One of the most beautiful regions in the southern hemisphere, Patagonia spans two different countries and five different provinces. It offers visitors the opportunity to see and explore incredible scenery and landscapes and see some of the most majestic animals.
But before you embark on your trip, there are a few things you should know. There’s nothing worse than arriving in a foreign land with little understanding of how things work as well as the local culture and customs.
It’s always nice to feel like you know what you’re in for, at least a little bit, so we’re going to help you out and give you head start.
Here are some things to know before you travel to Patagonia.
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Understand the Region
Most importantly, Patagonia is a region, not a country. This may seem pretty obvious but for visitors coming from far away lands, it may be worth mentioning.
It spans across two countries – Argentina and Chile – and covers 1,061 square kilometres. It’s made up of five different provinces between the two countries – Chubut, Santa Cruz, Neuquén, Tierra del Fugo, and Río Negro.
Book Ahead
If you’re someone that does a lot of travel, especially flexible travel like backpacking, you may not be one to enjoy booking things like accommodation in advance. However, when you’re visiting Patagonia, sometimes you have to.
This is especially true if you’re expecting to do trails like the W-trek or the O-Circuit. You will not be allowed to start the trails unless you have pre-planned and pre-booked accommodation. So make sure you check out your options well in advance and book to avoid disappointment when you arrive.
Be Prepared for Border Control
Even if you’re just moving between Chile where you can enjoy the apuestas deportivas Chile loves, and Argentina who also has a major love of sports – especially after winning the 2022 FIFA World Cup, you need to be prepared for border crossings. These crossings can be time consuming and sometimes, quite intense. You may not necessarily expect this in South America, but it’s a reality that you ought to consider.
You may not necessarily need a visa to enter the region, depending on your nationality, but even so, the process is often lengthy and may require you wait in long queues.
Your luggage will also be checked, so make sure you’re familiar with the travel and luggage restrictions, especially when it comes to things like fauna and flora.
Be Conscious of the Environment
Of course, the obvious here is that you should try your best to really soak up every moment and enjoy your phenomenal surroundings while visiting Patagonia.
However, more importantly, if you’re visiting a foreign region, it’s your responsibility to take nothing away and leave nothing behind (other than footprints, of course). Don’t pick the vegetation, don’t feed wild animals absolutely don’t throw cigarette butts onto the ground.
These things are true no matter where in the world you’re traveling, but it’s worth a reminder when you’re heading out to visit one of the most beautiful regions in the world. You are responsible for conserving its beauty so that future generations can experience it too!
