el calafate travel guide

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ARGENTINA , ARGENTINA , ITINERARIES , SOUTH AMERICA · April 25, 2024 Last Updated on April 25, 2024

A WEEKEND GUIDE TO EL CALAFATE, ARGENTINA

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Argentina is a country that boasts beautiful tourist sites. Due to the vastness of the country, limited time can be a challenge while traveling around, and most tourists choose only a few regions to visit. However, one destination that is an absolute must-see is El Calafate.

El Calafate, located in the Patagonian region of Argentina, is a destination that captivates with its stunning natural landscapes. Situated in the province of Santa Cruz, at the southernmost tip of the country, El Calafate is renowned for its unique scenic beauty that leaves visitors in awe.

Where To Stay In El Calafate

In El Calafate, a highly touristy site, you’ll find various accommodation options to suit different tastes and budgets. The best option is to stay in the center of El Calafate as it is not a very large town, and this is where you’ll find shops, restaurants, and bars. Additionally, since most attractions can be accessed via day tours, making it your base is convenient. 

El Calafate offers a selection of hotels and resorts of different categories, from budget-friendly options to luxury hotels with full services. Make sure to book in advance, especially during high season, as accommodations tend to fill up quickly.

Luxury El Calafate Hotels

• Hotel Posada los Alamos  
• Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate
• Xelena Hotel & Suites
• Design Suites Calafate
• Lagos Del Calafate

Mid-Range El Calafate Hotels

• Hotel Asturias
• Konke Calafate
• Destino Calafate

Budget El Calafate Hotels

• Calafate Hostel
• Amigo del Mundo Hosteria y Apart Hotel

Where To Eat In El Calafate

In El Calafate, as in the Argentine Patagonian region, you’ll find a variety of delicious dishes that reflect the local culture and ingredients. Some traditional dishes include Patagonian lamb, river trout, empanadas, and Patagonian stew, a hearty and comforting dish made with meat, potatoes, carrots, onions, and other vegetables. 

Additionally, take the opportunity to pair your meal with one of the local wines. Not every day can you enjoy a glass of wine from the end of the world.

For dessert, you must try the Calafate jam, a typical wild fruit used to make a variety of desserts such as sweets and jams. The region of Calafate owes its name to this wild fruit.

• La Cantina Piadineria – Perfect for eating piadinas and empanadas with a view of the lake.
• Mi Rancho Restaurante Patagonico – Some nights feature live tango music.
• Centinela Cocina al Horno de Barro
• Isabel Cocina al Disco
• La Gaita Pizza Bar
• Cerveza Patagonia

Best Tours To Take From El Calafate

El Calafate is a great base for a trip to the region, with plenty of tours departing from the area every day. Some of the best tours to take from El Calafate are:

• During this amazing Patagonian adventure , hike with crampons on the Perito Moreno Glacier. Explore a forest on foot and stroll along a series of walkways. Enjoy new perspectives of the magnificent ice mass during a boat cruise in front of the glacier.
• Embark on a full-day tour from El Calafate to the village of El Chaltén . Take in the mountain views during the journey, then set off on a brief hike to explore the area at your own pace.
• Take a tour of the most magical mountain in Patagonia . Travel to El Chaltén from El Calafate to venture on this trek to Laguna de los Tres, at the foot of the famous Mount Fitz Roy.

Four-Day Weekend Itinerary In El Calafate

Day one – el calafate and nimez lagoon.

Most flights to El Calafate from Buenos Aires arrive early in the morning, allowing you to settle in and explore downtown. Although it’s not the main attraction, it’s worth taking a stroll through it. You’ll find bars, restaurants, and craft shops on Avenida Libertador, the main street.

In the afternoon, you can walk through the Laguna Nimez Reserve. The reserve protects a wetland area and has several trails where you can see a wide variety of birds. Additionally, it offers a landscape surrounded by mountains and views of Lake Argentino.

Day Two – Perito Moreno Glacier

One of the main attractions is the Perito Moreno Glacier. To reach Los Glaciares National Park from El Calafate, you must drive for about an hour and a half. If you prefer to explore on your own, you can rent a car, take a taxi, or catch a bus from the bus terminal. However, numerous agencies in downtown El Calafate offer excursions and transportation.

