Late autumn · Weather & things to do
El Chaltén in May
El Chaltén cools off: highs slip to 41°F (5°C), from 46°F in April, with lows of 32°F (0°C) and about 6.1 in (154 mm) of rain.
With a comfort score of 34/100 (11th of 12), it's one of the toughest months, held back mainly by cool days.
- Avg high
- 41°F (5°C)
- Avg low
- 32°F (0°C)
- Rain
- 6.1 in (154 mm)
- Humidity
- 90%
- Cloud cover
- 67%
- Daylight
- ~8 h 53 min
- Comfort score
- 34/100 · Tough
What May feels like
It's cold: daytime highs average just 41°F (5°C), so build the days around warm stops.
Lows average 32°F (0°C).
Expect regular rain: about 6.1 in (154 mm) falls in the month.
Daylight is short, roughly 8 h 53 min mid-month, so start sightseeing early.
Plan around May
May is one of the lower-scoring months here; the best are February.
- Inside the wettest three-month stretch, April – June.
- Comfort slips from 41/100 in April to 34/100.
- Our Patagonia Peaks route recommends Nov – Mar, so May falls outside its suggested window.
What to pack for May
- Hat, gloves and thermal base layerslows around 32°F
- Rain jacket and waterproof shoes6.1 in of rain on average
- Comfortable walking shoesmost picks involve some walking
What to do in El Chaltén in May
Wet days call for a roof: these picks favor sit-down and indoor stops, plus a few for drier spells.
La Tapera
Cozy restaurant for lamb, trout and steak.
Why now A warm sit-down stop when highs sit around 41°F.
Patagonicus
Wood-paneled pizzeria with mountain photos on the walls.
Why now Somewhere to warm up between colder walks.
Lago del Desierto
Forest-ringed lake 37 km north, with the Huemul glacier trail nearby.
Laguna de los Tres
Classic day hike to the glacial lake at the foot of Monte Fitz Roy.
La Cervecería
Small brewpub serving house beers and hearty locro after a hike.
Nearby in May
- Torres del Paine in May~114 mi · highs 27°F, 5.5 in rain or snow · 8°C (14°F) cooler by day, about as wet
- Puerto Natales in May~166 mi · highs 44°F, 3.8 in rain · 2°C (3°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 May: quick answers
Is May a good time to visit El Chaltén?
It's one of the tougher months here, scoring 34/100, held back mainly by cool days. The best months are February. Expect highs of 41°F (5°C) and 6.1 in (154 mm) of rain. Our Patagonia Peaks route recommends Nov – Mar, so May is outside its suggested window.
How cold is El Chaltén in May?
Average highs are 41°F (5°C) and average lows 32°F (0°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in El Chaltén in May?
Yes: about 6.1 in (154 mm) of rain falls across May on average, the 5th-wettest month of the year. The annual total is about 67.4 in (1711 mm).
What should I pack for El Chaltén in May?
Bring hat, gloves and thermal base layers (lows around 32°F), rain jacket and waterproof shoes (6.1 in of rain on average) and comfortable walking shoes (most picks involve some walking).
More on El Chaltén
Planning El Chaltén in May?
Bring the crew into one shared trip: vote on dates, build the day-by-day plan, split costs and share one packing list.