Torres Del Paine is the 5th most beautiful place in the world as voted by National Geographic. Needless to say, the views are staggering and the hikes are extremely commendable both for their beauty and challenge. Located in Southern Chilean Patagonia, this national park encompasses a wild make-up of mountains, glaciers, lakes, and rivers.
1. Why is it called Torres del Paine?
The name “Torres Del Paine” originates from the Tehuelche translation for ‘Blue Towers’ due to this predominant color that manifests itself on the icy Patagonian Steppe. Adventurers come from far and wide to take on Torres Del Paine’s challenges and the best time to come is, of course, dictated by its varying weather.
2. Best time to visit Torres del Paine
The best time to visit Torres del Paine is during the Southern summer; between late December and late February. The weather is not only more hospitable but daylight hours are greatly lengthened by the extreme southern latitude. Outside of this time frame, Torres del Paine weather becomes too extreme for most of the public. During the southern winter, Torres Del Paine is blessed with only a few hours of daylight each day.
Cool summers define the area, with temperatures lower than 16°C (61°F) during the warmest month (January). Winter is relatively cold, with an average high temperature in July of 5°C (41°F), and an average low of -3 °C (27 °F).
3. Rainy season in Torres del Paine
The park officially lies in the “temperate climate of cold rain without a dry season”. The most amount of rain falls between March and April, entailing 80mm of rainfall a month on average. This represents double the rainfall of the drier months of July–October. This means that if you will be visiting in the Southern summer, normal Torres del Paine weather patterns suggest that you will miss the heaviest rains but should nevertheless bring a rain jacket and umbrella just in case.