Once you arrive at Los Glaciares National Park, you need to purchase your ticket . It’s advisable to buy it in advance or pay in cash since the signal is very poor and you probably won’t be able to pay by card due to the bad signal. Once inside the national park, you have the following options:

• Walkways – See the Perito Moreno Glacier from the walkways, which offer stunning panoramic views of the Perito Moreno Glacier. The walkways have different levels of difficulty, but all are easily accessible, and each route offers a different perspective of the glacier. With a bit of luck, you may witness the ice breaking off. It’s not necessary to hire a guide to walk on the walkways as you can walk freely.
• Boat navigation – This option allows you to see the glacier up close. The navigation lasts one hour and takes you closer to the front of the glacier. The boat departs from Puerto Bajo las Sombras, and you can buy the ticket there or book in advance to secure a spot at a preferred time. 
• Mini Trekking on the Glacier – This option allows you to walk on the glacier with crampons, and there are different difficulty levels. This tour includes boat navigation, and at the end of the walk, they usually offer a glass of whiskey with glacier ice, one of the unique attractions of this experience. 

Excursions, especially the mini-trekking on the glacier, tend to sell out quickly due to high demand and the daily limit on the number of people allowed to walk on the glacier.

Personally, I took the Ice Trekking and Adventure tour . Although there are many tour options, this company monopolizes the southern face of the glacier and has been a concessionaire of Los Glaciares National Park for over 30 years, providing experience at the Perito Moreno Glacier.

Day Three – Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers

While the Perito Moreno is the most renowned glacier in southern Argentina, it’s important not to forget about other glaciers. The Upsala and Spegazzini Glaciers are two of the most impressive and prominent glaciers in the El Calafate region of Argentine Patagonia. The Upsala Glacier is the largest in Los Glaciares National Park and one of the largest in South America, covering an area of approximately 870 km². 

Excursions from El Calafate include navigation among the glaciers on a boat trip . After an hour of sailing, the glacier is reached as the boat departs from Puerto Bandera, 47 km from El Calafate. You will descend into the Spegazzini Channel and Glacier Bay for an hour and a half while enjoying a view of the Spegazzini Glacier.

Day Four – El Chaltén

If you have time, consider taking a day trip to El Chaltén . You can visit El Chaltén from Calafate by car or on a day excursion . El Chaltén is a must-visit destination for those looking to explore the natural beauty and enjoy outdoor activities in Argentine Patagonia.

Its main attraction is Mount Fitz Roy, although to see it up close, you’ll need at least two days in El Chaltén and a moderate physical effort trek. There are also other beautiful trekking routes in El Chaltén. Glaciers, turquoise water mirrors, and mountains are the predominant landscape that summarizes this place.

How To Get To El Calafate, Argentina

Getting to El Calafate usually involves taking a flight from Buenos Aires or other major cities in Argentina, like Cordoba or Bariloche. If you are coming from abroad, you will likely have to make a stopover in Buenos Aires before taking a flight to El Calafate. The Comandante Armando Tola International Airport (FTE) is the nearest airport to El Calafate, which receives flights from Jorge Newbery Airpark (AEP) in Buenos Aires.

The primary airlines servicing El Calafate are JetSmart and Aerolineas Argentinas. Flights from Buenos Aires take approximately three and a half hours. Flights can become quite expensive during the high season, so I recommend booking in advance to secure better prices. 

The El Calafate airport is 20 km from the city center. You can take a taxi (Lautaro +5492966740718) or the shuttle bus service , which drops you off directly at your hotel. Although it’s a slower option, it’s a bit more economical.

Several bus companies offer the approximately 37-hour journey from Buenos Aires. Some of these bus companies include Andesmar and Don Otto . Taking the bus may not be the most efficient option unless you have plenty of time and are planning a leisurely road trip.

Currency in Argentina

The official currency in Argentina is the Argentine peso (ARS). The country is experiencing an economic crisis, leading to the emergence of an unofficial exchange rate known as the “dollar blue.” Although unofficial, this exchange rate is commonly used by tourists visiting Argentina and you can obtain the “dólar blue” through exchange houses or by asking people around. Additionally, most accommodations offer currency exchange services for tourists staying with them.

In this context, the best option is to carry US dollars or euros in cash, which can eventually be exchanged for the “dollar blue.” The $100 bills should be the new series and in good condition. While many places accept cards, having some cash on hand is advisable, especially for small businesses or tips, as connectivity in some areas can be complicated. Furthermore, many places offer discounts for cash payments.

Keep in mind that the “dollar blue” exchange rate changes daily, so if you see a favorable conversion rate, take advantage of it by exchanging a significant amount of dollars for Argentine pesos.

Alternatively, both Mastercard and Visa offer dollar blue rates for those paying with an international card. However, it takes time to process. For example, you can pay by card, and they take the money from your account. A few days later, you will receive a refund with the difference between the rate you paid and the dollar blue rate.

