El Calafate On a Budget
El Calafate, Argentina
The rise in popularity of Patagonia as a tourist destination has truly put this small town on the map. You'll find no shortage of trekkers in the town and it makes an excellent base to explore different parts of the Los Glaciares National Park. Popular places to visit include Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre.
El Calafate has a cold semi-arid climate. The summers are cool to warm and very dry while the winters are cold and damp. Lago Argentino has a significant influence over the town's climate. The shallow bay where the town is located is usually frozen during the winter months.
Check out our ultimate guide to Hiking in Patagonia.
Sights
El Calafate and the surrounding area is all about natural beauty. Perito Moreno Glacier is a must see in the area. It's located about 80 kilometers away from town and has a costly entrance fee, which allows you to stay for just one day. Camping is not allowed. The glacier is incredibly impressive, particularly as it falls. There are viewing platforms and hiking trails that help you enjoy the area.There is also a recently built museum about the area's glaciers. The museum, the Glaciarum, is located just a few kilometers outside of town and has a variety of exhibits and information on the area's history and geography.
Neighborhoods
El Calafate is a small town. Most visitors use it as a base for exploring the surrounding area and it's relatively easy to arrange tours into the national park.Although the town is small, it is a significant destination for budget travelers. There are a decent number of hotels and hostels of varying budgets and quality around town. Budget options do fill up early during peak season so it is best to plan ahead.
Activities
A visit to El Calafate is all about the excursions. Most people use the town as a base for exploring Los Glaciares National Park. The most popular excursions are to Perito Moreno Glacier, Cerro Chalten, and Cerro Torre. It is easy to arrange an excursion from town to Perito Moreno Glacier. You can catch a bus from town, or there are plenty of tourist agencies that run tours to the glacier.Another fun experience is to visit a ranch, which can be arranged by any travel agency. It's also fun to rent a bike in town and take a ride along the lake. There is a paved road that you can follow and the views are amazing. Make sure you pack a lunch.
If you're in town during the winter months, then you can rent ice skates and skate in the shallow bay near the town center.
Food and Dining
Because of the town's remote location, food in El Calafate is very expensive. If you're on a particularly tight budget, then you can pick up supplies at one of the four supermarkets around town. You will not find any good fresh food, but packaged food is available.There are some decent restaurants throughout the town, most of which specifically cater to tourists. You can find pizza and pasta, as well as local specialties such as Patagonia lamb. There are also plenty of restaurants that offer empanadas as an affordable option. There are also a couple of bars in town where you can buy a beer and relax with fellow travelers.
Transportation
You can reach this town by flight from a handful of destinations around Argentina. Most flights take place on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, and during the peak season the flights are usually full. It is necessary to make reservations well in advance. The only other option to reach El Calafate is by bus. The trip can be cumbersome and slow on challenging roads. It does offer some incredible views, but only when the weather allows.One impressive trip is along Ruta 40 between El Calafate and Bariloche. If the weather cooperates you will see some dramatic and impressive scenery. It is important that you book bus tickets out of town immediately after you arrive, as the tickets sell out quickly.
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Budget Your Trip is all about finding out how much everything costs so that you can travel cheaper and longer. Created by avid travelers Laurie and Bryan, our goal is to help you plan your next trip on the right budget. With average daily travel costs that are calculated from the budgets of real travelers, plus an analysis of hotel and tour prices, you can find out how much money you need to plan your next adventure. We also have plenty of travel advice, accommodation reviews, and activity suggestions.