7 Reasons Why You Should Add El Calafate to Your Argentina Itinerary

When my husband and I began planning our trip through Argentina, El Calafate wasn’t initially at the top of our list.  

As we only had so many days to travel through the country, we had to question whether El Calafate was even worth adding to our itinerary. 

However, once we started researching and planning our trip, El Calafate quickly climbed to the top of our list. And I think it should be at the top of yours, too!

Visiting El Calafate can enhance any itinerary, but it’s best to allocate at least a few days, especially if you plan to combine it with El Chaltén for hiking and trekking through the Patagonia mountains.

We spent 2 days in El Calafate and 4 days in El Chaltén following our two-week itinerary in Argentina.   

If you have an extra two or three days to spare and want to experience glaciers, mountains, and some of the country’s most dramatic landscapes, then absolutely you should make room for it! 

If you are considering a visit to El Calafate, continue reading to learn more about this glacier town, including how to get there, must-do activities, and why we think visiting El Calafate should be included in your trip to Argentina!  

7 Reasons You Should Visit El Calafate, Argentina

First, where is El Calafate? 

The town of El Calafate itself is charming and full of character.

It’s located on the southern shore of Lake Argentino, the largest freshwater lake in Argentina, reflecting the surrounding Patagonian mountains off its turquoise surface.  

It’s also known as the gateway to Los Glaciares National Park, home to the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. And nearby is the small mountain village of El Chaltén — known as the country’s trekking capital.  

How to Get to El Calafate? 

Traveling to El Calafate is easier than you’d think, as it’s only about a 25-minute drive from El Calafate International Airport, with most flights arriving directly from Buenos Aires.  

Renting a car is best, especially if you also want to visit El Chaltén. However, if you’re on a tight budget, taking a taxi or bus is an easy alternative.  

Best Time to Visit El Calafate?

The best time to visit El Calafate is during the peak season from December to February, when temperatures are warmest and daylight is longest.  

However, shoulder seasons like October-November and March-April offer fewer crowds and lower costs.  

I would avoid visiting El Calafate in Winter, June-August, as many outdoor activities are limited due to snow and reduced accessibility to glaciers.  

Fun Fact: There is a berry called Calafate, named after the town. This plant produces dark-blue bittersweet berries similar to blueberries. You can find it around town in homemade jams, ice creams, or even liqueurs. 

1. Stand face-to-face with a Glacier

There are no words I can put into this post that will truly explain what it feels like to see a gigantic glacier with your own eyes.  

It will make you feel incredibly small and, somehow, completely in awe at the same time. The sheer size, vibrant blue color, and sound of ice cracking beneath the surface of the water are enough to leave you completely mesmerized.

There’s no question as to why visiting Perito Moreno Glacier is the top activity to do in El Calafate for many.  

Not only can you experience it with your eyes, but you can even take a tour and WALK directly on the glacier. This was absolutely one of the best highlights of our trip to Argentina.  

Walking along the massive blue ice fields with our spiked crampons was a surreal experience and worth the additional cost.  

Perito Moreno was previously known for being one of the few glaciers in the world continuing to grow in size. Until recently…  

Since 2019, Perito Moreno has been melting and retreating in size due to warmer temperatures and decreased snowfall. 

So, if you’ve been wanting to visit a glacier and specifically Perito Moreno, do it now, before it’s too late! 🙁  

There are a few different ways you can see the Perito Moreno glacier.  

1. Trek on the glacier (Highly recommended!)  
2. Observe the glacier from a boat  
3. Walk along the viewpoint  
4. Kayak in front of the glacier  

We did the first three options, and by far trekking on the glacier takes the cake.  The tour we took also includes a boat ride over the glacier, where you’ll get to observe the sheer size of it right in front of you.  

Walking along the viewpoint can be done on your own as you do not need a guide. We did this after our trekking tour, and it was nice to see from afar where we had just explored with our own two feet!

If you want to see more glaciers, there’s also the less-visited Upsala Glacier and Spegazzini Glacier that are viewable by boat.  

2. There’s More to El Calafate than Perito Moreno

Of course, El Calafate is mostly known for the Perito Moreno Glacier. However, there’s much more to do and see while staying in this Patagonian city.  

More Things to Do in El Calafate 

1. Estancias — Want to experience a true gaucho lifestyle? An Estancia is a working ranch or private farm that is often used for sheep or cattle. Many estancias are located within or near Los Glaciares National Park in a remote setting. Most tours include a traditional Argentine dinner featuring lamb, empanadas, salads, and desserts before closing with a folklore show of dances.  
2. Horseback riding — Some estancia tours include horseback riding. But you can also just book a horseback riding tour.
3. Reserva Laguna Nimez—140 hectares of protected wetland and bird reserve, excellent for birdwatching and beautiful views of Lake Argentino and the Andes mountains.  
4. Upsala Glacier— This is the largest glacier in Lago Argentino, around 765 km². You can’t trek on this glacier like you can on the Perito Moreno; however, you can take a boat cruise, which can include a couple of land stops.
5. Spegazzini Glacier—The tallest glacier in the region, rising 135-150m above Lago Argentino (twice as tall as Perito Moreno). This glacier can only be viewed by boat cruise but will be far less crowded than the other two.  
6. Glaciarium Ice Museum — Learn more about glaciers at the ice museum featuring a cafe, an ecoshop, and an ice bar, where you can sip on a cocktail made with glacier ice.  
7. Cerro Frias — Explore Cerro Frias on a 4×4 tour, horseback riding, or ziplining with Cerro Frias Tierra de Aventuras.
8. La Leona Petrified Forest — Think petrified trees, dinosaur fossils, and unique lunar-like landscapes.  
9. Shopping — There is an artisanal market and many shops located in downtown El Calafate.  
10. Eat Patagonian Lamb — El Calafate is known to be the place to try delicious Patagonian Lamb. 

