El Calafate, Argentina

Distance from Bariloche 1.660 km.
Distance from Buenos Aires 3.060 km.
Distance from Córdoba 2.870 km.
Distance from Mendoza 3.045 km.

This city was founded in 1927 and it is located on the banks of Argentino Lake. Its buildings possess interesting double fall down roofs.

Calafate takes its name from the small bush (fruit) Calafate, a typical fruit of the southern Patagonia.

It is the principal tourist center of the province; besides, it is a strategic spot from where, and Glazier circuits begin.
It is interesting to visit The Glaziers National Park, it covers an approximate area of 600.000 hectares. From this great ice field, 47 glaciers run away; among such formations, it is possible to mention: Marconi, Viedma, Moyano, Upsala, Agassiz, Bolado, Onelli, Peineta, Spegazzini, Mayo, Ameghino, Moreno and Frias; all of them belong to the Atlantic Basin.

Weather

The Calafate weather is dry with just 300 mm. yearly rainfall.
The National Park located in the western area present plentiful rainfall (+1500 mm yearly). The maximum temperature in summer is 18º C, and the minimum in winter is -2º C. It is also important have into account the Light variation according to season: during summer sunrise at 5:30 and the sunset is at 23:00 during winter there’s just 8 hours of light from 9:30 to 17:30.

How to get to Calafate

By air

You can get to Calafate by air, to visit the fabulous Perito Moreno Glacier. 
The Calafate Airport is located 22 kilometers away from the city downtown.
Nowadays the air access has a varied offer of airlines with several weekly frequencies from Buenos Aires, Trelew, Bariloche, Ushuaia, and other close destinations in Santa Cruz province
Aerolíneas Argentinas is the airline with more frequencies to Calafate and 5 daily flights in high season and during winter there’s less frequency but has a very organized service.

By Land

The Calafate is 315Km. away from Río Gallegos city, Santa Cruz province capital.
From Rio Gallegos you can get to Calafate city trough regular land and air companies with daily frequencies along the year. 
By Bus: From Buenos Aires we have several companies that communicate us with Calafate as: Andesmar, TAC, El Pinguino, Don Otto. All The companies take us to Río Gallegos, where we have to combine the trip with local companies towards Calafate.
By bus the trip takes from Buenos Aires to Río Gallegos 36 hours and from Río Gallegos to Calafate takes 4 hours.

Festivities

November 11
Tradition day

February 15
Lake festivity

High season (October – Holly week)

It starts in October finishing after Holly week. Along this season the days has more light hours, so the travelers will have more hours to enjoy excursions and open air time and the temperatures are more enjoyable in this season.

Low season (Holly week -September)

It starts after Holly week and finish in September. The days in this season are shorter, colder and shorter, even though the main excursions to the glaciers take place normally. Generally the days are more sunny and windy, during the months of May, June and July, if Redonda Bay is frozen; you will be able to enjoy a skiting afternoon open air, with the possibility to rent skates. Despite that some Hotels, restaurants and other commercial enterprises used to close.

Tourist Attractions
- Perito Moreno Glacier
- The Chaltén
- Los Glaciares Nacional Park
- Turbio River
- Tourist Ranches

Even though the alternatives to enjoy Patagonia are infinite each one has its particular attractive, along your stay at Calafate you can’t miss the following:

- Excursions by Glaciers National Park to enjoy of the beauty of Perito Moreno Glacier

- Sail by Argentino Lake and get closer to the imposing ice walls.

- Be amazed by Nimez Lagoon with its beautiful, swans and flamingos.

- If you are a nature lover, visit Lago Roca Reservoir. To get there feom the village are 50 km. Distance by the old Perito Moreno Glacier Route

Useful Information

Tourism Secretary
Bus station at Julio A. Roca 1004,
Phone: 02902-491090 / 491466.

Attention Hours:
Since 8 to 22 hs from October to March
Since 8:30 to 21 hs from April To September

Recommendations

- Warm extra clothes are always necessary to enjoy the Calafate excursions.
- The climate easily changes along the day from Sunny to windy.
- For the countryside strolls is mandatory the use of sweaters and coats and water-proof shoes.
- Sun glasses are necessary especially if you want to enjoy the snowy landscapes.