If you’re going to buy a ranch in Patagonia real estate, you will want to understand the landscapes and the geography before you invest. The best way to understand these areas is to book a trip and make sure you do it in advance. Consider booking your stay during Patagonia’s summer months to have adequate time to complete this important step in your due diligence. Landscapes as undisturbed and vast as those in Patagonia are that way for a reason. They are generally more remote than what you find in the United States and it takes more advanced planning to assure a great visit.
My family and I have traveled to Patagonia a few times and a little extra planning beforehand has always made the trip more enjoyable.
Before you embark on an adventure through Patagonia that will inexplicably change your life, there are a few things you should know beforehand.
1. Make sure you have enough time to see everything Patagonia has to offer.
Patagonia is at the other end of the world. Make the trip worth it. Allot enough vacation time to familiarize yourself with the different regions. Make time for Patagonia fly fishing, hiking to glaciers and volcanoes, rafting, boating and kayaking the amazing fjords, walking the beaches, and horseback riding.
While you are down in Patagonia you need to make the time to explore Torres del Paine National Park!
2. Decide if you want to fly through Argentina or Chile.
There are flights out of the US that can take you through either Buenos Aires or Santiago. Decide which towns and cultures you want to see before making your way down south to the Patagonia property you are interested in purchasing.
3. Know the difference between seasons in the northern and southern hemispheres.
The seasons in Patagonia are opposite to those found in the Northern Hemisphere. When you are planning your trip, you should know that their Fall (March- April) is when the weather and leaves change with cooler days and the Summer months (December – February) are the best months to visit.
4. Chile is long, so sometimes it is worth it to charter.
Due to the distance between towns, road conditions, and water features along the way, it is sometimes easier to charter float planes, helicopters, or smaller planes to get to your destinations. Call us if you need recommendations on which companies to use!
5. If you decide to drive, there are some things to know.
- If you are driving between Chile and Argentina, make sure your rental car is licensed to go across the border.
- Although they are making strides to pave the highways across Patagonia, especially the Austral highway, the majority of roads in the area are dirt roads. Be prepared for an adventurous drive.
- You will end up crossing numerous rivers and streams while driving in Chile. The bridges and ferries were some of my favorite parts of the drive. The water is crystal blue and the foliage near the rivers has leaves bigger than you!
- Make sure you fill your gas tank up when you can. When looking at a map the towns may seem closer than they are, but the roads wind through mountains and cross rivers and are not usually paved. We found ourselves completely out of gas five miles from Palena and had to coast the rest of the way there. Avoid this stress!
6. Stay connected!
Although there is wifi at some of the properties in Mirr Ranch Group’s Patagonia portfolio, you may not otherwise have cell service. Make sure to rent a satellite phone for your trip and change your carrier settings. There is a lot of coordination that needs to happen on your trip, so communication is key!
7. Make the connections beforehand.
It is always good to have an expert to walk you through your plans. Explora is a world-renowned hospitality group with an on-site concierge team to help you with your plans. These experts can help with:
- Booking resort stays and lodges in remote areas with all amenities. For interested buyers, you can stay at the Explora Lodge in Torres del Paine.
- Organizing chartered plane services and seaplane services
- Help with documentation for crossing the border between Argentina and Chile
- Find rental car businesses that can be in both countries
- Suggest local unknown restaurants
If you have any further questions we would love to talk to us or a representative at Explora, give us a call!
And check out a video recap of these important steps in visiting Patagonia real estate here: