Practical Information
Best Time to Visit
The best time to visit is during the southern hemisphere summer (December-February) when days are long and temperatures milder. Spring (October-November) and fall (March-April) offer fewer crowds and still-decent weather. Winter (May-September) is cold but the glaciers remain accessible, and there are fewer tourists.
Getting There
Comandante Armando Tola International Airport has regular flights to Buenos Aires and other Argentine cities. El Calafate is also connected by bus to other Patagonian destinations like Bariloche, El Chaltén, and Puerto Natales (Chile).
Getting Around
El Calafate's town center is compact and walkable. For visiting Perito Moreno and other attractions, options include organized tours, rental cars, and public buses (limited schedules).
Accommodation
El Calafate offers a wide range of accommodations from luxury lodges and hotels to hostels, cabins, and campgrounds. Advance booking is essential during high season (December-February).
Language
Spanish is the primary language. English is widely spoken in tourist establishments, hotels, and restaurants due to the international nature of tourism in El Calafate.
Ready to Visit El Calafate?
Contact our team of experts to start planning your perfect trip to El Calafate. We'll create a tailor-made itinerary based on your interests and preferences.
About El Calafate
El Calafate is located on the southern shore of Lago Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina. The town takes its name from the calafate berry (Berberis microphylla), a native plant whose fruit is used in local jams and liqueurs. According to local legend, anyone who eats the calafate berry will return to Patagonia.
Once a remote outpost, El Calafate has developed into a tourist-friendly town with a wide range of accommodations, restaurants, and services. Despite its growth, the town maintains a frontier charm with its low-rise buildings, wide streets, and views of the surrounding steppe and distant mountains.
El Calafate's main attraction is its proximity to Los Glaciares National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage site that protects a vast ice cap feeding 47 large glaciers. The most famous of these is the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers in the world and remarkable for its accessibility. Unlike most glaciers, which require long treks to reach, Perito Moreno can be viewed from comfortable walkways just a short distance from the parking area.
Beyond glacier viewing, El Calafate offers other activities such as horseback riding on the steppe, bird watching at Laguna Nimez Reserve (home to flamingos and many other species), and day trips to the charming mountain village of El Chaltén, Argentina's trekking capital.
Perito Moreno Glacier
Witness one of the world's most dynamic glaciers from viewing platforms and walkways, with the chance to see spectacular ice calving events.
Glaciarium Ice Museum
Learn about glaciology, Patagonian ice fields, and climate change at this modern, interactive museum just outside town.
Lago Argentino Boat Tours
Take a navigation to see other glaciers in Los Glaciares National Park, such as Upsala and Spegazzini, which are only accessible by boat.
Laguna Nimez Reserve
Observe Patagonian birds, including flamingos, black-necked swans, and many other species at this wetland reserve within walking distance of town.
Estancia Cristina
Visit this historic ranch accessible only by boat, offering glacier views, museum exhibits, and activities like hiking and 4x4 excursions.
El Chaltén Day Trip
Take a full-day excursion to Argentina's trekking capital, with views of Mount Fitz Roy and opportunities for short hikes.
Experience El Calafate with AUSTER DMC
Let our expert team create a personalized itinerary for your trip to El Calafate. We'll handle all the details so you can focus on enjoying this amazing destination.