Overview
Take a trip to El Calafate on your Argentina Vacation
El Calafate is a city located in Patagonia, Argentina, situated in the southwest part of the Santa Cruz province. A popular tourist destination on Argentina tours, El Calafate is often considered a gateway to Antarctica’s glaciers.
El Calafate’s origins date back to the beginning of the 20th century when it was a frontier town catering to a community of remote estancias (ranchers) and wool traders. While the city was officially founded in 1927 by the government of Argentina with the main goal of promoting settlement, it was the creation of Perito Moreno National Park in 1937 that accelerated the growth of the city. El Calafate began to attract tourists and continues to do so today.
The main draw for tourists on an Argentina vacation coming to El Calafate is the option to visit the Perito Moreno glacier which is one of few glaciers in the world that is not retreating. Scientists say that the glacier is “in balance” because it is always shrinking and growing. By travelling to the national park that shares the glacier’s name, visitors are able to see this magnificent spectacle just metres away. Tourists on Argentina travel can also visit an estancia to experience local history and travel back in time to discover the true heart of Patagonia.
At a Glance
Languages
SpanishCurrency
Argentine Peso (ARS)What do the experts say?
The best time to visit Argentina depends on the region you want to see, but Spring (September-November) and Autumn (March-May) are generally ideal for visiting Buenos Aires, Mendoza, and Iguazú Falls, offering pleasant weather and beautiful scenery. For Patagonia, the summer months (December-March) are best for hiking and accessible trails, though you can visit other times of year with appropriate clothing.
If you are lucky enough to visit during August, make sure you attend the iconic Buenos Aires Tango Festival, which fills the city with performances, lessons, and open-air parties celebrating the birthplace of Tango.
While football (soccer) is extremely popular, the official national sport is Pato, a game involving horseback riders trying to grab a duck or a similar ball.
A unique local experience is visiting El Ateneo Grand Splendid in Buenos Aires, one of the largest and most beautiful bookstores in the world. It’s set inside a former theatre.
Argentina’s climate varies widely: the north is subtropical, the Pampas are temperate, the Andes are cooler, and Patagonia is cold and windy. Travellers should pack accordingly for each region.
Welcome to El Calafate
El Calafate, Argentina
Sightseeing at Perito Moreno Glacier
Perito Moreno Glacier is a great photo opportun...
Most Popular Time to Travel
Know when to go.
Place
Conditions
Daily max temperatureMonthly rainfall
El CalafateMostly Sunny
9°C / 48°F
14mm / 0.6"
Weather data is based on monthly averages.Popularity rating
-
Travel Stories
Get Inspired About Your Trip to Argentina
Unlock more by subscribing to our newsletter.
With our newsletter, you’ll get access to regular communications that inspire you and help you explore the world your way.Exclusive Savings
Insider Benefits
Trending Stories
ExcellentBased on 5,217 ReviewsOur 2-week trip to Normandy, Switzerland and Italy after we disembarked from the Queen Mary 2 in Southampton in mid-May was superb. Michael Keon did an amazing job of putting together highlights for us to see and visit with the short time we had. All the train reservations, private and small group tours and transportations were very well coordinated, on time, and usually exceeded our expectations. Drivers were courteous and knowledgeable. Mike did a wonderful job getting everything coordinated, in spite of our almost “last minute” booking. I booked a month-long trip through GOWAY back in 1989 for Australia, New Zealand and Fiji, and they were superb then. So I tried them again, and found the entire organization to be even better. Mike was quick to respond to any questions that came up regarding booksings and times, regardless of the 6-hour time difference. Just superb! Although we had a nasty experience in Milan, GOWAY was very responsive and saw to our requests and our needs. Again, Michael Keon is the person who coordinated our travel. I will ask for Mike when I travel again with GOWAY. I recommend GOWAY highly. PJ WheelerA BIG THANK YOU to Goway Travel, Brooke Theron and all of the partners onsite. Our trip to Africa was incredible, memories that will last forever.
Everything planned and more went perfectly. The guides, the excursions, the accommodations, everything, was just spectacular. Fortunately, everything ran on time, no delays, no problems.
Thank you again!!
Linda IriasI have been blessed to have an amazing rep, Farooq Qaisar!
He has helped me find the best spots for my clients to experience and when I am looking for something and just can't figure it out, he is able to put together something better than I was thinking. He my go-to and I am thankful for all his help over the years!SherriGoway helped plan our two week trip to Peru and they (Virginia in particular) did a great job. The on-site logistics with Condor Travel went very smoothly, and the trip exceeded our expectations overall. They proactively suggested changes to our initial itinerary which were welcomed. I would recommend them and would work with them again in the future.Kate O'NeillWe entrusted Goway with every detail of our trip from start to finish and they came through for us superbly! Every single detail was smooth sailing. It was a joy to plan our travels with Goway!! We had an amazing trip of a lifetime!
E&DI recently went on an African Safari with my brother-in-law and sister and another couple who I knew. The entire experience was absolutely unbelievable. The complete details were flawlessly coordinated from the transfers to the breathtaking lodges. Our guides Peter showed us Kenya and Maulid Tanzania were very knowledgeable and very sharp eyes for finding the animals.
We were able to see the animals up close, learn a lot about the people, birds , vegetation etc.
We had several sundowners in the bush really added to a magical experience with beautiful sunsets.
I would highly recommend Goway to all my friends, they will not be disappointed.
Thank you to Bijal for the excellent African Safari that you put together for us. You were wonderful.Nancy HayWe enjoyed our trip very much. I was very pleased by the hotel, tours, and itinerary selections that Alice Teramoto made for us. It was all well organized and easy to follow.
Thank you very much for helping us have a great experience in Peru.INEverything was planned perfectly. The excursions were so small and personal. ClaireGoway planned a custom 2 week safari trip for my wife and I which was beyond perfect. Extremely satisfied with the entire process from planning, booking and follow up. Special thanks to my Travel Specialists, Brooke Theron and Angela DonnellyNeil RWorking with Allan is absolutely a dream. He is one of the most responsive people I’ve had the pleasure of working with and his attention to detail is unmatched. I truly wish I could just use him for every single trip I need to book.Liz Poore
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified
Verified