Overview
Patagonia is one of the planet’s last great wildernesses, a vast region spanning southern Argentina and Chile where glaciers calve into turquoise lakes, granite spires pierce the sky, and guanacos roam endless steppes. The two main hubs are El Calafate and El Chalten in Argentina (for Perito Moreno Glacier and Mount Fitz Roy) and Puerto Natales in Chile (gateway to Torres del Paine National Park).
Costs are higher than elsewhere in South America due to the remote location and short tourist season. The US dollar is widely understood for reference, though Argentine pesos and Chilean pesos are the local currencies. The trekking season runs October through April, with December through February being peak summer. Shoulder months (October-November and March-April) offer lower prices and fewer crowds.
Daily Budget Breakdown
Budget ($60-$100/day): Sleep in hostels, refugios, or campgrounds ($25-$60/night), self-cater with supermarket supplies ($10-$20/day), use public buses between towns ($2-$5 locally), and hike the free trails in El Chalten and Torres del Paine.
Mid-Range ($130-$220/day): Stay in mid-range hotels or estancias ($80-$180/night), eat at restaurants with local lamb and Malbec ($25-$50/day), take guided glacier hikes and boat tours ($60-$150), and rent a car for flexibility ($50-$100/day).
Luxury ($350-$600+/day): Book a luxury eco-lodge like EcoCamp or Tierra Patagonia ($250-$600+/night all-inclusive), enjoy gourmet dining with Patagonian wine ($60-$150/day), arrange private guides for glacier trekking and horseback riding ($150-$300), and fly between destinations ($100-$300).
How to Save Money in Patagonia
- Camp or use refugios on multi-day treks — far cheaper than hotels in gateway towns and right in the wilderness.
- Stock up on groceries in El Calafate or Puerto Natales before heading into the parks.
- Use long-distance buses instead of domestic flights — the scenery along the Ruta 40 is spectacular.
- Visit during shoulder season (October-November or March-April) for lower accommodation prices.
- Hike the free trails in El Chalten — the town itself charges no entrance fee and trails to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre are free.
Worth the Splurge
- The Big Ice trek on Perito Moreno Glacier — walk on the glacier itself with crampons and an ice axe ($150-$250).
- The W Trek in Torres del Paine, a 4-5 day circuit through some of Earth’s most dramatic scenery ($200-$500 total with refugios).
- A traditional Patagonian lamb asado (whole-roasted over open fire) at a local estancia ($40-$70).
- A boat cruise through the Balmaceda and Serrano glaciers from Puerto Natales ($100-$150).
