Argentina vs. Chile: Which Should You Visit?

The debate over whether to take an Argentina vs. Chile vacation ultimately comes down to personal preference. Both countries are home to cosmopolitan cities, dramatic landscapes, rare wildlife, and all sorts of outdoor adventure. While Argentina tends to feel slightly more modern overall, with bustling cities like Buenos Aires, Chile retains a certain laid-back charm. Both countries feature dramatically rugged terrain, as well as rolling winelands.

Whether you are planning to stick to the cultural highlights of the big cities or are hoping to escape down to the wild beauty of Patagonia, either destination is bound to captivate you.

Weather & Best Time to Visit

Caminito in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Both Chile and Argentina are located in the southern hemisphere, which means that the seasons are reversed compared to the northern hemisphere. For example, if you’re hoping to escape a cold and rainy New York winter, January or February is a great time to visit.

Chile and Argentina share similar weather patterns, with just a few key differences to keep in mind. Chile’s location along the Pacific coast brings wetter, windier conditions compared to Argentina, which tends to be drier, but has more extreme temperatures, depending on the region. Many travelers choose to visit between December and April to take advantage of the warmer weather and longer daylight hours.

Cape Horn, Chile

That said, choosing when to visit Chile or Argentina depends on what activities you’re hoping to do. For example, cosmopolitan cities like Buenos Aires are popular year-round and offer an urban experience with plenty of cultural museums and art galleries, while southern Patagonia and the fjords of Chile are more seasonal and weather-dependent.

History

Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires, Argentina

Chile and Argentina share several similarities in their history, including colonial roots and a desire for national independence. Argentina’s history is perhaps more turbulent, while aspects of Chile’s history are shaped by its more isolated location and the need to adapt to its rugged, coastal landscape.

Travelers passing through Buenos Aires will find some of Argentina’s most famous social and political figures buried at Recoleta Cemetery. This is not your everyday cemetery; I always find Recoleta to be surprisingly peaceful and a nice break from exploring the rest of the city. The graves and mausoleums range from Gothic to Art Deco to Neoclassical styles, and it almost feels like an open-air museum.

Plaza de Mayo in Buenos Aires, Argentina

While Eva Perón—Evita—is buried in the Recoleta Cemetery, the final resting place of General José de San Martín can be found within the Metropolitan Cathedral, located in Buenos Aires’ Plaza de Mayo. The outside of the cathedral almost resembles a temple, but once inside, you’re met with intricate mosaics, artwork dating back to the 18th century, and elements of both Neo-Renaissance and Neo-Baroque styles.

In Chile, the Maggiorino Borgatello Museum in Punta Arenas provides a comprehensive overview of Patagonian culture and its indigenous history. There’s a bit of everything to explore here, from ancient artifacts linked to the Selk’nam and Yaghan peoples to taxidermy that showcases the wildlife native to Patagonia.

Fuerte Bulnes, Chile

About 30 miles south of Punta Arenas, visiting Fuerte Bulnes is one of the best things to do in Chile to brush up on Patagonian history. Founded in 1843, many of the structures have been reconstructed to allow visitors a chance to better envision what life was like for settlers at the time. Some of these structures include a chapel, a post office, horse stables, and even a jail.

The views are spectacular, too. On a clear day, you can see the Strait of Magellan as well as nearby islands and the surrounding mountains.

Natural Wonders

Iguazú National Park, Argentina

When it comes to natural wonders, deciding between Chile and Argentina really has no “right” answer. Regardless of which destination you visit, you’ll see and experience impressive national parks and sweeping landscapes.

Argentina is known for Iguazú National Park, which many travelers visit as a day trip or an overnight from Buenos Aires; this involves a flight, rather than driving. The magnificent Iguazu Falls cascade over an escarpment that forms the border of Argentina and Brazil, making it possible to admire them from both sides.

For my first visit to the falls, I stuck to the Argentine side, as I found it to offer more extensive walking trails that made it easier to photograph the famous Garganta del Diablo, or Devil’s Throat, from different angles.

Peninsula Valdés, Argentina

Heading south, Peninsula Valdés in Argentina’s Chubut Province is a must-see for wildlife lovers. Between June and December, you’re likely to see southern right whales, as this is when the mothers and their calves enjoy the calm waters. Other likely wildlife sightings include sea lions, penguins, and guanacos, a close relation of the llama.

