Does anyone live in Patagonia?
Patagonia as a whole has a total population of 2 million people, with the majority living in Argentina. The Tehuelche indigenous group are the native people of the region, which like many native groups were overtaken and assimilated by European explorers.
After the initial idea to plan the trip of a lifetime is sparked, travelers often wonder about whether Patagonia, Chile, and Argentina are safe. The short answer is, absolutely! Patagonia is a safe travel destination for Americans and other foreign travelers.
Patagonia covers a whopping 409,500 sq miles (1,060,600 sq km) over two countries on the southern cone of South America. Needless to say, you'll want more than a few days to see it all. To get the most out of the experience, plan on 7-10 days.
Daily Expenses Budget
A fine dining restaurant with drinks around Patagonia can easily cost $250 per person or more, while a standard nice meal might be about $17 per person.
You can fly straight to Patagonia's main airport, Punta Arenas Airport (PUQ), but you may experience long layovers in other cities or countries. Flights are most likely to stop in Chile at the Santiago International Airport (SCL). Consider booking a flight to Patagonia's El Calafate International Airport (FTE) first.
Multiple languages are spoken in Patagonia
Although Spanish might be the official language in Patagonia, don't be surprised if you come across German, English, Italian and even Welsh speakers on your travels.
Language Information
The main language of Chile and Argentina including in Patagonia is Spanish. See our Chile and Argentina sections for more information. You may be surprised to learn that Welsh is spoken in some parts of Argentine Patagonia.
Internet & Phones
Most hotels in Patagonia provide internet access (sometimes at a cost) and international telephones – although for calling home, you will likely receive better rates using an internet-based phone service such as Skype or WhatsApp.
Coverage. There is almost complete coverage in large towns and cities across Patagonia, but when travelling between cities, cruising in the fjords or hiking in national parks there is little to no signal, and cell phones are not recommended as a reliable form of communication.
Most parts of the region don't get below 2°C (35°F) in the coldest months. Patagonia has grasslands, lush forests and rain. Fewer than 2 million people live in a 402,734 sq mi chunk of the continent. The only reals cities are in the north of the region.
Is Patagonia better in Chile or Argentina?
If it comes down to size, the Argentine Patagonia is a winner. It's larger than Chilean Patagonia, meaning there are more places to visit and more things to see and do. However, while Chilean Patagonia may be smaller, that also means it's easier to see and do all the best things in that region.
Is going to Patagonia on your own really worth it? The short answer is – hell yeah! If you came here just to find that out, you're now free to leave.
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Cost of Living in Argentina.
| Restaurants | Edit |
|---|---|
| Basic (Electricity, Heating, Cooling, Water, Garbage) for 915 sq ft Apartment | 47.54$ |
Getting to Patagonia is not that hard for those traveling via land - often budget backpackers on a long-term trip - as crossing borders is pretty straightforward and nothing unusual in the region.
| Milk (regular), (1 liter) | 0.77 USD (0.46-1.20) |
|---|---|
| Water (1.5 liter bottle) | 0.89 USD (0.50-1.60) |
| A bottle of wine (Mid-Range) | 3.00 USD (2.00-7.60) |
| Domestic Beer (0.5 liter bottle) | 1.20 USD (0.68-2.00) |
| Imported Beer (0.33 liter bottle) | 1.80 USD (1.00-2.70) |
Do I need a tourist visa in Patagonia? No. With a valid US or Canadian passport you won't need a visa to enter either Argentine or Chilean Patagonia for tourism or business travel up to 90 days.
Can you drive to Patagonia? Yes! Plenty of visitors head to the region as part of a road trip, driving down from Santiago (the Chilean capital), Buenos Aires (the Argentine capital) or cities further south on the periphery of Patagonia such as Puerto Montt, where rental costs are affordable.
How far is it from Patagonia (Land) to Antarctica? The distance between Patagonia (Land) and Antarctica is 2413 km.
Average monthly expenditure in Argentina comes down to your location and lifestyle but it's possible to live quite comfortably as a single person on $1,200 to $1,500 per month here, or $2,000 to $2,500 a month for a couple. And this is living comfortably—many long-term expats spend less.
This is that chance. Patagonia Sur offers you the opportunity to own large expanses of scenically remarkable and ecologically rich land at prices averaging less than $1,000 per acre.
How much does it cost to build a house in Argentina?
