El Calafate is best known as a base for visiting the colossal Perito Moreno Glacier, one of South America’s greatest natural attractions. Whether you’re in town to see the glacier, the flamingoes on Lago Argentino, or just to chill out as you backpack through Patagonia, there is a great choice of budget accommodation waiting to welcome you.
This guide compiles the best hostels in El Calafate to help you choose where to stay.
Prices below are shown in US dollars. Argentina’s currency, the peso, has fluctuated severely in the last couple of years, so we recommend checking the latest exchange rates at xe.com before you travel. To browse all accommodation options in El Calafate, see booking.com and check out our guide to Airbnb alternatives.
This article contains links to hostels and services we love, from which we may make commission at no extra cost to you.
Tips on booking the best hostels in El Calafate
Visiting El Calafate? First, let’s get you there:
✈️ Skyscanner: flying to El Calafate is often easiest and cheaper than other means — we search the best deals using Skyscanner
🚌 Busbud: check out Busbud, which we use often in South America, to compare bus routes to El Calafate
🚗 DiscoverCars: you may opt to drive yourself and we always use Discover for the best deals
Our first hand tips for booking hostels in El Calafate:
📆 Book well in advance: the best hostels in El Calafate sell out fast
💲 When pricing online: remember to check if the 27% hotel tax is included or not – this could make a big difference in your planning!
📈 Shoulder season prices: September/October and March/April are the cheapest — rates increase during Christmas, New Years, and the rest of the high season
🔎 Hotel booking minimums: some hotels require a minimum 2-3 days stay for the most popular dates, so check and adjust your schedule as needed
El Calafate: a quick introduction
El Calafate is one of the most popular stop-offs on the typical backpacker route through Patagonia. Take a look at our Patagonia itinerary for ideas on how you can fit it into your trip.The town is situated close to Argentina’s border with Chile, roughly 270 kilometres from Puerto Natales by road.
The breathtaking landscapes of Torres Del Paine National Park are a short hop across the border, and you can even take day trips from the town. To the north, El Chaltén – another stunning spot for hiking (see our El Chaltén trekking guide) – is a 215-kilometre drive away.
However, the reason most people come to El Calafate is to see Perito Moreno Glacier. Part of the gargantuan South Patagonian Ice Field, it is a 30-kiometre wide glacial beast covering 250 square kilometres. The glacier is a little over an hour’s drive from the town.
It’s not just the proximity to these natural beauties that makes El Calafate a great place to visit. The town has a quiet, laid-back vibe even at its busiest, and a selection of eateries serving delicious regional food and drink. As you may expect from such a well-visited town, there is no shortage of options when it comes to accommodation, either. So, read on for our suggestions for the best hostels in El Calafate.
El Calafate hostels: quick comparison
This table compares the El Calafate hostels that we highlight in more detail below. The prices shown are for the high season. Cheaper rates can often be found in low season, between April and September.
| Hostel | Quick info | Prices (high season) | View and book |
|---|---|---|---|
| Folk Hostel | Excellent all-round hostel located between the bus station and town | Dorms from $24, privates from $60 | booking.com | hostelworld |
| America Del Sur Hostel | Large hostel in traditional wooden building with stunning lake views | Dorms from $40, privates from $220 | booking.com | hostelworld |
| Viajero Calafate Hostel | Budget hostel with adjoining bar and restaurant outside of town with great atmosphere and gorgeous lake views | Dorms from $27, privates from $93 | booking.com |
| Hostel Del Glaciar Pioneros | Spacious hostel with lively backpacker atmosphere and extensive facilities | Dorms from $26, privates from $52 | booking.com | hostelworld |
Best hostels in El Calafate: the details
These are four of the top-rated hostels in El Calafate, each of which has a slightly different style and vibe. Read on to pick your perfect hostel.
Folk Hostel
With top-notch facilities and outstanding friendly service, Folk Hostel is one of the very best all-round hostels in El Calafate. It is located conveniently about 5 minutes’ walk from the bus station and 10 minutes from the town centre.
