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Weather in El Calafate
Perito Moreno glacier cracking at your feet
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About El Calafate
El Calafate is the gateway to the Perito Moreno Glacier, one of the few advancing glaciers on Earth, a 200-foot wall of blue ice calving thunderously into Lago Argentino. The town itself is tourism infrastructure, but the glacier—striped in decades of compressed snow—justifies the journey. Walking on the glacier itself is otherworldly and unforgettable.
Best months to visit
Year-round
Things to do in El Calafate
Perito Moreno Glacier viewing platforms and walks
Full Glacier trekking: crampons and ice climbing on the glacier
Laguna Torre glacier hike and turquoise lake reflection
Upsala and Onelli Glacier boat tour expedition
Ice trekking: 4-day full-immersion glacier mountaineering
Wildlife spotting: guanacos, flamingos, and Patagonian fauna
Weather by month
Click any month for detailed weather information and travel tips.
January
16C
Cool, with occasional showers.
February
16C
Cool, with occasional showers.
March
13C
Cool, with some rainy days.
April
10C
Cool, with some rainy days.
May
6C
Cold, with some rainy days.
June
4C
Cold, with occasional showers.
July
2C
Cold, with occasional showers.
August
4C
Cold, with some rainy days.
September
6C
Cold, with occasional showers.
October
10C
Cool, with occasional showers.
November
13C
Cool, with some rainy days.
December
15C
Cool, with some rainy days.
El Calafate exists almost entirely because of one extraordinary neighbour: the Perito Moreno Glacier, a wall of blue ice that calves into Lake Argentino with a roar you feel in your chest. The town itself is a low-rise strip of steak houses, chocolate shops and outdoor gear stores, but it's also the springboard for Los Glaciares National Park and the trekking trails around El Chaltén, a few hours up the road.
Best areas to stay in El Calafate
Avenida del Libertador
The town's main strip, lined with steak restaurants, chocolate shops, tour operators and most hotels.
Bahía Redonda
A quieter lakeside stretch with views over Lago Argentino, popular for sunset walks.
Los Glaciares National Park
Home to the Perito Moreno Glacier and its viewing walkways, about 1.5 hours from town.
El Chaltén
The trekking village beneath Mount Fitz Roy, a scenic three-hour bus ride away.
Getting to El Calafate
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Flights
El Calafate's airport (FTE) has regular direct flights from Buenos Aires, with no scheduled international routes.
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From London
~3.5 hours by air from Buenos Aires; allow at least 24 hours total travel from the UK via Buenos Aires.
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Getting around
The town centre is compact and walkable; minibuses and organised tours run to the Perito Moreno Glacier and other excursions.
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit El Calafate?
October to April (Patagonian spring through autumn) is best, when most boat trips and trails are running; winter (June-August) is bitterly cold with limited daylight and reduced services.
Can you get close to the Perito Moreno Glacier?
Yes — a network of walkways puts you within sight and sound of the ice face calving into the lake, and boat trips or ice-trekking excursions get you closer still.
How do you get to El Calafate?
Most visitors fly directly into El Calafate's airport (FTE) from Buenos Aires; the town itself is small and walkable, with minibuses running out to the glacier and other excursions.
Is El Chaltén worth a side trip?
Yes — the trekking base for Mount Fitz Roy is about three hours away by bus and is a popular multi-day add-on for hikers.
Is El Calafate expensive?
It's pricier than many Argentine towns due to its remote location and tourist focus — book glacier excursions and accommodation ahead, especially in peak summer months.
Traveler reviews
★★★★★
Standing on the walkways listening to the glacier crack and crash into the lake was one of the most memorable things I've ever seen. Bring warm layers even in summer.
Sofia R. · November 2023
★★★★★
Used El Calafate as a base for a few days then bused up to El Chaltén — the contrast between the glacier and the granite spires was incredible.
Tom H. · February 2024
★★★★☆
Small town with everything geared towards the glacier, which is fair enough given how good it is. Steak dinners after a day outdoors were unbeatable.
Marisa L. · March 2023
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