Where to Stay in El Calafate: Hotels for All Budgets

In this post, you’ll find out where to stay in El Calafate to best explore the city and surrounding area along with some amazing hotel recommendations!

When you’re planning a trip to Patagonia, you won’t want to miss El Calafate, Argentina. This quaint city is the jumping off point for some of the best attractions and activities in the area, like the famous Perito Moreno Glacier. It’s also the gateway to the Patagonia region of Argentina, making it a common stop when traveling to the southern region of Argentina.

During your visit, determining where to stay in El Calafate will really impact your trip, particularly if you’re relying on tours and public transit to get around. If you choose carefully, you will also be in walking distance of all of the best restaurants, bars, and shops. Choose poorly, and you’ll have trouble getting to and from your accommodations.

Let’s take a look at how to choose a hotel in El Calafate as well as the best hotels in El Calafate, Argentina.

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How to Choose Where to Stay in El Calafate

The town of El Calafate is fairly small, offering a central tourist strip, as well as some more residential areas. To make the most of your time in El Calafate, stay centrally. This enables you to walk to all of the restaurants, shops, and tour agencies.

The three most important factors to consider when choosing where to stay in El Calafate, Argentina are:

Cost: Ensure the accommodation is in your budget.

Location: Verify the hotel is within walking distance of the city center or that you have your own transportation, like a rental car.

Amenities: Determine what luxuries you want at your hotel and compare your options to your wish list.

Need a rental car to get around El Calafate?
Check out Discovercars.com.

Cost of Hotels in El Calafate

Accommodations in El Calafate are quite affordable. If you’re looking for budget hotels, you’ll find plenty of options – particularly if you’re coming from someplace more expensive, like the United States. In fact, even luxury hotels in El Calafate are affordable by comparison to western standards, so if you want to pamper yourself – this is a great place to do it!

Top Hotel Locations in El Calafate

I always find location is one of my top priorities in accommodations. It allows me to really immerse myself in the location. Not to mention location can really impact your safety in some cities and as a frequent solo female traveler, that’s certainly important to me!

Fortunately, since El Calafate is a big tourist hub, there are quite a few amazing and inexpensive hotels and hostels that are centrally located. Plan to stay in the “downtown” area near main street in El Calafate, Avenida del Libertador. This will put you in walking distance of all of the restaurants, bars, and shops.

However, if you are planning to rent a car in El Calafate, you can also check out hotels further outside of town, like the fabulous Hostería El Galpón Del Glaciar or one of the most luxurious hotels in El Calafate, EOLO Patagonia Spirit – Relais & Chateaux. Check out the location of hotels on this map of El Calafate to get a better idea of layout of the city.

Booking.com

Hotel Amenities

Another thing to weigh when deciding on a hotel in El Calafate is what amenities or comforts you need to enjoy your vacation. Are you looking for the cheapest, most basic hotel option, or are you open to spending more to get a view, prime location, or even a hot tub?

Always know what you need in your hotel of choice but also what you want and are willing to pay for those luxuries. For me, one of the items that was on my list for El Calafate was a hotel with laundry – and you better believe I included that in my evaluation criteria!

Best Hostels in El Calafate

If you’re traveling to El Calafate on a budget or as a solo traveler, selecting a hostel may be the best option for you. Not only is it the cheapest place to stay in El Calafate, but it’s also a great way to meet like minded travelers who you can explore the best attractions in El Calafate with.

Here are some of the most cost-friendly hostels in El Calafate:

Aguilar House Hostel B&B
Folk Hostel
America Del Sur Calafate Hostel
Hostal Schilling
Le Baobab – the cheapest hostel in El Calafate!

Best Cheap Hotels in El Calafate

If you’re looking for budget hotels in El Calafate, you’re in luck. There are tons of great choices! Between the affordable Argentinian exchange rate and the fact that this small town is extremely backpacker and tourist friendly, you’re in for a treat with the accommodation options, even if you have a meager budget to work with.

Here are some of the best cheap hotels in El Calafate, Argentina:

Best Mid-range Hotels in El Calafate

If you’re the typical traveler who wants a well-equipped, comfortable hotel in a prime location, your budget can go pretty far in El Calafate. Hotels tend to be mostly located near the main street, making it easy to walk to and from everything you need in town, and you’ll find these hotels are a wonderful place to crash after a full day of exploring.

Check out these amazing hotels in El Calafate:

Best Luxury Hotels in El Calafate

While El Calafate offers some of the best adventures in South America, it is a small town, and this means the fanciest of hotels are not up to par with luxury hotels in larger cities. You won’t find a Ritz or Four Seasons here. Instead, you’ll find quaint luxury hotels with limited capacity and amenities.

This isn’t necessarily a bad thing as even if you want to splurge on a luxury hotel in El Calafate, it may still be within your budget. These hotels can fill up in high season, so book ahead if you’re selective on accommodations.

Here are the best hotels in El Calafate:

Search All El Calafate Hotels

Best Estancia near El Calafate

In Argentina, an “estancia” refers to a large rural estate or ranch. They are typically dedicated to agricultural or livestock farming. These estancias are an integral part of Argentina’s rich agricultural and ranching heritage.

They can vary in size from a few hundred acres to thousands of acres and often feature a main house or mansion where the landowner or administrator resides. For a unique place to stay in El Calafate, you can check out the estancias near El Calafate.

Choosing to stay at or visit an estancia offers a unique glimpse into the country’s rural lifestyle, including traditional Argentine cuisine, horseback riding, and various outdoor activities. Estancias have also become popular destinations for those looking to experience the gaucho culture.

The best estancias near El Calafate are as follows.

Estancia Cristina Lodge

Estancia Cristina is one of the most famous estancias near El Calafate. It is located on the shores of Lake Argentino and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding mountains and glaciers. To reach the estancia, you can take a boat ride across the lake and then embark on a 4×4 adventure.

Once there, you can explore the historic estancia, enjoy traditional Argentine barbecue (asado), and take guided hikes to see glaciers and the surrounding wilderness.

Check current rates at Estancia Cristina Lodge.

Hostería El Galpón Del Glaciar

Estancia El Galpón, also known as Hosteria El Galpon Del Glaciar, is a picturesque estancia near El Calafate. It offers an authentic Patagonian experience with skilled gauchos as guides. Stay here to explore the countryside on horseback and immerse yourself in the region’s rich gaucho traditions and history.

Check current rates at Hostería El Galpón Del Glaciar.

Estancia Nibepo Aike

Located about 50 kilometers from El Calafate, Nibepo Aike is a working sheep ranch that offers a glimpse into the life of a Patagonian estancia. This includes sheep shearing demonstrations and horseback riding. The estancia is set against the backdrop of the Andes Mountains, making it a picturesque location for exploring the region.

Check current rates at Estancia Nibepo Aike.

Explore More of Argentina

With so many activities in the area, having the perfect place to stay in El Calafate at the end of the day is important. You need your sleep to be ready to take on all of the adventure that awaits!

So now that you know where to stay in El Calafate, it’s time to start looking at other things to do in Argentina and the surrounding areas. Here are some posts to continue planning your South American journey:

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Where to Stay in El Calafate: Hotels for All Budgets