Best Time To Visit El Calafate

The best time to visit El Calafate is during the austral summer (November-February) as it offers longer days, warmer temperatures, and more stable weather conditions. This is the prime time for outdoor activities such as trekking, glacier navigation, and wildlife spotting.

However, Calafate receives tourists all year round as the National Parks remain open throughout the year.

What To Wear In El Calafate

The weather in El Calafate can be variable, mainly due to its location in Patagonia. Even if you visit in summer, bring warm clothing and layers to adapt to rapid weather changes. Carry a waterproof or wind-resistant jacket to protect yourself from rain and wind.

Bring hiking boots and gloves if you plan to do activities such as glacier trekking or lake navigation. The sun can be quite intense during the day, especially during summer. Don’t forget to bring sunscreen, a hat, and sunglasses to protect yourself from UV rays.

El Calafate Guide Wrap Up

If you’re chasing a hiking or adventure vibe for your next vacation, I highly recommend checking out El Calafate. It’s a perfect long weekend getaway to add to your next Argentina or South American trip. Pack your hiking boots and prepare for breathtaking landscapes surrounded by nature.

I hope you’ve found this El Calafate guide helpful. If you’re interested in visiting other areas in Argentina, you can check out all our Argentina articles for inspiration, or our South America articles for other destination ideas. 

We hope that this article has inspired you to visit El Calafate! If you have questions about El Calafate or tips to share with our readers please leave these in the comments below.

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Read More About Argentina

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El Calafate

Named for the berry that, once eaten, guarantees your return to Patagonia, El Calafate hooks you with another irresistible attraction: Glaciar Perito Moreno, 50 miles (80km) away in Parque Nacional Los Glaciares. This magnificent must-see has converted once-quaint El Calafate into a chic fur-trimmed destination. With a range of traveler services, it’s still a fun place to be. Its strategic location between El Chaltén and Torres del Paine (Chile) makes it an inevitable stop for those in transit.

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Unique and exciting, this gorgeous museum illuminates the world of ice. Displays and bilingual films show how glaciers form, along with documentaries on…

Reserva Natural Laguna Nimez

Reserva Natural Laguna Nimez is a prime avian habitat alongside the lakeshore north of El Calafate, with a self-guided trail and staffed Casa Verde…

Centro de Interpretacíon Historico

Small but informative, with a skeleton mold of Austroraptor cabazai (found nearby) and Patagonian history displays. The friendly host invites museum-goers…

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Latest stories from El Calafate

Jun 7, 2018 • 5 min read

In Patagonia it’s the silence that hits you first. Then the landscapes – the snow-dusted mountains rising up like dollops of whipped cream; the shimmering…

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The overriding reason to visit El Calafate is to make it your base for seeing Glaciar Perito Moreno and the other world-class attractions in the southern sector of Parque National Los Glaciares . Once a primitive staging post between the area’s estancias and Río Gallegos, the town is now one of Argentina’s most-visited tourist destinations, with a hotchpotch of neo-pioneer architecture, scores of hotels and souvenir shops, and a huge casino. There has been significant investment here, not least because it is the fiefdom of President Cristina Fernández Kirchner, who owns several hotels in the region. Prices are high, and El Calafate has a sprawling feel, set in the shadow of its eponymous mountain and overlooking Lago Argentino. Apart from shopping, eating and planning your visits, there’s little to do in the town itself.

Best time to visit El Calafate

Accommodation in el calafate, eating in el calafate, what to see in el calafate, tailor-made travel itineraries for argentina, created by local experts.

10 days  / from 2650 USD

The Great Lakes and Glaciers of Argentina

Experience the great outdoors, Argentina-style! Marvel at jaw-droppingly beautiful Patagonian landscapes, walk the shores of deep-blue lakes guarded by snow-capped mountains at Bariloche, explore the stunning Perito Moreno Glacier – experience all of this, and much more, with this unique trip!

13 days  / from 3180 USD

From Chile to Argentina, across the Andean Lakes

Travel from Chile to Argentina across the stunning Andean Lakes, also known as the Lakes District. Beginning in Santiago, you will travel to Puerto Varas, in Chile, and then across the lakes to Bariloche, Argentina, taking in the stunning mountain scenery, before ending your trip in Buenos Aires.

14 days  / from 1933 USD

An adventure across three countries: Brazil, Argentina & Uruguay

A trip filled with history, culture and nature spread out over three beautiful and unique countries, Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay. Visit some of the most stunning sites, like the Sugar Loaf Mountain, Iguazu Falls and UNESCO World Heritage site Colonia del Sacramento, during this 14-day trip.

