El Calafate

This is the jumping off point for the glaciers but the city is just so friendly and warm that it was our favorite place on the trip. It has so much character and personality that I would have liked to just hang out for several days. We stayed at the best hostel ever (seriously) where the people greeted me as if I were family. It was cool to have the dogs follow us everywhere and no matter who we met, everyone was just wonderful! Did I mention it’s surrounded by snow covered mountains on a lake?

I had a chance to visit El Calafate a few years ago. What I saw was the most picturesque in my entire life. That was the biggest (or tallest?) glacier in the world, although it’s getting smaller every year due to global warming. If possible, I recommend you to take a tour to walk on glacier. I definetely want to go back there in the future.

Try to go in the summer off season, i.e, mid- to late- Feb & March.Not so cold and not as many tourists.

The time spent travelling to Patagonia…..El Calafate was worth it. (Miami) If one has never been up close to a glacier, see Perito Moreno. The mind locks onto this glacier, internalizing images never processed before, allowing you to just marvel over it for an hour or more. On a separate day, take the small cruise ship and be surrounded by icebergs you’ll start naming. The experiences will stay with you forever.

The city is amazing and the Glaciar Perito Moreno is fantastic. I want to come back there!

Been there on my way to Perito Moreno.
Before and after that I traveled to Puerto Natales in Chile (from which you can see Torres del Paine, or go to Punta Arenas).

In El Calafate you will find an airport, if you need to get there by plane. The only reliable airline serving it is Aereolinas Argentina. (when we where there they where on strike).

On Town, eat at Mi Viejo restaurant. The slowly roasted Lamb is excellent. Prices are competitive, if not lower than similar restaurants.

This is a very good base town from which to visit the Perito Moreno glacier. You can also find buses and tours for El Chalten.

The town has every kind of service a traveler may need, although it is quite pricey. Some people argue it is pricier than Buenos Aires.

There is only one reason to stay here: Glaciers. But so incredibly beautiful, it is worth staying in this little town.

El Calafates is a small town located near the Andes, is the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier.
People generally stays there 2 or 3 days for visiting the glaciers, but there other things to do, as 4X4 excursions to
” Balcones de Calafate”, wich offers a great view from Argentinian Lake, and going to see the reproductions of cave art, in a archeological reference.
Offers all that a traveler needs, and a lot of variety of bars restaurants,hotels of all kinds, souvenir stores, etc…
I love Calafate, and want to come back !