Where to Stay in El Calafate, Argentina
This article rounds out a series I’ve written lately on Patagonia: which includes iconic places to stay inside Torres del Paine National Park, or more reasonable places to stay in nearby Puerto Natales. I’ve also covered El Chalten, which is one of my favorite places to hike in Patagonia. But today’s article focuses on El Calafate ~ which is the first place I ever traveled in Patagonia. Two girls I met at a Uruguayan horse farm & I decided to fly to El Calafate, so that we could visit Perito Moreno Glacier. Based on our adventures, find out where to stay in El Calafate, Argentina…
Once upon a time, three girls met in Uruguay…then flew down to El Calafate, to see the incredible Perito Moreno Glacier.
A quick overview of Patagonia’s three major cities:
- 1) Puerto Natales = The gateway to Torres del Paine National Park;
- 2) El Calafate = The gateway to Perito Moreno Glacier & other Patagonia adventures;
- 3) El Chalten = Town at the base of epic Mount Fitz Roy hike.
In a Rush? Here are My Favorite El Calafate Hotels:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Hotel Mirador del Lago – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️⭐️ Kosten Aike Hotel & La Cantera Boutique Hotel – Click here for rates & availability
⭐️ America del Sur Hostel – Click here for rates & availability
Map of El Calafate Hotels
Overview of El Calafate Hotels
The view from America del Sur Hostel in El Calafate, Argentina. From here, it’s a short walk to town & a short walk to the bus station that takes you to Perito Moreno Glacier!
- America del Sur Hostel ($40+) = My Favorite Hostel in Patagonia! The view you get from America del Sur’s massive dining room/lobby is WELL worth the price. Views of turquoise Lago Argentino are unforgettable…this is a jaw-dropping location. And a great place to meet friends to hike with! The large dining area makes it easy to meet people. Check prices here.
- La Cantera Hotel Boutique ($92+) = Designer Lodge with Amazing Lake + VIEWS: Set high on a hill, La Cantera gives you amazing city & views; many rooms have lake views. Enjoy free breakfast, room service + a nice restaurant & bar. Sit on their stunning outdoor terrace for incredible views of the lake. BEST VALUE. Check prices here.
- Kosten Aike Hotel ($120) = Cute Boutique Hotel with Good Amenities: If you want charm & a good location: check out Kosten Aike. For a mid-range price, you can enjoy a free breakfast buffet, exercise room, spa & sauna. And you’re right in town: walkable to plenty of shops & restaurants!
- Hotel Mirador del Lago ($150+) = Chic Hotel with Incredible Lake Views: Set right on the shores of Lago Argentino, this cozy hotel has warm rooms with Wi-Fi & flatscreen TV’s ~ plus a good breakfast buffet, restaurant, & snack bar. You’re right in town, & easily walkable to restaurants & shops. Check prices here.
- Posada Los Alamos ($204+) = Where to Stay for Unpretentious Luxury in El Calafate: This is the only five-star hotel in El Calafate. So if you’re looking for somewhere with an amazing spa/massages: this is a great place to stay. Their indoor pool is not to be missed, & their grounds immerse you in nature instantly. There’s also high-end dining on-site: so need to leave the hotel for good food. Check prices here.
Photos of El Calafate Hotels
La Cantera Hotel Boutique is set on a hill, offering amazing views.
Check prices at La Cantera Hotel Boutique.
Kosten Aike Hotel offers comfort & the feel of staying at someone’s home…
Check prices at reasonably-prices & cozy Kosten Aike Hotel.
Hotel Mirador del Lago offers some of the best lake views in town.
Where to Stay in El Calafate
Goodbye, Argentina…
If you want to know how I’d organize a trip to Patagonia, check out my 10-day Patagonia travel itinerary! This is exactly what I would do if I was traveling to Patagonia & had a limited amount of time….
xoxo Noelia
Read Next: Where to Stay in El Chalten
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Of the three major cities in Patagonia, which was your favorite? i.e. where would you spend the most time?
Hi Allison! That is really hard, because they’re all quite charming in their own way. And none are too big or overwhelming! But because there are SO many great hikes in El Chalten, pretty much all accessible from town: I’d choose to stay longer there. And also because there’s so much to see in Torres del Paine, I’d opt to stay longer in Puerto Natales as well. That doesn’t mean I didn’t like El Calafate! It’s super cute ~ but my absolute favorite adventures were located by the other towns. Hope that helps! xoxo Noelia
I know you wrote this over a year ago, so not sure if you’re monitoring comments, but I think we only have time for El Chalten or Torres del Paine (but not enough for W hike), so would you recommend TDP or El Chalten for best day hikes? (We are seasoned hikers). Thanks in advance.
Hi Rebecca! And yes ~ I monitor comments for ALL of my articles : ) The Patagonia ones are especially popular. Your question is really tough, because Torres del Paine is an absolutely ICONIC place (the hike to the famous Miradors is probably the #1 favorite hike of my life). But what makes TDP difficult is the lodging aspect: if you’re staying in Puerto Natales, as I was, that’s a 90-minute drive from TDP. So either you would need to camp + hike for several days (which I personally didn’t want to do), & many of those hikes (i.e. French Valley, etc.) are very long, & subject to weather & wind issues, even in the summer. Staying right in TDP can be very expensive ~ but if money is no object, then that is an option to be closer to all of these grand hikes, without having to camp, etc.
The hiking in El Chalten is more easily accessible (I walked right from my hotels in town to at least 5 different hikes), & I would say you have a greater variety of hikes in El Chalten – that don’t require multi-day trekking. If you want to go for an easier, 45-minute hike: you can do that. If you want to do longer, more epic hikes, like to Fitz Roy & Cerro Torre: you can do that. And then you can come right back into town, grab food on the main street, & sleep in a nice bed. Or get a massage. (This is my kind of travel, btw! Ha)
So in a nutshell: Torres del Paine is probably more iconic & unforgettable ~ but El Chalten (I thought) was just as gorgeous, had a ton of variety, & was more easily accessible for hiking (i.e. from hotel to hikes). So hopefully that helps a bit! It really depends what kind of travelers you guys are, if you like long hikes/camping, etc. or if you prefer a little more comfort after hiking. You really can’t go wrong in either place! xoxo Noelia