El Calafate

Travel Guide

El Calafate showing a waterfall as well as an individual male
El Calafate featuring landscape views and a lake or waterhole
El Calafate featuring forest scenes, fall colors and a pond
El Calafate showing forest scenes, autumn leaves and a house
El Calafate which includes hiking or walking and tranquil scenes as well as a large group of people

Witness the power of nature on a boat tour of Glaciers National Park. Hear the roar as the glacial ice ruptures and falls.

El Calafate lies on the southern shore of the glacier-filled Lake Argentino in the heart of Patagonia. Its main attraction is the Perito Moreno glacier, a great wall of blue ice on which you can walk. Cycle around the small city center and ride a horse into the valleys and mountains of Patagonia.

Tour the Perito Moreno glacier by boat to get a closer look at the icebergs and ruptures in the vast blue landmark. The sound of the ice breaking is memorable. Hike around the glacier to see it from various angles. Put on crampons to walk on the ice. Discover holes, caves and other intriguing formations in the glacier.

Visit the region’s other large ice feature, Upsala Canal. This interesting annual retreat of the ice could be the result of global warming. Take a boat tour and drink champagne cooled by glacial ice or rent a kayak for a more personal experience near the glacier.

Stay at Estancia Cristina, a large ranch with excellent accommodations looking out at the snowy mountains. The complex organizes many tours to glaciers as well as activities, such as sailing, horseback riding, hiking and fishing.

The commune takes its name from a yellow flower with dark blue berries that is very common in the region. Enjoy the area’s fairly dry atmosphere, particularly in summer when the weather is quite warm. Winters are extremely cold with a lot of snow and ice.

The city is in southwestern Santa Cruz Province, near the Chilean border. It is 200 miles (320 kilometers) northwest of Rio Gallegos and stands directly between the cities of San Carlos de Bariloche and Ushuaia in the south of Argentina. Fly to El Calafate Airport, 13 miles (21 kilometers) east of the city, from many destinations across the country.

Complete the circuit of landmarks in El Calafate from the tranquil Plaza de los Pioneros, before conquering nature in the imposing countryside.

Where to stay in El Calafate

El Calafate featuring landscape views and a lake or waterhole

El Calafate Centro

If you're spending some time in El Calafate Centro, Gnome Village and Casino Club El Calafate are top sights worth seeing.

El Calafate Centro
El Calafate featuring landscape views and a lake or waterhole

Macrozona Bahía Redonda y Primeros Faldeos

4/5(128 area reviews)

Macrozona Bahía Redonda y Primeros Faldeos is known for its lake views, and you can plan a trip to Gnome Village and Calafate Fishing while you're in town.

Macrozona Bahía Redonda y Primeros Faldeos
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Cerro Calafate

4/5(75 area reviews)

Well-liked for its lake views and restaurants, you might stop by Gnome Village and Casino Club El Calafate while you're exploring Cerro Calafate and the surrounding neighborhoods.

Cerro Calafate
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Macrozona Lago Argentino

5/5(2 area reviews)

Unique features of Macrozona Lago Argentino include the lake views and restaurants. Make a stop by Lake Argentino or Laguna Nimez while you're exploring the area.

Macrozona Lago Argentino
Mirador del Lago Hotel

Mirador del Lago Hotel

4 out of 5
Avenida Del Libertador 2047, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
$160 nightly
The price is $160 total per night from Oct 21 to Oct 22
$160 total
Oct 21 - Oct 22
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in El Calafate. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. ...
9/10 Wonderful! (508 reviews)
Highly recommended
"Very clean room, excellent breakfast, superb staff and good location."

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Mirador del Lago Hotel
Calafate Parque Hotel

Calafate Parque Hotel

4 out of 5
Gobernador Gregores esq. 7 de Diciembre, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
$149 nightly
The price is $149 total per night from Oct 23 to Oct 24
$149 total
Oct 23 - Oct 24
Stay at this 4-star spa hotel in El Calafate. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and a full-service spa. Our guests praise the helpful staff in our reviews. Popular ...
9/10 Wonderful! (381 reviews)
"Good location, breakfast had a nice variety and good quality. Room was comfortable"

Reviewed on Oct 18, 2025

Calafate Parque Hotel
Hotel Posada Los Alamos

Hotel Posada Los Alamos

4 out of 5
Ing. Hector Mario Guatti 1135, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
$206 nightly
The price is $206 total per night from Oct 20 to Oct 21
$206 total
Oct 20 - Oct 21
Stay at this 4-star golf hotel in El Calafate. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Gnome Village and Avenue del Libertador ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (285 reviews)
Alamos de ensueño
"Fantástico servicio premium en todo el sentido de la palabra"

Reviewed on Oct 13, 2025

Hotel Posada Los Alamos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Linda Vista Apart Hotel

Linda Vista Apart Hotel

3 out of 5
Avenida Padre Agostini 71, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star aparthotel in El Calafate. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Popular attractions Anfiteatro Del Bosque and Calafate Fishing ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (134 reviews)
"Clean spatious room with good hospitality"

Reviewed on Oct 15, 2025

Linda Vista Apart Hotel
Eh Boutique Experience

Eh Boutique Experience

3.5 out of 5
81 Comandante Espora, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3.5-star apartment in El Calafate. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and daily housekeeping. Popular attractions Argentinian Museum of Toys and Casino ...
10/10 Exceptional! (5 reviews)
"Excellent service, very attentive, very helpful"

Reviewed on Oct 14, 2025

Eh Boutique Experience
Los Guindos

Los Guindos

3 out of 5
Jose Vazquez 1240, 1240, El Calafate, Santa Cruz
Stay at this 3-star apartment in El Calafate. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and a garden. Popular attractions Anfiteatro Del Bosque and Calafate Fishing are ...
9.2/10 Wonderful! (44 reviews)
Fantastic Lodge
"This place was clean, safe, comfortable and the owner, Sophia, was friendly, professional, and very responsive to any needs. It very close to town, only a 10 minutes walk. It's also close to lake Argentino, about 5 minutes. My wife and I, had a wonderful stay here."

Reviewed on Sep 18, 2025

Los Guindos
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

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