The best times to visit El Calafate are spring and autumn (Nov to mid-Dec & March–April), when there’s a nice balance between having enough visitors to keep services running but not too many for the place to seem overcrowded; it can be uncomfortably busy in January and February. If you’re planning to arrive any time outside winter (when access can be hard and many places are closed anyway), it is advisable to book accommodation, flights and car rental well in advance.

The town’s biggest festival, the Festival del Lago Argentino, takes place in the week leading up to February 15.

Outside of the high season (Jan, Feb & Easter) accommodation prices are considerably reduced and all but the top-end hotels become affordable; some places close during the height of winter. If you don’t want to stay in town, try one of several nearby estancias.

Estancias around El Calafate

In addition to the options below, staff at the office of Estancias de Santa Cruz can provide information on many other estancias in the area and throughout the province, and make reservations.

• Cristina Accessible only by boat, this superbly located, very expensive estancia is hidden at the end of remote Bahía Cristina. Top-notch accommodation – in spacious rooms with peak-framed views across the surrounding meseta – is combined with boat trips to Glacier Upsala and hiking, fishing, 4WD or horseriding excursions. It can also be visited on a day-trip to Upsala. Rates include full board, transfers and excursions. Closed June to mid-Sept.
• Nibepo Aike Beautiful farmhouse dating from early last century, when it was founded by a Croatian family, set in a stunning valley south of Lago Roca. Delicious meals are prepared with home-grown produce; it’s also a great place to try traditional lamb asado . Rates include full board. There are also excellent hiking and horseriding options, and you can also take part in traditional ranching activities. Closed May–Sept.

Most restaurants are clustered along or within a block of Avenida Libertador; with a few exceptions, prices are high by Argentine standards. Surprisingly, the choice of bars and late-night hangouts is limited – perhaps because everyone has to get up so early for the excursions. The opening times given here are for the high season; during the rest of the year, some places close and most of the rest operate reduced hours.

Museo Regional

The tiny Museo Regional, housed in a 1940s-era building, just east of the centre, has an eclectic range of exhibits including photos of the pioneers who founded El Calafate, a collection of fossils and stuffed birds, a stack of ancient typewriters, and some indigenous crafts. It’s worth a quick look.

Calafate Centro de Interpretación Histórica

The Calafate Centro de Interpretación Histórica , a 10min walk from the town centre, attempts to trace 100 million years of natural and human history in Patagonia. There are displays on Patagonia’s indigenous communities (and the devastating impact on them of European settlement), rock art, the 1920–21 workers’ strike, glaciers and dinosaur skeletons, including part of a mylodon, the creature that inspired Bruce Chatwin’s In Patagonia . The entry fee includes a free mate after your visit.

Laguna Nimez

This nature reserve , just a fifteen-minute walk from the town centre, is home to around a hundred different species of bird, including flamingoes (though you can sometimes spot them from a distance from the edge of the reserve without paying the entry fee), and is a good way to kill an hour or so.

The Glaciarium is a state-of-the-art museum that focuses on ice and glaciers, and aims to raise awareness of the impact of climate change. It uses a range of models, photos, 3D documentaries and interactive exhibits to help bring the subject to life (everything is in English as well as Spanish), and after looking around you can sink a drink in Argentina’s first ice-bar.

The calafate bush

Calafate, the indigenous name for what is known in English as the box-leaved barberry ( Berberis buxifolia ), is Patagonia’s best-known plant. The bushes are protected by vindictive thorns, and the wood contains a substance known as berberina, which possesses medicinal properties and is used as a textile dye. From late October onwards, the bushes are covered with exquisite little bright yellow flowers. Depending on where they’re growing, the berries mature between December and March. Once used by the indigenous populations for dye, they’re nowadays often employed in delicious ice creams, appetizing home-made preserves or as a filling for alfajores. Remember the oft-quoted saying: “ Él que come el calafate, volverá ” (“Eat calafate berries and you’ll be back”).

Top image: The Perito Moreno Glacier, Argentina © saiko3p/Shutterstock

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El Calafate in 2 days, the best itinerary

This small Patagonian town is the starting point to get to know the most beautiful glaciers of the Argentinean Patagonia. If you’re short on time, check out the best itinerary for El Calafate in 2 days .

El Calafate, a geographical jewel in the heart of Argentina, is distinguished by its exceptional location. Surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Andes and embraced by the waters of Lake Argentino , this city is a must-see destination for travellers exploring the wonders of Argentine Patagonia.

El Calafate is a truly magical destination in Argentina’s Patagonia, where natural beauty is intertwined with a wide range of outdoor experiences .

