Home › Destinations › Cochrane
Weather in Cochrane
End of the road in deep Patagonian Chile
—
Loading live weather...
About Cochrane
A remarkable destination worth exploring.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in Cochrane
Explore
Dine
Culture
Nature
Shopping
Day trips
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
18C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
February
18C
Mild and comfortable, with some rainy days.
March
16C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
April
12C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
May
8C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
June
5C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
July
4C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
August
6C
Cold, with regular rainfall.
September
9C
Cold, with some rainy days.
October
12C
Cool, with some rainy days.
November
15C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
December
17C
Cool, with regular rainfall.
Cochrane is a quiet frontier town on Chile's Carretera Austral, the last sizeable settlement before the road continues into increasingly remote Patagonian wilderness toward Villa O'Higgins. It serves as the main gateway to Patagonia National Park, a vast reserve of steppe and forest where pumas, huemul deer, and Andean condors roam largely undisturbed. Few travellers linger long, but for those heading deep into Chilean Patagonia, it's an essential and refreshingly unpolished stop.
Best areas to stay in Cochrane
Town centre
A small grid of streets with guesthouses, a supermarket, and the bus terminal — the last reliable services before remote stretches of the Carretera Austral.
Patagonia National Park
A vast protected area of steppe, lakes, and forest just north of town, recently expanded through the merger of former ranchland with existing reserves.
Lago Cochrane
A large turquoise lake near the town, popular for fishing and quiet lakeside walks.
Carretera Austral (southern stretch)
The increasingly remote continuation of the famous scenic highway toward Villa O'Higgins.
Getting to Cochrane
✈
Flights
Fly to Balmaceda Airport (BBA) near Coyhaique via Santiago, then take a bus (around 8–10 hours) down the Carretera Austral to Cochrane.
⏱
From London
~24–30 hours total from London including connections and overland travel
🚕
Getting around
A rental car or organised transport is recommended for reaching Patagonia National Park entrances and Lago Cochrane.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Cochrane?
November to March (summer) is by far the best time, with the Carretera Austral and Patagonia National Park trails accessible and weather most stable.
How do I get to Cochrane?
Cochrane is reached by bus along the Carretera Austral from Coyhaique (around 8–10 hours) or from the south via Villa O'Higgins; there is a small airstrip with limited flights.
What's the food scene like?
Basic but hearty — simple restaurants serve Patagonian lamb, fresh trout, and homemade empanadas; supplies are more limited than in larger towns, so stock up if continuing onward.
Is Cochrane set up for tourists?
It has a growing number of guesthouses and a tourist information office focused on Patagonia National Park, but infrastructure remains modest compared to El Calafate or Puerto Natales.
What language is spoken in Cochrane?
Spanish is the primary language; English is limited, so some basic Spanish is useful for arranging transport and accommodation.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Patagonia National Park from here was wilder and emptier than anywhere else we visited in Chile — saw a puma on our second day of hiking.
Erik N. · January 2024
★★★★☆
Cochrane itself is just a practical stopover, but it's the right base for the national park and the drive in and out is gorgeous.
Camila V. · February 2023
★★★★☆
Stocked up on supplies here before continuing south on the Carretera Austral — last decent shop for a long while. Friendly, low-key town.
Liam G. · December 2024
Ready to visit Cochrane?
Find the best hotels and experiences for your trip.
More dream destinations
