Patagonia
Patagonia is an adventure traveler’s paradise. And depending on the age and interests of the kids, the adventure can be soft or extreme. You can travel on or off the beaten path. And whether you spend your days on an estancia herding cattle or exploring the great outdoors, a family vacation in Patagonia can be as rustic or as luxurious as you desire.
Extending from the Rio Colorado to the Straights of Magellan, Patagonia stretches south covering nearly half of Chile and Argentina. And while it may be remote, Patagonia is hardly the end of the world. Soaring pink and white granite rock, sparkling lakes and deep blue sea, jagged snowy peaks and golden grasslands, looming glaciers and dramatic ever-changing skies ensure there is much to admire and enjoy.
Watch sea life on both the Atlantic and Pacific coasts. Enjoy cold-water scuba diving in Puerto Madryn. Dig for fossils in the Valley of the Dinosaurs and Valle de la Luna (Ischigualasto). Practice your mountaineering skills in El Chaltén. Visit one or more of the national parks. Cruise past icebergs from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia. Enjoy sport fishing just about anywhere. And depending on the season, hike or snowboard in Bariloche, San Martin de los Andes, El Calafate and Ushuaia.
- travel planning
- more on Patagonia
- Patagonia hotels
- Patagonia tours
|
Getting there
The easiest and fastest way to travel to Patagonia is by air. The Valley of the Dinosaurs is located 1150 km (715 miles) from Buenos Aires and Puerto Madryn is 1450 km (900 miles) from Argentina's capital. Ushuaia is 3194 km (1983 miles) from Buenos Aires and Punta Arenas is 3090 km (1918 miles) from Santiago, Chile. Aerolíneas Argentinas, LADE and Southern Winds connect Buenos Aires and tourist destinations including Bariloche, El Calafate, Ushuaia, Neuquén and Trelew. LAN Airlines flies to/from Santiago and Puerto Montt, Punta Arenas and Bariloche.
Getting around
While the roads are in good condition and it is safe to travel by car in both Chile and Argentina, distances are enormous and gravel roads may be the only way to reach remote destinations. An international driving license may be required. Contact your local automobile club for additional information. Not only is bus travel comfortable, safe and efficient, it is an adventure for the kids. Travel by rail is an alternative in some parts of the Argentine Patagonia. A ferry service connects points along the Chilean coast and links southern Chile to Argentina's Tierra del Fuego. Air travel may be the best option for families interested in crisscrossing the region.
When to travel
The weather in Patagonia is a lesson in extremes. The winter is long and cold while spring and fall are short. Summer, although cold in the far south, can be pleasant and warm along the coast and hot in the Argentine badlands. There is a substantial difference between the daytime high and nighttime low at any time of year. Throughout much of Patagonia, the wind is literally never ending at any time of year.
Travel health & child safety
There are no specific health risks or vaccination requirements for travel to Patagonia.
Things to keep in mind
Distances are great and the wind never ends.
|
