Best Things to Do in El Calafate, Argentina
Are you traveling to El Calafate in Argentina? Our travel guide helps you decide what to do in El Calafate, tips on top activities, when to go, where to stay, or how to get there.
El Calafate is a small town on the shores of Lago Argentino, and there aren't many travelers who wouldn't include it on their Patagonia itinerary.
There are two main reasons to visit El Calafate. El Calafate International Airport and Perito Moreno Glacier.
While the international airport connects this important tourist hub with the rest of the country, or better, with the rest of this remote region, Perito Moreno Glacier serves as a perfect introduction to your Patagonia trip.
To be honest, you can't choose a better place to arrive in Patagonia than El Calafate, which is in the heart of this area.
The town was named after the Calafate shrub that has yellow flowers and navy blue berries. The berries are used in local cuisine (mostly jams), and according to a legend, whoever eats them will return to Patagonia.
Thanks to its location and the newly built airport, it's no wonder that the population has rapidly increased in the past few years due to tourism.
El Calafate serves as one of the best gateways to Patagonia, and you can start your adventures right away in a nearby Los Glaciares National Park.
In this travel guide, you can find everything you need to know before visiting El Calafate.
Best Things to Do in El Calafate
Apart from El Calafate being a starting (or ending) point to many travelers, there are some worthwhile things to do while there.
Admittedly, the town itself is a bit uninspiring (compared to the surrounding nature), so you need to leave the place to do some fun activities.
Here, let's find out what to do in El Calafate.
El Calafate's Town Center
Okay, we'll start nice and easy and a bit contradictory to what we said in the text above. The tourist part of the town is quite small, nice and clean, and you can wander its streets on your own.
The main street carries the name of Avenida del Libertador, and that's where you'll find everything you need.
This beating heart of the town is lined with restaurants, bars, cafes, accommodations, stores, banks, or travel agencies.
So if you want to book the tour, buy a souvenir or try the local grilled lamb or that sweet Calafate jam, this is the place to go.
To get to know El Calafate a bit more, consider taking a walking tour that will show you the town from a different perspective.
Once you are done with the town explorations (it won't take long), you can go to the museum, visit local caves, or head out to the nearby wetland. But more about it later.
Perito Moreno
As we mentioned earlier in this blog post, Perito Moreno Glacier in Los Glaciares National Park is the top attraction in Patagonia that you can't simply miss.
Due to its accessibility, every visitor to El Calafate goes there. Named after Argentinian explorer Francisco Moreno, Perito Moreno is a massive glacier, and that's maybe an understatement.
Moreover, it's one of the most accessible glaciers in Patagonia and potentially in the entire world. And unlike the majority of the glaciers around the world, this one is not retreating, though the reasons are not fully explained.
We created this helpful guide on visiting Perito Moreno Glacier independently on a day trip from El Calafate, so make sure to check it out before you go.
The glacier that is fed by South Patagonian Ice Field ends in Lago Argentino and even creates a barrier between this lake and Lago Rico, which gives way to the enormous pressure every few years.
The mouth of the glacier towers more than 50 meters above the water surface, and we must admit that seeing the glacier for the first time was really a jaw-dropping experience.
That and also the constant crackling sound of ice, which was also a bit frightening and reminded us how powerful nature could be.
Visitors can explore the glacier from a network of trails, boardwalks, and viewing platforms on the hill opposite the glacier.
Or take a guided Perito Moreno Glacier Tour so you can only enjoy the stunning scenery without worrying about planning the trip.
Los Glaciares National Park
When you arrive in El Calafate, your first steps will probably lead you to Perito Moreno Glacier.
As soon as you arrive there, you will realize the reason why Los Glaciares National Park is on the UNESCO World Heritage List.
And you might want to see more.
There isn't probably a better place to go than El Chalten, a hiking capital of Argentina.
Laguna de Los Tres Hike and Laguna Torre Hike allow you to see even more glaciers, lagoons, and jagged mountains typical for this region.
Both hikes are absolutely stunning, and we included them in our list of the best hikes in Patagonia.
But even in El Calafate, you can take an ice trekking tour or a boat tour that will show the national park from a completely different perspective.
Lago Argentino
Lago Argentino covers an area of more than 1400 square kilometers, which makes it the biggest freshwater lake in Argentina.
If you look at the map, you will soon realize that it's pretty large, but it's not the same feeling as when you stand on its shores.
