Dry versus humid to wet it is .

The best to drive down the Carretera Austral in Chile from Puerto Montt to Caleta Tortel (or even to Villa O'Higgins).

This said Bariloche and El Calafate (Perito Moreno glacier) in Argentina are fantastic too (with an interesting crossing from Puerto Varas (Chile) to Bariloche (Cruce Andino). Hospitality in Argentina is obviously much better than in Chile where it can get rough.

Southern Patagonia (Torres del Paine) is Chilean and windy (Awasi) and Stella Australis provides an expedition cruise from Punta Arenas to Ushuaia where the most magic forest can be visited.

Patagonia puts overpriced New Zealand to shame in all cases. Take your time, you will need plenty of it. Anything under 6 hours is not a delay. Plan a buffer day for each week and expect to change tyres and be self sufficient on the road.

And welcome to FT costaricageorge, we are the best travel community where one can learn plenty of things in a friendly environment!