The facilities at Folk include super-comfy beds, great showers, a big modern kitchen and even underfloor heating. The staff are highly knowledgeable about the area and can help with recommendations about where to eat and shop. A free buffet-style breakfast is served every day.
- Cost: dorms from $24 / privates from $60
- Facilities include: free breakfast, free wifi, 24-hour reception, self-catering facilities, security lockers, currency exchange, bicycle hire, luggage storage, shuttle bus, tour bookings
America Del Sur Hostel
It may be a little further out of town, but it’s worth the 15-minute walk to America Del Sur Hostel for the fantastic views over Lago Argentino. The hostelis clearly one of the best hostels in El Calafate. It is built in a large wooden traditional Patagonian building, with giant windows in its common area facing out onto the lake.
The hostel is also kitted out with great facilities, including a fully equipped kitchen, underfloor heating, and great social spaces. There’s an on-site restaurant and bar where you can order grilled Argentinian meat and local meals, and free breakfast is served each morning.
- Cost: dorms from $40 / privates from $220
- Facilities include: free breakfast, free wifi, 24-hour reception, security lockers, self-catering facilities, common room, laundry, luggage storage, airport transfers, tour bookings
Viajero Calafate Hostel
Viajero Calafate Hostel is part of a popular and growing small chain of hostels across Latin America. We loved staying at the Viajero Hostel in Buenos Aires, due to the great facilities and a friendly social vibe with some organized on-site activities. This is perfect for meeting other travellers, without being too party-wild, and seems to be a signature aspect throughout all Viajero hostels, which is a big plus in our opinion!
About a 30-minute walk from the centre of town, the hostel has an expansive rooftop terrace with stunning views, off-setting the inconvenience of not being centrally located.
The Viajero Calafate is relatively new, with well-equipped dorm and private rooms, and the friendly, upbeat, staff members give local tips and help with your travel needs. The hostel offers a kitchen for self-catering, as well as an on-site bar and restaurant. So, even though there aren’t many shops in the immediate area, you’ll never want for food and drink.
- Cost: dorms from $27 / privates from $93
- Facilities include: free breakfast, free wifi, garden, bar and restaurant, lake view, common room, fitness centre, outdoor fireplace, self-catering facilities, rooftop terrace
Hostel Del Glaciar Pioneros
Hostel Del Glaciar Pioneros is a clean and cosy hostel in a central location with all the facilities you could possibly need for your stay in El Calafate. It has a spacious kitchen, an on-site bar and restaurant, bicycle hire and a lively common area. The friendly staff can also help arrange tours and airport transfers.
The hostel’s dorms have a maximum capacity of six people. Each bed is fitted with its own privacy curtain, providing an essence of personal space. With a vibrant backpacker atmosphere it’s a great place for meeting other travellers.
- Cost: dorms from $26 / privates from $52
- Facilities include: free breakfast, free wifi, bar, 24-hour reception and security, self-catering facilities, bicycle rental, common room, security lockers, luggage storage, airport transfers, tour bookings
Map of El Calafate hostels
The map below shows the locations of the El Calafate hostels highlighted in this article:
How to get to El Calafate
El Calafate is located along the popular tourist route through Patagonia and can be reached by various means. The quickest and easiest (and not always the most expensive) is to fly to El Calafate’s international airport.
For example, a flight from Buenos Aires can cost as little as $50 US dollars if booked in advance. A bus journey from Buenos Aires typically costs more and would take several days, travelling via Rio Gallegos.
If you are backpacking along the classic Patagonia travel route, El Calafate is very easy to reach by bus. Check out our article on how to get around Patagonia by bus which covers the routes to El Calafate from El Chaltén and Puerto Natales. You can also use Busbud to compare the best prices for bus services.
Another option is to drive. El Calafate is a short distance away from Ruta 40, Argentina’s famous highway that runs up the western edge of the country. You can also hire a car, which has become much more affordable in recent years in Patagonia – see DiscoverCars for a quote on the best available prices.
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