Although its fame is largely due to the impressive Perito Moreno glacier , this city offers much more than just ice. If you have 2 days to visit El Calafate , we recommend you to focus on the Perito Moreno glacier and the navigation on the Southern Ice Field.

 Check out guide to travel to El Calafate you are planning a visit to the city.

Table of Contents

How many days are necessary to visit El Calafate?

Contrary to what you might think, El Calafate has plenty of activities to do , apart from the Perito Moreno glacier and sailing on Lake Argentino.

The minimum you should dedicate is two days , although if you have more availability it is better to dedicate up to 4 days to visit a nearby Patagonian estancia , go trekking in the hills and even take a tour to see the starry skies of El Calafate .

🚘 Book your transfers from the airport to your hotel in El Calafate here .

Things to do in El Calafate in 2 days

Day 1 : Visit the Perito Moreno glacier from the footbridges and navigation on Lake Argentino (alternative trekking on the Perito Moreno glacier from September to May).

Day 2 : Navigation through the Southern Ice Field to see the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.

Day 1: Visit the Perito Moreno glacier by walking the walkways and taking the boat trip.

The essential activity in El Calafate in 2 days is of course to visit its main jewel, the Perito Moreno glacier . However, there are many ways to get to know this imposing mass of ice whose walls are more than 60 metres high and whose front reaches five kilometres.

🔎 On the official website of Los Glaciares National Park you can find the opening hours and the entrance fee to Los Glaciares National Park where the Perito Moreno is located.

The options for visiting the Perito Moreno Glacier are as follows:

• Walk along the wooden walkways on the side of the glacier. It is ideal for taking good photographs of the ice wall from up close.
• View the Perito Moreno glacier from a boat on Lake Argentino . Catamarans depart frequently from the lakeshore and approach the glacier ice wall. Here you will be able to contemplate small glacier breaks and the roar it generates on impact with the water of the lake.
• Trekking on the glacier , this fascinating adventure is only available from September to April and is a full-day excursion in itself. Therefore, if you only have two days in El Calafate you will have to choose between seeing the Perito Moreno glacier from the walkways and the boat, or doing the hike over the glacier, as the second day is worth the navigation to the Uspsala and Spegazzini glacier.

📷 Book the excursion to visit the Perito Moreno glacier with the option of a boat trip to see the walls of the glacier more closely. If you are adventurous, you can go trekking on the Perito Moreno glacier , an activity you will never forget in your life.

To recharge your batteries and relax after the excursion to the Perito Moreno glacier, what better than visiting the Ice Bar in El Calafate at night, a real experience.

Here the ice is the main protagonist. The main attraction is to dive into the Cavern room, at minus 10 degrees Celsius , to enjoy a drink surrounded by ice sculptures and wearing warm clothes provided by the bar.

Afterwards, you should still enjoy the bar but at a lower temperature. The so-called warm sector with a temperature of 5 degrees awaits you to continue tasting drinks and having a bite to eat.

🍸 Get the Ice Bar experience here.

Day 2: Navigation through the Southern Ice Field to visit the Upsala and Spegazzini glaciers.

The last day in El Calafate is a full day excursion on a catamaran, sailing around the glaciers of Lake Argentino .

The Seco glacier, in retreat, is the first to be seen, although one of the main landmarks is to approach the Spegazzini glacier, whose height is really impressive. Its ice walls reach up to 130 metres high .

The navigation continues over ice floes until we reach the Upsala Glacier. Its bluish colours are sure to catch your eye.

The return journey includes a stop on the north face of the Perito Moreno glacier to complete a perfect tour of the glaciers near El Calafate.

📷 Book here the excursion to sail on Lake Argentino with lunch on board the catamaran . Included: Pick up and transfer back to the hotel (optional), guide, boat transport on the glaciers of Lago Argentino and lunch on board the cruise ship. Not included: Entrance to the National Park.

To eat in El Calafate on the last night we recommend two places: Isabel Cocina al Disco and La Tablita .

Isabel is a restaurant that is characterised by preparing food on plough discs , an Argentinian tradition that goes back many years. There is a lot of variety, chicken, meat and even fish such as trout, always cooked on a disc and with different sauces.

La Tablita is a steakhouse where you can taste the typical Patagonian lamb , although they also have the classic Argentinean beef cuts such as matambre or asado de tira.

Where to sleep in El Calafate

El Calafate has a great tourist infrastructure that includes cabins near the lake, hostels with a great backpacker atmosphere, and upscale hotels with large windows and views to completely relax after an excursion.

🏨 See here where to stay in El Calafate and get your ideal accommodation.

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