when I visited Torres del Paine. The buses were extremely comfortable.
Local Tip: Don’t forget your passport and check visa guidelines when crossing the border. The buses stop at immigration checkpoints along the way and you will need to get stamped when entering and leaving the countries.
Must Visit Destinations and Experiences
1. Hike the Perito Moreno Glacier
The Perito Moreno Glacier is an UNESCO site and is the eighth wonder of the world. It is one of the many glaciers found in Los Glaciares National Park and located about a ninety-minute drive from El Calafate. There are several activities that you can do at Perito Moreno Glacier that is inclusive of all ages and fitness levels. There is a free public boardwalk of over 4km that gives you incredible views of the glacier. In addition, glacier trekking is another can’t-miss activity (this activity must be booked through a tour-group).
2. Visit Torres del Paine
Torres del Paine is quickly becoming one of the most popular national parks in the world – and for good reason. Every angle of this park is filled with breathtaking views. Puerto Natales is the gateway town to Torres del Paine. You can visit for day hikes or multi-day hikes, which can be done independently or through a tour group. Be aware of entrance and other fees and logistics (such as boat times for certain hikes) if choosing to traveling solo.
3. Hike the W Trek or O Circuit in Torres del Paine
e W Trek and O Circuit are the most popular multi-day hikes at Torres del Paine. The W is slightly shorter (can be done in 3-6 days) and takes you through the most popular viewpoints in Torres del Paine. The O takes you around the entire park and you get hike through the more remote, unblemished parts of the park. Your fitness level is important. Although I didn’t find the hikes at Torres del Paine extremely challenging, there were parts that were difficult due to the terrain and weather conditions. There are also many tours that you can book for both the W and O.
Local Tip: You can do both the W and O independently. The trial is easily laid out and there are tons of resources out there to help you plan your trip. There is, however, quite a bit of planning and logistics you will need to sort out ahead of time as well as adhere to strict rules when hiking that are enforced by the park. If you are a confident and experienced hiker, doing the W or O autonomously will be extremely rewarding.
4. See Penguins in Punta Arenas
Technically, there are no penguins in Punta Arenas but rather in the surrounding areas. Penguins are the most innocent creatures on Earth (I don’t know if this is a fact but they definitely are the cutest) and are 100% wild here. There are different penguin colonies you can visit (King or Magellic). If you are limited on time or don’t want to handle logistics on your own, there are plenty of tours you can book.
5. Spend an Afternoon Exploring El Calafate or Puerto Natales
Each town is similar but so uniquely its own. I loved spending an afternoon walking around El Calafate (you can even rent bikes) and taking in the unique architecture and sipping on café con leche and a pastry. It’s the perfect way decompress after a long day of hiking.
6. Spend a Day(s) with a Gaucho / Stay at an Estancia
Gauchos are South American cowboys. Many gauchos are working on a ranch, and you can even stay at these estancias. During you visit or stay, you can horseback ride, hike, and explore the ranch life. I spent a day with a gaucho and we went horse-spotting. Learning about the ranch life and gaucho culture was one of the highlights of my Patagonia trip.
7. Drive on the Iconic Ruta 40
One of the longest and most scenic roads in South America, Ruta 40 starts in Bolivia and ends at the tip of South America. Snaking alongside the Andes Mountains, many people drive along this famous road when in Patagonia. Some popular spots are: Bariloche, Cueva de Manos, Perito Moreno Glacier, El Chalten, El Calafate.
Safety
I felt safe solo traveling as a female in Patagonia. There were plenty of other solo travelers, families, and groups traveling the region and I never felt alone. My broken Spanish got me far and there were many English-speaking staff and guides.
Below are some safety tips to follow as a solo female traveler:
- Bring locks if you stay at refugios.
- Petty crime happens everywhere. Although I was never targeted in Patagonia, stay vigilant and don’t bring or wear flashy items (or anything you would be sad to lose).
- Download maps, documents, and essential information on your phone. When I travel alone, having access to information always makes me feel safe. For majority of the trip, however, I had no cell reception. If you are hiking or travelling between towns, I always like to download information ahead of time to avoid being stranded.
