Travel Budget for El Calafate Visit El Calafate on a Budget or Travel in Style

El Calafate, Provincia de Santa Cruz, Argentina

How much does it cost to travel to El Calafate?

You should plan to spend around $10 (AR$8,709) per day on your vacation in El Calafate. This is the average daily price based on the expenses of other visitors.

Past travelers have spent, on average for one day:

  • $3.81 (AR$3,203) on meals
  • $3.62 (AR$3,049) on local transportation
  • $7.03 (AR$5,915) on hotels

A one week trip to El Calafate for two people costs, on average, $145 (AR$121,922). This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

All of these average travel prices have been collected from other travelers to help you plan your own travel budget.

In recent years, the Argentine Peso has been very unstable. Therefore, travel cost estimates can sometimes be inaccurate for this country.
  • Average Daily Cost Per person, per day
    $10
    AR$8,709
  • One Week Per person
    $72
    AR$60,961
  • 2 Weeks Per person
    $145
    AR$121,922
  • One Month Per person
    $310
    AR$261,262
  • One Week For a couple
    $145
    AR$121,922
  • 2 Weeks For a couple
    $290
    AR$243,844
  • One Month For a couple
    $621
    AR$522,524
This data comes from the travel budgets of real travelers - How it works. Put these numbers on your website.


How much does a one week, two week, or one month trip to El Calafate cost?

A one week trip to El Calafate usually costs around $72 (AR$60,961) for one person and $145 (AR$121,922) for two people. This includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

A two week trip to El Calafate on average costs around $145 (AR$121,922) for one person and $290 (AR$243,844) for two people. This cost includes accommodation, food, local transportation, and sightseeing.

Please note, prices can vary based on your travel style, speed, and other variables. If you're traveling as a family of three or four people, the price per person often goes down because kid's tickets are cheaper and hotel rooms can be shared. If you travel slower over a longer period of time then your daily budget will also go down. Two people traveling together for one month in El Calafate will often have a lower daily budget per person than one person traveling alone for one week.

A one month trip to El Calafate on average costs around $310 (AR$261,262) for one person and $621 (AR$522,524) for two people. The more places you visit, the higher the daily price will become due to increased transportation costs.




Independent Travel

Traveling Independently to El Calafate has many benefits including affordabilty, freedom, flexibility, and the opportunity to control your own experiences.

All of the travel costs below are based on the experiences of other independent travelers.

Is El Calafate expensive to visit?

El Calafate is a very affordable place to visit. Located in Argentina, which is a very affordable country, visitors will appreciate the lower prices of this destination. It falls in the average range in the country for its prices. Budget travelers enjoy spending long periods of time exploring El Calafate in depth.

Within South America, El Calafate is a very affordable destination compared to other places. It is in the top 10% of cities in South America for its affordability. Very few cities in the region are as affordable as El Calafate.

For more details, and to find out if it's within your travel budget, see Is El Calafate Expensive?

How much money do I need for a trip to El Calafate?

The average El Calafate trip cost is broken down by category here for independent travelers. All of these El Calafate travel prices are calculated from the budgets of real travelers.


Category Cost
Accommodation 1 (Double Occupancy) AR$5,915 ($7)
Local Transportation 1 AR$3,049 ($4)
Food 2 AR$3,203 ($4)
Entertainment 1 AR$3,201 ($4)
Tips and Handouts 1 AR$13 - 38 ($0 - 0)
Alcohol 2 AR$802 - 2,407 ($1 - 3)
Accommodation Budget in El Calafate
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

The average price paid for one person for accommodation in El Calafate is $3.51 (AR$2,957). For two people sharing a typical double-occupancy hotel room, the average price paid for a hotel room in El Calafate is $7.03 (AR$5,915). This cost is from the reported spending of actual travelers.


  • Accommodation1 Hotel or hostel for one person
    $3.51
    AR$2,957
  • Accommodation1 Typical double-occupancy room
    $7.03
    AR$5,915

Hotel Prices in El Calafate

Looking for a hotel in El Calafate? Prices vary by location, date, season, and the level of luxury. See below for options.

Find the best hotel for your travel style.

 

Actual Hotel Prices
The average hotel room price in El Calafate based on data provided by Kayak for actual hotel rooms is $71. (Prices in U.S. Dollars, before taxes & fees.)

