The Ultimate Patagonia Elopement Guide for 2025

Table of Contents:

• Where is Patagonia?
• Where to Elope in Patagonia
• Best Torres del Paine Hikes for Adventure Elopements
• Can Americans Get Legally Married in Patagonia?
• When to Elope in Patagonia
• 11 Epic Patagonia Elopement Ideas
• Final Tips for Your Patagonia Elopement
• Hiring Your Patagonia Elopement Photographer

Where is Patagonia?

Patagonia is HUGE, and is not a country of its own—it’s a region that spans over 700,000 square miles of both Chile and Argentina, and is actually larger than 80% of the countries in the world! Wild, right?!

Located at the very southern tip of South America (like, as far down there as you can go), the Andes Mountains serve as the dividing line between the Argentine and Chilean sides of Patagonia. It’s often called the “end of the world” for its remote location and distant frontier vibes, with a small population and rugged, dramatic landscapes.

On the Argentine side of Patagonia, you’ll find a more arid climate filled with barren grasslands, deserts, and steppes as you head away from the southern section of the Andes mountains and toward the Atlantic Ocean. The Chilean side features more dramatic mountain landscapes, glacial fjords, volcanoes, rainforests, and the iconic national park that Patagonia is often known for—Torres del Paine. Both sides of the region offer such distinct natural beauty, there’s honestly not one that’s “better” than the other. It simply depends on what you’d like to see and how much time you have to explore!

Patagonia fun facts

Here are a few super cool facts about Patagonia, because I love learning as much about a place as I can before visiting (and because Patagonia has a SUPER fascinating history):

—The oldest archaeological discoveries in Patagonia tell us that humans have lived there for over 12,000 years. There’s a famous cave called Cuevas de las Manos that dates all the way back to 8000 BC!!

—Patagonia is the closest inhabited region to Antarctica, so it’s a popular jumping off point for cruises that head there!

—There are a whopping 17 (!!!) national parks along the “Route of Parks of Patagonia.” This incredible 1,700-mile route from Puerto Montt to Cape Horn protects more than 28 million acres of national parklands, and is without a doubt one of the most breathtaking, scenic routes anywhere in the world.

—Remains of the largest dinosaur humans have ever discovered were found in northwest Patagonia in 2012! So who knows—you might find a dinosaur roaming around the Patagonian landscapes alongside the wild horses, sheep, and other wildlife 🦕

How to get to Patagonia

There are a few different cities that act as great gateways into Patagonia: in Chile, Punta Arenas and Puerto Natales; in Argentina, El Chaltén (my personal favorite), El Calafate and Ushuaia.

While all of these are great options, I recommend flying into the regional airport in Puerto Natales (Teniente Julio Gallardo Airport) if you’ll be eloping in Torres del Paine National Park—which I’ll be highlighting later on in this guide. The town of Puerto Natales provides a great jumping off point for your visit to this incredible national park, so that’s the easiest way to get to this part of the world. Hotel Simple Patagonia is an incredible place to stay in Puerto Natales, offering expansive views of the vast landscapes and boutique amenities.

Another option is to fly into Punta Arenas and either drive or take the bus to Puerto Natales—I’ve done both, and it’s about a 3-hour drive!

Where to Elope in Patagonia

I could make an enormous list of all the amazing places to elope in Patagonia, but I do intentionally save a lot of my favorite spots for my booked couples. 

(reach out about your elopement and I’ll hand over my best secrets!)

So for now, I want to focus on the three most famous national parks in the region: Torres del Paine, Los Glaciares, and Tierra del Fuego.

Torres del Paine National Park

Torres del Paine is likely the park you’ve seen photos of, as it’s by far the most iconic national park in Patagonia (and one of the most sought-after hiking destinations in the world). Known for its wild, rugged landscapes and equally wild weather, the park spans 700 square miles of mountain and glacier-covered land in the far south of Chilean Patagonia. Park entry tickets cost $55 USD for people between 18-59 years old, and grant you access for up to 3 days. 

Something that makes Torres del Paine extra cool: there are wild horses that live in the park, and you can see guanaco (an animal in the llama family) as well as rheas (birds that look like ostriches). If you’re suuuuper lucky, there are also pumas in the area! I have yet to see one, but I’m crossing my fingers it’ll happen on my next visit.

Los Glaciares National Park

Next up is Los Glaciares National Park, the largest national park in the country, located in the Austral Andes of Argentina close to the border of Chile. This park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is home to so many stunning glacial lakes (the most famous being Lake Argentino) and dramatic mountain peaks, including Mt. Fitz Roy and Mt. Torre. 30% of the park is actually covered by ice, and is home to the craziest glaciers that you can see up close via boat or ice trek! Currently, the entrance fee for the park is $42 USD per person for foreign tourists. 