When you book a hotel room near the lake, the sunrises or sunsets from your hotel room will take your breath away.
We'll talk about the accommodation later in this blog post, so don't forget to check out our recommendations down below.
Reserva Laguna Nimez
Only a short 20-minute walk from El Calafate town center, Reserva Laguna Nimez is a paradise for birders.
And trust us, when we say that binoculars or telephoto lens is a must-have here.
But even if you are not a bird enthusiast, you can enjoy the serenity of this place from one of its well-marked trails.
Moreover, the lagoon is also a great place to visit for those who are looking for a family-friendly activity in El Calafate.
If you plan your arrival well, you can spot even flamingoes here, though they are usually far away in the distance (therefore, the binoculars).
As you will walk around this wetland near the Lago Argentino, we also recommend you bring a proper windbreaker as it gets windy there.
The entry fee to Reserva Laguna Nimez is ARS 500 (about $5). If you are short on time, then you can skip it.
And if you are a budget traveler who believes that the entrance fee is too steep for what it offers, then you can see some birds from the lake's shores for free.
Glaciarium Patagonian Ice Museum
Understanding glaciers a bit more might be a perfect way to end (or start) your trip to Los Glaciares National Park.
As you've probably guessed from the name this museum carries, Glaciarium is all about ice, glaciers, and Patagonia.
The museum is well-designed with lots of informative boards, displays, and photos. In our opinion, the only fly in the ointment is the ticket price.
The entrance fee to Glaciarium Museum is ARS 1400 (about $15), which is a bit pricey for budget travelers, given that you can find much of the information nowadays online.
On the other hand, it is an alternative when the weather does not play along.
If you don't have time to wait for another few years before the Perito Moreno bridge collapses once again, you can watch an interesting movie that will summarize this phenomenon.
The museum is located about six kilometers west of the city center, so we recommend you to get there by car (and combine it with a trip to Perito Moreno).
Otherwise, a free bus runs between the El Calafate tourist office and Glaciarium Museum every hour.
There is also an Ice Bar in the basement, so bring your down jacket to stay warm.
Walichu Caves
When we talked about Francisco Moreno earlier in this blog post, we left out an interesting detail. He explored (together with other expeditions) this region in the 19th century, and the town of El Calafate itself was founded later on in 1927.
That's still relatively recent history, but the indigenous Tehuelche People lived in this area long before any of the settlers stepped in here.
Walichu Caves feature some paintings older than 4000 years ago.
The only downside is that most of the images vanished throughout the time, so now you can see replicas.
That's sort of understandable, but the entrance fee of 1400 ARS ($15) to this private property makes you question whether it's worth visiting it or not.
Many tour operators include the caves in their Nativo Experience Tours, but it's easy to visit them independently (if you have a car).
Walichu Caves are located 10 kilometers northeast of El Calafate.
In order to get there, follow Ruta 11 towards the east, and roughly after six kilometers, turn left onto the unpaved road, which you need to follow for another four kilometers.
La Leona Petrified Forest
Remember when we mentioned that some top tourist places are outside El Calafate? Well, La Leona Petrified Forest can't illustrate this fact better.
The site is located roughly 100 kilometers north of El Calafate and shows you that the region of Patagonia is much more diverse than you previously thought.
This place reminded us of Drumheller near Calgary, and if you like these types of unreal scenery, then you shouldn't miss it.
As the petrified forest lies on private property, taking an organized tour is the only way to get there.
You can reserve La Leona Petrified Forest Hiking Tour in advance, or once you get to El Calafate, it is possible to make a booking directly in a travel agency.
While it's not exactly cheap to visit the place (unlike its Canadian counterpart), you will learn a lot about the local forests, climate, or even dinosaurs.
Well, some things have changed over 70-million years, so you probably won't see the dinosaurs. As not many visitors actually go there, it's a great place to visit if you want to avoid crowds.
Tre trail is easy if you are moderately fit and rather short; just make sure to wear proper footwear and a windbreaker, as the area gets windy (not surprisingly).
Here is our final tip.
As the site is located roughly halfway between El Calafate and El Chalten, try to book the tour that incorporates La Leona in the transfer to save time and money.
Torres del Paine National Park
So far, we've introduced only places on the Argentinian side that are near El Calafate , but we can't fail to mention the iconic Torres del Paine National Park in Chile.
Less than a 4-hour drive by car lies a Chilean town of Puerto Natales that serves as a gateway to Torres del Paine, one of the must-visit places in Patagonia.
