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Freezing weather is about to hit the Northern Hemisphere… luckily in Argentina and South America, Summer is about to begin! So, “where to go on vacations in winter” turns out to be a good question, especially if you want to experience some sunny weather during your Winter season. Argentina and South America are great traveling options! And Patagonia is our favorite. Read about where to go on vacation during your winter holidays on this side of the continent.

Where to go on vacation in the winter

Argentina

Summer in Argentina -like most of the countries in South America- goes from December to March. During the summer season, many locals travel to the Atlantic Coast (5-hours from Buenos Aires by car), but there is a great affluent to international destinations like Iguazú Falls and Patagonia. 

Iguazú like other northern destinations as Salta, Jujuy and Mendoza, may feature a bit too warm weather that, nevertheless, becomes handy when talking about Southern and snowy destinations like Patagonia, perfect destination to visit in winter. 

Patagonia

Well, Summer is definitely a beautiful time to visit Patagonia. All services, accommodations, and hiking trails are open to travelers, and the region is bursting with activities for all kinds of travelers. 

If you’re a solo traveler, you may enjoy the many self-guided trails of El Chaltén. If traveling with young kids is your goal for your next winter vacation, where you have to go is Bariloche, the Argentine capital of the Lake District. Some people think of Patagonia as an adventure tour hub and it’s indeed! But, you can also find many soft-adventure options to enjoy and explore each destination. 

Where to go on your winter vacation in Patagonia

Solo travelers

El Chaltén and Torres del Paine (in Chilean Patagonia) are top choices between travelers from all over the world, in their 20’s and 60’s. The advantage of these hiking top-notch places is that hiking trails’ difficulty and duration are up to you! El Chaltén is a little village, really easy to get around on foot. 

Cascades, viewpoints to Mount Fitz Roy, and hidden lagoons surround the area and features well-marked easy-access trails. In Torres del Paine you can enjoy both, hotel and camping accommodations, and enjoy the same hiking trails. The W Circuit, a 5-day hike to explore different landscapes inside the park, is a tour you may want to consider if you like being in share contact with nature. 

• Where to go in El Chaltén: El Chorrrillo del Salto Cascade, Cerro Torre Viewpoint, and Laguna de los Tres and base of Mount Fitz Roy.

• Where to go in Torres del Paine: Lake Nordenskjold to see Paine Horns, Lago Pehoé Viewpoint, hike to Base las Torres and enjoy an amazing boat trip to meet the Grey Glacier. 
  
  
  
  
  

Family travel

Visit Patagonia can be the perfect family vacation, especially in winter. Some of our favorite destinations in Patagonia for families include outdoor activities and wildlife spotting. We know kids and animals are natural companions! And Ushuaia is the best spot in Patagonia to be in contact with native animals. 

The Beagle Channel navigation, a must-do experience while traveling Ushuaia, is a soft adventure boat trip to see the Isla de Los Estados full of sea lions and cormorants. Plus, there is a famous lighthouse to be discovered during the trip!

Puerto Madryn is also a wildlife hub perfect for family trips. Activities like whale watching, walking among penguins in a natural reserve, and admiring whale calves from the coast are the most popular attractions. 

El Calafate can be also a family-friendly place in Patagonia, especially because of the Perito Moreno Glacier experience that comes in two different versions. A soft walk over the catwalks facing the glaciers, or mini trekking over the ice! Though it is only available for children over 8 years old, and adults up to 85, it is a worth-considering option while traveling in El Calafate.

Other family-friendly destinations:

• El Chaltén: absolute freedom to experience top-world hiking without depending on a group. A versatile destination, for families that need to keep their own rhythm. 
  
  
• Bariloche: tranquil beaches near to the city, still-water lakes to enjoy a kayak trip, cablecars to reach amazing viewpoints, and a spinning bar on top of the mountain! No member of the family will be left behind with the wide range of activities offered by the capital of the Argentine lake District. Bariloche is an ideal destination to visit in winter and especially with the family.
  
  
  

Couples vacation

Talking about the capital of the Lake District, Bariloche is definitely our most romantic destination in Patagonia. This is where Patagonia begins so weather tends to be less extreme than Ushuaia, the last Argentine province before Antarctica. Summer is a beautiful period to visit Bariloche, all roads are available, day-light last longer, and you can bath in the not-so-freezing waters. 

Bariloche is famous for its chocolate production, a famous aphrodisiac. The mouth-melting chocolate made in Bariloche can be only compared with European specialists like Switzerland. Prepare to taste traditional recipes like the chocolate en rama (chocolate thing sticks) and the berries-filled chocolates.

Bariloche is a perfect romantic destination for staying in a hotel room facing the Nahuel Huapi and yet be on plein downtown. Bariloche as an international destination features a substantial offer of top-class hotels, including rooftop swimming pools and spa services.

Maybe the most famous of the world-class hotels in Bariloche is the stunning Llao Llao. Standing alone on the top of the hill, with panoramic views of Nahuel Huapi and Moreno Lakes, Hotel Llao Llao has lodge all kinds of international cultural and political characters. This is a 5-star hotel, with an 18-hold golf field, an outdoor edgeless pool, and sophisticated international gastronomy.  

• Other experiences you can share in Bariloche with your significant other: Take the navigation to Puerto Blest, a hidden port between mountains and lake, and one of the stops on the Andean Crossing Route. This full-day experience takes you from Bariloche to Puerto Varas in Chile, through lakes and mountain roads. Not to miss if your vacation includes a quick look to Chile. 
  
  
  
  
  

Multigenerational trips

It is difficult to travel with the whole extended family when the age spectrum is larger than usual. Grandpas love to be with their grandchildren, but they won’t be so glad to follow them into an energy-demanding excursion. The same could happen with young adults who may feel restraint to enjoy their vacations as planned because the youngest can not follow the walking rhythm on a hike. 

It is very important when planning a multigenerational vacation that the chosen destination can be easily enjoyed by all members of the family. In Patagonia, El Calafate is our top choice for this kind of trip. 

Why? Because it is an international destination with great land and air connections. It features soft adventure activities that can be upgraded to a more extreme experience, as the classical visit to Perito Moreno Glacier. But also because from El Calafate, you can easily reach other destinations like El Chaltén, just a few hours away. 

While some members of the family may want to stay exploring El Calafate, its Glaciarium Museum, and learn how the Patagonian Ice Field was discovered, visit Patagonian ranches or enjoy a 4×4 excursion to discover fossils, others may spend a few non-stop hiking days, going camping and rafting.

Now you know,  to choose where to go on vacation in winter may transform into your best summer holidays ever! Start planning today with one of our Say Hueque experts in Patagonia.