Magellanic penguins on Magdalena Island, Chile

Crossing into Chile, you can also spot penguins in their natural habitat when visiting Magdalena Island near Punta Arenas; there are an estimated 60,000 breeding pairs of Magellanic penguins here. To protect the penguins and avoid frightening them, visitors should stick to the wooden pathways and maintain a safe distance.

For more wildlife, plan a visit to the Beagle Channel, located along the Chile–Argentina border. As you glide along the body of water separating the two countries, you could see sea lions, fur seals, albatross, and the occasional dolphin.

Outdoor Adventures

Kayaking in Patagonia, Argentina

Whether you’re an advanced hiker or just looking for a one-off soft adventure activity, there are plenty of options in both Argentina and Chile.

In Puerto Madryn, Argentina, renting a kayak or joining a guided kayaking tour is a fun way to experience the local wildlife. While kayaking does require some physical strength and endurance, it’s slow-paced enough to suit most travelers. As you paddle along, keep an eye out for sea lions basking on the rocks and several species of coastal birds.

Commerson’s dolphin

For a chance to spot the enchanting Commerson’s dolphin in Puerto Madryn, consider joining a boat tour and keeping your eyes peeled for this distinctive species. Despite being one of the world’s smallest dolphins, their black-and-white coloring often earns them comparisons to orcas.

These dolphins are known for their curiosity and playfulness. Even if you don’t spot one, the boat ride offers a scenic experience with plenty of great photo ops to capture the different perspectives of Patagonia’s shoreline.

Lago Escondido, Argentina

When you’re ready for something a bit more adrenaline-pumping, set out on a 4×4 tour through Argentina’s Lago Escondido and Lago Fagnano, located near Ushuaia. The ride takes you through dense forest and rugged terrain, which can be bumpy in areas, so be prepared.

One of the more unusual activities to try while in Ushuaia is hiking with Siberian husky dogs. You’ll first need to reach the northern outskirts of the city, so buckle in for a scenic ride that takes you past lakes, forests, and glaciers. From there, you’ll hike along old lumberjack trails within the Ñires and Lengas forests, all with the company of friendly huskies trotting beside you.

In Chile, outdoor adventures also center around wildlife and nature experiences. From Punta Arenas, you can make the short drive to Estancia Olga Teresa, a local ranch where you can learn more about Patagonian and gaucho culture. While every day at the farm is a little different, a definite highlight is watching a sheep-shearing demonstration and enjoying a traditional barbecue lunch paired with local wine.

Andean condor

Birdwatching is another popular activity in Punta Arenas. The Andean condor, in particular, is among the largest flying birds in the world and truly a sight to behold. While you can spot these, as well as other bird species, as you explore the region, the Estancia Olga Teresa Condor Park offers a more immersive experience. You even get to borrow a pair of specialized Zeiss binoculars to really see them up close.

Food

Restaurant in Argentina

It’s safe to say that you won’t go hungry in Chile or Argentina, and there’s something for every craving.

Argentina in particular tends to be quite meat-heavy, but there are usually vegetarian options available as well. Traditional dishes include asado, which is Argentina’s version of a barbecue, milanesas—similar to a schnitzel—and decadently sweet dulce de leche treats for dessert.

Empanadas are my personal favorite, and each region has its own recipes and fillings, from ground meat to cheese. Argentine cuisine also draws from Italian and Spanish influences, so you’re likely to see plenty of pizza and pasta on the menu as well.

Empanadas

Chilean food, on the other hand, is famous for its seafood dishes like ceviche, curanto, shellfish, and congrio. You’ll find empanadas here, too, as well as pastel de choclo, a sweetcorn pie, and completo, which is a hot dog topped with anything from tomato and avocado to sauerkraut, mayonnaise, ketchup, and mustard.

Wine

Both countries are deeply proud of their wines. Argentina’s Malbec is world-famous, while Chilean wines from the Central Valley shouldn’t be missed, from Cabernet Sauvignons to Carménère, a fruity red produced almost exclusively here.

FAQs

Caminito in Buenos Aires, Argentina

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