El Calafate is one of the main entry points to experience the Argentine Patagonia and visit the Perito Moreno Glacier.

The city is small, easy to get around, and serves as a base for nature tours, boat trips, hiking, estancias, and experiences related to Los Glaciares National Park.

Although Perito Moreno is the main highlight of the trip, El Calafate also allows you to put together a more complete itinerary through the region.

Depending on the time available, you can combine the glacier with tours of Lake Argentino, visits to panoramic walkways, boat excursions, museums, local gastronomy, and even day trips to other Patagonia destinations.

In this guide, you will understand what to do in El Calafate, how many days to stay, how to visit Perito Moreno, which tours to consider besides the glacier, and what to review before organizing your lodging, transportation, and expenses during the trip.

Before traveling to Patagonia, it is worth setting up the belo app to keep track of payment options during the trip, and if you are still organizing your accommodation,belo Travel can also help you find discounted options.

From El Calafate to the ice

The distance between El Calafate and the Perito Moreno Glacier is 80 km along a route without any gas stations or cell phone signal. 

Those who arrive without having purchased a transfer or rented a car discover this at the hotel reception. Buying in advance usually offers more advantageous conditions than booking at the last minute.

The city itself is small, with a main avenue full of restaurants and outdoor gear shops. 

What justifies the trip lies outside of it, scattered across a radius of up to 200 km: Los Glaciares National Park, Patagonian estancias, and lakes that change color depending on the wind.

Itineraries by duration

• With one day: leave early for Perito Moreno, walk the boardwalks, and return in the late afternoon.

• With three days: include a boat ride on Lake Argentino, visit Estancia Cristina, or do the mini-trekking on the ice.

• With five days: the itinerary expands to El Chaltén, 220 km away, where the trails to Fitz Roy transform the trip.

How to visit Perito Moreno

Los Glaciares National Park charges an admission fee, and the price varies depending on the visitor's nationality and the time of year. 

Buy online through the official website of the National Parks Administration of Argentina to save time in line. Keep the receipt on your phone or printed out.

• Shared transfer: the lowest cost option, with departures in the morning and a fixed return in the afternoon.

• Private transfer: flexible hours, but with a higher cost.

• Car rental: gives total freedom and is worth it if you plan to stop along the way.

Inside the park, the boardwalks are the standard program. A circuit of metal platforms extends across different observation levels, with front and side views of the glacier. The full route takes a few hours with no rush.

To get closer, there are two choices: the boat ride that takes you to the south wall of the glacier (a 70-meter ice wall) and the mini-trekking, the most intense experience, which includes navigation, crampons, and walking on the ice. 

Book well in advance, especially between November and March.

Attractions beyond the glacier

Estancia Cristina, accessible only by boat through the North Arm of Lake Argentino, offers a crossing with views of the Upsala Glacier and an excursion with a hike or 4x4 ride to a panoramic viewpoint of the ice field.

For days without a long excursion, the Glaciarium, a museum dedicated to glaciology located a few kilometers from downtown, explains the formation of Patagonian glaciers using models and interactive projections.

Inside, there is the Glaciobar, with drinks served in cups made of glacier ice.

The Laguna Nimez Reserve is just a few minutes' walk from downtown and is a refuge for migratory birds, with flamingos in the warmer months. For those who have five days, it is worth considering El Chaltén, where the trails to Fitz Roy do not charge an entrance fee.

Costs and payment methods

Buying tickets and excursions online in advance usually guarantees more advantageous terms than buying at the ticket office, in addition to avoiding lines.

Tour · Estimated duration · What to consider

Perito Moreno Boardwalks · 2 to 3 hours in the park · Buy ticket online in advance

Navigation on Lake Argentino · 1 hour by boat · Departure from the port inside the park

Mini-trekking on ice · Full day with transfer · Book in advance; basic physical fitness required

Estancia Cristina · Full day with boat · Includes hike or 4x4

Trails in El Chaltén · Day or overnight · 220 km from El Calafate; trails with no entrance fee

When it is time to pay, review the terms of your payment method before using it. Having cash remains useful for exchanging money at official exchange houses in town. Avoid exchanging at the airport.

With belo, you can pay, convert, and track your balance directly through the app, with values and exchange rates shown before confirming.

Essential gear

• Waterproof windbreaker jacket to face the constant Patagonian wind

• Trekking footwear with good grip

• High SPF sunscreen

• Sunglasses to protect against the glare on the ice

• Reusable water bottle for the day at the park

• Small backpack for hiking

El Calafate requires layers. Mornings can start very cold and afternoons can warm up in the summer, with constant wind that drops the thermal sensation. Those who have booked the mini-trekking do not need to bring crampons.

Going to explore Patagonia? Download the belo app before you depart and follow payment alternatives and balance management according to the available features. And if you are still organizing your lodging,  belo Travel can help you find discounted options.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in El Calafate

Is it possible to visit Perito Moreno without a transfer or car? 

There is no regular public transportation to the park. Shared transfer, private transfer, or car rental are the available options.

What is the best time of year to visit El Calafate? 

The Patagonian summer (November to March) offers longer days and mild temperatures. Autumn and spring have fewer tourists, but more unstable weather. Book in advance at any time of year.

Is the mini-trekking suitable for everyone? 

It requires basic physical conditioning and is not recommended for people with heart or mobility issues. Check with the operator regarding requirements before booking.

Is it worth including El Chaltén in the itinerary? 

If you have at least four days and like trekking, El Chaltén offers some of the best trails in Patagonia with no entrance fee. The ideal is to spend the night there.

How to keep track of payment costs? 

Buy tickets and excursions online in advance. Review the exchange rate and conditions of your payment method before using it. Refer to the belo help center for any questions.