After visiting Torres del Paine, our next stop in Patagonia was El Calafate, located in Argentina.

Getting from Puerto Natales to El Calafate

Bus from Puerto Natales to El Calafate

• Bus Company: Turismo Zaahj

• Departure Time: 7:00 AM

• Tickets: Buy your ticket online in advance as buses can fill up quickly. One ticket cost us $36 USD (April 2025).

• Check-In: Before boarding, go to the Turismo Zaahj booth at the bus station. They will check your passport and give you a physical ticket.

Tip: Look out the window during your journey! We spotted guanacos, a grey fox, and even rheas along the way.

However, a sad sight: kilometres of barbed wire line the plains in Argentina, and we saw many guanaco carcasses caught in the fences. It was heartbreaking to see so many dead animals within just a few days.

Border Crossing

• Exit Chile: The bus first stops at Chilean immigration. Have your immigration slip (given when you first entered Chile) ready.

• Enter Argentina: After exiting Chile, you drive a short distance to the Argentinian immigration office. Entry was fast and smooth, and the bus staff helped guide everyone through the process.

Total Travel Time: Around 5–6 hours, including immigration stops.

El Calafate: Where We Stayed

• Accommodation: Cabañas Uaken

• Cost: $30 USD per night

• Location: Slightly outside the centre but very close to the bus station, ideal if you’re traveling by bus.

• Why we loved it: You get a whole little house with a kitchen! One of our favourite places we stayed during the whole trip.

First Impressions of Argentina

Compared to Chile, Argentina was noticeably more expensive, and everything that could have a charge, did. Inflation hit Argentina hard, and we immediately noticed how much quicker our money disappeared here.

SIM Card

Fortunately, getting a SIM card as a tourist in El Calafate is much easier than in other parts of South America. You can find SIM cards in small convenience stores, such as Panda. BUT! This is where the positive story ends. Getting the card working is a very long and difficult process. You need to activate it yourself, and then put money on the account to buy a package, which sounds easy enough. Well, apparently, even for tourists, it is impossible to buy a package since you need an Argentine ID number to pay with card. So, no internet access for me.

ATMs 

Getting cash in Argentina can be frustrating. ATM fees are extremely high, expect to pay between $10–13 USD in transaction fees per withdrawal, no matter how much you take out.

If you still have some Chilean pesos left, you can exchange them at official exchange offices in town. However, be prepared for a bad exchange rate.

To avoid paying crazy fees, many travellers bring USD cash into Argentina and exchange it at unofficial rates (known as the “dólar blue” rate), but this depends on how comfortable you feel doing that.

Visiting Glacier Perito Moreno

One of the highlights of El Calafate is the Glacier Perito Moreno, and it’s absolutely worth a visit!

How To Get There

• Bus Company: Marga Taqsa

• Bus Departure: 8:30 AM (there is also an afternoon bus option)

• Ticket Price: 33 USD per person (cheaper if you pay cash at the Marga Taqsa office).

• Buy Tickets: At least a day in advance at the main bus terminal to secure your spot.

Important:

• You must also buy an “embarquement” ticket (3000 ARS) to use the bus terminal.
• Buy this at the terminal before you board, they will ask for it.

Park Entry

• Entry Ticket: 45,000 ARS per person (only 15,000 for locals, a huge price difference).

• Where to Buy: At the park entrance (cash or card accepted).

• Note: Unlike Chile, Argentina charges separately for each park visit, which adds up fast.

What To Expect

• The bus journey takes about 1.5 hours.

• Along the way, keep an eye out for wildlife, we even saw Chilean flamingos!

• Upon arrival, a free shuttle brings you from the bus parking area to the walkways, departing every few minutes.

• The bus waits for you at the parking lot and leaves back to El Calafate at 2:30 PM.

Final Thoughts

Even though the park entry price was ridiculously high, Glacier Perito Moreno was one of the best places we visited in Patagonia. We absolutely recommend going if your budget allows!