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 $57, it's generally not considered to be expensive at all. When compared to the rest of South America, it is a reasonably affordable destination. It ranks in the top 25% of cities in South America for its affordability. Its prices are comparable with places such as Puerto Iguazu and Banos.
Mt. Fitz Roy, Los Glaciares National Park, Argentina (Near El Chalten)
How expensive is El Calafate?
Travelers spend an average of $57 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 $170 on average, per person. This includes food, sightseeing, local transportation, accommodation, and nightlife. For two people, a weekend trip costs $340.
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 $396 per person. This amount includes sightseeing activities, hotels, restaurants, local transportation, and other travel expenses. For two people, a one week trip would cost $793.
Moreno Glacier near El Calafate, Argentina
Is it expensive to backpack in El Calafate?
With more than 30 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 $15 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 $46 per night.
Here are a few sample prices from popular hostels in El Calafate.
- $18 for a dorm bed at America del Sur Hostel
- $2 for a dorm bed at Hostel Nakel Yenu
- $46 for a dorm bed at Hostal Schilling
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 $50 per day on sightseeing and entertainment, which is more than the country's average of $26.
- Full Day Tour to Torres del Paine from El Calafate: $210
- CALAFATE: Panoramic tour: The best balconies of Calafate: $175
- Perito Moreno Glacier Up-Close Boat Tour & Scenic Viewpoints: $196
- Guided Tour to the Perito Moreno Glacier: $61
- Perito Moreno Safari Nautico Including Footbridges Guided Tour: $211
- El Calafate: Full-Day Tour to Torres del Paine National Park: $263
- Private Tour to Perito Moreno Glacier: $280
- Extreme Adventure 4x4: $250
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 $6 per day on food, which is more than the country's average of $6.
- Estancia 25 de Mayo Experience with Dinner and Horseback Riding: $240
- Argentine Dinner with Live Music Folklore -Estancia 25 de Mayo: $55
- El Calafate: Estancia 25 de Mayo Tour with Dinner & Transfer: $138
- El Calafate: Estancia 25 de Mayo Dinner & Show with Transfer: $88
- Lakes and Caves Tour with Dinner: $197
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 $3. 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.