The houses of the Argentine lower class are very precarious, built on land far from the country's capital, and usually have less than two rooms. They are generally made on land shared with other homes and can cost up to $20,000 to build, although the value may be less if it is a prefabricated home.
But the main reason why Patagonia is famous around the world is because of its landscapes, vast forest, natural reserves, national parks, glaciers and native wildlife. Patagonia is called a region that combines many provinces and all of them have different attractions.
Typically temperatures range from about 50°F to the mid-70s during the day, dropping into the 40s at night. Temperatures tend to be cooler during our December and March adventures. Rain and very strong winds are possible any time of year and can make temperatures seem very cold.
At a state level, Patagonia occupies an area within two countries: 10% in Chile and 90% in Argentina. Both countries have organized their Patagonian territories into nonequivalent administrative subdivisions: provinces and departments in Argentina, as well as regions, provinces, and communes in Chile.
Quichua language - The word Patagonia means country of the hills.
Puerto Natales
It is known as the “city of rainbows”.
What to Expect. The small terminal at Ushuaia Airport (code: USH) handles domestic and seasonal flights. Amenities include a restaurant, a souvenir shops, and a duty-free. Free WiFi helps pass the time.
The current temperature in Patagonia is 54°F.
The term "end of the world" refers to Chile being the southernmost country in the world, which is why Chilean Patagonia, the southernmost natural region of the country and at the same time, the southernmost part of the American continent.
Cost of Living and Housing
Currently, $1 is worth about 37 pesos. According to numbeo.com, the cost of living in Argentina is 50% to 60% less than in the U.S. All told, you can expect to live comfortably on $1,500 per month. If you were particularly economical, you could expect to get by on about $1,000 per month.
Is Patagonia worth visiting?
Patagonia is most definitely a contender for the most beautiful place in the world, boasting stunning vistas at every turn, paths untrodden by the masses, towering snow-capped mountains and a multitude of lakes varying in many colours.
How much is the entrance fee to the park? For foreign adults, the entrance to the park costs around US $32 / 21,000 CLP during high season (1st of October to 30th of April) and US $17 / 11,000 CLP during low season (1st of May to 30th of September), regardless of the duration of your stay.
With several airports in all three districts, you can easily hop between cities. Buses are another reliable way to get around. To reach Patagonia, you'll want to fly through Buenos Aires Ezeiza International Airport (EZE) and then take a hopper flight to your desired Patagonian city.
Multiple languages are spoken in Patagonia
Although Spanish might be the official language in Patagonia, don't be surprised if you come across German, English, Italian and even Welsh speakers on your travels.
The official language of Patagonia is Spanish but there are small pockets of indigenous communities within Patagonia who speak Mapuche.
Coverage. There is almost complete coverage in large towns and cities across Patagonia, but when travelling between cities, cruising in the fjords or hiking in national parks there is little to no signal, and cell phones are not recommended as a reliable form of communication.
Torres del Paine W trek itineraries
Hiking in Torres del Paine National Park is significantly cheaper if you go self-guided. There is also absolutely no chance that you'll get lost. Believe me, the W trek is now so busy that (unfortunately) you see people all the time.
How difficult is the W Trek? The W Trek is not a difficult or technical trek. Hiking the W Trek doesn't require you to be a pro, but some hiking experience is highly recommended. Compared to lots of other hiking destinations in South America – especially in the Andes mountains – Patagonia is low altitude.
Driving a Car. The most cost effective form of getting to Torres del Paine is by bus. However, if you plan to ride the bus, be prepared to spend a lot of time on the road.
If it comes down to size, the Argentine Patagonia is a winner. It's larger than Chilean Patagonia, meaning there are more places to visit and more things to see and do. However, while Chilean Patagonia may be smaller, that also means it's easier to see and do all the best things in that region.
Is it safe to hike in Patagonia?
Chile is actually one of the safest countries in South America, with crime levels comparable to those in Europe, and both Chilean and Argentinean Patagonia are considered very safe.
English is not commonly spoken in Chile either in the tourist areas or larger cities. 10.2% of the population speak it, which amounts to 1,867,408 Chileans having some level of English language skill. This means that only 1 in 10 speak English and these are usually in more affluent areas.
OVERALL RISK : MEDIUM. Santiago de Chile is a beautiful city and a safe place to visit only if you are watchful enough and practice your common sense. The threat of crime exists and to avoid displeasing situations, minimum safety precautions are enough.