- Buy a local sim card if you want better cell service. It’s important to note, however, there will be many places in Patagonia where cell reception is not available even on a local plan.
- Share your travel plants with family or friends. I shared my travel itinerary with loved ones so they knew what my journey looked like.
- Book tours, transportation, and experiences ahead of time if possible. If you are a nervous traveler, book your taxis to and from the airport ahead of time or when you are crossing the border. Also ask your hotel or accommodations for tips or arrangements if they offer it.
- Do your research. This is probably the most important. There are many resources available online that provide a comprehensive.
What to Pack
Weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable. Packing strategically is key to making sure you have everything you need, especially if you will be hiking and have to carry everything you bring on your back.
Some important things to pack (hiking edition for a 5-day trip):
- 2-3 pairs of base layers: Base layers are essential for making sure you stay warm.
- 1-2 fleece: It gets cold at night.
- 1 pair of waterproof hiking pants
- 1 waterproof and windproof outer layer: The winds are strong here.
- Warm sleeping outfit: Merino wool is my go-to here.
- Undergarments: I always pack extra.
- Gloves: My hands are always cold
- Hat: For either protecting against the cold or the sun.
- 1 pair of waterproof hiking shoes: If it rains or snows, this will save you.
- 1 pair of sneakers: Or comfortable shoes you can change into after a long day of hiking.
- 1 pair of sandals or flip flops: This is optional, but comes in handy if you will be sharing bathrooms or staying at Refugio’s.
- Toilets and medications: Pack light here.
- Sunscreen: The sun is stronger here, especially in the summertime.
- First aid kit: Because we don’t want to suffer from blisters or sore throats.
- Water bottle: You can fill up water at most streams throughout Patagonia.
- Dry bag: Protect your gear.
- Headlamp: For early morning or late night hikes.
- Trekking poles/sleeping bag liner: You can easily rent equipment at rental stores in El Calafate or Puerto Natales.
- Travel insurance: Some tour companies will require you to buy travel insurance.
- Camera
- Power bank
- Universal adapter: Chile and Argentina use different outlets.
Tips and Tricks
- Consider Booking a Tour | Tours are expensive but they’re a great alternative to solo female travelers and to meet people from all around the world. I booked a part of my trip – specifically my visit to Torres del Paine – through a 5-Day tour and I have no regrets. Had I not been by myself, I would have 100% done the W Trek by independently. But I went during shoulder season (when the weather becomes more unpredictable) and the nerves of missing something logistically pushed me to a tour.
- Go During Shoulder Season to Save Money | I visited Patagonia during mid-April, which is considered shoulder season. Many hotels and tours will have discounts during low season.
- Be Prepared to Face All Types of Weather | Patagonia, especially Torres del Paine, is notorious of its temperamental weather. I was deathly afraid of being cold and packed fleece upon fleece. Ironically, during my stay, the weather was gorgeous and we had zero wind. I repeat, zero wind. There was, however, a snow storm the week before I arrived. Be prepared. Pack accordingly.
- Book Ahead of Time | People book tours, accommodations, and experiences way ahead of time (for some of the popular accommodations even over a year of time).
- Check Entry Fees | Entrance to certain areas require entry fees (such as Torres del Paine or Perito Morino Glacier). Check the requirements ahead of time to avoid being turned away.
- Rent Gear | Forgot to pack gear or any other essentials? There are plenty of rental stores where you can rent hiking backpacks, trekking poles, and even jackets in El Calafate and other towns.
- Bring Argentinian Pesos and/or Chilean Pesos | If you are travelling between the two countries, bring some cash for both countries. Some shops or agencies will also accept USD. There are several ATMs and Western Union locations in the towns.
- Weather Dictates Many Activities | There’s only so much you can control and mother nature is not on that list. Weather can be unpredictable and some activities, such as boat rides, can be cancelled last minute if the weather is not cooperating.
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Welcome to my visual diary full of travel guides and experiences. Well Rested Girl is rooted in the belief of balance, wellness, and perspective.
As my travel style and motivations evolved, my deep curiosity and need to expand my perspectives remain stead forth.