3. See Some of Argentina’s Most Dramatic Landscapes

Argentina is a HUGE country and incredibly diverse, but Patagonia looks completely different from the rest of the country.

El Calafate in particular introduces landscapes that feel almost otherworldly, with rugged mountains, deserts, steppes, enormous lakes, glaciers, and wildlife.  

Depending on where you go around El Calafate, you can have a completely different view and experience. 

From the golden Patagonian steppe to the Andean Patagonian forest to the wetlands of Lago Argentino, El Calafate is more than just glaciers and mountains!  

4. El Calafate has a Lot of Wildlife

Los Glaciares National Park protects over 700,000 hectares and is the largest park in Argentina’s National Park system.  

Over 145 species of birds have been recorded within the park, and you don’t need to go far to see many of them.  

In fact, the Laguna Nimez Nature Reserve is right in the center of El Calafate, where you can walk along the wetlands and the shores of Lago Argentino to see hundreds of species of birds! 

From flamingos and swans wading in the water to condors tracing circles from above, there are over 130 bird species in this reserve alone.  

Not only will you spot birds, but you’ll likely come across many guanacos grazing alongside the road or watching you from the golden steppe (a large open, arid grassland).  

Some of my favorite sightings were a fox, a condor, and the guanacos!

Other animals you can see in this area include pumas, armadillos, huemuls, and rheas (South America’s largest native bird). 

5. El Calafate is the Perfect Companion to El Chaltén

If you are visiting one, you absolutely should visit the other, as they are relatively close but offer very different experiences.  

El Calafate is more of an introduction to Patagonia, while El Chaltén lets you dive right into the center of it.  

For me, visiting both made our time in Patagonia feel much more complete. El Calafate gave us the glaciers and the expansive landscapes, while El Chaltén gave us the towering mountains and hiking that I had imagined Patagonia to be.

El Chaltén is about a 3 ½ hour drive by car from El Calafate, or about 4 hours by bus.  

Although the drive does seem a little long, it’s one of the best parts! You’ll want to stop multiple times along the way to get out and take pictures of the landscapes or wildlife; the views are absolutely breathtaking! It’s one of the reasons why we recommend renting a car versus taking the bus.  

And, if you’re lucky enough to be traveling to El Chaltén on a clear sunny day, get your camera ready. I won’t say any more. 😉  

6. You only need a Couple of Days in El Calafate

One of the things I loved about El Calafate is that you don’t need to dedicate a huge portion of your time in Argentina to experience it.  

With just two or three days, you can see the glacier, experience the surrounding landscapes, and get a taste of Patagonia before moving on.  

And if you add El Chaltén, you can make the whole Patagonia portion longer.  

You can also use Day 1 and 3 as a travel day from the airport and to/from El Chaltén.

7. You Can See Patagonia without Hiking

When picturing Patagonia, you might imagine spending days trekking through remote mountains with all your gear strapped to your back.  

While there are certainly opportunities to do that, you don’t have to be a hardcore hiker to experience the beauty of Patagonia.  

El Calafate makes seeing some of Patagonia’s amazing scenery surprisingly accessible.  

For one, you don’t have to hike or go trekking to see the Perito Moreno Glacier. The glacier viewing area provides different viewpoints with boardwalks and steps and allows you to take your time, seeing the glacier from multiple perspectives.  

If that’s still too much walking, you can also experience Patagonia and El Calafate from the water.  

There are many different boat excursions or tours you can take on Lago Argentino that allow you to see mountains, glaciers, icebergs, and remote landscapes. 

Reasons Why El Calafate May Not Be For You

1. You’re Short on Time

If you only have a limited time in Argentina and have other priorities at the top of your list, you may want to skip El Calafate.  

Although you only need to spend a couple of days to see El Calafate, you’ll need to factor in the time it will take to travel.  

I would allot at least half a day traveling from Buenos Aires to El Calafate, or a full day if you are flying from another city in Argentina.  

For those with limited time, you may want to spend that day traveling elsewhere.  

2. You’re Not Interested in Glaciers or Nature

If you aren’t really interested in seeing a glacier, then why go?  

El Calafate is famous for its glaciers and is the main reason why people travel to this town.  

Instead, spend a few extra days somewhere else in Argentina, like Mendoza or Buenos Aires. 

3. Patagonia Isn’t a Priority 

Adding to the previous, if you aren’t really interested in hiking, seeing glaciers, mountains, or anything outdoors, skipping Patagonia altogether may be best.  

4. You’re Traveling on a Tight Budget 

El Calafate isn’t necessarily a cheap place to visit in Argentina, although it’s much cheaper than the hiking town of El Chaltén.

It’s touristy (for good reason), which means inflated costs including places to stay, restaurants, and excursions.   

However, considering the area, we found most things to be reasonably priced,

There are still ways to see El Calafate if you are on a budget, such as staying at hostels and taking the bus versus renting a car.

Final Thoughts

There you have it, I 100% believe that El Calafate is worth adding to your Argentina Itinerary!  

Not only will you get to see the beautiful Andes and Patagonian mountains, but you’ll get to see with your own eyes (and possibly trek!) an actual glacier!  

Combine it with a trip to El Chaltén, and you’ll have an all-around Patagonian experience in Argentina and will be ready to return before you even leave.

For a complete day-to-day itinerary in Argentina, see my 14-days in Argentina itinerary!