If you are road tripping Patagonia from north to south, then this absolutely stunning national park will be the next stop on your travel itinerary.
And why would you want to visit Torres del Paine?
The park features incredible scenery, iconic hikes such as Mirador Las Torres or Grey Glacier, and for more adventurous souls, the classic, multi-day W Trek.
ACTIVITIES
As you've probably guessed, the best activities you can do in El Calafate are connected to Los Glaciares National Park.
The park features many hiking trails, and for us, it was all we needed. With a map in one hand and hiking sticks in the other, we were ready to explore the unparalleled beauty.
Hiking
Patagonia is a hikers paradise, and wherever you go, you'll find a great trail. In our opinion, hiking is the best way to see Patagonia as you get close to nature, and it would be a shame to skip this activity.
From walking at Perito Moreno to hiking in El Chalten, this area has so much to offer that it would be easy to plan the entire itinerary only around this place.
Ice Trekking
From all the traditional ways to see the glacier, ice trekking is the most adventurous one. And Perito Moreno Ice Trekking Tour is one of those adventures that will leave memories forever.
Kayaking
While kayaking in a super cold Patagonia might not sound as exciting as it would on, let's say Tioman Island, believe us when we say that this activity is quite popular there.
Seeing Perito Moreno from a kayak will show you how massive this glacier really is.
Or you can try La Leona River Kayaking Tour and combine this activity with hiking to the petrified forest (yes, it's the one we've mentioned in this article).
Boat Trips
Regardless of whether you want to explore Perito Moreno Glacier or Upsala Glacier, a boat tour makes a lot of sense if you want to see them from a different perspective. While a boat trip is not exactly cheap, it could be the one activity you can splurge on while in Patagonia.
You can reserve a Perito Moreno Glacier Cruise or Upsala Glacier Cruise here.
Horseback Riding
Patagonia and horses. This duo goes well together, and you can explore the rural life a bit more, for example, on this Nibepo Aike Ranch Day and Horseback Riding Tour from El Calafate.
Of course, that's not the only horseback riding tour you can reserve while in the town, so you can choose the one that fits your preferences and skills.
Where to Stay
El Calafate offers a good selection of hotels for all types of travelers. The town gets busy during the peak summer season, so we recommend you make your hotel reservation in advance.
Here, we've hand-selected the three best hotels in El Calafate.
Budget | Bla Lodge - This hostel offers everything a budget traveler needs. The highlights of this accommodation are nice and clean rooms, good breakfast and a great view from the common room. The hostel is located outside the busy tourist area (about twenty minutes walk from the bus terminal).
Mid-range | Esplendor by Wyndham El Calafate - This centrally located hotel offers a spa, heated pool, sauna, cozy and individually furnished rooms, delicious breakfast, or free Wi-Fi. It's also one of the best accommodation options in the town if you are looking for a really nice hotel for a reasonable price.
Luxury | Xelena Hotel and Suites - Beautifully set hotel with modern rooms, wellness facilities, and an indoor pool. Moreover, Xelena Hotel & Suites staff will make sure your trip to El Calafate is a pleasant one. A breakfast buffet offers a good variety of food, and the on-site restaurant also serves regional specialties. And the views of the Lago Argentino are worth every penny.
How to Get There
There are many ways to get to El Calafate.
The easiest way to reach El Calafate is by plane or car, but we traveled a lot around Patagonia using public transport, and it worked well too.
Plane
El Calafate International Airport (or Aeropuerto Internacional de El Calafate – Comandante Armando Tola) is located roughly 21 kilometers east of the city making it more accessible than ever.
Currently, three airlines - Aerolineas Argentinas, Jetsmart, and Lade - operate at the airport. Most of the international travelers fly to El Calafate from Buenos Aires or Ushuaia.
There is an ATM at the airport if you need to withdraw a small amount of cash.
Car
Renting a car in El Calafate can be done directly at the airport, making things much easier for you.
A rental car gives you the freedom to explore places such as Perito Moreno or El Chalten at your own pace.
So it might not be a bad idea to explore this option, even if you want to see all must-visit places in the short span of a few days.
El Chalten is 216 kilometers north of El Calafate, and you can get there by car in less than four hours.
If you want to cross borders to Chile in order to visit Torres del Paine, make sure that your rental company allows you to do so.
It seems that it's not possible to rent a car in Argentina and return it in one of the Chilean towns, which could be potentially convenient for you.
The usual way to solve this problem is to rent a car in El Calafate and explore the Argentinian side.
Then you return the car and travel to Punta Arenas or Puerto Natales by bus.
Here, you once again rent a car so you can fully explore the Chilean side as well.
This solution is far from perfect, but you have a little choice here.
Of course, you can explore both sides and return the car in El Calafate (or Ushuaia if you want to travel all the way to Tierra del Fuego).
And by the way, driving across the endless Patagonian steppe along the Ruta 40 is a pretty interesting experience.
Bus
A few bus companies such as Caltur, Taqsa, or Cootra operate in El Calafate.
The public transport in Patagonia is relatively cheap and comfortable, and we didn't have any issues while using it to get around this region.
Several buses run daily from El Calafate to El Chalten or Puerto Natales in the peak season, but there is usually only one bus per day during the wintertime.
El Calafate bus terminal is located about 1.5 kilometers from the town center, so it's easy to get there on foot in case you want to save some money on taxis.
As the area surrounding the bus terminal is open and exposed, we must admit that walking with our heavy backpacks on our backs was less fun than usual.
It gets much better when you reach the Avenida Libertador. We took the bus from El Chalten to El Calafate and arrived there in less than three hours.
Taxi or Private Shuttle
Taking a private shuttle or a taxi to get to (or from) El Calafate is very expensive, and we don't believe it's worth it. But if money is not a problem, then it's also an alternative.
Get Around
El Calafate's town center is small and compact, and it's easily covered on foot. We didn't mind walking to the bus terminal, but that's up to your preferences.
You can always take a taxi if you've brought heavy luggage or if you are staying a bit further from the bus terminal.
If you have a rental car, then you're all settled.
Is El Calafate Safe?
Yes, El Calafate is safe to visit, even for first-time visitors to this continent who don't know how things work around yet.
While many places in South America are often considered dangerous, the whole Patagonian region is very safe to visit. And El Calafate is no exception to this fact.
Even though it lacks the village feel of places such as Villa O'Higgins or Rio Tranquilo, we never had safety issues there.
We walked from the bus station to our hotel and back a few times, strolled around the town center (even after dark), and felt very safe.
That being said, no place in the world is perfect, so always use common sense, and keep an eye on your belongings.
Travel Insurance
We never leave home without travel insurance that was designed to cover our expenses if something goes wrong during the trip.
Travel insurance protects against theft, flight delays, injury, illness, cancellations, and much more.
World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers to cover their trip essentials, including sports and adventure activities.
SafetyWing is affordable travel insurance for backpackers, long-term travelers, and digital nomads.
Travel smarter and safer!
What to Pack
A much more significant danger lies in the unpredictable Patagonian weather, so always come prepared.
Always bring a windbreaker or, even better, a windproof rain jacket.
We used a lot our trusty down jackets when it didn't rain to keep us warm.
Never leave home your comfortable daypack to keep your valuables and extra layers dry and safe.
Trekking poles will make your hiking adventures much easier, so you might also want to bring them. And, of course, good hiking boots are a must-have.
A mirrorless camera or a phone to capture the Patagonian beauty should go without saying.
When to Go
The best time to visit El Calafate is summer, usually from December to March. Except for the strong winds, summertime brings warmer temperatures and sunny days to Patagonia.
No wonder that many visitors flock to this area, so the accommodation prices are higher than in the shoulder season.
Finding cheap accommodation might be a bit harder, but you can avoid this problem by making reservations well in advance.
Or you can arrive in shoulder months, from September to October or March to April.
The weather in Patagonia is still not very cold, though you should expect some rainy days.
While you can visit Perito Moreno in winter, this period is not very popular as some of the services, hotels, trails, or national parks might be closed.
Travel Resources
Here you can find links to all the travel resources we use and which you might find helpful when planning your next holiday.
Accommodation: When looking for accommodation, we usually search hotels via Booking.com or Hostelworld.
Tours: Although we love to travel independently, some places are better to visit with a guided tour.
We prefer GetYourGuide for its easy-to-use interface and solid reputation. Another great alternative is Viator.
Rental Cars: When going on a road trip, we always use Rentalcars.com, a reliable site for booking a rental car in advance.
Flight Tickets: When looking for flight tickets, you can search Skyscanner to find the best price.
Travel Insurance: World Nomads and SafetyWing cover against risks of travel.
