When to go · El Chaltén
El Chaltén in May
Mixed month. Outside the best window (Nov–Mar). Across Argentina: Patagonia closing down for winter; Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the Northwest still good.
Key facts
- Verdict
- Mixed
- Temperature
- 8°C (46°F)46°F (8°C) / 0°C (32°F)32°F (0°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 9
- Crowds
- Low
- Argentina overall
- Prices
- Low
- Argentina overall
Verdict
Outside the best window (Nov–Mar). 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:
Weather in May
- El ChalténHighs around 8 °C (46 °F), lows around 0 °C (32 °F), rain on about 9 daysHighs around 46 °F (8 °C), lows around 32 °F (0 °C), rain on about 9 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 Chaltén, side by side.
Verdict
May: Mixed
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
May: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Jan: 19 °C (66 °F)66 °F (19 °C)
Night low
May: 0 °C (32 °F)32 °F (0 °C)
Jan: 8 °C (46 °F)46 °F (8 °C)
Rain days
May: 9
Jan: 8 (better)
Crowds
May: Low
Jan: High
Prices
May: Low
Jan: High
Festivals listed
May: 0
Jan: 0
May: Outside the best window (Nov–Mar). Across Argentina: Patagonia closing down for winter; Buenos Aires, Iguazú and the Northwest still good.
January: Inside El Chaltén's best window: Nov–Mar.
El Chaltén: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- Layers: a fleece or light jacket