El Calafate
From World travel guide
El Calafate is a small town that has grown due to the tourist influx into the Patagonia region of Argentina. It is set on the glacial blue Lago Argentina and is full of eager trekkers.
Contents |
Get in
Get around
Make sure you book your bus ticket out of this town, when you get there, or you can get stuck there for a couple of days.
See
A must, the Perito Moreno Glacier, 80km (50miles)away from El Calafate. You can see the enormous glacier just meters away from you, and listen all the sounds that the cracking ice makes 24 hours a day. And when a front wall of the glacier falls down, well, is just amazing! It is the main point of tourism. You can visit many ranchs (estancias), where you can enjoy the wild nature, perfect meals, and stay there in the middle of nowhere, relaxing from the big cities rush. Or take a boat excursion and see many of the glaciers and places in the National Park Los Glaciares. Another perfect point, is Onelli Bay, one of the most romantics sites here. Just bring your lunch box, a bottle of champagne, and chill it in the lake, or just add a piece of pure cristal ice. Wild nature can be seeing just walking a few blocks away town, like El Cañadón, or Laguna Nimez, where you can see all kind of patagonic birds. At night, grab a chair and go outside. The non poluted sky shows stars like you will never see again, and don´t be surprised by satellites passing by!
Do
Excursions to Moreno glacier, by bus. Don´t miss "Chacho´s", the restaurant where you can eat and see the glacier! Excursion to "All Glaciers", all day long but worth the trip every single minute. Visit a ranch. Ask your travel agency where to go. Recommendations ; Nibepo Aike Ranch, Rincón Ranch, Alta Vista Ranch. Don´t go dancing and drinking at night to "La Toldería". It´s Shite.
Buy
Eat
- Patagonic Lamb "cordero patagónico" is the main dish. Typical barbecue (asado) is very good. But if you are tired of meat, just try pizza and "empanadas" at La Toldería bar, Av del Libertador 1177.
- Don Pichón is a very good grill and restaurant.
Don´t miss:
- At Sancho ,25 de Mayo 90, ask for the stuffed beaf, or "Bife de Lomo relleno".
- At La Chancha y los 20, Av. del Libertador 1250, ask for brochettes.One brochette is enough for 2 normal persons.
- At La Vaca Atada (The tied cow, :), ask the "milanesa completa".If you like meat, don´t even ask what is it, just surprise yourself. Is a dely.
- Vegetarians, if you eat at Pura Vida, you risk stomach illness.
- And La Tablita is the first restaurant that locals mention when you ask where to eat, but is utterly bad. A tourist trap.
Eat, eat, and eat!
Drink
Argentina´s wine is one of the finest. Take advantage of the exchange rate and enjoy yourself with them. Or drink whatever you want, like beer from all over the world, wiskeys, liquors, champagne, etc. Or a Diet Coke :)
Sleep
- Alto Calafate Hotel Patagónico, Ruta Prov. Nº 11, Tel: 011-4326-2097, [1]. Opening in November 2005 and located in an outstanding point with superb view, this 101-room four-star hotel is aimed at visitors who want higher-end lodging. Also includes a quality restaurant featuring gourmet meals, exquisite wines and liquors. Ask for "cordero", and let the chef or the waiter choose for you.
- America del Sur, Puerto Desador (near La Bamba) 02902-493525 [2]. Welcomed by a sign urging to take off your shoes. The helpful staff will help you with planning everything from your visit to the Perito Moreno Glacier till the remainder of your travel. With internet facilities, shared kitchen, floor heating and a panoramic view of the sunset over El Calafate. Dormbed Ar$30. Doesn't accept reservations.
- Cerro Cristal Hotel, Gregores 989, phone 02902-491088[3]. Note - the website is totally in Spanish. Hotel is very clean, WARM, well located (one block off the main drag), walking distance to the tourism office, and costs $40 pesos (usd$13) for 2 single beds, per night as of Aug, 2004. With internet facilities, a kitchen (breakfast provided at no charge), hot water, and comfortable beds. Day tours arranged to Perito Moreno (or the entire glacier national park, Monte Fitz Roy, etc). Email: cerrocristalhotel@cotecal.com.ar.
Get out
- Perito Moreno nearby is one of the few advancing glaciers in the world, which is 30km x 5km wide. Nature at its most awesome and intimidating.
- Nearby El Chalten provides excellent hiking possibilities.
External links
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