Recognized worldwide as one of the most emblematic destinations in
Argentina,
El Calafate is ideal to visit at any time of the year. Located in the province of
Santa Cruz and on the shores of
Lago Argentino , this city of immense glaciers invites you to connect with nature and be part of some phenomena such as the detachment of the
Perito Moreno Glacier.
Its name was given in honor of a bush with fruits, typical from Patagonia, called "El Calafate" and those who live here say "whoever eats Calafate, has to come back." We have not tried the fruit yet, but if there is one thing we are sure of, it is that ... It always makes you want to return!
How many days to go to El Calafate
Most people usually choose travel and spend between 2 and 3 days in the city. There are different options for excursions and walks to do but clearly the essential thing is to know the Perito Moreno Glacier. Next, we will tell you what you can do in Calafate for 3 days to make the most of every second.
Day 1.
Although it is not the only one that belongs to the Los Glaciares National Park , it is the one that can see up close. It is a walk without difficulty for all ages where you will have several hours to walk with a guide along the walkways built on different slopes and thus observe its views from all its panoramic points.
This
hike ends at the “Main Balcony”: a terrace from where you can see the southern part of the glacier. Once the tour is finished, you can also do a
nautical safari where you are going to
navigate through the Small Arm of Lake Argentino and get even closer to the walls of Perito Moreno.
Another great option and inside One of our most recommended is to do a
minitrekking through the Perito Moreno Glacier. Accompanied by specialized, bilingual guides and together with all the necessary equipment, such as crampons for the feet, a circuit begins for 2 hours. Undoubtedly walking on it and among so much immensity, is an incredible experience and makes us realize how small we are before nature.
Day 2.
On the second day you can see the rest of the glaciers found within the National Park with the
Ríos de Hielo navigation . This tour takes you to the most distant and impressive glaciers: The Upsala, the Spegazzini (the highest glacier in the park at 135 meters), the Dry Glacier and the Onelli. Navigation It departs from the private port Punta Bandera and heads through icebergs and frozen waters of Lake Argentino. This tour can be done in the version Express or Sunset
, the first is in the morning and the second is in the afternoon watching the sunset on the glaciers. Both are half-day expeditions and include transfers to and from El Calafate.
Day 3.
For this last day you can choose different alternatives with less workload and then take advantage of the rest to rest at the hotel or go for a walk around the surroundings. One of them is to do a
city tour to Cuevas de Walichu , an archaeological site where you will be able to observe cave paintings along with other details of ancient inhabitants of the region.
In turn, another good option is to do the
excursion Balcón de Calafate in 4x4 . An unusual trip to have the best panoramic views of the entire city, the
El Chaltén hills and the Perito Moreno Glacier, all from one place. Important: Bring a camera!
How to get there
To locate ourselves well, El Calafate is 3000 kilometers from Buenos Aires and 310 kilometers from Río Gallegos, capital city of the province of Santa Cruz. To get there, you can take these options into account:
- By plane: El Calafate has its own airport (Comandante Armando Tola International Airport from El Calafate and is 23 kilometers from the city. Right there, you have taxi services or car rental to get there. This option is the most recommended because the approximate travel time is 3 hours.
- By bus: leaving from Buenos Aires, the bus companies go to Río Gallegos. The trip lasts approximately 36 hours. From there, it must be combined with other local companies to access El Calafate.
- By car: Leaving from Buenos Aires, take Route 3 until you reach Bahía Blanca. Following this route, you have to skirt the Atlantic Coast where the Patago steppe begins. unique. Once you pass the city of Viedma, the distances between city and city are longer and access to service stations decreases. You will pass through Sierra Grande, Peninsula Valdés and finally you will arrive in Puerto Madryn. From there, you have to continue south entering Trelew, Comodoro Rivadavia and Caleta Olivia. Finally, you enter the province of Santa Cruz but first you pass through Piedra Buena until you reach Río Gallegos. From Río Gallegos, you have to access Provincial Route 5, National Route 40 and finally, Provincial Route 11. The travel hours will depend on the stops you decide to make but it is important that you know that Route 40 is not always in a condition to be traveled, nor does it always have services. For this reason, it is necessary to find out about the status of the route and take the necessary precautions. Nothing like a good road trip!
Zzz !: Where to sleep
In the middle of nature, away from the city, a few blocks from the center or surrounded by restaurants and museums ... El Calafate has a wide range of options where to sleep depending on your preferences. We recommend you read the full note
“18 recommended hotels in El Calafate” of our blog!
It comes out !: What to do at night
We come to break with the myth that in El Calafate there is no party because if there is something left over here, it is bars and pubs to dance, have fun and go out for a drink with friends. It is enough to go over to ask among the locals where the closest one is or which one is the best. Likewise, we leave you a list of the most recommended:
- Humus Cocktail Bar: overlooking the Cordillera It is inside the hotel “Posada Los Alamos” . Address: Ing. Héctor Mario Guatti 1135
- La Trinchera Wine amp; Beer: a small but cool place to taste wines, local craft beers and accompany them with fast food. Address: Av. Del Libertador 1796
- La Zorra- Taproom: Distinguished by its good atmosphere and the price-quality ratio, this bar is a good option for those who like to have a drink while listening to a live music band. Address: Avenida Del Libertador 832
- Mako Premium Bar: With a good beer and food menu, its most striking and requested option is the famous "guanaco hamburger". Address: Avenida del Libertador Gral San Martin 1202.
In addition, El Calafate has casinos for those who like to gamble and try their luck! The most prominent is "Casino Club" which is located on its main avenue. The address is Av. Del Libertador 1061