El Calafate is a small town with a single tourist reason to exist: being 80 km from the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the most impressive natural spectacles in the world. 

For those coming from Brazil, the combination of distance, exchange rate, and payment logistics can turn the trip into a more expensive and complicated experience than it needs to be.

In this guide, you will understand what to do in El Calafate, how to organize your itinerary, and how to control payments during the trip so that financial logistics do not become the main problem.

Before embarking, configure the belo app to monitor alternatives for paying and moving your balance during the trip, according to the features available for your account and country. For discounted lodging, explore belo Travel.

Perito Moreno: what nobody tells you before you arrive

Most visitors discover two details about Perito Moreno only when they are already in El Calafate. The first: the park is 80 km from the town, along a route with no gas station or cell service. 

Those who arrive without a booked transfer or car rental have to solve this at the destination, usually paying more than they would with an advance booking.

The second: the entrance fee for Los Glaciares National Park is charged at the entrance and the value varies by nationality. 

Buying online through the official website of Argentina's National Parks Administration ahead of time avoids the ticket booth line and can guarantee better conditions. Take the receipt on your cell phone or printed.

Once in the park, the walkways are the standard program. A circuit of metal platforms runs along different angles of the glacier, with front and side views of the ice wall. The complete route takes a few hours without rushing. 

For those who want more than just the walkways, there are two options that completely change the experience.

Mini-trekking and navigation: when is the extra cost worth it

The navigation departs from the port inside the park and takes you to the base of the southern wall of the glacier. The proximity changes the perception of Perito Moreno's scale in a way that photos do not convey. 

It is worth booking in advance, especially between November and March when availability quickly runs out.

Mini-trekking is the most intense version of the experience. It includes navigation to the base, crampon equipment, and a guided walk on the ice. For anyone who has never walked on a glacier, it is one of the most memorable experiences in Patagonia. 

It requires basic physical conditioning and is not recommended for those with mobility or heart problems. The equipment is provided by the operator, so there is no need to bring crampons.

Beyond Perito Moreno: what to do with more days in El Calafate

Estancia Cristina is accessible only by boat through the North Arm of Lake Argentino. 

The crossing passes by the Upsala Glacier, larger than Perito Moreno but much less visited, and includes hiking or a 4x4 ride to a viewpoint with a panoramic view of the ice field. The excursion takes up the entire day.

The Glaciarium, a few kilometers from the center, is an interactive museum on Patagonian glaciology. It works as a half-day program for bad-weather days, when excursions to the park become less pleasant.

Inside the museum is the Glaciobar, where drinks are served in glasses carved from glacier ice.

For those with five days or more, El Chaltén is 220 km away and is considered the trekking capital of Argentina. 

The trails to Fitz Roy and Cerro Torre do not charge admission and offer landscapes that compete with any mountain destination on the continent. The ideal is to spend the night in El Chaltén to make the most of the full day on the trails.

How to organize payments with no surprises

El Calafate has a financial peculiarity that many Brazilians do not realize before arriving: a large part of the excursions are quoted in dollars and charged on the spot. 

Payment methods that include taxes on international operations and exchange spreads can significantly increase the real cost of each transaction over several days.

About taxes: IOF is levied on transactions in foreign currency with rates that vary according to the type of operation and can be altered by government decision. 

Check the conditions of your payment method with the issuing institution before traveling.

About cash exchange: authorized exchange houses in the city are the safest option to exchange money. Operating outside authorized channels involves real legal and practical risks, including counterfeit bills. 

Always check if the establishment operates within the current legality at the time of your trip.

In belo, you can track through the app alternatives for paying and moving your balance during the trip, according to the features available for your account and country. Before confirming any transaction, the amounts and exchange rate are displayed on the screen. 

To understand how payments work, consult the payment guide in the help center. To add balance before embarking, check the guide on how to add money. Keep receipts for each transaction.

Comparison of tours in El Calafate

Tour · Estimated duration · What to consider

Perito Moreno Walkways · 2 to 3 hours in the park · Buy ticket online in advance; transfer booked in advance

Navigation on Lake Argentino · 1 hour by boat · Departs from the port inside the park; book in advance during high season

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

Estancia Cristina · Full day with boat · Includes hike or 4x4; book in advance

El Chaltén (overnight) · At least two days · 220 km from El Calafate; trails with no admission; overnight stay required to enjoy

How to prepare before embarking

• Book the transfer to the park in advance, especially during high season (November to March). Prices go up and availability drops when you try to solve it on the day.

• Buy the park ticket online through the official website of the National Parks Administration.

• Set up and test the payment app with loaded balance before leaving Brazil. Dealing with identity verifications with the unstable Wi-Fi of a Patagonian airport is not the best situation.

• Always have a cash reserve for initial expenses and for places that do not accept digital payment.

• Book excursions like mini-trekking and Estancia Cristina in advance, as they sell out quickly.

For those who want to see more about how to organize travel expenses in Argentina, the complete budget guide for Argentina on belo's blog has useful references to plan your budget before you embark.

Going to El Calafate? Download the belo app before embarking and set up your account in advance. Book discounted lodging at belo Travel or directly at travel.belo.app and check out more tips on the belo blog about destinations in Argentina.

Frequently asked questions about things to do in El Calafate

How many days are needed to enjoy El Calafate?

With two days, you can see the walkways of Perito Moreno and rest. With three to five days, you can include mini-trekking, Estancia Cristina, or an excursion to El Chaltén. Those with less than two days run the risk of losing the main tour due to weather cancellations without an alternative.

Is it possible to go to Perito Moreno without a contracted transfer?

There is no regular public transportation to the park. The options are shared transfer, private transfer, or rental car. Shared transfer has a lower cost, with morning departures and a fixed afternoon return. The rental car gives more scheduling freedom.

What is the best time to visit El Calafate?

The busiest season runs from November to March, with more hours of light and milder weather. Perito Moreno can be visited year-round, including during winter, but trekking excursions have more challenging conditions outside of the Patagonian summer.

Mini-trekking or just the walkways?

It depends on your profile and budget. The walkways already offer an impressive experience. The mini-trekking adds the walk on ice and the perspective of being inside the glacier, not just observing it from the outside. If the budget allows and physical conditioning is adequate, it is worth considering.

How does payment for excursions in El Calafate work?

Many excursions are quoted in dollars and charged on the spot. Check the conditions of your payment method before traveling to understand which taxes and spreads apply. For questions on how to move your balance through the app during the trip, consult the belo help center.