Ushuaia or Punta Arenas in January?
On climate data, Punta Arenas comes out ahead overall in January. See the per-criterion details below.
UshuaiaPhoto: Parikshit Sharma Photography · CC BY-SA 4.0
Punta ArenasPhoto: W. Bulach · CC BY-SA 4.0Key figures in January
| Criterion | Ushuaia | Punta Arenas |
|---|---|---|
| Average daily high | 11 °C | 13 °C |
| Average daily low | 4 °C | 7 °C |
| Sea | 9 °C | 9 °C |
| Rainy days | 22 rainy days (est.) | 15 rainy days (est.) ★ |
| Sun | 6 h/day | 7 h/day ★ |
| Humidity | 79 % | 76 % |
Winner by travel type
Trade-offs
- Punta Arenas is about 2 °C warmer by day.
- Punta Arenas is drier, with about 6 fewer rainy days.
Ushuaia or Punta Arenas in January: the short answer
In January, Punta Arenas comes out ahead on the overall climate score (Ushuaia 23/100 vs Punta Arenas 33/100). That is a snapshot of one month, though — which one truly fits depends on what you want from the trip, so the breakdown below goes criterion by criterion.
This comparison focuses on January as a representative month for the pair; for any other month, use each destination's month-by-month pages. Across the whole year Ushuaia averages a climate score of 20/100, Punta Arenas 29/100. Both profiles below are historical monthly averages, not a forecast.
Weather in January, side by side
The average daily high is about 11 °C in Ushuaia and 13 °C in Punta Arenas — warmer in Punta Arenas. Average daily lows are around 4 °C versus 7 °C.
On rain, Ushuaia sees about 22 rainy days in January and Punta Arenas about 15 — drier in Punta Arenas. Punta Arenas gets more sunshine (6 vs 7 hours a day).
Sea temperature and swimming
In January the water is about 9 °C at Ushuaia and 9 °C at Punta Arenas. Neither Ushuaia nor Punta Arenas reaches the ~21 °C swimming threshold in any month. Peak sea warmth is February for Ushuaia and February for Punta Arenas.
Rain and sun across the year
Over a full year Ushuaia records roughly 205 rainy days and Punta Arenas about 153 — the drier of the two overall is Punta Arenas. At their sunniest, Ushuaia reaches about 7 hours of sun a day (December) and Punta Arenas about 8 (December). If dependable dry, sunny weather is your top priority, weigh these annual totals alongside the single month above.
Best time to visit each
Climatically, Ushuaia has no month that stands clearly above the rest, while Punta Arenas has no clear standout month. If your dates are fixed, pick the destination whose strong season overlaps them; if you are flexible, plan around these windows.
Which suits which kind of trip
Based on the January scores for each travel style:
Beach & swimming: Punta Arenas scores higher in January (Ushuaia 15 vs Punta Arenas 21).
City breaks: Punta Arenas scores higher in January (Ushuaia 36 vs Punta Arenas 52).
Active & hiking: Punta Arenas scores higher in January (Ushuaia 37 vs Punta Arenas 51).
Family: Punta Arenas scores higher in January (Ushuaia 13 vs Punta Arenas 21).
Verdict: which should you pick?
In January, Punta Arenas leads across every scored category here — the overall score and each travel type — so on the climate data it is the clearer pick this month. Over the year, Punta Arenas carries the higher overall climate score. Your own priority (sun, sea, low rain or sightseeing comfort) still matters, and the month-by-month pages for each destination give you the full picture before you book.