Is El Calafate expensive to visit?
El Calafate is known as both a well-liked and very budget-friendly destination. With a daily average travel cost of $10, it's generally not considered to be expensive at all. When compared to the rest of South America, it is a very affordable destination. It ranks in the top 10% of cities in South America for its affordability. Its prices are comparable with places such as El Chalten and Buenos Aires, Argentina.
El Calafate, Argentina
How expensive is El Calafate?
Travelers spend an average of $10 per day when visiting El Calafate (U.S. Dollars). This is according to our calculations which come from the expenses of previous visitors. While this is an average cost, prices can vary by travel style, the length of your trip, and other factors. You can stay fairly close to this average if you stay at moderately priced hotels, eat at affordable restaurants, and take public transportation when possible. See more travel costs for El Calafate here.
How expensive is a weekend trip (three days) to El Calafate?
Based on the travel expenses of others, a weekend trip to El Calafate costs around $30 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $61.
How expensive is a one week (7-day) trip to El Calafate?
Based on our calculations from previous travelers, a one week trip to El Calafate will cost around $71 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $141.
Mt. Fitz Roy, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina (Near El Chalten)
Is it expensive to backpack in El Calafate?
With more than 20 hostels in the area, El Calafate is a popular backpacker destination for travelers looking to stay on a tight budget and have a fun time along the way. Here, hostels cost an average of $11 per night for a dorm bed, with private rooms being more expensive. (See hostel prices in El Calafate here.) It's also common to see a wide range in prices, as the cheapest hostels here cost $0, but the most expensive can be more than $24 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in El Calafate.
- $20 for a dorm bed at America del Sur Hostel
- $1 for a dorm bed at Hostel Nakel Yenu
- $23 for a dorm bed at Hostal Schilling
Are hotels expensive in El Calafate?
When we look at our analysis of hotel prices in El Calafate, we find them to be somewhat lower in price in comparison to the rest of the world. The average nightly cost for a hotel room here is approximately $71. The area boasts about 2 five-star hotels with an average rate of $80 per night. For those seeking a balance between comfort and affordability, three-star hotels offer an average rate of $95 per night, while two-star hotels provide an even more budget-friendly option at $45 per night.
Hotels by star rating in El Calafate
| Rating | Number of Hotels | Average Hotel Price |
|---|---|---|
| 5 stars | 2 | $80 |
| 4 stars | 17 | $116 |
| 3 stars | 53 | $95 |
| 2 stars | 31 | $45 |
| 1 star | 9 | $65 |
| No rating | 2 | $31 |
Moreno Glacier near El Calafate, Argentina
How expensive are sightseeing activities in El Calafate?
In El Calafate, the cost of activities and things to do can vary by the type of activity, its length, and the location. To provide an estimate of what to expect during your visit, below are several popular activities that are common in the area. On average, previous travelers have spent around $4 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $3.
- Darwin Experience: $254
- Full Day Guided Tour Perito Moreno National Park and Glacier: $80
- Full Day Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier with Navigation: $165
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine from El Calafate: $275
- Full Day Tour in El Chalten: $90
- Native Experience 4x4 Midday Tour with Lunch and Panoramic Views: $114
- El Calafate Expedition: 4WD Adventure with Optional Hike-Zipline: $121
- Perito Moreno Glacier Experience on the catwalks: $130
Is food expensive in El Calafate?
In El Calafate, the cost of food can vary by the type of restaurant and food options available. To save money, eat at less expensive restaurants, try street food, or cook your own meals when possible. On average, previous travelers have spent around $4 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $3.
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $141
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner from Calafate: $155
- Estancia 25 de Mayo in El Calafate - PM visit with dinner: $186
- Country Afternoon with Dinner Show - Estancia 25 de Mayo: $100
- Argentine Dinner with Live Music Folklore -Estancia 25 de Mayo: $48
- El Calafate: Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $126
Is transportation expensive in El Calafate?
Exploring local transportation in El Calafate shows that the price can vary greatly by the type of transportation used. On average, previous travelers have spent $4 per person per day, which is more than the country's average of $2. If you want to save money, use public transit as it's much cheaper than taxis or private drivers.
More for El Calafate
If you're planning a trip to El Calafate, Argentina, check out these other informative travel guides.
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.
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.