When to go · El Calafate
El Calafate in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy)). Across Argentina: Patagonia closing down for winter; Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the Northwest still good.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 9°C (48°F)48°F (9°C) / −2°C (29°F)29°F (−2°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 20
- Crowds
- Low
- Argentina overall
- Prices
- Low
- Argentina overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy)). Across Argentina: Patagonia closing down for winter; Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the Northwest still good.
Is another month better than May?
May is rated mixed. These months rate higher:
- NovemberGreatInside El Calafate's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy).
- DecemberGreatInside El Calafate's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy).
- JanuaryGreatInside El Calafate's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy).
- FebruaryGreatInside El Calafate's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy).
Weather in May
- El CalafateHighs around 8.7 °C (48 °F), lows around -1.7 °C (29 °F), rain on about 20 daysHighs around 48 °F (8.7 °C), lows around 29 °F (-1.7 °C), rain on about 20 days
- Southern Patagonia, Argentina · El Calafate, El Chaltén, Puerto Madryncool
Wind up to 100 km/h (62 mph) in summer; El Chaltén largely shuts from May to September. Whales at Península Valdés June–December.Wind up to 62 mph (100 km/h) in summer; El Chaltén largely shuts from May to September. Whales at Península Valdés June–December.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Argentina overall
- Low
- Prices · Argentina overall
- Low
Argentina overall: Patagonia closing down for winter; Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the Northwest still good.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in El Calafate, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 8.7 °C (48 °F)48 °F (8.7 °C)
Jan: 19.1 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19.1 °C)
Night low
May: -1.7 °C (29 °F)29 °F (-1.7 °C)
Jan: 7.2 °C (45 °F)45 °F (7.2 °C)
Rain days
May: 20
Jan: 7 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy)). Across Argentina: Patagonia closing down for winter; Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the Northwest still good.
January: Inside El Calafate's best window: Nov–Mar (long days, mild, windy).
El Calafate: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket