Ultimate Guide to Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier
In this post, we will cover all the things you should know before visiting Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the top natural attractions in Argentina. Read our travel guide to learn how to get to the glacier from El Calafate, when is the best time to visit, how much things cost, where to stay, and much more.
The biggest national park of Argentina, Los Glaciares National Park, is not significant only because of its size.
Well, the size might suggest that the chances are that you'll find there quite a few interesting places.
It is home to three shining stars of Argentinian Patagonia - Mount Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre near El Chalten and Perito Moreno Glacier, which is within driving distance from El Calafate.
And in this blog post, we would like to talk more closely about Perito Moreno Glacier, which is, according to us, one of the top attractions in this South American country (if not on the continent) you cannot miss.
We won't lie to you. Visiting Perito Moreno Glacier doesn't come cheap.
The day trip from El Calafate was actually the most expensive day we had in Argentina, but investing in this day excursion was so worth it.
Although we are always traveling on a budget, and we've seen quite a lot of impressive glaciers in Patagonia, such as Grey Glacier or Hanging Glacier, the possibility of not visiting Perito Moreno did not cross our minds for even a second.
Simply put, not visiting Perito Moreno when in Patagonia is not an option.
If you already plan Patagonia itinerary and travel budget, make sure you'll squeeze this sight high on the list of must-visit places, and believe us, you can save elsewhere.
Because we know many people do not know what to expect from visiting Perito Moreno (it is really not just a quick, five-minute photo stop), we put together this travel guide, where we want to share with you essential things we ourselves found useful.
It is all here, from how to get, what to see and do, to how much things cost. And, of course, we've included our favorite Perito Moreno photos.
Perito Moreno Glacier
It is impossible to fully appreciate Perito Moreno Glacier until you physically stand in front of its face overlooking its body across Lago Argentino.
In this case, all the photos you can see online don't do justice.
Sure, you see a pretty picture, but the feeling of how small we as humans are in comparison with the almighty nature is non-transferable, and you have to experience it personally.
Perito Moreno covers an area of 250 square meters, is 5 kilometers wide, 30 kilometers long, and although the highest point of the glacier reaches more than 70 meters, two-thirds are still below the water level and cannot be seen.
It is pretty spectacular!
The glacier is also part of Southern Patagonian Icefield, and it is the third world's largest reserve of freshwater.
All those facts, although impressive enough, cannot prepare you for the intense experience when watching the immense glacier while listening to ubiquitous and deafening cracking sounds of the breaking ice.
When visiting Perito Moreno Glacier, you will also get a unique possibility to see one of the world's very few advancing glaciers.
When global warming and other environmental issues cause that the majority of all glaciers are retreating fast as we could see with our own eyes on an example of Pastoruri Glacier in Peru, not even glaciologists can explain why Perito Moreno is expanding.
It is at least good news for all travelers - you do not need to hurry. Perito Moreno will (hopefully) wait for you out there.
How Much it Cost to Visit Perito Moreno
The cost of visiting Perito Moreno is a bit relative and vague. For the past several years, Argentina's economy has been experiencing ups and downs, but mostly there were downs.
And we don't even know how to politely express the state where the country's economy is at the moment.
Argentinian Pesos are one of those currencies no one (not even locals) want to keep as it fluctuates wildly, and the money loses its value every day.
As of 2022, inflation comes up to 64% and still rising, only to give you an idea of how bad it is.
The only country in South America with a worse inflation rate is Venezuela, and that’s not very comforting.
When looking for the current information on how much things cost in Argentina, you will find many 'updated' blog posts even from well-known travel blogs saying that prices in Argentina as of 2022 are this and that.
But unfortunately, in most cases, when arriving in El Calafate or any other place in Argentina, you will soon find out that this information is incorrect as the prices fluctuate insanely.
We can share with you how much it cost us to visit Perito Moreno Glacier in January 2019, but those prices are only tentative as they can change anytime.
Well, the price in pesos might be the same, but the exchange rate will probably change.
So please always check less than a month before your arrival so you won't be unpleasantly surprised by the price increase.
Entrance Fee
The bus from El Calafate to Perito Moreno Glacier cost 800 ARS ($21), while the national park entrance fee cost 700 ARS ($18.5).
Here is an extra tip. A general rule of thumb when it comes to prices in Argentina is to compare the Argentinian pesos to USD.
If the bus ticket now costs 1000 ARS, that's equivalent to 26 USD.
But in a few months, the price might be around 1500 ARS for the same bus ticket, which most probably will still be approximately 26 USD. So the visit to Perito Moreno cost us 79 USD.
For some, it is a usual day on the road, but we were not happy to see this price tag. On the other hand, should we decide if we wanted to see Perito Moreno again, we would have gone for it.
Of course, this is an estimated price for independent travelers. Private transfers or guided tours, although they have some pros, are even more expensive.
How to Get to Perito Moreno Glacier
Currently, the south part of Los Glaciares National Park is not served by public transport, so you have four options on how to get near the glacier.
In our opinion, all alternatives are fine. You should choose the one that suits your budget the most because the time allocation is quite similar.
We traveled to Perito Moreno from El Calafate.
By Car
The most convenient way to get to the park is without a doubt with your own car.
You can rent a car only for this occasion in El Calafate.
This option will give you the freedom to arrive and leave whenever you want and visit Perito Moreno easily, even when short on time or if you prefer a higher standard when traveling.
Many people we met visited Patagonia on a road trip, so they already had a rental car, which probably makes more sense than renting a car for only one day, but it is good to know this is an option as well.
If you are looking for an idea of how to plan your trip, you can read our post about Carretera Austral, one of the most scenic roads in the world, and you can incorporate visiting Perito Moreno and overall the whole Argentinian Patagonia in your itinerary.
Hitchhiking
The least expensive but also the least guaranteed way how to visit Perito Moreno is hitchhiking.
Unless you are a really broke backpacker, we don't recommend this option as most of the cars we saw were full (Argentinians and overall people of South America usually use the car's capacity to the fullest).
If you decide on this option, we recommend you have camping equipment in case you won't hitch a ride back.
Also, although Patagonia is a considerably safe destination, it is always better to travel at least as a couple, especially if you plan on hitchhiking.
Perito Moreno Tours
In case you prefer to have everything arranged in advance, you can book a tour from El Calafate, and you don't need to take care of anything (transport, guide, and a boat tour are usually included).
There are many travel agencies along the main road in El Calafate, but most of them offer a very similar experience, so unless you look for something special, we recommend you do not overthink it.
Here you can reserve your Perito Moreno Tour.
It is better to reserve the tour a few days ahead, especially if you travel in the area in the main season.
Bus to Perito Moreno
As we said before, there is no public bus transport to the park, but several companies run a daily service to and from Perito Moreno, which successfully substitutes this service.
It is better to make a reservation at least one day in advance to secure your spot.
You can book the return ticket at the bus terminal right after your arrival (there are several companies) or in one of the offices in the center of El Calafate.
No matter who you choose, the price and the schedule will be the same.
We took the bus with Cal Tur, and everything went smoothly.
If you can't wait to see the glacier, sit on the left side so you'll get the first glimpse of it from the bus.
Usually, buses leave at 8 AM and return at 4 PM, or you can opt for the less popular version and visit the glacier in the afternoon. In this case, the bus leaves at 1 PM and returns at 7 PM.
The drive to the glacier takes around two hours, and it includes the waiting time because everyone on the bus must pay the entrance fee at the checkpoint.
When buying your bus tickets to Perito Moreno Glacier, do not forget to say that you want to see the glacier specifically.
Although it might seem obvious to you, there is Perito Moreno village in Argentina, but seven hours drive away, and we believe you don't want to end up there.
Where To Pay Entrance Fee
You will pay your entrance fee at the checkpoint on the way to the Perito Moreno Glacier. Every bus stops there, and the cashier enters every bus one by one and collects money.
It is a bit time-consuming, but the best way how to shorten the waiting time (as we believe you are anxious to see the glacier finally), is to have the exact amount ready.
At the moment, you can pay with cash only.
How to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier
We were pleasantly surprised by how well-maintained the site was. You will arrive at the big parking lot with plenty of space for cars and buses.
Nearby are also boat ticket booths, a visitors center, and a restaurant with toilet facilities.
The restaurant is pretty expensive, so bring water and a snack with you unless you want to splurge. Toilets are for free.
Once you enter the boardwalk, you will get amazing views of Perito Moreno Glacier from all possible angles.
The boardwalks are wide, and although this place is touristy, we did not have a feeling that it is crowded at all - not unlike when walking the narrow paths of Iguazu Falls - and we had plenty of space on the viewing platforms as well.
If you want to avoid crowds, arrive early, but in that case, you would have needed own transport to be a master of your timetable.
Walking on the walkway is fun; there are several trails (you can easily do all of them in a day) and platforms where you can just hang out, try to take your best photo, and wait for the ice to crack and fall.
It is a truly spectacular sight.
What to Do at Perito Moreno
The main activity to do is to admire the glacier from a distance. Although it might sound dull, we spent looking at the glacier from different angles for quite some time.
And hadn't it been for the cold wind, we would have been able to admire its beauty for much longer.
Boardwalks
We were perfectly fine with walking on boardwalks, as they feature several fantastic viewpoints.
If this experience is not enough and you want to get an even closer look at the glacier from a different perspective, there are several activities you can choose from.
Cruises
The most popular and the least demanding activity is a Perito Moreno Cruise which will take you right under the glacier (still, there must be maintained a safe distance).
Kayaking
Those who want to admire the glacier from the lake's surface and want to enjoy the tranquil atmosphere can try Perito Moreno Kayaking. Do not forget to wear layers and bring extra clothes in case you get wet.
Ice Trekking
Another activity during which you'll get the closest to the glacier as you can is Perito Moreno Glacier Ice Trekking.
This is physically the most demanding activity, so make sure you are fit enough to enjoy it rather than suffer later.
How Much Time I Need For Perito Moreno
Because we arrived on a bus, we had approximately six hours on the site and actually used up every single minute of it.
It might seem like a really long time to observe a glacier, but thanks to an extensive system of walkways and differently positioned viewpoints, we didn't have time to get bored.
If you are in a rush, we recommend allocating at least three or four hours. You won't regret it.
When to Visit Perito Moreno Glacier
What is the best time to visit Perito Moreno? Weather in Patagonia can be unpredictable, and it is not unknown to experience all four seasons within one day.
Generally, the best time to visit Patagonia is during summer, from December to March, when the weather is usually more stable.
Also, you have a chance to enjoy more sunny days and temperatures are higher, only be prepared for very strong wind gusts.
Late spring and early fall are also fine periods to visit the glacier, especially the contrast of colored leaves with the white giant during the autumn are spectacular.
In the winter, the strong winds cease, but it gets really cold in this part of the world, and snowstorms are not uncommon.
Although it is not the high season, we think visiting Perito Moreno in the winter is doable (it is better than hiking in the great outdoors) because you can always go to the visitors center and warm up.
What to Wear for Perito Moreno
In Patagonia, it can get cold and windy any time of the year, so when visiting Perito Moreno Glacier, wear layers.
It is especially important because you won't be moving somehow fast and you'll be standing a lot while taking lots of photos.
This is what we consider as a bare packing minimum for visiting Perito Moreno Glacier.
Functional T-shirt, down jacket, windproof rain jacket, and rain poncho should be on your packing list for sure.
Boardwalks are easy to walk on, and hiking boots are not necessary here. However, we would wear hiking boots to keep our feet dry in case of rain.
If you plan on traveling long-term around Patagonia, you might find useful our article What to Pack for Patagonia.
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!
El Calafate
El Calafate is a small town that, most of the time, serves as a base for all people who want to visit Perito Moreno Glacier.
We’ve heard about travelers visiting the glacier from famous El Chalten, but it is a very long day, at least five hours on the bus one way, so unless not necessary, it is much better to spend at least one night in El Calafate.
You'll find everything you might think of in El Calafate.
Reasonably priced grocery shops, several ATMs, restaurants, hotels, clothes and souvenir shops, or gas stations, everything to be easily found along the main drag.
If you need to break the journey, El Calafate is a great place, and it even offers a few things to do you might find interesting, although visiting Perito Moreno Glacier is undoubtedly activity number one.
Where to Stay in El Calafate
El Calafate is a town where everything revolves around tourism. The good news is that you won't have a problem finding accommodation here. Although it is advised to make a reservation in the season at least one week in advance.
The bad news is that prices are often steep even at the shabby looking places, so select your hotel or hostel carefully.
Here's our list of best hotels in El Calafate for every type of traveler.
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 to El Calafate
El Calafate is well-connected with other destinations in Patagonia. It takes approximately 3 hours to get from El Chalten to El Calafate by bus.
There are several bus companies, and we recommend you book the bus right after your arrival in El Chalten to make sure seats will be available. In January 2019, the bus cost 800 ARS per person.
When we tried to get from El Calafate to Puerto Natales, Chile, home to the famous Torres del Paine National Park, it happened to us for the first time in Patagonia that all buses were sold out on the date we wanted to travel, even though we tried to buy them two days in advance.
So in case you are on a tight schedule, it is better to buy tickets online well ahead of time.
It seems that during the summer, this route from El Calafate to Puerto Natales is too busy as it connects two astonishing national parks.
The bus ride takes 6 hours, including border crossing procedures, and costs 850 ARS.
El Calafate also has an airport in case you are short on time, and you can take a flight from there to Ushuaia, the End of the World, or other destinations.
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.
