El Calafate

Understand

El Calafate has grown due to the tourist influx into Patagonia. It is set on the glacial blue Lago Argentina and is full of eager trekkers.

Climate

El Calafate's climate is cool and dry. Summers are mild and windy while winters are cold and slightly wetter. Temperatures can even drop to below freezing in the middle of summer while the strong winds, characteristic of the climate in Patagonia makes the temperatures feel colder than it should be. Snowfall occurs from May to September.

Getting there

By plane Passenger's luggage is screened at disembarkation to make sure there is no fresh fruit or vegetables.

1 Aeropuerto Internacional Comandante Armando Tola (FTE IATA). As often in Argentina, the ATM in the airport is broken and cannot be used. But there are plenty of ATMs in the city. There is some free Wi-Fi and electric plugs in the airport. (updated Jul 2023) Destinations:

Aerolineas Argentinas has daily flights from Buenos Aires (both airports) and seasonal flights from Córdoba, Rosario, San Carlos de Bariloche, Ushuaia. On-line booking and e-tickets are available. LADE flies from many many towns throughout Argentina. During peak season, flights are usually fully booked with tourist groups. Make sure you book your flight well in advance. Flybondi has regular flights from Buenos Aires. There are also charter flights from Puerto Natales operated by DAP. These flights from the tiny airport of Puerto Natales can be very scenic and let you cross the Andes in about 90 minutes with no road travel hassle (which however in right doses is something not to be missed in Patagonia). Getting there and away: Right after disembarking, there are remises and transfer offices at your right side.

By bus – "VES" operates a bus service to any hotel in the town from the counter marked "BUS". By taxi – If you prefer a private trip, there are also taxis to the city. If your party has 3 or more a taxi may be cheaper than bus.

By bus Buses run regularly from Chile (Puerto Natales) to Calafate and beyond (El Chalten; etc). They are comfortable, air-conditioned, and travel on paved roadways. A quite remarkable trip is the bus connection between El Calafate and Bariloche along Ruta 40. It is mainly operated for the benefit of tourists by the Agency Chaltentravel (directly only the Calafate-Perito Moreno stage), since people of Calafate and Bariloche have very small ties between each other, which does not sound strange after you have made the journey and seen the state of the

Getting around

By rental car Many agencies have car rental options. The international brands Hertz and Avis have offices in town, on the main road.

See

1 Glaciarium (free hourly shuttle from Secretaria de Tourismo), ☏ +54 2902497912, [email protected]. 12:00–20:00. A newly built museum dedicated to glaciers, stands several kilometers outside of El Calafate. This museum provides exhibitions and detailed information on the makeup, history, and importance of the glaciers found in this region. AR$20,000 for either the museum or the glaciobar (as of January 2025), or 35,000 for a combined entrance to both, with 2 drinks in the ice bar included. (updated Jan 2025) 2 Centro de Interpretación Histórica Calafate (Calafate Interpretation Center), Av. Brown y Bonarelli. 10:00-20:00. A museum telling 100 million years of local history, with dinosaurs, megafauna and originary peoples as main characters. (updated Apr 2017) Onelli Bay – A perfect site and one of the most romantic areas here. You could bring a lunch box, a bottle of champagne, and enjoy a relaxing moment in the lake, or just add a piece of pure crystal ice in your drink. Around 70 km away and probably only accessible by boat. Wildlife – Just walking a few blocks away from main street, like in El Cañadón, or at Laguna Nimez, and you can see all kinds of patagonic birds feet away from you. Wildlife and views, especially at dusk, make Laguna Nimez a must-see. It is perfect if you have just arrived in town, settled your next day's excursion and are eager to go see some real Patagonia.

Do

1 Calafate Tours & Adventure, El Calafate, Santa Cruz, Argentina, ☏ +54 9 11 2399-3429, [email protected]. Tour operator offering guided excursions to the Perito Moreno glacier. Specializes in ice trekking (Minitrekking and Big Ice), boat glacier tours (Safari Azul), and kayak expeditions on Lago Argentino. (updated Mar 2026) 2 Perito Moreno glacier (80 km (50 mi) away from El Calafate). The premier attraction in the area. Visit the Perito Moreno National Park where you can see the enormous glacier just meters away from you, and listen to the various sounds that the cracking ice makes 24/7. When a front wall of the glacier falls down, well, it is simply breathtaking! The glacier attracts huge crowds, but despite the numbers, the viewing platforms and easy trails (with quite a number of steps; though) make the visit and the observation comfortable and pleasant. Excursions to Perito Moreno glacier by bus, or use a recommended Argentine travel agency to arrange private trips for ice walking, drinking whiskey with glacier ice (best done in that order), among many other possible activities. Sliding scale entry fee to National Park, AR$45,000 for extranjeros (foreigners) (as of February 2026), less for people of South America and less for Argentinos. (updated Jan 2025) There are three very expensive bus companies (90 minutes each way), leaving around 08:00 or so and one company (Cal Tur) also at 13:45. The return time is around 16:00. The bus will drop you off at the port for boat trips and take the rest onward to the glacier before coming back upon return. Try to sit on the left side of the bus for the best views of the glacier and surrounding landscape. More conveniently, a taxi round trip. If there are at least three of you, it is easy maths. The hideously expensive (by any standard) restaurant onsite should be avoided. Be a cheapskate and take a picnic and flask and keep smiling. Numerous places to sit and eat overlooking the glacier. Boat excursion – Take a boat an

Buy

Food is expensive mainly due to the remote location of the city. There are several supermarkets in town, including a big chain ("Anonima") at the Eastern end of the main street, with fair prices. It remains open at least until 21:00 (except on Sunday). Buy your food for your tours in advance, because on ruta 40 and in the glacier national park there are almost no places to buy food. Handicraft and souvenirs can be bought in large scale at the main street. There are plenty of ATMs in the main street. Of course, they are not all working, not all open, and not all have cash. But you will for sure find one that will deliver cash to you!

Eat

What Patagonic Lamb (Spanish: cordero patagónico) is the main dish. Typical barbecue (asado) is very good.

Where La Toldería bar, Libertador 1177. Pizza and empanadas. It turns into a disco after 01:00. The pub of El Calafate. (updated Jul 2023) Don Pichón. A very good grill and restaurant. Pura Vida. A colourful joint