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Why El Calafate?
Located on the shores of Lake Argentino in the Santa Cruz region of Argentina, el Calafate is a picturesque town located amidst dramatic scenery, wild icescapes and immense pampas in the heart of southern Patagonia. With a wealth of charming eateries, heladerias, artesanal shops and cultural attractions it is a good spot to unwind and soak in the laid back atmosphere while exploring further afield.
Stay a while
The town is home to a good choice of hotels and lodgings from luxury contemporary hotels to convivial, reasonably priced family run hostels and we generally recommend two to three nights here. There are also some wonderful historic estancias in the vicinity of the town and further afield, some of which offer fully inclusive multi-day stays with riding, hiking and other explorations included. A couple of these are noteworthy, run by descendants of the early settlers to the region who showed great fortitude raising beef and lamb in these harsh climates. We can help you sift through the various options and come up with a custom itinerary that suits your timescales, interests and expectations.
How to arrive
El Calafate is home to around 25,000 permanent residents. It has it’s own domestic airport with flights offered to Buenos Aires, Ushuaia and beyond. In addition to being an interesting town to visit it is also the gateway for exploring the Los Glaciares National Park with its network of world class hiking trails and the majestic Perito Moreno Glacier, a towering mass of shifting ice that calves into Lake Argentina with thunderous roars and competing gasps from the lucky visitors witnessing it.
In addition to its accessibility by air, el Calafate also has good road links to other parts of Argentina and Chile including the possibility of joining Argentina’s iconic and mesmerizing Ruta 40 which meanders from north to south from the high altitude desert of the Andean northwest to the windswept plains of Patagonia. The equally iconic Moreno Glacier is located 75 km from the town and visitors can choose from a variety of means to see it depending on their preference, available time and budget. The hiking mecca of el Chalten is located 213 km to the north on a good road and there are buses and shuttles servicing the route. There is also a regular daily international bus service to Cerro Castillo on the Chilean side of the border and onwards to Puerto Natales, or to connect with buses, shuttles and private transfers to Torres del Paine.
Food and restaurants
El Calafate is home to some outstanding restaurants which have gained recognition for their innovative use of local ingredients and gourmet interpretations of Patagonian cuisine. From upscale, traditional restaurants that offer exceptional Patagonian lamb slow roasted over an open flame to contemporary establishments experimenting with flavour and ingredients such as locally sourced trout and salmon. Make sure you sample the local calafate berry in desserts, drinks and even ice creams adding a sweet conclusion to your culinary journey and, as the legend suggests, ensuring you return to Patagonia one day.
Fact
The town of el Calafate is home to it’s namesake shrub, the calafate bush (berberis buxifolia). This shrub is of cultural and historic importance to the region. Legend has it that those who taste the calafate berry are destined to return to Patagonia. The berry, similar to a blueberry, is used to make a traditional liquer called Licor de Calafate which visitors often take home as a souvenir. It is also used to make another version of the popular Pisco Sour drink in addition to syrups, jams and desserts.
The Gateway to Los Glaciares National Park and Beyond
This quaint lively town should be included in your Patagonia itinerary. Aside from the town’s own charms which include it’s astonishing location, cute artesanal shops, tempting cafes and restaurants it offers access to some of Patagonia’s most iconic natural monuments and experiences. From learning about glaciology in one of the world’s only glacier museums and chilling out in its Glaciobar to donning crampons and hiking up onto the icy giant known as the Moreno Glacier, there is much to see and do. Our favourites include a mouthwatering asado at La Tablita in town washed down with a fruity malbec, riding out into the gargantuan landscapes of Patagonia to an isolated gaucho hut with the charismatic cowboys of the south, spending some time disconnecting at one of the area’s historic ranch houses or just people watching in one of the town’s excellent heladerias whilst indulging in a scrumptous scoop of artesanal gelato made with locally sourced ingredients.