Kayak helps you find the best prices for hotels, flights, and rental cars for destinations around the world.


Recommended Properties


Transportation Budget in El Calafate
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The cost of a taxi ride in El Calafate is significantly more than public transportation. On average, past travelers have spent $3.62 (AR$3,049) per person, per day, on local transportation in El Calafate.


  • Transportation1 Taxis, local buses, subway, etc.
    $3.62
    AR$3,049

Recommended Services


Flights to El Calafate
How much does it cost to go to El Calafate? Naturally, it depends on the dates. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all airlines.

Rental Cars in El Calafate
The price of renting a car in El Calafate will depends on dates, the type of car, the location, and your age. We recommend Kayak because they can find the best deals across all car rental companies.


What did other people spend on Transportation in El Calafate?

Typical prices for Transportation in El Calafate are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in El Calafate, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Taxi
    AR$1,200


Food Budget in El Calafate
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • While meal prices in El Calafate can vary, the average cost of food in El Calafate is $3.81 (AR$3,203) per day. Based on the spending habits of previous travelers, when dining out an average meal in El Calafate should cost around $1.52 (AR$1,281) per person. Breakfast prices are usually a little cheaper than lunch or dinner. The price of food in sit-down restaurants in El Calafate is often higher than fast food prices or street food prices.


  • Food2 Meals for one day
    $3.81
    AR$3,203

Recommended

What did other people spend on Food in El Calafate?

Typical prices for Food in El Calafate are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in El Calafate, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Dessert
    AR$10
  • Dinner
    AR$1,560
  • Dinner
    AR$920


Entertainment Budget in El Calafate
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • Entertainment and activities in El Calafate typically cost an average of $3.80 (AR$3,201) per person, per day based on the spending of previous travelers. This includes fees paid for admission tickets to museums and attractions, day tours, and other sightseeing expenses.


  • Entertainment1 Entrance tickets, shows, etc.
    $3.80
    AR$3,201

Recommended Activities

What did other people spend on Entertainment in El Calafate?

Typical prices for Entertainment in El Calafate are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in El Calafate, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Glacerium Museum
    AR$1,200


Tips and Handouts Budget in El Calafate
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average cost for Tips and Handouts in El Calafate is $0.03 (AR$25) per day. The usual amount for a tip in El Calafate is 5% - 15%.


  • Tips and Handouts1 For guides or service providers
    $0.03
    AR$25


Alcohol Budget in El Calafate
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • The average person spends about $1.91 (AR$1,605) on alcoholic beverages in El Calafate per day. The more you spend on alcohol, the more fun you might be having despite your higher budget.


  • Alcohol2 Drinks for one day
    $1.91
    AR$1,605

Recommended

What did other people spend on Alcohol in El Calafate?

Typical prices for Alcohol in El Calafate are listed below. These actual costs are from real travelers and can give you an idea of the prices in El Calafate, but your costs will vary based on your travel style and the place where the purchase was made.


  • Beer
    AR$7.50
  • Alcohol
    AR$320


Water Budget in El Calafate
Average Daily Costs

Calculated from travelers like you

  • On average, people spend $0.07 (AR$57) on bottled water in El Calafate per day. The public water in El Calafate is considered safe to drink.


  • Water2 Bottled water for one day
    $0.07
    AR$57


El Calafate On a Budget
El Calafate El Calafate, Argentina
Located in Patagonia, El Calafate has become a popular tourist destination in Argentina because of its beautiful setting on the stunningly blue Lago Argentina. The town sits on the southern border of the lake in the southwestern part of the Santa Cruz Province. It's about 320 kilometers from Rio Gallegos.

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.


Related:

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We've been gathering travel costs from tens of thousands of actual travelers since 2010, and we use the data to calculate average daily travel costs for destinations around the world. We also systematically analyze the prices of hotels, hostels, and tours from travel providers such as Kayak, HostelWorld, TourRadar, Viator, and others. This combination of expenses from actual travelers, combined with pricing data from major travel companies, gives us a uniqe insight into the overall cost of travel for thousands of cities in countries around the world. You can see more here: How it Works.



1 Categories averaged on a per-item basis.
2 Categories averaged on a per-day basis.
For example, the Food2 daily average is for all meals for an entire day, while Entertainment1 is for each individual purchase. Thus, the overall daily average cost is not a summation of the individual categories.