Tierra del Fuego National Park

Tierra del Fuego is another one of the most popular parks in Patagonia, boasting a diverse array of landscapes including mountains, glaciers, waterfalls, and forests. The views of the towering granite peaks are absolutely unreal, as are all the wildlife that can be seen in the park, including multiple species of foxes, river otters, rabbits, and guanacos!

Best Torres del Paine Hikes for Adventure Elopements

Since Torres del Paine is the most famous national park in Patagonia, and the one that I’ve personally spent time in, I’ve included a few of the best hikes in the park that would be INCREDIBLE options for your elopement. With over 100 miles of trails, you’ll never be able to explore everything in one trip, but you can sure do your best to cover as much area as possible if that’s your goal. Alternatively, you could stick to just one trail/area and really spend time getting to know it. Totally depends on what kind of traveler/hiker you are!

Shorter Hikes

Mirador Cuernos

Difficulty: Moderate

Route type: Out & back

Distance: 4.8 mi

Elevation gain: 785 ft

Average completion time: 2.5 hours

The hike to Mirador Cuernos, or Cuernos Lookout, is just under 5 miles long and offers glorious views of Lake Nordenskjöld, the Paine Range, and the French Valley. It’s a great option for couples who don’t want a ton of elevation gain, and are looking for an adventure that only lasts a few hours but still gives you majestic views of the mountain peaks + a bright blue alpine lake! Salto Grande Lookout is an amazing spot to check out along the way, with views of a beautiful waterfall that flows into Lake Nordenskjöld.

Mirador Lago Nordenskjöld

Difficulty: Easy

Route type: Out & back

Distance: 3.8 mi

Elevation gain: 472 ft

Average completion time: 1.5 hours

The trail to Mirador Lago Nordenskjöld is just a little bit shorter than the one to Mirador Cuernos, passing through gorgeous, vast landscapes on the way to see the turquoise waters of Lake Nordenskjöld. Named after a Swede who explored the region in the early 20th century, this lake at the base of Los Cuernos truly looks like something out of a painting with its bright, unique colors and surrounding scenery.

Longer Day Hikes

Base of the Towers/Mirador Las Torres

Difficulty: Hard

Route type: Out & back

Distance: 13 mi

Elevation gain: 2,956 ft

Average completion time: 8-10 hours

This trek is not for the faint of heart! It’s a pretty demanding day hike, but is SO worth it for the absolutely spectacular views you get of the three iconic granite peaks that the park is most known for. It’s actually part of the famous W Trek, and is a great option for couples who don’t want to hike the full thing + would rather fit their hike into one day. The hike starts at Hotel Las Torres, but if you’re not staying at the hotel, then you’ll begin at the Torres el Paine Welcome Center. Along this approximately 13-mile hike, you’ll pass through Ascencio Valley, climb up to Lago Torres, and finally, make your way to the base of Torres del Paine (the three towers I mentioned). 

Multi-Day Treks

W Trek

Difficulty: Moderate

Route type: Point-to-point

Distance: 49.7 mi

Elevation gain: 8,956 ft

Average completion time: 4-5 days

The W Trek is probably the most well-known hike in Patagonia (aside from the O Circuit, which we’re talking about next), and one of the most famous in the world. There are a few different ways you can start this hike, but no matter where you start or which direction you go, you’ll get to witness iconic sights such as the French Valley, Glacier Grey, and the Base of the Towers along the way. This trail is best from December-March, or the shoulder season if you’re looking for a more private experience, as it gets super busy in the summer months! You can stay in one of the many refugios (mountain huts) found along the route, or even one of a few luxury lodges or glamping sites.

O Trek

Difficulty: Hard

Route type: Loop

Distance: 73.7 mi

Elevation gain: 16,309 ft

Average completion time: 7-9 days

If you’re intrigued by the W Trek but are looking for an even more extensive adventure, check out the O Trek! It’s the full loop around the Cordillera del Paine and is considered one of the ten best hikes in the world by Lonely Planet—meaning it’s a prettyyy sick backpacking trip for anyone who’s up for the challenge. Compared to the W Trek, the O Trek is significantly longer and more challenging, with an extra 24 miles + 8,000 feet of elevation gain added on. It’s a bit easier to find quiet spots beyond the busier trails of the W Trek, and by completing the full loop around the Paine range, you’ll get to see all of the park’s highlights! There are multiple accommodation options along the way, including secluded campgrounds and communal refugios.

Can Americans Get Legally Married in Patagonia?

Technically, yes! However, I’d recommend opting for a symbolic wedding ceremony instead of a legal one.

This is because in order to get legally married in Patagonia as foreigners, you would need to go through either the Argentine or Chilean government’s marriage licensing process—and these would involve making an appointment at a Civil Registry office in Argentina, or the US Embassy in Santiago. 

While this is definitely possible if you REALLY want to, it would be a pain to have to add time to your trip to do this before traveling down to Patagonia. It’ll also add extra work to your planning process when you’re already busy enough with getting your travel plans ready to go.

