Early summer · Weather & things to do
El Chaltén in December
El Chaltén edges warmer than November, with highs of 50°F (10°C), lows of 40°F (5°C) and about 6.0 in (153 mm) of rain.
It scores 47/100 for comfort, 4th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 50°F (10°C)
- Avg low
- 40°F (5°C)
- Rain
- 6.0 in (153 mm)
- Humidity
- 82%
- Cloud cover
- 74%
- Daylight
- ~16 h 01 min
- Comfort score
- 47/100 · Fair
What December feels like
Afternoons only reach about 50°F (10°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 40°F (5°C).
Rain is a real factor, with about 6.0 in (153 mm) across the month.
It's breezy, with average winds near 15 mph (6.5 m/s) at ground level.
With about 16 h 01 min of daylight, evenings stay light late.
Plan around December
December is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (February).
- Longest days of the year, about 16 h 01 min of daylight.
- Comfort holds steady from November (45 → 47/100).
- December sits inside the Nov – Mar window our Patagonia Peaks route recommends.
What to pack for December
- Insulated jackethighs only 50°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoesfrequent rain
- Windproof shellaverage wind 15 mph
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in El Chaltén in December
Weather can go either way, so the picks below mix open-air spots with indoor backups.
Mirador de los Cóndores y las Águilas
Short climb above town with views of Fitz Roy and Lago Viedma.
Chorrillo del Salto
Easy walk to a waterfall in the forest north of town.
Viedma Glacier ice trek
Boat across Lago Viedma and crampon walk on the glacier.
Why now Our curated notes say it's best Nov–Mar.
La Tapera
Cozy restaurant for lamb, trout and steak.
Patagonicus
Wood-paneled pizzeria with mountain photos on the walls.
Nearby in December
- Torres del Paine in December~114 mi · highs 36°F, 6.3 in rain or snow · 8°C (14°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Puerto Natales in December~166 mi · highs 55°F, 4.3 in rain · 3°C (6°F) warmer by day, drier
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~1,089 m to El Chaltén's ~399 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
El Chaltén in December: quick answers
Is December a good time to visit El Chaltén?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 47/100 against a best of 57 in February. Expect highs of 50°F (10°C) and 6.0 in (153 mm) of rain. December is inside the Nov – Mar window our Patagonia Peaks route recommends.
How cold is El Chaltén in December?
Average highs are 50°F (10°C) and average lows 40°F (5°C), making it the 3rd-warmest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in El Chaltén in December?
Yes: about 6.0 in (153 mm) of rain falls across December on average, the 6th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 67.4 in (1711 mm).
What should I pack for El Chaltén in December?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 50°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (frequent rain), windproof shell (average wind 15 mph) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
More on El Chaltén
Routes in season in December
- Patagonia Peaks Nov – Mar
Planning El Chaltén in December?
Share this December plan with your group, poll everyone on dates and keep the packing list in one place.