This is the question many will ponder when planning their Patagonian itinerary in the Santa Cruz region. During our visit we stayed in both, and think that there are reasons to consider one or the other. This guide will cover off a few of the key reasons to consider staying in El Calafate, and staying in El Chalten. The ultimate decision may depend on your goals and what you enjoy, and you might end up staying in both like we did!
Why should you stay in El Calafate:
- Proximity to airport: El Calafate is home to the airport in the region, and is considered a gateway to Patagonia. Flights arrive from around Argentina and Santiago (Chile), making it a really easy stop and entry point for your visit.
- Perito Moreno Glacier: This is one of the primary reasons to stay in El Calafate. The glacier is one of the most breathtaking locations we have ever witnessed, and would highly recommend it to anyone. This is worth a stay in El Calafate alone! (see guide here).
- More tour options: El Calafate is the bigger town, home to more tour operators. If you are looking to have a variety of experiences, including Glacier tours, horse-riding, asado barbeques, ranch visits and more, El Calafate might tick that box better!
- Varied accommodation options: Being the bigger town, El Calafate has more accommodation options, including more ‘top tier’ and mid-low range stays.
Why should you stay in El Chalten:
- The hikes! El Chalten is the gateway to so many of Patagonia’s best hikes! These trails leave right from the doorstep, and the hikes are truly world class. This is the reason many visit El Chalten.
- The town vibe: Situated at the base of the mountains, El Chalten has a special vibe. The locals are friendly, the tourists have common interests, and overall it feels a little more ‘cultured’ than El Calafate.
- The views: Expect breathtaking views at every turn in El Chalten. From the Ruta 40 and Ruta 23 drive into town, to the main view at the entrance of El Chalten, all the way to the sneak peak of Fitz Roy mountain on the main road! It’s exceptional and mind-blowing!
- The restaurant quality: While both towns have a wide range of restaurant options, we found the quality of restaurants, bars and cafes to be a little better in El Chalten.
Like the thought of a visit to El Chalten? See our guide here!
Unconvinced? Well.. plan to visit both! If you want to visit both the Perito Moreno Glacier (a must visit in our opinion) and the hikes of El Chalten (also must do in our view), then spreading your days between then is a great option. Consider 1-2 days in El Calafate where you fly in, stay the night, visit Perito Moreno, then enjoy the amazing road trip (see here) between El Calafate to El Chalten. You can then enjoy the stunning mountain town of El Chalten for 2-7 days. The best of both!
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