That’s why I suggest getting the legal paperwork done in your home country first, then having a symbolic marriage ceremony in Patagonia. It’ll make things wayyy easier for you and you won’t have to worry about anything during your trip other than enjoying the adventure!

When to Elope in Patagonia

When is the best time of year to elope in Patagonia?

First thing’s first: let’s get clear on the seasons in Patagonia, because they’re very different from our seasons here in the US due to the region’s proximity to the equator.

• Summer: December-February
• Fall: March-May
• Winter: June-August
• Spring: September-November

Overall, the best time to elope in Patagonia is December-February, as the weather is the mildest + warmest during these months, and you have the most hours of daylight since it’s their summer season. 

Even in the summer, though, it’s important to note that it will be chilly and windy, so you’ll want to be prepared for the unpredictable and pack lots of layers. Patagonia is actually known for its windy conditions year-round, with wind speeds typically ranging from 9-13 mph but getting up to 74 mph in the summer. 

Below is an overview of the pros and cons of eloping in Patagonia in each season!

Summer (December-February)

Pros:

• Warmest temperatures, reaching around 72°F
• Long days with up to 18 hours of sunlight
• Perfect weather for hiking + outdoor adventuring
• Best accessibility for glaciers
• Active wildlife
• Great time for camping

Cons:

• High wind speeds + wind chill
• Peak season means more tourists
• Higher accommodation costs
• Less availability for refugios

Fall (March-May)

Pros:

• Fewer visitors (this is the region’s shoulder season)
• Great time to see wildlife such as pumas
• Stunning fall colors and foliage in the mountains
• Comfortable, mild temperatures
• Beautiful mists cover the mountain peaks

Cons:

• Rainiest time of year
• Shorter days and less light

Winter (June-August)

Pros:

• Least windy season
• Beautiful snowy landscapes
• Quieter trails and more privacy
• Best time for whale watching
• Best time for stargazing
• Great time to see wildlife

Cons:

• Coldest temperatures, dropping down to 0°F at night
• Fewer accommodation options in the mountains
• Many trails completely shut down

Spring (September-November)

Pros:

• Gorgeous weather for hiking
• Vibrant colors + landscapes come back to life
• Less precipitation
• Comfortable, mild temperatures

Cons:

• Towns are busy with tourists coming for festivals
• Chilly nights and mornings
• Unpredictable temperatures

11 Epic Patagonia Elopement Ideas

You can probably tell by now that you could spend weeks and weeks in Patagonia and still not see everything there is to see—but to make sure the time you DO have there is well-spent, here are 11 incredible activities + excursions to add to your itinerary!

1. Go horseback riding in Torres del Paine

2. Ice trek on the Perito Moreno Glacier

3. Rock climb in El Chaltén

4. Hike to a viewpoint of Cerro Fitz Roy

5. Go whale watching along the coast of Argentinian Patagonia

6. Ride the End of the World Train from Ushuaia through Tierra del Fuego National Park

7. Take a boat ride to the Marble Caves

8. See the penguins on Tierra del Fuego Island

9. Road trip along Argentina’s Ruta 40

10. Take a helicopter tour from Ushuaia

11. Kayak from El Calafate to the Perito Moreno glacier

Final Tips for Your Patagonia Elopement

Before you go, I wanted to give you a few final practical tips to help prepare for your trip to Patagonia!

1. Patagonia has two different time zones: the Argentine side is 3 hours behind GMT, and the Chilean side is 4 hours behind GMT.
2. The official language of the Patagonia region is Spanish, but you may find locals in larger cities who speak some English.
3. Two currencies are used in Patagonia: The Argentine Peso, and the Chilean Peso. As of March 2025, $1 USD is equal to 1,070 Argentine Pesos (ARS) and 918 Chilean Pesos (CLP).
4. Layers will be your best friend. Because of Patagonia’s unpredictable weather that can change at literally any moment, you’ll want to be prepared with layers you can add/remove anytime you’re outside.
5. Renting a car is the best way to travel around Patagonia, if you want to have the freedom to get around on your own. You can also get to most places via bus!

Hiring Your Patagonia Elopement Photographer

I knew as soon as I left Patagonia that I’d be ready to go back the minute the opportunity presented itself—and I couldn’t WAIT to show this incredible region to couples craving an unforgettable, adventurous elopement experience. I offer Patagonia elopement packages starting at $6,800 USD, which include everything from drone and super 8mm video, to Polaroids and 35mm film, to a custom-curated elopement day timeline based on the activities and locations that fit your dream elopement day.

Whether your ideal Patagonia elopement is filled with challenging day hikes, laid-back horseback rides through the mountains, thrilling helicopter tours soaring over the vast landscapes, or a mix of all three, I’d be so stoked to tag along and document your adventure. Reach out here, or via the form below, to start planning your once-in-a-lifetime Patagonia elopement—I’ll meet you in the mountains!

---

If you’re still searching for your perfect international elopement destination. . . might I suggest Iceland or Guatemala? 👀