Can I use a credit card everywhere?

In major towns, yes. However, remote mountain huts and small shops often only accept cash (Argentine Pesos or Chilean Pesos). Always carry 200 USD in local currency as backup.

Do I need a guide for the trails?

Most major trails in El Chaltén and Torres del Paine are well-marked and easy to navigate independently. You only need a guide if you plan on doing glacier trekking that involves crampons.

Planning Your First Trip to Patagonia

Focus on either the Chilean side (Torres del Paine) or the Argentine side (El Chaltén and El Calafate) rather than trying to do both in under 10 days. Book your campsites or lodges 6 to 9 months in advance, as the high-season availability in this region is extremely limited.

Choose your primary hub. Decide between El Calafate/El Chaltén (Argentina) for world-class day hiking and glacier viewing, or Torres del Paine (Chile) for legendary multi-day trekking. Crossing the border between them involves a 5-6 hour bus ride, so don't attempt to jump between them for short trips.
Secure your accommodation first. In Patagonia, the limited number of beds dictates your itinerary. If you cannot book a room or campsite in a park, you cannot go there. Do this before booking any flights.
Book regional transport. Fly into Puerto Natales (Chile) for Torres del Paine or El Calafate (Argentina) for Los Glaciares. Use bus companies like Bus-Sur or Taqsa for inter-city travel; they are reliable, but book online 3 weeks ahead.
Prepare for extreme weather. Assume it will rain, blow 60mph, and be sunny all within 20 minutes. Use a strict layering system (base, fleece/down, windbreaker/hard shell) regardless of the season.

Can I use a credit card everywhere?: In major towns, yes. However, remote mountain huts and small shops often only accept cash (Argentine Pesos or Chilean Pesos). Always carry 200 USD in local currency as backup.
Do I need a guide for the trails?: Most major trails in El Chaltén and Torres del Paine are well-marked and easy to navigate independently. You only need a guide if you plan on doing glacier trekking that involves crampons.